[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

The wharf wasn t as busy during the holiday week, but several
tourists strolled about.
A man s voice called from behind.  Miss Galloway?
It was the Eriksons from Melrose, Andrew and Susan, and
their son Jeremy. Claudia was delighted to see them together
again.  Hello.
Leo shot her a worried look, obviously aware this was a boy
from her school.  I ll meet you in the art gallery.
 No, stay here, she whispered, turning back to the family.
 Nice to see you all again. How are you, Jeremy?
 Fine. The boy beamed at her, his ears turning redder by
the second. Sandy had warned her about the children getting
silly whenever they saw her outside of the school, as if amazed to
realize teachers actually had lives.
 Do you remember Miss Westcott? She took our pictures at
school.
He grinned at Leo and nodded, but was too bashful to
speak.
 We just got his school pictures last week, Mrs. Erikson said.
 They were wonderful.
 Thank you, Leo said,  but I can t take credit. He s a
handsome fellow.
The praise was Jeremy s undoing, and he buried his face in
his mother s side.
 Someone s being bashful, his father said.  Jeremy really
enjoyed having you as his teacher. He told us they had a party
when you left.
 That s right. I finished my internship about three weeks
ago.
 Will you be teaching around here?
 I hope so. I ll have to see what comes open next year.
Mrs. Erikson piped up, smoothing her son s hair.  Jeremy
168
would love it if he got to have you in fourth grade. So would
we.
Claudia pictured herself in Joan Palmer s classroom and
leaned down to smile at the boy.  There s nothing I d like better
than to have you in my class again next year.
Mr. Erikson moved next to his wife and put his arm around
her waist, a loving gesture that seemed entirely natural. Obviously,
they had worked out their differences, at least for now.  We don t
want to keep you from your afternoon, but Jeremy was really
excited to see you again.
 I m very glad I got to see you all. Take care, and Happy New
Year. She gave a final wave to Jeremy, who showed a burst of
excitement when he skipped ahead of his parents.
 Was that who I think it was? Leo asked.
 I can t believe it. They re back together.
Leo chuckled.  I wonder if Jeremy ran away like you did.
She elbowed Leo but laughed along.  I don t care how it
happened. Did you see how happy he was? What could be more
important than that?
 I think you re going to be one of those special teachers
people remember when somebody asks them who made an
impact on their lives.
Claudia experienced a rush of warmth so strong she couldn t
keep from planting an abrupt kiss on Leo s cheek.  That might
be the nicest thing anyone ever said to me.
Leo puffed out her chest and grinned.  Good to know. I ll say
anything if it gets me a kiss.
169
Chapter 24
Leo deposited the suitcase in the trunk and slogged back up
the steps to the second floor. She heard Claudia saying goodbye to
someone on the phone, which meant she was now ready to head
back to Cambria. The only thing that saved Leo from misery was
knowing she would return in two weeks, and that it wouldn t be
the longest two weeks of her life. That distinction belonged to
the period right before Claudia had showed up at her back door.
Claudia met her at the top of the stairs dressed in khaki slacks,
a white silk blouse and navy vest, the same outfit she had worn
the night she arrived.
 I put your suitcase in the car.
 Thanks. She took Leo s hand and led her to the couch in
the den.  I just want a few more minutes with you before I go.
 A few more minutes& a few more decades. It s all good.
 What time do you have to go to that wedding?
170
 Six o clock. You ll be back in Cambria by then. Did you talk
to your dad?
 Yeah. She sighed and laid her head on Leo s shoulder.  He
said Marjorie has called Mom at least a dozen times since I left.
Apparently Mike told her he thought I was cheating on him with
somebody here.
 That s absurd. Nothing happened between us until you got
here three nights ago.
 I don t know, Leo. I think he s right. She sat up and turned,
her brow creased with serious concern.  I let myself fall in love
with you while I was engaged to somebody else. That s not
supposed to happen.
 People can t help their feelings. What matters is that you
controlled your actions.
 Did I? I blew off Mike s parents so I could be with you at
Thanksgiving. And that last time in your studio, I was playing [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]