“No need for you to feel guilty.”
That was nice of him to say, but she knew it was a lie.
He held up the check. “Don’t you want to hold off on this in case I don’t actually finish the race?”
“You’ll finish. I don’t doubt that for a moment.” She took Torie’s hand. “Tell Arnie goodbye, honey. Grandma’s waiting for us.”
With her daughter in tow, Ellie hurried toward the parking lot. Having such an outgoing child had its disadvantages.
A muscle pulsed in Arnie’s jaw as he watched Ellie and her daughter scurry away. His hands grasped the armrests of his chair, turning his knuckles white.
He had to get a grip on his volatile emotions—a boiling mix of anger, longing and grief—whenever Ellie showed up.
In eight long years he still hadn’t figured out how to do that.
Chapter Four
“Shane, we don’t throw sand at our friends.” Ellie quickly corrected the boy’s behavior Monday morning, during outdoor playtime at the preschool.
It was the second week of classes, and she already felt more comfortable with her students, knew all their names and their differing personalities.
They seemed more at ease with her, as well.
On this hot September day, most of the children wore shorts and a T-shirt, their arms and legs darkly tanned from a summer in the sun.
Squinting, Ellie scanned the play yard to check on her other students just as a van pulled into the parking area. A moment later, Arnie rode the wheelchair lift down to the ground. Sheila hopped right off and waited for him.
Ellie’s heart stuttered an extra beat and her breathing accelerated. She wondered what had brought Arnie to the school.
Some of the children recognized him and his dog.
They raced to the wire fence, shouting his name. Torie was there first.
“Arnie! Arnie! Did you bring your horses?” she cried.
“Not today, squirt.” He reached through the fence to tweak Torie’s nose. “Hey, kids, you having a good time at school?”
They clamored to answer him all at once, a chorus of high-pitched, excited voices.
Without giving it any thought, Ellie strolled toward the fence and Arnie. He looked dressed for wrangling cows, well-worn, faded jeans, blue work shirt and black Stetson firmly in place. Despite the wheelchair, he managed to radiate sinewy strength, constrained only by his self-confidence.
“Good morning.” Her voice a little husky, she forced a smile. “I hope my check didn’t bounce already.”
His lips twitched, and a sparkle appeared in his dark eyes. “No one has deposited it yet. Should I be worried?”
“No, of course not,” she gasped. “I just thought—”
“I came by to see Vanna. There’s a school board meeting Thursday night. They’re going to vote on Vanna’s request to turn Ability Counts into a charter school, kindergarten through third grade.”
“Yes, Vanna mentioned that to me.” Vanna’s dream of expanding Ability Counts from four preschool classrooms to a school for all primary grades was a big reason Ellie had been so eager to accept the job here. The school board hearing was a first step.
“I’m going speak to the need for specialized services for disabled kids. I wanted to touch base with her before the meeting, and I was in town, anyway.”
“I think she’s in the office.”
“Good. See you later, kids.” He started to roll up the ramp, then stopped. “Are you coming to the board meeting?”
“Yes. Vanna wanted as many supporters as possible to attend. We’ve asked all the parents to be there if they can.”
He held her gaze for a moment, making Ellie wonder if he was pleased or dismayed by her answer. Then he nodded. “I’ll see you Thursday night.”
He wheeled away, Sheila trotting along with him. Ellie exhaled. After all these years, he shouldn’t have any effect on her. No racing pulse. No shallow breathing. No ache for what might have been.
But he did affect her. Like a direct shot of caffeine into her veins. A shot she’d better get over soon, before she made a fool of herself.
“All right, children,” she said, shaking off the image of Arnie’s muscular arms and his sweet smile for the kids. “Let’s go inside for story time. Can you all please line up at the door?” She gently herded the youngsters toward the classroom.
Before she had the children settled down, Peggy Numark appeared at the classroom door. Short and petite, Peggy looked like a pixie and would never be taken for the fifty-year-old teacher that she was. More like a mother of one of the children.
“Ellie, Vanna would like to see you in the conference room. She asked me to take your kids for a few minutes.”
Ellie frowned. “Now?”
Without any further explanation, Peggy said, “Come along, children. Miss Peggy has the best story she’s going to read to you.”
Dutifully, the children trailed after the energetic teacher.
With a puzzled shake of her head, Ellie headed for the conference room, located near Vanna’s office. She arrived to find Arnie still meeting with Vanna.
Ellie slowed her pace. “Peggy said you wanted—”
“Yes, come in, please.” Vanna waved her in the door. “I need to pick your brain a bit.”
“She already picked mine,” Arnie said, deadpan. “And discovered it was empty.”
Ellie’s lips twitched. “That’s hard to believe.”
“Not when you know I spend my days talking to a dog and a bunch of cows,” he countered.
Sheila shook her head, rattling her collar, as though she disagreed with Arnie’s statement.
Choosing a chair opposite Arnie, Ellie sat down at the long table. “What did you need?” she asked Vanna.
“I want it to be obvious to the school board members at the meeting Thursday that we have a lot of support in the community,” Vanna said. “I’m not quite sure how to do that in a subtle, but very visible, way.”
“I suggested everyone could wave little American flags,” Arnie said. “I think Nate at the grocery store probably has some.”
“I’m not keen on that idea. Not specific enough.” Vanna’s brows lowered in thought, and she rubbed her left arm.
“Maybe a campaign-style button,” Ellie said. “Something big enough to be seen at a distance, with Ability Counts printed on it.”
Vanna brightened. “Well, now …” She turned to
Arnie. “What do you think?”
“I’ve always thought Ellie was more than just a beautiful woman. She’s smart, too.” His steady gaze latched onto hers, but he didn’t smile.
For a moment, Ellie couldn’t breathe. Was that what he’d really thought of her? Could that possibly still be true? It was impossible to read his thoughts when he sent such a mixed message.
Vanna eyed Arnie with interest and smiled. “Then I’d say we have a winner. Can you find out where to get those buttons made?” she asked Ellie.
“I may have to drive to Manhattan, but a copier store should be able to do the job.”
“Perfect,”