Lessons Learned (31 page)

“He’s just a kid,” Lucas murmured. “Why can’t they just love him, no matter what?”

I wished I had an answer. I prayed for an answer.

It never came.

Lucas was quiet as we drove back to the house. He did offer to stop by the store, but I assured him I’d stocked up on enough supplies to get us to spring, if necessary. He’d smiled at that before turning his attention back to the road. He was obviously upset about Matt, but I couldn’t help but wonder if something else was on his mind.

My suspicions were confirmed later that night. I was lying in bed, reading an ebook on my laptop, when he finally made his way into the bedroom. He’d been quiet all throughout dinner, and after we’d finished the dishes, he’d taken his cell into the living room to call his parents. I wasn’t offended in the least. There’d been many times in the past I’d wished I could pick up the phone and hear my mom’s voice. I would gladly give him privacy and not feel the least bit insulted that he wanted to be alone.

Lucas crawled into bed, and I powered down my laptop, placing it on the nightstand before turning off the lamp. His arms immediately reached for me, and I went willingly, placing my head against his chest as we snuggled close.

“I think we should tutor Matt,” Lucas whispered in the darkness.

I smiled. “So do I.”

Suddenly, Lucas pulled away, resting his head on his fist as he gazed down at me. The moonlight was pale, but it was bright enough I could see his face. Lifting my hand, I gently stroked his cheek.

“Do you want to live here forever?”

The question surprised me.

“Forever is a long time.”

“It is,” he agreed, “but if you could? Is this where you’d live the rest of your life?”

“I don’t know. There’s a very good chance I won’t get a choice.”

“Maybe it’s a blessing in disguise,” Lucas said, rolling onto his back. His face was tortured.

“Lucas, please talk to me. What are you thinking about?”

My fingertip traced his lips, and he kissed it softly.

“I’m thinking about this town. I’m thinking about Matt . . . our jobs . . . our future.”

“Of that list, all we can control is our future.”

He nodded. “I know. I told my mom about the situation with Matt, and she asked me a very important question.”

“What did she ask?”

He laced his fingers with mine. “Do I really want to raise my children in a town like Sycamore Falls?”

My entire body froze.
Children?

“I don’t want to freak you out, Sarah. We don’t have to talk about this at all.”

“No, it’s okay. We should talk about it. What did you say?”

“I told her Sycamore Falls was so . . . sheltered. Which is good and bad, you know? But do we really want our kids to be
this
sheltered? Do we want them to grow up thinking anything or anyone different is wrong? Do I want them to feel pressured to conform just so they can fit in?”

“But those pressures exist everywhere,” I reminded him.

“But to this extent?” Lucas asked, his voice laced with misery. “To the point a young man has to stand before his church and beg them not to toss him out?”

“I’m not defending Sycamore Falls,” I assured him, “but I’m not sure we’re all that different from any other small town.”

“I know, which is why I’m not sure living in a small town is the answer.”

“Living in a large city isn’t the answer, either,” I whispered grimly. “There’s prejudice everywhere. There’s hatred everywhere.”

Growing quiet, Lucas held me close. His fingers gently slid through my hair, and I’d almost drifted off when I heard his quiet whisper.

“Are you happy?”

“You make me happy,” I said, pressing a kiss to his chest.

“I have to warn you. My mother is already planning our wedding.”

I laughed. “Does she know something we don’t?”

“No,” Lucas replied sleepily. “I think she just knows her son is very much in love with you, and he’d marry you today if you’d let him.”

It didn’t take long until his soft snores filled the air, which was ironic, because after that little declaration, I was suddenly wide-awake.

By Tuesday, the roads were decent enough for school to resume. The students were excited to be back and were talkative most of the day, but overall, the return to work was blissfully uneventful.

That is, until the end of the day, when I walked into the office to check my mail.

“Miss Bray, the principal would like to see you in his office if you have a moment,” the secretary said, offering me a sympathetic smile.

I glanced down at my watch. Today was my first tutoring session with Matt.

Sighing, I thanked her and made my way over to the principal’s door. It was open, and he was sitting behind his desk, tapping away on his computer. I knocked lightly, and he didn’t even bother looking up as he invited me inside.

“Close the door, please,” he instructed. He then offered me a chair, which I accepted. After a few minutes, Principal Mullins finally lifted his head, gazing at me with some unreadable expression.

As fun as it was to sit and stare at my boss, I had more important things to do this afternoon.

“You wanted to see me?”

His smile was cold. “Am I keeping you from something, Miss Bray?

At my persistence, Lucas had finally spoken to the principal about his tutoring for Matt. Principal Mullins agreed he had no control over our personal time, and while he didn’t approve, he admitted it was Lucas’s decision to make. I didn’t bother asking permission. I knew it would only lead to another confrontation, which was something I was desperately trying to avoid. Principal Mullins apparently had other plans, so I decided to be honest.

“Yes, actually, but I have a few minutes. I have a tutoring session at four.”

“With Matthew Stuart, I presume.”

I nodded and braced myself for attack.

Principal Mullins stood up slowly from his desk and walked around to the front. He leaned against it, watching me closely.

“Miss Bray, I’m not sure you’re a good . . . fit here at Sycamore High. You don’t share our vision.”

You mean I don’t share your vision.

“Of course, as a non-tenured teacher, that will be up for the school board to decide, but they do seek the principal’s recommendation in the matter of rehires, and I am very honest when it comes to my recommendations.”

“My evaluations have been top-notch,” I reminded him calmly.

“Yes, but your attitude stinks.”

Only with you
, I wanted to say. Instead, I bit my tongue. Anything I might say would just add fuel to the fire. Obviously, it was time to look for another job. He was making it quite clear I wouldn’t be coming back to Sycamore High. I was actually glad to have the confirmation. Most non-tenured teachers didn’t find out until spring. He was giving me plenty of notice, which, in a strange way, I appreciated.

“I understand you and Mr. Miller have become quite close.”

“I’m not sure that’s any of your concern, Mr. Mullins.”

“Oh, but it is. I expect my teachers to be role models. Shacking up with his girlfriend is not what I would consider a positive influence on our students.”

I stiffened. So far, we’d avoided gossip considering our sleeping arrangements.

“Lucas has his own apartment.”

“Which he rarely occupies,” Principal Mullins said with a sneer. “It’s a small town, Miss Bray. Word gets around.” Walking around his desk, he dropped back into his leather chair, his fingers steepled in front of him. “Mr. Miller is a fine instructor. Very few know about his unfortunate situation in New York, and that is in thanks to me. But now . . .”

Rage flooded my veins. “He was innocent of those charges.”

“So they say, but you know small towns, Miss Bray. All it takes is a little rumor to ruin someone’s reputation. I’d hate to see that happen to Mr. Miller.”

Is he threatening me?

“What is it exactly you want from me, Mr. Mullins?”

His smile was sinister. “Your support. Unbelievably, I am being met with much resistance from the pastor and the deacons of the church. They are supportive of Matthew—as are you and Mr. Miller. I feel—and many agree with me—Matthew is no longer welcome in our congregation. He is violent, and he is a homosexual. He is a sinner, and has no rightful place in our church.”

“I fail to see what any of that has to do with me or Lucas.”

“I’m merely seeking your support,” Mr. Mullins said slowly. “And in exchange, Mr. Miller’s past scandal will remain buried and both of your jobs will remain intact.”

I furiously jumped to my feet. “Are you blackmailing me?”

“Such an unpleasant word,” he murmured as his eyes searched mine. “Consider it a peace offering. You scratch my back . . .”

My blood was boiling with fury. This man was a school administrator. A deacon of the church. A pillar of our community.

“You’re out of your mind. It will be a cold day in hell—and that’s exactly where you’re going—before I support you in anything. There is absolutely nothing keeping me from calling every member of the school board and telling them about this conversation.”

He laughed darkly. “If you do, please say hello to Phil Randall for me. He’s the chairman of the school board, as you know, considering he signs your paychecks. He’s also been my best friend for thirty years. A fine man.”

That’s when I was reminded small towns can be great places to live—if you know the right people.

Unfortunately for me, all of my people were dead and gone.

Once I was in the car, I called Debbie Stuart, asking to reschedule today’s tutoring session. I broke every speed limit on the way to my house, but I needed the sanctuary of home.

I needed him.

I was visibly upset, and he would panic. What would I say to him? Could I tell him I’d just been blackmailed? Could I tell him his job and his professional reputation rested in the hands of the most evil man I’d ever known?

Could I protect him?

By the time I walked into the kitchen, I still had no idea what to say to him. All I knew was I needed to feel his arms around me. I slammed the door, and he immediately jumped up from his place at the kitchen table.

“What’s wrong?”

I dropped my bag onto the floor and rushed toward him, leaping into his arms. Winding my legs around his waist, I crushed myself against him as I finally let the tears flow.

“Baby, what’s wrong? What’s happened?”

Lucas carried me toward the table, sitting me gently in his lap.

“Everything,” I whispered through my sobs. “Everything is wrong.”

But as I said the words, I knew they weren’t true. Not
everything
was wrong.

Lucas was here, and he loved me.

And I knew I couldn’t keep this from him.

Chapter 23