Her Kind of Man. Pamela Yaye

took a few minutes for the kids to settle down and return their attention to the tour guide. “On to the lions!” Becky shouted, tiptoeing down the road. “We have to keep quiet. They have super-duper hearing and a strong sense of smell. We don’t want anyone to get gobbled up by a jungle lion, do we?”

      Kenyon approached Kay. “Sorry I’m late but traffic was insane.” The lie rolled off his lips with ease. “I got here as fast as I could.”

      “No problem.”

      Their eyes did the tango. He stared; she looked away. She stared; he held her gaze.

      Desiree stepped forward. “I guess I’ll have to introduce myself since my co-worker here has forgotten her manners.” She nudged Makayla with her elbow. “I’m Desiree Hill, the other first-grade teacher at Springs Park. I’ve heard a lot about you, Mr. Blake.”

      Kenyon turned away from Kay and shook Desiree’s outstretched hand. “Nice to meet you. I think you and I should talk.” He read the confusion in her eyes and explained, “I want you to tell me everything you know about Ms. Stevens.”

      Desiree laughed and Makayla coughed.

      “Are you all right?” Kenyon asked, a grin enveloping his lips. Kay looked like as if she was about to collapse. Her breathing was shallow and although it wasn’t hot by any standards, she was fanning her face.

      “Fine, thank you.” In an effort to reclaim her poise, she cleared her throat. Handing him a yellow piece of paper, she said, “Everything you need to know is right here. Thanks again for coming. We really appreciate your taking the time out of your day.”

      “My pleasure.” Something about the way he looked at her told her he wasn’t talking about the field trip. Makayla’s mind drifted back to last night. When she opened her front door and saw Kenyon and Terrance on her doorstep, carrying a bouquet of flowers and a box chocolates, she had almost lost her footing and teetered off the steps. Thunderstruck, she could scarcely speak. In a short-sleeved shirt, a pair of tattered shorts and natty hair, she had been quite the sight but Kenyon didn’t seem put off by her appearance. Her emotions had seesawed between excitement and all-out fear, but she had kept herself together during the hour-long visit. Terrance had been on his best behavior and surprised her by being incredibly polite.

      Makayla spotted Terrance leaning toward the lion cage. If there was one thing she knew about the willful six-year old, it was that he had an eye for trouble. Heaving her backpack over her shoulder, she said, “Let’s go. We’d better keep up with the kids.”

      Kenyon smiled at her, his gaze lingering on her full lips. “Lead the way, Ms. Stevens. I’m right behind you.”