On Ice (18 page)

The students helped to make sure the classroom sparkled by the time the first parent arrived.

“
Well, well, well,” Nadine said as she entered. “If this doesn’t look like an institution of learning I don’t know what does. I’m impressed!” She mimed exaggerated applause.

“
Thank you, thank you.” Rene took a bow. “We’ve all worked hard to create that illusion.”

Each child’s name was prominently displayed at their designated seat with samples of their work neatly stacked on their workspace. Parents were trickling in and most were drawn to examine their children’s work.

“
If you’ll take a seat we can get started.” Rene allowed them to scramble for a chair. Some fathers chose to lean against the wall rather than sit in the tiny chairs.

“
I wanted to tell you how happy I am to be here. I’ve tested each child and hope to have them working at their grade level by the end of the school term. However, I could use some help.” She smiled at their puzzled expressions.

“
I can fix your hair, but I’m not a school teacher,” Nadine said.

“
You don’t have to be,” Rene said. “I’m asking for some of your spare time, even an hour a week, to invest in your children. You don’t need a teaching degree to help children practice their spelling or listen to them read aloud. Or you could read a story to the little ones or supervise an art lesson.” She looked around hopefully. Only some foot shuffling and throat clearing broke the silence.

“
Excuse me, Mrs. Nichols,” the heavily accented voice of Ernst Schrader boomed from the back of the room. “I vill do anyting you vish,” he said. “But, I been thinking I could take the big boys and show them how to vork on autos. I think city schools have classes like that. Ja?”

“
That’s right and the boys would love it.” Another silence followed.

“
I can find a few hours to help with reading lessons.” Angel Culver raised her hand, as though she, too, was a student. The gauzy fabric of her embroidered tunic fluttered with the gesture.

“
Thank you, I appreciate your offer.” Rene waited while others seemed to consider her request.

“
I’m pretty good in math,” Hank Frazier said. “Do kids still practice multiplication tables?” Everyone laughed then slowly most agreed to help in some way.

“
I’m going to pass around a sheet. If you can help, write your name, the subjects that interest you and time you prefer. Mr. Schrader, you were first to volunteer, so you can be first to sign up.” She held out the pad and pen to him. He looked down at the floor, his ears turning red. Shoving his cap down on his head, he left without a word.

Rene felt her own cheeks flushing. She stared at the doorway as it swung shut. “What did I say?”

“
Honey, he can’t read,” Nadine said. “Lots of folks around here can’t. Don’t worry. He’ll calm down.” She took the pad out of Rene’s hands.

“
Okay, you win. I’ll sign up,” she said. “I guess I can cut and color with the little ones.”

The others quickly signed or told Rene what task they would perform as they filed past.

“
Thank you,” Rene called. “I’ll be contacting you very soon.” When only she and Nadine remained, Rene slapped her open palm on a nearby desk. “Ooh, I could kick myself! I can’t believe I humiliated that poor man!”

“
He’ll get over it,” Nadine said. “Now, go on home so you can come back tomorrow morning and teach these little hellions.” They locked the door and collected their children from Glen Westfall who had kept them outside playing games while the parents met inside.

“
Thanks for your help, Glen,” Rene said.

“
Mrs. Nichols, have you thought about what I asked you?” He peered into the truck as Rene buckled Sara in. “About helping me graduate early?”

“
I’m sorry,” Rene said. “I’ll try to get information for you.”

Disappointment spread across his face. “Thanks, Mrs. Nichols.” A frown creased his features. “It’s really important. My grandparents are counting on me.”

“
I know,” Rene said. “I won’t let you down.”

~*~

“
Where are the girls?” Ted asked as he locked the front door behind him.

“
Terrence took them to the park.” Maddy stretched to give her husband a welcome home kiss.

“
And left you here by yourself?”

“
Ted, I might as well be in Fort Knox. There are deadbolt locks on all the doors. With this security system, I don’t know if we’re locked in or Mark is locked out.”

“
I’ll ring the place with razor wire if it keeps him at bay.” Ted looked at his watch. “How long ago did they go to the park?”

“
Not long ago,” Maddy said. “You don’t honestly think Mark could get through Terrence, do you? For all his working out, he’s a lightweight compared to Terrence.”

“
Not in a clean fight. Terrence could stomp his brains out,” Ted said with relish. “But Mark is more likely to strike in an underhanded manner. I wouldn’t put anything past him. Look what he did to you in the castle.” Ted’s color always rose when he spoke of the incident in Scotland.

“
Let’s just forget it, Ted. If Mark is here watching us like a cat at a mouse hole, he can’t be watching Rene. That’s enough for me.” Maddy tried to display an air of confidence.

“
I hope she’s really safe. I hope our efforts are enough to protect her.”

~*~

Rene climbed the rough-hewn steps to Brett’s log house. She had called him that morning to arrange a meeting after school. Her children were playing at Nadine’s. Rene felt a sense of anticipation mixed with dread as she rang the bell. Brett stirred those emotions in her from the onset.

As he invited her inside, she felt a flush of pleasure. She’d run a brush through her hair and applied a quick glaze of lipstick before climbing out of the truck. Her efforts were appreciated, judging from his expression.

He showed her to the black leather sofa and dropped down beside her. The clean masculine scent of soap and shampoo caused a reaction she had not experienced in some time. He must have just taken a shower because his hair was still slightly damp. He rolled up the cuffs of his shirt as far as he could over his muscular forearms.

“
What can I do for you, Rene?” He looked at her skeptically. “I’m sure you’re here for something other than the pleasure of my company.”

“
Why do you say that?” she asked.

“
Because, you’re the wantingest woman I’ve ever known.” He grinned down at her.

“
Wantonest?” She pretended to misunderstand. “You’re calling me a wanton woman?”

“
No! Wanting! You always want something from me.” He laughed when he realized she was teasing him. “So, what do you want from me this time? Do I need to get my checkbook?”

“
Just help me figure out how to assist a student.” She poured out Glen’s story, explaining his pressure to graduate early.

“
I wondered why the Westfalls didn’t sell out. I guess their hearts are set on Glen taking over the pharmacy.”

“
They’re afraid the town won’t have a pharmacist. How can I facilitate his early graduation?” Rene asked.

“
You can tutor him, but you have enough to do with all grade levels. You don’t have time to coach him one-on-one.”

“
I want to help him in any way I can,” she said. “He’s very intelligent. He soaks up knowledge like a sponge.”

“
I’ll look into it,” Brett said, “but I want something from you.”

“
From me?” Rene felt a sense of danger tingling in the pit of her stomach. “What do you want from me?”

“
Don’t look so worried. I just want you and Seth and Sara to come with and me to the Midnight Sun Festival.”

“
Oh, I hadn’t planned on going,” she protested.

“It’s a big thing around here. You can learn about the history of Sad Horse and the people who first settled here.”

“
This could be construed as sexual harassment, couldn’t it?” Rene arranged an innocent expression on her face. “I mean, you are my boss.”

“
Believe me,” Brett said gruffly, “If I were going to sexually harass you, I wouldn’t bring along two kids and a very proper old woman to chaperone.”

“
No, I’m sure you wouldn’t.” Rene struggled to keep from laughing

“
So, is it a deal?”

“
Deal.” Rene wondered why she felt so giddy. Nothing could happen with the children and Mrs. Jolly close at hand. Nothing at all.

~*~

CHAPTER TWELVE

The telephone rang early one morning. Rene put aside the toast she was buttering.

“
Rene, I’ve found a way to help Glen.”

She couldn’t help but thrill to the sound of Brett’s deep voice. “What can we do for him?” She tried to control a slight tremor in her voice.

“
Stop by after school and I’ll show you.”

She agreed, curious to know what he’d found. Brett seemed to be able to resolve most of her problems. Perhaps she should tell him about her one big problem. Would he be angry? Sympathetic? Most likely, he’d judge her stupid for not acting sooner. He’d advise her to go to the police or file for divorce. He wouldn’t understand that she feared for their lives or that she might lose her children to a monster. She sighed and finished buttering the toast.

After school she drove to Brett’s house. He sat waiting for her on his porch. He rose from a rough-hewn alder rocker as Rene and the children noisily climbed the front steps. His welcoming smile wrapped her in warmth as he held the door open.

“
What’s the news?” Rene asked. He smelled good, his usual soap and water clean man scent. She slid inside quickly, anxious to distance herself from his disturbing presence.

“
All in good time,” he said. “Mrs. Jolly prepared an after school snack.” The heavy oak table held a platter of sandwiches spread on Mrs. Jolly’s homemade bread, a pitcher of ice-cold milk and what looked like peanut butter cookies with steam still rising from them. The children fell on the food and gobbled it like ravening wolves.

“
I never allow them to have food at home,” she said with a solemn face.

“
What?” He furrowed his brow and looked down at her sharply before acknowledging her joke. “You could be working at a comedy club. You can sure deliver a punch line.”

“
What does a small town kind of guy know about comedy clubs?” Rene asked.

“
I wasn’t raised in a vacuum. I even get tickets to a couple of Broadway plays when I go to New York.”

“
New York City?” Rene asked, incredulously.

“
What’s wrong with that?”

“
Nothing,” Rene said. “You don’t seem to be the theater type.”

“
Oh, and what type do I seem to be?” He folded his arms over his chest.

“
You know,” she stammered. “The outdoor type. Hunting and fishing. Camping out.”

“
Is that what you like to do?” He raised his eyebrows.

“
No. I mean, I don’t know. I’ve never done anything like that.”

“
You’ve never gone fishing or camping?” When she shook her head, he went on, “I guess that means the kids haven’t either?” Again she shook her head. He turned back to the table. “Seth and Sara, how would you two like to go fishing on Saturday? I’ll ask Mrs. Jolly to pack us a picnic lunch.”

“
Fishing? Can we, Mom?” Seth looked at her hopefully.

“
A picnic! What’s a picnic?” Sara asked.

Rene winced, acknowledging yet another American tradition her children had missed out on.

“
Yes,” she said. “Yes. I agree. Now will you tell me what you found to help Glen?”

“
Come and look,” Inviting her into his office, he sorted over his jumbled desk, finally selecting an envelope which he handed to her.

Rene scanned the pages, a smile spreading across her face. “This is great! Glen can study and test to get credit for many of his high school courses.”

“
This is from the State University Alternative Education Department. According to this letter, Glen can enroll in classes at the University by correspondence. You test him and he’ll earn college credits. Some classes are offered by video or online. Most are self-study. He can get the basics out of the way and concentrate on science and whatever else is required for his major when he gets there.”

“
But he hadn’t planned on attending college in Alaska.” Rene protested.

“
These credits are transferable like regular classes.”

“
Glen will be so excited.” She reached out to squeeze his arm, then drew back her hand as though scalded. “I’m sorry,” she said, her cheeks flaming with color. “We’d better be going.” Rene averted her eyes and left the room, still recovering from the tingling sensation not unlike an electric shock. “Let’s go, children. Let me thank Mrs. Jolly for your treat.” Heading toward the kitchen, she felt breathless. She couldn’t recall touching Mark. He hated being touched. The only time he touched her was when he hurt her or had sex with her. She couldn’t decide which was worse.