Mr. Wrong (8 page)

The music
came on and Martha casually took Larry’s hand, leading him into the cha cha. “Where’s that Carey? Is he running late?”

Sara
smiled at her students. “I can see you’ve been practicing.” She watched as they easily started into more complicated steps. “You guys are going to be my teachers soon. Wow, you look so good together.” She was amazed to see how much they’d progressed since last spring.

Larry’s face reddened.
“She’s made me keep up our lessons so we could show you.”

Martha nodded at Sara happily and kept focused on the steps.
“And it’s paid off, darling.”

Sara
watched them until the song ended. She paused the music and clapped. “You guys are awesome.”

They walked over to her
and looked between each other like teenagers in love for the first time. Sara wondered if she could contain her joy at seeing their happiness.

“So where is he?”
Larry rubbed his mustache.

Sara
hated this. “He told me at the newspaper yesterday that he wasn’t coming today. He said that he has too much going on this semester.” Sara felt slightly defeated.

“Well, now, that’s okay, sweetheart.”
Larry looked at Martha, and Sara knew by the look that he gave her he was unsure of what to do with the emotions he saw on Sara’s face.

“What’s this, sweetheart?”
Martha moved to her side, gently touching her shoulder. “Is everything okay?”

“It’s me you guys.”
She rubbed her temples slowly. “He’s not coming because he wants a relationship with me—and I’m just so confused.” She hung her head and the whole story spilled out of her.

When she was done, Martha’s voice was soft. “
I never really liked the guy anyway. He seemed a little too polished.”

Larry nodded his agreement.
“Like he wanted to sell me some tires for my old Chevy.” Larry laughed and slapped his leg. “Heck, he just did us all a favor, little lady.”

Sara
laughed at Larry’s cheerfulness regarding the whole situation.

“We could see that he liked you, dear.”
Martha gave a knowing glance at Larry. Larry raised his eyebrows.

Sara
shook her head back and forth. “Am I just a fool?”

Martha clicked her tongue.
“What are you talking about?” She lovingly patted her shoulder. “You have your Jonathon, like I had my George and Larry had his Anna.” Sara glanced at Larry and saw him look sadly to the floor.

“Yeah.”
Sara tried to feel sure about that. “Let’s focus on dancing. I’ll just be both partners today. It’ll go slower, but we can manage.”

Martha put her hand on Larry’s shoulder
. “Or—we could just find you a fill-in partner for a while.” Her smile was a little mischievous.

“Yeah,” Larry said, nodding, “
everyone needs a fill-in.”

Sara
’s heart hurt a little at the longing that crossed Larry’s face. Would he simply always be a fill-in?

Chapter 12

Sara walked into the coffee house and inhaled the scent of the fresh brew. She never drank coffee, but it reminded her of her favorite neighbor’s house, Mrs. Johnson, back in Montana. Sara’s family would help her with the cattle roundup every year.

Sara’s
ankle was wrapped, but she could walk on it fine now. She sat at an empty table near the back and noticed Rob’s band at the front of the coffee house. On Wednesday, after class, Rob had told Sara that he had grown up involved with the Mormon Church. His grandparents had belonged to the church, but his parents were never active, and they’d divorced when he was ten. She’d made a deal with him that if he came to church with her this Sunday, she would come listen to him play today.

Sara
couldn’t wait to tell Jonathon about this in her next letter. He was always telling her how they needed more members to simply reach out to those who were inactive.

“It seems I can’t get away from you.”
Beau slid into the seat next to her, waking her from her thoughts. He sipped out of a coffee mug.

“Hey
,” Sara said, surprised to see him here. She felt butterflies in her stomach and didn’t like the idea that he made her nervous. She looked at him with his blonde hair sticking up here and there and his black, leather jacket. He looked too young to be her professor. “Rob must have been generous in his invite.” She looked back to the stage.

Beau snorted a litt
le. “I guess you’re still smarting from our discussion today in class? How’s the ankle?” He looked at her wrapped foot.

“
If you mean still smarting because you told me my idea was stupid—then, yes.” She looked away. “My ankle is fine, thanks.” She said the last word with some distaste.

Beau laughed.
“You have the hardest time saying thanks, don’t you?” He took another sip from his cup.

Sara
flipped her head back to look at the band but kept her voice steady. “You don’t seem to have a problem telling people what you think. Especially in front of a classroom full of people. You are great at that. Are you drinking coffee?”

Beau
looked surprised and took another sip. He didn’t talk for a minute and clicked his tongue. “So judgmental,” he said, shaking his head back and forth. “Really, Ms. Fairbanks.” He sighed. “I think your idea is good, but you need to just leave the helping people thing out.”

Sara
glared at him. “Why can’t I help poor, disabled children get the wheelchairs they need? You didn’t let me get to the part where I have been calling around and discovering that there are actually grants in place that would help supplement some of the cost—.”

Beau put his hand up to stop her.
“A business is about making money, not begging governments for it.”

Sara
sighed and shook her head. She couldn’t believe he wasn’t even giving her a chance to explain it clearly. “Isn’t there something against you fraternizing with students?”

B
eau scoffed. “Believe me, I’m not fraternizing.”

She stewed and tried to focus on Rob.

“You can’t save the world, Sara. Just focus on making money with your business.” He shrugged and motioned with his cup to Rob. “I wouldn’t say he’s great, but he has potential.” Beau sipped some more out of the cup. “Does he know he’s being measured against a soon-to-be returning missionary?”

“It’s not like that.”
She kept watching Rob.

“Hmm.
No, it doesn’t ever seem to be like that with you.”

Sara
turned all of her attention on Beau. “What’s your deal?”

Beau leaned forward.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Sara
shook her head in frustration. “Why do you insist on being everywhere and driving me crazy? And, just so you know, if you expect me to be all ‘Oh, Mr. Hennings you are amazing and blah-blah’ well, don’t hold your breath. And what have you got against helping people? I can help people and make money.”

Beau raised his eyebrows
. “Once again,” he said turning to glance at Rob for a second. “Another guy that you’d never seriously consider. This is the type of guy you’ve been dating for two years.” His voice was low but intense. “Safe—but not five-year plan material. Kind of like Carey.”

Sara
laughed and glared at him, hating that he could get under her skin so easily. “Why do you care?”

Beau
put his head to the side and raised his eyebrows. “Actually, I don’t.”

“I’m not dating him.
In fact,” she said, putting her chin in the air, “I’m doing missionary work.”

“
Hmm.”

Sara
looked back to Rob’s band, watching Rob bang his head with the music.

Beau followed her gaze.

“He’s coming to church with me this Sunday, as a matter-of-fact. Not that it’s any of your business.”

“Awesome, good work.
” He rolled his eyes and raised his cup to her.

Sara
turned to respond, and Rob walked up.

“
Sara.” His eyes lit up. “Professor Hennings.” He nodded to Beau.

Beau put his hand up. “No, please.
Beau is fine.”

Rob looked
between them.

“I’m not with him.”
Sara put her hands up like she’d been caught stealing.

Rob shifted uncomfortably.
“Uhh—”

Beau ignored her.
“You guys are good.”

Rob nodded his head and had a big, goofy smile.
“Dude, I don’t mind saying that we are on tonight.”

“Y
eah. You guys are good.” Sara tried one of her most ‘I’m a good missionary’ smiles for him.

Beau
turned to Rob. “I liked the change to B-flat during the second verse.”

“You noticed that?
I thought it was awesome when Stew first did it. He’s the main guitarist, and he is like out of this world kinda good. And, the drummer is Ed, he’s the one with the goatee. I can drum, but . . .” He pointed to himself in explanation. “I’m a singer.” A drum beat came from the stage. Rob looked to the stage and then back to them. “Did Linda say anything about coming?” Rob looked at Sara.

Sara
was surprised at his question. “No.” She was also slightly relieved. “But I’ll tell her how awesome you guys are when you come to church with me.”

Rob smiled
and Sara thought that he was definitely too shy for the stage name Duke.

“
Hey, maybe you guys can come to our gig at the Cowboy next Friday?”

Sara
hesitated, realizing that the Cowboy was a bar.

Beau smiled at Rob.
“Sure, we’ll be there.”

He looked between them and shrugged, turning back to his band.

“Great. Uh, see ya in class.”

“Nice kid.”
Beau finished off his drink and stood.

Sara tried to control her anger.
“Why did you say that we’d go? It’s in a bar? And you don’t get to speak for me.”

Beau
looked patronizingly at her. “Sara, sometimes missionary work is hard.”

Sara gripped the edge of the table and worked on her next insult.

A large, older man wearing an apron stopped beside Beau. The man patted Beau’s back. “Enjoy the hot chocolate? It’s been a long time since I’ve gotten to make you a cup.”

Beau smiled up at him.
“It’s the best. Thanks, Lou.”

The man blinked.
“Glad to have you home, son. Your momma needs you.” Lou walked to another table, picking up cups and wiping.

Beau
tensed, and he watched Lou.

Sara
was surprised at the anger that crossed over his face.

He
swung back to her.

She felt the v
eiled anger seep through his calm exterior. He silently turned and walked out without saying goodbye.

Chapter 13

The three hour church block was over, and Sara and Genova were heading back to the institute with their potluck dishes for a Break the Fast.

“Shut it,”
Genova gritted her teeth. “He will not do it at a football game.”

Sara teased, knowing her friend hated football and hated public proposals like that.
“Yep—I think he’ll have a plane write your name above the stadium. That would be awesome.”

Genova
nudged her side. “Maybe Beatrice’s next article should be on how to make proposals intimate and private and romantic.”

Sara
grimaced. “Ahh, Beatrice. If everyone would follow her advice, how great the world would be.”

“And who is Beatrice?”
Beau fell into step beside them. He opened the door and held it for them.

Sara
hated that her heart sped up a notch.

Genova
smiled between the two of them. “You’re looking good, Beau.”

Genova
winked at Sara, and Sara glared at her.

“Thanks.
But I hear you’re taken, Ms. Killion.”

Genova
giggled. “So proper.” She pulled away from them and headed for the kitchen.

“So who is Beatrice?”
Beau studied her face.

Sara
started following Genova. “Haven’t you heard? She’s our fabulous UW Dear Abby type of columnist. Great advice.” She nodded her head with mock seriousness. “You should read her. It’d probably help you in the female department.” Sara shrugged her shoulders at him and turned for the food line.

“Hmm.”
Beau stayed next to her. The gym was packed, and the students were already eating. “I guess we missed the breaking part.”

Carey nudged past her, slightly bumping her shoulder.
Sara was surprised to see Michelle by his side, and they were holding hands.

Carey saw her and his face reddened.
He quickly walked to the other tables across the gym.

Sara
was at a complete loss. Anger clinched her chest. She’d actually been feeling like she’d done something wrong.

“Wow.
Now, he’s smooth.” Beau moved next to her in line.

Sara
didn’t even know what to say. How could she explain that she was just so disappointed that he wasn’t being loyal to Sue? She picked up some dessert and started for the table Genova and Kevin were at. Beau followed and sat next to Kevin, introducing himself officially.

Sara
was surprised when Rob sat next to her and Linda sat across from Beau. “Hey girl, what sup?” Rob put his hand out to knuckle bump with her.

She laughed and
did the knuckle bump back.

“Hey guys.”
Linda smiled at all of them, looking a little unsure of Beau.

Sara
realized that most of the institute students were probably a little intimidated with trying to hang out with him since he was a professor.

“I’m
way glad to see you here,” Sara said to Rob. “I should have invited you myself; I didn’t even think about it.” The reason she hadn’t thought about it was because he’d told her he wasn’t that interested in coming back to church when they were sitting in sacrament earlier in the day.

“Didn’t you hear?”
Rob gave her a mock ‘you’re so behind’ look. “The missionaries caught me after church and asked me to take the discussions.” He smiled and took a forkful of food and stuffed it in his mouth. “I figured it would be good to do that. I mean, hey, how can I say I’m not down with something if I don’t know anything about it?” He scratched his goatee and glanced at Linda.

Sara
beamed at him. “Awesome.”

Linda smiled shyly at Rob.
“It is awesome.”

Sara
noticed that Rob’s face reddened at Linda’s praise. She couldn’t help but feel happy that he was going to give the gospel a chance. She couldn’t wait to write to Jonathon.

After they ate,
Sara sauntered around the room, talking to friends and catching up on their lives. The institute was close-knit, and she’d missed that camaraderie over the summer. She went to the foyer and found Rob and the missionaries, who looked to be having an informal discussion in the foyer.