Charmed (Contemporary Romance) (17 page)

“All right, settle down. My only concern, in regards to the school, is that a sentimental relationship between its headmaster and a parent would have to be out in the open, serious, and, well, PG. We can’t help whom we fall in love with, but keeping things honest and going about things the right way would help the school avoid bad publicity. I don’t want to pry into your personal life, Nick, but you need to give me your word that when it comes to the school, I have nothing to worry about.”

Can’t help whom we fall in love with?
Nick stared at his old friend. “I’m leaving soon, William, and any rumors should die down soon after. I can’t guarantee you have nothing to worry about, William, because I don’t even know what it is this nameless person is accusing me of and because I’m human. But I can guarantee that if I ever become involved in a sentimental relationship of any kind, with anyone, I’ll inform you immediately. And I give you my word that I will stay away from Mrs. Sullivan. The last thing she needs is to be connected to me by rumors. She doesn’t deserve the scrutiny, William. And, I understand, neither does the school. I’ll be mindful of both.”

William studied Nick, his expression neutral. “You’re right when you say you’re only human. Just remember that.”

The weight of everything he’d been carelessly risking settled on him. He’d worked hard to build his life just the way he liked it. He’d carved out a place where he could be himself, have his fun, yet still have the respect and trust of the people around him.

He fully intended to come back to this life.

“Nick, can we talk to you ’bout something?” Timmy came up to Nick one day during indoor recess, Michael two steps behind him. Nick had been giving one of the custodians instructions on an electrical issue and had been just about to leave the kindergarten classroom.

“Sure, buddies. What’s up?” he asked.

“Why is Jason’s mom getting married to someone who isn’t Jason’s dad?” Michael asked.

This was a tough one, and Nick paused to pick his words carefully. “Well, because sometimes things just don’t work out the way you want them to. It would be great if two people fell in love, had children, and stayed together forever, but it just doesn’t work out that way for everybody. It does for some, like your grandparents and your aunt and uncle, just not for everybody.”

“Like you’re not with Emma’s mom?” Timmy asked, apprehensively.

“And like Mom didn’t want Dad to die,” Michael said softly.

“Exactly.” Nick breathed out slowly. “You know, I think you two already understand better than most people how things don’t always work out as planned. We just have to make the most with what we’ve got, and that’s what Jason, Alex, and Marie are doing. Jason now has even more people to love him. You should really talk to your mom about this if it’s making you uneasy.”

“Will Mom marry a stepdad?” Timmy asked.

“Maybe Mom can marry Alex!”

Nick panicked. He put his hand on his chest, wondering if mere questions could cause heartburn. “I, uh … well, guys, I really think that’s a question for your mom. But you know what? You have no reason to be jealous of Jason. You two already have more than enough people to love you. Maybe you should ask your mom for a puppy instead of a stepdad, okay?”

“A puppy … ” Michael repeated slowly, his eyes bright and smile wide. Timmy showed his enthusiasm by jumping up and down.

• • •

With Christmas season coming up, Jamie threw herself into activities with a renewed sense of purpose. She was on both the Christmas play and decoration committees at school and she was enjoying the new creative outlets … and distractions.

A huge tree with decorations made by the children, multicolored lights that looked like candy strewn about, a beautiful nativity scene, and the scent of pine greeted her whenever she walked into the school.

The play was coming along well, the kids were adorable with their lines and their songs, and they’d managed to give each child something special to do. Parents would be delighted.

There was a sweet sense of accomplishment regarding her professional life, too. She’d designed a new, beautiful, open-winged hummingbird charm that reminded her of harmony, and it had become an instant hit. Her Christmas orders were all shipped, and she was caught up with the business side as well: inventory, invoices, ordering supplies, and more.

All that was left for her to do was get a few people to volunteer to clean up after the play.

She caught up with Marie one day after school and got her to volunteer for the clean-up committee. Marie ended up volunteering Greg, as well, and they stood around a few minutes, Marie filling Jamie in on her wedding plans.

Despite her lousy attitude toward relationships, Jamie was happy for Marie. Even Alex, her ex-husband, thought she’d found a wonderful man who truly loved her little boy, and she seemed serene and content with her new life.

On the way home, Jamie was surprised to learn that Marie and Greg were on Timmy and Michael’s minds, as well.

“I sure don’t wanna stepdad,” Michael declared out of nowhere.

“Why?” Timmy asked. “Jason gets one. And now he gets more presents.”

“Yeah, but what if we got one of those evil ones?” Michael asked.

Jamie quickly intervened. “You two don’t have to worry about that, okay? You are
not
getting a stepdad. I’d say we’re all pretty happy. We don’t need anyone like that in our lives.”

“Jason gets a dad and a stepdad, but we don’t get anything,” Timmy grunted.

“That’s not true. You had a father who adored you, and you will always know that in your heart, and you have an uncle and two grandpas who really love you and are there for you.”

“How about you, Mom, who do you get?”

“I get you two and the rest of my family.” Jamie smiled.

“If we can’t get a stepdad, can we get a puppy instead?” Timmy asked.

A puppy was way better than a husband and stepdad. “Okay, we can get a puppy if you agree to two things. One, we pick him out from an animal shelter. Two, we wait until after winter so we can housebreak the puppy when it’s not so cold outside.”

“Yes!” the boys cried in the back seat.

A quick look in the rear-view mirror showed her high fives between the boys, and she wondered if the puppy had been their real plan all along. Could five-year-olds plan that far ahead and play an adult like that?

She was left wondering.

• • •

By the time the night of the kindergarten and lower elementary school Christmas play rolled around, Nick was very much in a funk. He’d gotten a lot done, but he hadn’t had time for his usual outlets, and it was tiring — no, it was exhausting — to constantly push unwanted thoughts and feelings away. He fully intended to enjoy the play, which was always good fun, and forget about work and everything else.

Celine asked him for a ride. She too wanted to watch the kids perform and forget her own troubles for a while. Her divorce had become final a few weeks before, and she was having a hard time getting through her first Christmas season back in her hometown. She told him she needed a distraction. Didn’t they all?

Though Nick was aware there were rumors about him and Celine making rounds, Celine was easier to explain. She’d been Susan’s best friend for years, and Susan had asked him to keep an eye on her depressed friend. He hoped it would also remind people that rumors were always swirling around, and that they shouldn’t pay mind to them.

The play was set to begin at eight o’clock, but they arrived at seven to meet up with Jamie and other parents at the theater’s doors. He had the keys, and the volunteers needed to set everything up. To his surprise, William Bertrand and his wife, June, were also there. They wanted to witness how the whole production unfolded, from start to finish … or so they said.

The moment he and Jamie came face-to-face, tension was palpable. They’d stayed away from each other the last two weeks. He was trying so hard not to think of her, he was having trouble sleeping. He noticed both Alex and William were stealing glances at them, so Nick only offered Jamie an encouraging smile before walking away.

Jamie had worked especially hard on the play and she was probably nervous. He would’ve liked to at least say something.

Her boys were another matter. They were always happy to see Nick around the school and delighted in giving him high fives, telling him about their schoolwork, and asking him an occasional question about life. They’d only given him heartburn once. Tonight, he was mostly looking forward to their small parts.

The play was
A Christmas Carol
, retold in five scenes with three musical performances in between. Small parts with bits of dialogue had been created for the smaller, more outgoing children, and provided comic relief. Plenty of cute blunders made their way into the performances, and all in all it was great fun.

By the end of the play, every single person in the audience was smiling broadly. Nick was always pleased to see a sea of happy parents.

• • •

Jamie was relieved the play was over. As much fun as it had been to work with the teachers, parents, and children, and as wonderful as it had been to watch her children perform, she could finally relax.

She and other moms received a gorgeous bouquet of wildflowers on behalf of the parents, and Nick presented her with a beautiful arrangement of roses from the school. They barely looked at each other when the exchange took place, but to her, the air around them felt thicker than the air anywhere else.

Timmy and Michael made their way to Jamie, and she hugged them enthusiastically, telling them how wonderful they’d been.

As the audience began filing out, Jamie caught sight of her parents. She was on the clean-up committee along with Charlene, Marie, and Greg, and her parents would be taking the twins home. She saw Nick talking to her parents and giving each boy a hug. She guessed he was saying a final goodbye. He’d be leaving for his trip in ten days; the semester was over, and they wouldn’t see each other again.

The theater was almost empty, and Jamie began folding chairs and carrying them into a corner. She looked around for the rest of her cleanup crew and spotted Marie making her way to her, but she couldn’t find Charlene.

“Jamie, I’m so sorry,” Marie began, and Jamie was at once surrounded by Alex, Marie, and Jason. “Greg stayed home sick, and he just called and asked me to buy some more cough syrup. He’s feeling worse. I won’t be able to stay and help clean up.”

Nick walked up to them then, and Marie turned to assure him she would join other committees next semester to make up for skipping out that night, but Greg was miserable.

Jamie was sympathetic, until a side-glance treated her to Alex’s devilish grin. “Where’s Charlene?” she asked, suspicion prickling her spine.

“Oh, I almost forgot. Charlene told me to tell you she was having early contractions, and her husband thought it would be best for her to leave,” Alex shrugged.

“Contractions? She’s what — three months along?” Jamie didn’t hide her disbelief.

“Oh, it happens,” Marie assured her.

“I’d stay and help, but Marie’s actually giving me a ride tonight, and Jason’s coming home with me,” Alex explained, and Jamie wanted to kick his knee like a three-year old would.

They congratulated Jamie for all of her work, and all Jamie could think was
blah, blah, and blah
. Alex must’ve sensed the waves of antipathy coming from Jamie because he surprised her by leaning over and giving her a peck on the cheek. He then shook Nick’s hand and left.

Jamie had never seen Nick so tense; he was always so in control and easygoing. “I’m not sure I can stay and help, either,” he said. “Let me see if I can get someone else to stay and lock up.”

After the high of a successful play, Jamie was surprised at how low she felt. Thoughts of Nick made her feel achy in places in her heart she’d thought were turned to stone. Nick probably couldn’t stay because he had plans with Celine, and she tortured herself by wondering what they’d be doing.

• • •

Nick stopped William Bertrand just as he was leaving the building. “Wonderful play, Nick, the best in years. Mrs. Sullivan did a beautiful job.”

“Oh, yes!” June Bertrand chimed in. “What a lovely evening.”

Nick thanked them and asked to speak to William privately for just a minute. “William, I need you to stay and lock up. Mrs. Sullivan’s clean-up committee bailed on her, and I don’t think it’s wise for me to stay alone with her.”

“What are you afraid you’re going to do?” William raised an eyebrow.

Nick was taken aback. “That’s … not it. I agreed to stay away from her. I don’t want anyone saying things about us, William — that would really hurt her.”

“I thought you were worried about your career.”

Nick became exasperated for the second time that night. “Can you stay and lock up, or not?” he said in the most polite voice he could muster.

“I can’t, Nick, I’m sorry. But I trust you’ll be fine. Don’t worry about the rumors — you’re leaving in ten days. And after tonight, I’ve dismissed the credibility of the person who came to me with the rumor.”

“Why? Who was it? What happened?”

“Don’t worry, Nick. Just lock up and come see me before you leave for your trip.” William took June Bertrand by the hand and turned to go.

“You’ll be just fine, Nick!” Mrs. Bertrand called over her shoulder, having apparently heard every word.

• • •

Soon, Jamie’s clean-up committee was gone, and Jamie and Nick were left alone, though she wondered if Celine was waiting for Nick outside. They worked in silence. Each had gone to opposite sides of the room, systematically folding chairs and putting them away. Jamie made sure not to go to the storage closet when Nick was there.

It was a far cry from the rapport they’d shared weeks before when they’d been stupidly flirting their way to a devastating kiss.

It was more pleasant to think of the evening behind her, so Jamie ran through the entire play in her mind, smiling to herself whenever she remembered the bloopers and blunders. Thoughts of Timmy hopping about and wiggling his nose in his bunny costume and Michael’s one line as a wise squirrel made her feel better. Nick was working faster than she was and they soon they reached the last row of chairs.