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I’d fully expected to get called onto the carpet by Principal Simmons, and rightfully so. What I didn’t expect was her cheery lack of concern at the idea, nor to finally receive recognition for a program she’d never fully supported.
I didn’t know how I felt about any of it.
Happy? Tempted? Confused?
Maybe all three.
One thing I knew for sure? If I did go along with Hunter’s plan—assuming he’d really meant it as more than a joke—I could not make the same mistakes Alexa had.
CHAPTER9
CLARK
My heart acceleratedas the large Victorian at the north corner of Ball and Sack came into view. The Victorian was beautiful, painted pale blue with a gingerbread trim, steeply pitched rooflines, a decorative stained-glass window in the attic, and an actual turret worthy of Rapunzel. A circular porch swept out in an arc on one side, supported by thick columns, the perfect stage for a historical re-enactment if I could get Hunter to agree.
But history nerd or no, that wasn’t what made my heart speed up. No, it was the thought of entering Hunter’s home.
No,I corrected,this is merely Toby’s tutoring spot.
I took a deep breath, willing myself to calm down and keep some perspective. So, Hunter had jokingly suggested we go on a date to settle the restless natives around town. That didn’t mean he would want to follow through. And it certainly didn’t mean I should get all fluttery like a silly schoolboy. No matter what happened, Hunter would remain off-limits.
You’re a professional, so act like it.
I parked at the curb, then grabbed my laptop bag and crossed the street. Ball-Sack was a historical neighborhood, but sadly many of the homes hadn’t been well-maintained over the years. For every two homes that had been lovingly cared for, there were three that were sagging and faded, looking every bit their age.
Hunter’s home fell somewhere in the middle.
Some of the second-floor windows were boarded over, but the roof was solid and the paint merely faded rather than peeling off in chunks like it was on some homes. The landscaping left a lot to be desired, though at least it wasn’t overgrown with weeds. I could still see the grandeur of the home it had once been. With a little work, it could be one of the most beautiful structures in town. A shame that we hadn’t taken more care with our history.
The thud-thud-thud of a hammer echoed, and partway up the sidewalk, I spotted Hunter on the side porch. I diverted course, crossing the lawn and ascending the steps without ever catching his notice.
Hunter wore only a T-shirt despite the chilly January day, his coat tossed aside. He was on his knees, hammering a plank of wood into place. A patchwork of planks that didn’t match the rest of the porch told the tale well enough. Some of the old boards must have rotted away. With each strike of the hammer, Hunter’s back muscles shifted, his T-shirt rode up to expose a pale strip of skin, and his biceps flexed.
I didn’t know where to look. There was just so much man and muscle and hotness on display. I’d never thought watching someone hammer something could be so scintillating, but I was entranced.
Until he turned to grab another nail and saw me leering at him like a deranged person. He startled, dropping the hammer with a clatter.
“Sorry,” I blurted.
“Clark, hi.” He scrambled to his feet. “You’re early.”
“Sorry, I thought, um, uh…” So much for that college education. Words had deserted me.
Hunter looked baffled, and no wonder. “It’s fine. We can start early. I’m always working on the house. It’s kind of a never-ending project.”
“The house!” Brain power suddenly came flooding back. “I came early because I kind of wanted a tour before starting with Toby, and I wanted to talk to you about an idea I had for the historical project my kids are doing. But if it’s a bad time…”
“No, it’s cool.”
I waved a hand. “You’re clearly busy.”
Hunter shrugged off my protests, heading for the side door into the house. “I was ready for a break.” He paused before letting me in. “Just remember, historic doesn’t equal nice.”
“No, but it does equal special. At least in my book.”
He snorted. “You should try telling Toby that. He was not impressed when I showed him our new home. Then again, I think he would have found any reason to hate it since it’s not in Minneapolis with his mom. I just made it easy by buying an old place that needs a lot of work.” He sighed. “Sorry, TMI.”
“Hey, that’s okay. It’s just going to take time for Toby to settle.”
