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I lifted a brow. “What are you taking?”
She reached into her backpack and pulled out a pre-calculus book. “This crap.”
Laughing, I moved to sit next to her. “You must be in advanced classes if you’re in pre-calc your junior year.”
“Yes, how did you know?”
“You’re looking at a woman who used to teach high school math. I love math.”
She groaned exaggeratedly. “You’re gross.”
I bumped her shoulder with a grin. “Why don’t you show me what you’re working on and maybe I can help.”
“Doubt it, not even my expensive tutor has been able to explain it to me.”
“Give me ten minutes, that’s all I ask.”
Eleanor opened her book, and we were soon spread out at the small table in the corner as I went over equations with her. She was a quick learner. I couldn’t imagine what in the world was wrong with her tutor. She simply needed a few things explained and she caught on.
“For the love of all… Why couldn’t Mrs. Balling or Mr. Henderson teach me like this? I totally get it!”
“Eleanor? What’s going on?”
We both looked over at the beautiful blonde standing before us. She was dressed to the nines in a business suit and stood with her hands on slim hips.
I quickly stood and straightened my own pencil skirt. “I’m so sorry, she mentioned having trouble in her math class, and I offered to help. I used to teach high school math.”
“Mom!” Eleanor cried, jumping up and dashing over to her. “Emma explained it to me in like less than ten minutes! I totally get what I was missing.”
The woman, whom I guessed was Mrs. Rose Piper, owner of the employment agency and mother of Eleanor, stared down at the papers, up at me, then back to the papers. She finally settled her gaze on me again.
“Emma Middleton?”
I nodded, reached my hand out and answered with a confident smile. “Yes, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Mrs. Piper, I presume?”
“Yes. Eleanor, why don’t you finish your schoolwork while I speak with Ms. Middleton.”
“Right! Will do,” the young girl said before plopping back down at the table and picking up her textbook.
Following Mrs. Piper down the hallway, I let out a breath quietly and slowly. It had been some time since I’d last had an interview.
We stepped into a bright blue office with a view of the mountain range. I gasped when I saw it.
Mrs. Piper chuckled. “It’s something, isn’t it? I don’t think I’ll ever tire of the beauty.”
I nodded as I took a seat. “It almost doesn’t look real.”
She let her gaze search the mountains before she grinned slightly, then focused back on me. “So, Ms. Middleton, tell me what brings you to Estes Park and what type of work you’re looking for? Teaching positions?”
With a polite smile, I sat up straight and decided honesty was the best policy.
“Well, if I’m being honest, I’m here for a fresh start. I used to live outside of Dallas, Texas, and I taught high school math right out of college, before my ex-husband insisted I stay at home. I haven’t worked in over eight years, unfortunately. And truthfully, I’m not looking to get back into teaching. I was hoping for something lower-key, but I’d still love to work with children. I volunteered at our church and worked in the children’s Bible school over the summers.”
She nodded. “But not in a teaching position?”
“Correct.”
She studied me for a few moments. “May I ask a personal question?”
