Loving Liam (Cloverleaf #1) (12 page)

Rachel sucked in a breath of dry air. “I came up a couple days after Christmas, actually. I know it’s quite a change in scenery for sure, but it’s lovely here, even though I’ve been mainly a shut-in, just unpacking and getting settled.” Her mouth turned sticky and dry as she rambled, and she reached for her bottle of water.

“So why Birch Valley?” he pressed. “I mean, I’m sure you could’ve had your pick of any school, especially being from such a prestigious school and area.”

Rachel felt as though he was getting ready to attack, so she chose her words carefully. “Why not Birch Valley? Seems like as good a place as anywhere else,” she retorted.

Liam casually leaned back in the plastic chair. “I suppose you’re right. Just seems a little odd, a ‘large fish in a small pond’ kind of thing, you know? Obviously, you have the skills to go probably anywhere you’d like.”

“Well, this opportunity came, and I decided it was the one I wanted.” Rachel was steaming. Why did he feel the need to question her motives for taking this job? What did it matter to him? And why did his eyes have to twinkle when he talked?

She glanced at her watch, praying silently that the bell would ring and she could excuse herself. She refused to get up before he did. She didn’t want him to think he was going to win this battle.

Liam swigged his juice. “So have you come up with any more
ideas
?” His tone was smug.

“About that, I shouldn’t have come into your classroom and ambushed you the way I did. I now realize it was a little too soon for that. I suppose I’m anxious to get everyone on board. We have testing in a couple months, and I’d really like to see this school rise above its current standard,” Rachel answered calmly, and Liam nodded, giving her his full attention.

She knew she had probably come off as a little abrasive yesterday, and maybe she should have waited a while before telling the staff she was going to make changes. She’d just been so excited about all her ideas that could change the school for the better. Rachel wasn’t trying to step on anyone’s toes or make them feel as though they weren’t doing a good job, but she wanted to show she wasn’t a doormat and that she needed to be respected and taken seriously. Charting the course for change wasn’t easy, and those who did almost always faced opposition. But Rachel thrived on challenge, and as she glanced at the man across from her, she realized he might be her biggest one yet.

Chapter Nine

As her day came to a close, Rachel felt as though the week was steadily moving forward and she was making progress. Some of the teachers were finally warming up to her and trying to make conversation with her, and she was beginning to feel more comfortable in her new position. In fact, the only time that her newfound self-confidence wavered was when Liam was in her presence. Rachel hoped these feelings would pass. She couldn’t quite wrap her mind around why her body responded the way it did when Liam was near. She wondered if he also felt the blistering connection, the same crackle and burn that would suddenly erupt inside her. She was thankful when the final bell rang, emptying the school of its students.

***

Planning to head home to change before meeting up with Karen and her friends at Herrick’s for dinner and to discuss Mr. Anderson’s retirement party, Rachel started to have second thoughts. Once inside her car, she decided to call Chelsea to get her opinion.

Chelsea picked up on the second ring. “Hello?”

“Chelsea, what are you up to?” Rachel asked as she pulled away from the school.

“Nothing much. School just let out?” Chelsea sounded slightly out of breath.

“You doing okay? You sound a bit winded.”

“Yeah, was out for a run. It’s supposed to rain tonight, and I wanted to make sure I got one in before it started. But keep talking. I’m doing my cooldown now,” Chelsea panted.

Rachel was already turning onto her street. “It’s so wild, Chelsea. You wouldn’t believe how close I live to work. I literally called you as I was pulling out of the school, and I just got home.”

“Wow, that is crazy close. So why are you even driving? I would totally be walking or jogging home.”

“Well, I hope to do that when the weather warms up. It has been, like, in the thirties this week. Everyone is teasing me that this is actually warmer than usual for this time of year.” Rachel laughed, scared to think of how cold it could actually get.

“Wait, you said in the thirties. You mean like at night, right?” Chelsea asked, sounding confused.

“No, you heard me right. That is the daytime high. Crazy, huh?”

“Why are you even living there? Are you nuts?” Chelsea screamed. “I couldn’t imagine dealing with that kind of weather. No thanks, I will keep my lovely eighties we are rockin’ over here.”

“Don’t make me jealous. I’m trying desperately to adapt to this temperature. Actually, I’m going shopping in Spokane soon for some warmer clothes for work. I have worn pants every single day this week so far,” Rachel said as she headed into her house and immediately switched her heater on high. She shivered as Chelsea went on about some ideas for outfits Rachel could buy.

“Oh hey, I remembered why I called in the first place,” Rachel interrupted her. “I got invited to help with the retirement party for the man I’m replacing. I think it’s sort of awkward for me to be involved. What do you think?”

“Hmm, I don’t know. What are they wanting your help with?”

“Well, I don’t know exactly, but the secretary—Karen, the nice lady I was telling you about the other day—she’s the one who invited me. She asked me to meet her and her friends, as well as some of the other teachers at this diner here for dinner tonight.”

“Sounds okay to me. I don’t think you are stepping on anyone’s toes or anything. After all, she invited you, and obviously you won’t be trying to, like, host or run this party. I would tag along for dinner. At least it would get you out of the house.”

“See, that is kind of what I thought too. I figured if they want me to help decorate, I’m totally willing to, but I just felt weird.” Rachel kicked her shoes off as she headed to her bedroom to undress.

“Yeah, I think you’re fine. I wouldn’t worry too much about what people say. That’s not the Rachel I know.”

Rachel smiled. “Uh, yeah, right. I appreciate the vote of confidence, but it’s just so different here. I do feel like an outsider. These people all sort of grew up together and have this bond. I want to make friends here and get to know everyone.”

“You will make friends. Just got to give it a little more time. Hell, you have only been working for what, three days or something?” Chelsea said.

“You’re right. So I guess my next question is, what should I wear tonight?” Rachel asked, hopeful that Chelsea would steer her in the right direction.

“That I can help you with,” Chelsea sang out.

Rachel sent pictures of various outfit choices to Chelsea so she could decide what pieces worked well together. They went over nearly every article of clothing Rachel owned until they found the perfect cross between casual, yet pretty: a dark-wash pair of skinny jeans, her brown leather riding boots, and an oversized, apricot sweater with a shiny brown belt. The tone of the outfit brought out the bronze and pink tones of Rachel’s skin, and her short, blonde hair looked lighter against the apricot.

Pleased with the outcome, Rachel said her good-byes and promised to fill her friend in about how dinner went. She then dressed and stared at her reflection in the floor-length mirror. She added a little gloss to her already-pink lips, spritzed on a little floral body spray, and headed out to meet Karen.

Rachel felt nervous as she drove the several blocks to the diner. As she parked outside Herrick’s, she saw the place was packed with patrons, nameless faces sitting in booths by the large windows, which were only partly covered by small, checkered curtains. Rachel spotted Karen’s car driving in and waited patiently for her to get out so they could walk in together.

Karen greeted Rachel with a wide smile as she emerged from her car. “Wow, I love that color on you,” she said as she examined Rachel’s outfit.

“Oh, well, thank you,” Rachel replied, swinging her large designer bag over her shoulder and trailing behind Karen, who led the way.

A tiny bell on a dirty, weathered piece of yarn chimed as they entered. Rachel’s senses were instantly bombarded with the scents of the diner, and her stomach growled. She hadn’t realized how hungry she was until a waitress carried past a burger that was practically toppling onto the heap of French fries next to it on the plate. Karen scurried toward a large booth in the corner, and Rachel recognized a few of the teachers from the school, but some of the faces were new to her.

Karen stood before the table and pulled Rachel close to her. “This is Rachel, everyone.”

A short, round woman with auburn curls smiled broadly. Her eyes were warm and kind. “Why hello, dear. So very nice to meet you. I’m Mary.” She stood carefully and extended her hand.

Rachel shook it. “Nice to meet you as well,” she said before sitting down next to Karen. The booth was rather large and could have easily seated more than the six or eight people gathered around it.

“Karen, do you know if more of the teachers are coming to help plan this shindig?” Mary asked politely.

“You know, I asked a couple more, but I figured this would pretty much be my dream team,” Karen replied, bringing a smile to Mary’s lightly wrinkled face.

A waitress came to their table and proceeded to take everyone’s order. She then left and returned shortly with water and promises that their meals would be ready soon.

Rachel sat quietly, taking inventory of the older women sitting at the table with her. They all looked as though they were in their sixties or so, about the same age as Karen, she figured. She was by far the youngest.

She listened as Mary and Karen chatted about people whose names she didn’t recognize. The others commented here and there but mainly participated in their own conversations. Rachel felt a little out of place as she sipped on her water, twirling the straw between two ice cubes.

“So, Rachel, my dear friend Karen here tells me you are going to be replacing Mr. Anderson,” Mary said, smiling directly at Rachel.

“Uh. Yes, that’s right. I started on Monday,” Rachel responded as the other women turned their attention to her. She instantly felt as though they had placed a spotlight on her.

Karen patted Rachel’s arm, as if sensing her nervousness. “I was quite shocked when Mr. Anderson brought her in and decided to drop this bomb on me. I had no clue he had decided to retire, let alone had hired a replacement,” Karen addressed the group. “But he did a fine job, and we’re all very thrilled to have Rachel with us now. The students seem to really like her too.”

“That’s wonderful,” Mary said, then turned to Rachel. “You know, my dear, all of my children attended that school. In fact, my son Liam is a teacher there.”

Rachel felt her stomach bottom out. “Oh wow, really? Liam’s a fantastic teacher, Mary. His students just love him.” She figured it was best not to mention how stubborn her son seemed to be.

“So where did you move here from?” another woman asked.

“I’m a California transplant.”

A few of the women sighed in longing, and one said she wished she lived somewhere nice and warm like California.

“Oh dear, it just dawned on me. My friend Janice—she works at the real estate office with Cheryl—mentioned a gal had moved into Bob Flannery’s old home, near the park,” Mary said, her eyes wide as she looked at Karen.

Rachel nodded in confirmation, and Mary went on to tell her stories about Liam mowing the lawn at what was now Rachel’s house. She also shared other tales about her children, which seemed to captivate the other ladies. No one seemed to notice when the waitress brought their dinners. Mary apologized for rambling, but Rachel loved the soft tones of her voice. There were moments when she could have sworn she’d caught bits of an Irish brogue.

Biting into a perfectly cooked, golden French fry, she listened as Karen and Mary continued to swap stories about the school and Mr. Anderson. During the course of the meal, they also planned the party, deciding to hold the event in the school cafeteria. Mary and some of the other women offered to cook, and Rachel and the two teachers said they would help with decorating. Karen felt satisfied with the arrangements and thanked everyone for their support.

Rachel would have never imagined feeling so comfortable around this group of women, especially in a diner that was clearly a throwback to the previous century. But its decorations were charming, the food was scrumptious, and Rachel was full and content as she replied to Mary’s questions. The older woman genuinely seemed to want to get to know her and make her feel included.

Karen and Mary were so much alike, both kind and warm, that Rachel could tell they had been good friends for a long time. Mary was such a lovely, down-to-earth person that Rachel found it hard to believe Liam was actually her son.

After they finished their dinners and had a cup of tea, Rachel was a little sad to say good-bye to the women. Mary, of course, demanded that she come by her house for a home-cooked meal, and Rachel accepted her offer. When she explained that her culinary skills were very limited, Mary insisted they turn dinner into a cooking lesson and seemed thrilled at the opportunity to teach her new friend some of her famous dishes. Rachel could honestly say she was looking forward to it.

Driving home, Rachel felt a sense of community that she hadn’t felt in a long time. Perhaps moving to Birch Valley was indeed the right call.

***

Liam

Liam lay in bed, staring up at his ceiling. He had just gotten off the phone with his mother, who had told him all about her lovely dinner with the new principal. Apparently, Rachel was going to be assisting Mary and a few other ladies with Mr. Anderson’s retirement party. Mary couldn’t seem to stop praising Rachel and saying what a wonderful girl she was. He rolled his eyes, annoyed that his mother didn’t see what a real pain Rachel really was. He decided he would do his best to keep out of her way and only hoped his mother would quit her meddling.