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Dakota shuffled over to her before she could open the door, his heart pounding uncharacteristically in his chest. “No. Why don’t you let them know and then you can call Krista, my business manager, and set up a time and an activity. Maybe next week? I know you need time with permission slips and such.”
Principal Myers let her hand slide off the knob and Dakota let out a breath. For one brief moment there, his entire plan nearly imploded. If he had to tell Leah about the free trip himself, she’d see right through him. Better if it came from her boss.
So she couldn’t refuse.
Maybe it was a low trick, but he didn’t feel too bad about it. If Leah wanted to play hard to get, he could play harder. He wasn’t one to accept defeat, and with this strategy a bunch of deserving kids got a nice reward. How could that be wrong?
“Okay.” Principal Myers turned away from the room and Dakota was happy to follow her.
After one more peek at Leah, of course. She was still making that puppet do its thing and the children were raising their hands, no doubt dying to answer a question and please her. She gave them all big smiles, and Dakota was struck by how much he wanted her to smile at him like that.
Be patient with Leah.Heidi’s email came back to him as a reminder. He could be patient. He could also help things along by forcing her to go on a field trip with him. Sure, there would be like twenty-something fourth graders along on the date, but when each of those kids had an awesome time on their adventure, she’d have to see he was worth the chance.
Wouldn’t she?
Dakota had never been on such shaky ground before. He was unsure of himself. He was frazzled. He couldn’t stop thinking about Leah. His body was buzzy.
He was a mess.
“Yes, we’ll need time for permissions slips,” Principal Myers said, bringing him back from the brink of an… an anxiety attack? “But honestly, I don’t know anyone in this town who wouldn’t let his or her child run wild in the woods withyou.” She offered him a genuine smile as she rubbed his arm. “You’ve got a doctorate in the outdoors, don’t you?”
“Dr. Adventure,” he said with a grin. “That’s me.”
The principal’s chuckle as she led him to the front entrance of the school did wonders to settle him. He’d never let a woman get him this riled up. He’d also never had one capture his interest quite like Leah had. What was it about her? Only a handful of interactions with her and she was permanently stuck in his system. Maybe spending more time with her wouldn’t be good for his health.
Then again, maybe it would be the best thing he’d ever done. He was willing to roll the dice.
“When Leah’s class is done with the kindergarteners, I’ll tell them the good news.” Principal Myers opened the front doors and he followed her outside. “Thanks, Dakota. I’m sure the students will be so excited.”
But would their teacher?
Chapter Four
He was clever. She’d give him that. Leah tightened the laces on her hiking boots and tried her best to mentally prepare for the day ahead. The day that consisted of an adventure hike, picnic, and obstacle course challenge with one Mr. Dakota Brenton and her class of fourth graders.
When Principal Myers had come into her classroom last week and announced her class had been selected to receive a free adventure trip courtesy of Birch Peak Adventures, Leah had searched the immediate area for a hidden camera. The principal couldn’t be serious, could she? Then Leah quickly understood what was happening.
Dakota was coercing her into going on an adventure with him. One she couldn’t refuse because the principal had made the announcement in front of the students. After their thunderous cheers, the news couldn’t be taken back. Not without her looking like a total jerk. Principal Myers also thought it was a wonderful idea.
“Your students deserve this, Miss Greenstead,” she’d said. “They’ve been working so hard, have been great role models for everyone—the kindergarteners in particular—and some of them spoke to me earlier about a project for the senior center they want to do. I couldn’t be prouder of them… and you. You’ve been a wonderful addition to our staff, Leah.”
Nail. In. Coffin.
At first, Leah had been furious. Who did he think he was? No meantno.
But she hadn’t actually saidnoto him, had she? She’d skirted around his advances, engaged in a little word play with him, put him off. None of that equaled an outright refusal.
So she’d play his game. She’d take her class on this adventure trip—which they were out-of-their-minds excited about—and she’d maintain her professionalism as their teacher. She’d keep a sharp eye on all her charges. She’d be cordial to their guide and donor. She’d look for opportunities to bring her assigned curriculum to their outdoor experiences today. She’d do what the town of Maplehaven paid her to do.
She’d teach.
She would not spend any time ogling Dakota. She would not compliment him on his generosity or skill in leading their trip. She would not wonder what it might be like to throw caution to the wind and press her lips to his.
Nope.
Standing now in her living room, she swiped a hand across her brow and was surprised to find some beads of sweat there. Strange. A full-on autumn bite inhabited the air now that the first week of October had arrived. No reason for her to be sweating. No reason that didn’t have to do with six plus feet of Vermont mountain man anyway.
Jeez.She shook herself out and jogged in a circle for a few minutes like a boxer, preparing for a fight. She could do this. She could spend a day with Dakota and not get hooked. She could stand strong in her life goals of protecting her heart at all costs. Any other option would inevitably destroy her.
