Second Chances (104 page)

And I, you,
his heart whispered back.  Something in her smiled and sighed.  They pulled back to face each other again, just as Chloe walked out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel. 

“I’m clean!”  She sang.  “I’m ready for bed!”  She was happy, dancing around even as the towel came loose and exposed her little naked bottom.  Sarah laughed, Brian covered his eyes, and Chloe grabbed for her clean underwear and made a dash back to the bathroom. 

For the first time in forever, Sarah felt what it could be like to have a family. 
Maybe some day,
she thought.  She looked Brian in the eyes.

Maybe with me,
he responded.  And Sarah, upon hearing his deep seductive voice in her head, shivered.

As Sarah suspected, her life was never quite the same.  She and Brian achieved a happy balance.  From him she received all the love, companionship, and affection she could hope for, without the pressure of a real relationship.  He never demanded more, content to be a fixture in her life.

Summer passed the way it should, slowly, so that they were able to savor every moment of it.  And because Sarah was so busy learning and reading and growing, she nearly forgot part of the prediction Brenda made.  She forgot about being in danger.  She forgot that at least part of the reason she studied so hard was for her own protection.  Instead she basked in her growing abilities, reveled in the new spells she learned, potions she successfully created, and supplies of the trade that she acquired. 

Sarah was happy.  She was proud.  She shared every accomplishment with Brian, her mother, and Brenda.  She even saw to it that Chloe learned, a little.  She was determined that her
daughter not have to learn about herself later in life as Sarah had.  Chloe would be whole.  She would know who she was always.  The only trick was to convince her to keep the secret from her father and the rest of the world.

Naturally, Sarah didn’t have that challenge.  Jamie tended to be self-centered, so when she noticed changes in Sarah she assumed that Vermont had taken its toll on her and she was turning into one of those Earth Mothers.  Jamie was so consumed with her own life that it never would occur to her to question.  Josh was busy with Tessa, and now that Sarah spent so much time with Brian, they barely spoke.  So, other than her students, pretty much everyone else was clued in to Sarah’s life.  She liked it that way.  She wasn’t the duplicitous type. 

As she sat in her office one Monday near the end of the summer session, she felt Brian trying to speak to her.  She turned to face his window.  Now that she had learned to communicate other ways, the wipe boards had become superfluous. 
What?
  She asked with a smile.

Just wanted to make sure we were on for lunch today.
  His words came slowly, carefully.

Sarah nodded and was about to make a reply when she heard a throat clear behind her.  As she turned, the sight of Evan Winters sent chills down her spine.  His skin tone had been consistently darkening all summer.  And today he looked especially fit in his navy polo shirt and khaki shorts.  He smiled at her the way the wolf smiled at Little Red Riding Hood. 

“Can I help you, Mr. Winters?”  She asked seriously.

He entered the room and took the seat across from her.  Sarah wasn’t worried.  She knew Brian was watching from his window.  Yet, when she glanced over, the office was empty.  It gave her a jolt.

“Well, the summer session is almost over,” he began.  Sarah watched
him, unsure of the direction he intended to take.  “And I thought you might want to consider going out to dinner with me after it’s finished.”  Sarah frowned.  “You see, I won’t be a student anymore.  There would be no reason for us not to see each other socially.”  He smiled.  He was confident he had the situation under control.

“Actually, there would,” a voice boomed from the doorway.  They both turned to see Brian standing there.  Relief washed over Sarah.

“And what might that be?”  Evan asked, trying to hide his displeasure.  He had been planning this move since the first day he met Professor White.

Brian leaned against the doorway.  “Well, it would be unethical.  The administration might question whether or not something had been going on between you all session.  It would put Professor White in a very uncomfortable position.  She doesn’t have tenure yet.”  Brian gazed at Sarah, trying to communicate mentally. 
See, I didn’t leave you, Sarah.  I would never leave you.
  She didn’t say anything, but he could feel her response.  She was completely at ease now.

But Evan wasn’t finished.  “I would rather hear this from Professor White, if you don’t mind,” he said evenly through gritted teeth.

All eyes were on Sarah.  “Professor Waite is right,” she said.  “I couldn’t date you even if I wanted to.”  She intended for Evan to recognize that the desire to be with him didn’t even exist.

Of course, that wasn’t how he understood it.  In his twisted mind, the undue pressures of her job were tearing them apart.  “This isn’t the only university on the east coast that would hire you,” he said quietly.  Immediately, his began scheming, determined to find a way for them to be together.  He smiled, stood suddenly, and left her office.

They were silent for a moment as Sarah’s heart began to slow to its regular pace.  Brian attempted a joke.  “Man, I had hoped it would be me that finally had your heart pounding like that.”  Sarah gave him a weak smile.  “Shall we adjourn for lunch?”  He asked, offering her an arm.  Sarah gladly took it, and they wandered out to the courtyard.

Brian made sure the picnic basket was always filled with her favorites.  He seemed to consistently remember what she liked.  Today was no different.  Together they laid out the blanket they so frequently used.  As they relaxed into their meal, he began the conversation.  “Do you like him?”  He thought he knew the answer, but he wanted to hear it from her.

“Who?”  Sarah asked, distracted by the foccaccia bread.

He looked impatient.  “Evan.  You can tell me the truth, Sarah.  I’ll know anyway.”

Sarah knew it was true.  He could always read her heart.  She cocked her head to one side.  “I thought he was interesting at first.  I think women are always flattered when someone finds them attractive.”  She took a breath.  “He showed up at a difficult time, remember?”  Brian nodded sadly.  “And goodness knows he was nothing if not tenacious.”  He looked down.  Sarah reached over and lifted his chin so that he had to see her face.  “But I don’t like him.  Not in the least.  I think he’s bad people.”  She watched Brian for a reaction.  “Do you understand?”

He smiled and did something impulsive, something he hadn’t done in such a very long time.  Brian leaned over and planted a light kiss on Sarah’s lips.  And this time she didn’t balk, she didn’t push him away, she wasn’t afraid.  The kiss left a slight tingle, her eyes widened and she reached up to touch her lips in surprise.

“Can I ask you for a couple of favors?”  He asked with smiling eyes.

“By a couple do you mean two?”  She asked teasingly.

His smile widened.  “As a matter of fact, yes.  You see, I have two field trips planned.  The first is a day trip this Thursday.”  He intended to say more but Sarah interrupted.

“And just when were you planning to ask me?”  She was bothered that he waited so long, just assumed she’d have nothing better to do than drop everything to be there for him.

“Today.”  He tried to sound confident, but she saw through him.  “All right.  I wasn’t sure.  Anyway,” his voice grew slightly impatient, “we’ll leave at seven in the morning and plan to return about ten or so that night.”

Sarah nodded, making a mental note to contact her mother and see if Chloe could spend the night.  “I think it’ll be fine,” she said aloud.

“And the next is an overnight the following Thursday.  Classes end on Friday for the session, so I thought it would be a great way to finish off.”  Sarah’s brow was furrowed as she tried to decide whether to impose upon her mother again or expect Josh to perform his fatherly duties.  “Josh,” Brian said, knowing full well what she was thinking.  “We’ll be home by the time he has to go to work on Friday.  It will be fine.”   With everything settled in his mind, Brian glanced at his watch.  “Ugh.  Gotta get to class.”

“Bye, Professor,” Sarah called.  She packed up their lunch and prepared to call on her mother and Josh.

In the past, Sarah might have fabricated an excuse to stop by her mother’s house and ask a favor.  Now that she knew her mother could see through her, she decided to pass on that and begin a new tradition based on honesty and forthrightness.  It seemed to be paying off although the results were the same.  As always, her mother readily agreed to keep Chloe over night.  “And where will you be staying once you get back?”  Her mother asked with a smirk as they spoke in the kitchen that afternoon.

“You know, I haven’t given it a thought,” Sarah said honestly as she helped her mother shuck peas from the garden.

“Maybe you’ll stay with Brian,” Anna pressed as her fingers expertly dislodged a row of peas from a pod.

Sarah shook her head.  “He hasn’t asked me.”

“And if he does?”  Her mother pressed.

Sarah gave her a frustrated look and set down the pod she had been struggling with.  “Stop pushing.  Brian and I are friends.  That’s all.”

Her mother snorted.  “That’s only because friendship is all you allow him.  He hangs around, waiting for you to make a decision.” She clucked.  “It is shameful the way you treat him.”