Willow gasped. “Shut up, Austin!”
Joe folded his arms over his chest. “He won't make excuses to me.”
Julie seemed less than impressed with Joe's confidence. “Men,” she said with disdain. “If you want to get along in this town, Mr. Winston, you'll need to get along with Quincy Owen.”
“And why is that?”
“He's clearly the town leader, very respected by most everyone in the area.”
“Most?”
She sniffed. “I'm not overly convinced of his respectability yet, so I'm withholding judgment.”
Willow was still disgruntled with her brother because of his disclosure, but she finally quit glaring. “Clay's stepdad runs fund-raisers for the fire department, and he's on the town council and the school board. He sponsors the high school football team and gives college scholarships. Everyone in town goes to him when they want something. Well, except us. He doesn't like us.”
“He kisses all the babies and flirts with all the old women,” Austin added in disgust.
“Quincy controls much of the town,” Julie added. “He has a small mall that houses several shops, and he owns the factory, which means he employs most of the people living here in one way or another. They depend on him. Because of that, his stepson is given a lot of leeway.”
“And so,” Joe surmised, “the principal lets Clay slide when he does things he shouldn't do, like calling Willow names.”
Julie shrugged with philosophical disregard. “Quincy Owen is not without influence.”
The baring of Joe's teeth only faintly resembled a smile. “I have my own store of influence, trust me.” Joe's cell phone rang just then, removing some of the impact from his statement. He fished it out of his pocket, flipped it open and said, “Winston.”
Luna waited, breath held. Had the police discovered the man who'd been spying on them? She hoped so. It'd be nice to have one less worry now.
“Yeah?” Joe's jaw locked, and he growled. “You're sure they were fictitious plates? A stolen car?” And then, with barely contained frustration, “Shit.”
Austin narrowed his eyes, saying to Luna and Julie, “He sure is disrespectful, huh?”
Rubbing his head, Joe paced away from the table, then back again. “Yeah, okay. Thanks anyway.” He closed the phone and tucked it back into his pocket. “Sorry, ladies. That was disappointing news.”
“Did someone steal your car?” Austin wanted to know, and damned if he didn't sound hopeful.
“Not quite.” Joe's pale blue gaze locked on Luna. “The plates were stolen, so they can't help us. What's really odd is that the car fit a description of one that had been jacked, too, and because I called it in, my friend had a patrol car run by the area. They found a car matching that description in the area but with the original plates on it.” Joe rubbed his chin. “I'm thinking the guy in the brown sedan is the same one I saw this morning. He just switched vehicles on us.”
Julie sat in silent incomprehension. Austin and Willow were frozen in awe. Luna didn't want everyone to know just how lethal Joe could be. She brightened her tone and forced a false smile. “Well, we can talk about that later.” She saw no reason to cause the others alarm. She was supposed to be an authority figure, not additional trouble. “Right now I'd rather figure out a schedule.”
“What kind of schedule?”
It amazed Luna that one small boy could continually look so suspicious. “I want to make sure that your sister can fit her piano lessons in with summer school.”
Willow leaned forward with carefully banked excitement in her eyes. “Summer school? Really?”
Displaying the opposite reaction, Austin groaned and staggered back a step.
“Summer
school?”
Luna chuckled at his antics. The way he tottered on his feet, it looked as if he'd been shot.
“I'd like you both to attend,” Julie said. “You're a little behind in your regular classes, but that's not your fault. I looked over your scores, test grades and assignments. It's my conclusion that you weren't challenged as you should have been.”
Austin clutched his heart. “I don't wanna be challenged! It just means more work.”
“No. More work is just more work. You're ingenious enough to see through that ploy right off.” She glanced to Luna. “They're both exceptionally bright.”
Luna beamed, proud in spite of the fact she'd only just met them.
Very matter-of-fact, Julie continued. “Austin, did you know you have a natural affinity for math? In many ways, you're two grade levels ahead of other kids your age. You simply don't test well, but testing has never been my favored method of measuring success. There have been noted geniuses who perform poorly when tested. I believe with just a little direction, you'll find ways around that problem.”
Austin stopped staggering and straightened with interest. “Really?”
“Absolutely. And I can show you how to use your math skills to conquer other subjects. Math is a very versatile subject that applies in general concepts to our everyday lives.”
“Then I can be ahead of the other guys in all ways.” It was apparent that idea appealed to him more than anything else.
Julie nodded. “With hard work, it's quite possible. And I can see you're not averse to hard work.”
Austin said, “Huh?”
Joe leaned down. “She's saying you're not a wimp.”
“Oh. Yeah.” He grinned. “I'm not.”
“And, Willow, your vocabulary and grammar skills are astounding. I've been teaching for several years now, and it takes a lot to impress me, but I was most impressed with your essay on social standards. Very insightful and thought provoking. You managed to teach me several things with that paper because you convey your thoughts so well. With only a little instruction you could easily be high honors.”
At first Willow flushed with pleasure and excitement, but seconds later, she lowered her head to stare down at her feet. Her fair blond hair hung like a curtain around her face, hiding her expression, but her tone was laden with unmistakable despair. “The principal doesn't like us. He called me a troublemaker, and he said Austin was a hoodlum. He even told Patricia that she should send us to a private, very strict school.”
“You're not going anywhere, so don't worry about that.” Luna curled her lips. “And as to those insults, why, I think I'll have a little talk with the principal.”
Joe groaned at that prospect.
“Leave the principal to me.” Julie put her hands on her knees and spoke with firm and reassuring conviction. “I can handle him.”
Luna knew she could handle him, too, but Joe looked so relieved that she wouldn't have to, she smiled. “Thanks, Julie. We appreciate it.”
“So that's decided. I'll tutor you both, and Austin, before you let out another dying-cow sound, I can promise it won't be like regular school. I'll even wager that you'll enjoy it. I have a knack for making school fun.”
Luna watched both kids, knowing they found that hard to believe. After all, Julie did seem rather straight-laced and prim. But as Luna had said, she was good at reading people, and Julie Rose was a fighter. She'd keep the kids enthralled because she honestly loved children and her work. “I think it sounds wonderful.”
Willow nodded. “I can take my piano lessons in the afternoon. That'd work out, don't you think?”
“Who teaches the lessons?” Luna wanted to find the person and offer thanks. At least Willow had had some constructive influence in her life. Hopefully, it could be arranged so that the schooling and the music lessons would all fit in.
Julie raised her brows. “Why, I do. And she's an excellent pupil.”
“Aunt Patricia said we couldn't afford lessons,” Willow confided. “Ms. Rose teaches me for free.”
Amazingly, Julie actually blushed. To hide it, she grew even more prudish. “It's my pleasure. You're a delightful and talented student. What type of teacher would I be if I ignored that?”
Touched, Luna smiled at her. “You're obviously a wonderful teacher.”
“Yes, I like to think so.”
“And from now on, we'll pay.”
Julie didn't argue the point. “That'd be fine.” She tipped her head toward Willow. “I'm relieved I can still work with her, but it's always concerned me that she walked to and from town. I didn't like it at all. I decided today was the last time, which is why I drove directly here to discuss it with Patricia yet again. She refused to see it as a problem.”
It was a good thing she'd sent Patricia away, because Luna felt volatile with anger. Smiling wasn't easy, but she managed. “I'm not at all like Patricia.”
Julie eyed her colorful peacock earrings, her shimmering purple tank top and the numerous rings on her fingers. “Yes, I can certainly see that.”
She didn't sound insulting, so Luna just nodded. “We'll make sure Willow has a ride at whatever time you think will work best.”
“Wonderful. We'll start school next Monday, say nine o'clock? That'll give you all week to get acquainted with the children and to get settled in.”
“Sounds perfect.”
Julie stood. “I should be going now.” She offered Luna her hand. “It's been a pleasure making your acquaintance.”
“Same here.”
Next, she stuck her hand out to Joe. “Mr. Winston. Thank you.” After a brisk, man-to-man handshake, Julie headed out. Luna was relieved to see that other than a perfunctory farewell, Julie had no interest in Joe.
With only the slightest limp and a crooked smile, Joe walked with them to the door. On the way, they discussed Julie's feesâwhich Luna considered reasonableâand Luna invited her to come back at any time to visit. She had a feeling that even though Julie was new to the area, she could prove a good source of information.
On the front porch, Willow hung by Julie's side, anxiously asking questions about what they'd study, how much time they'd spend together. Austin still had reservations, until Julie told him they'd start with science, which included collecting and studying bugs from around the area.
Because she patiently answered all of Willow and Austin's questions, it was another fifteen minutes before Julie was able to leave. Her car had just disappeared from sight when a loud, sporty jeep turned down the driveway, kicking up gravel and dust and filling the air with loud music from the car stereo.
Willow glanced at the approaching vehicle, alert, cautious. Like a rabbit frozen in the headlights, she went utterly still. Her voice dropped to a near whisper. “That'll be Clay Owen and his buddies, Darren and Lee.”
Luna put an arm around her. “The boys who bothered you earlier today?”
Willow nodded.
Eyes lighting up with anticipation, Joe rubbed his hands together. “Perfect timing.” He went down the porch steps and across the yard to greet the young men.
Knowing Joe would likely do more cursing, Luna turned to the children. “You two should wait inside.”
“No way.” Austin leapt down the porch steps in one bound to land beside Joe. He attempted to mirror Joe's stance with his skinny legs braced apart and his arms folded over his bare chest.
Willow shook her head at her brother. “If I can keep him alive till he hits his teens, it'll be a miracle.”
Both amused and sympathetic at Willow's awesome task, Luna hugged her. Willow stiffened, but she didn't pull away. Luna chose to see that as progress. “You've done an awesome job so far. But now that I'm here, maybe I'll be able to help.”
“Maybe.” The jeep came to a halt. After a contempt-filled glance at the boys, Willow went back to the door. “I'll wait inside.” Without looking back, she said to Luna, “Good luck.” The screen door closed with a bang behind her.
She'd need some luck, Luna thought, watching Joe smile in anticipation. She decided to join him and strolled down the steps to stand on Austin's other side.
Unaware of the pending confrontation, Clay Owen cut the engine. After the disruptive music, the sudden silence exaggerated the throbbing tension in the air. For several moments, Clay sat behind the wheel studying Joe with curiosity.
Luna had to admit he was a good-looking young man. Dark brown hair, a summer tan and an athlete's strong body probably made him popular with most of the girls. Like a prizefighter's belt, he wore his cockiness with a pretentious show of pride.
One boy sat in the passenger seat beside Clay, his long, muscular arms spread out along the seat back. The other boy was behind them, without a seat belt, his feet propped up on the seat beside his friend's arms. They were drinking colas, wearing dark aviator-style sunglasses and ball caps turned backward.