Finding Her Home

Jerry was well-known for his healthy appetite, yet the portions of roasted pork, barbecued ribs and salad he was taking indicated he wasn’t as much on the mend as he wanted people to think. “I’m sure you’ve heard about the problems at Coal Valley,” Jerry said as they served themselves from the buffet table.

She wasn’t sure if she should admit that she kept her eye on what was happening in her hometown school district or play ignorant. “Colorado Student Assessment scores are always in the news. There isn’t a school in the state that isn’t scrambling to raise scores in at least one area.”

“Oh?” Jerry lifted his bushy eyebrows. “What has your school been working on?”

Tori briefly explained her school’s implementation of a literacy program and Jerry’s eyes brightened. “How did it work? We’re starting the literacy coaching program this year.” They carried their plates to the table where Steve and his kids were seated. Steve excused himself to get drinks, and Tori felt guilty hiding behind the discussion of work.

Jerry quietly voiced his apprehension with the new program. They bounced ideas back and forth, sharing stories of successes and failures of the educational system over the years.

When Steve returned, the “chalk talk” ended abruptly. “I shouldn’t be making you talk shop when you’re on a date. What am I thinking?” Jerry exclaimed.

“We’re not—”

“No need to make excuses,” Jerry said breathlessly. “This isn’t the time to discuss business, anyway. We’ll talk later.” Soon afterward, Uncle Bill started hayrides and Jerry stood to leave. “Tori, it was good to visit, but I’m plumb tuckered out. I’ll be in touch.”

His sudden departure puzzled her, but she supposed he tired easily after his battle with the virus. “I’d be glad to offer any help I can, Dr. Waterman.” She was surprised by her desire to help and the determination to follow through with her promise. She worried about Jerry’s health.

She visited with more old friends and schoolmates while they waited for the first group to get back from the hayride. When their turn came, Steve helped her onto the wagon, but Kelsey squeezed herself between her dad and Tori, endearing herself to Tori. Tori knew Steve was a catch most women wouldn’t turn away, but there were too many marks against them. She had enough on her shoulders without adding the pressure of a romance. She simply needed to keep her distance.

Tori had enjoyed seeing old friends again, as well as the beautiful sights of the ranch. She stayed late into the evening, hoping for a chance to speak with Steve alone. After the kids had fallen asleep she realized Steve had misunderstood her reason for staying. He found a movie on cable and tempted her with a bowl of popcorn.

“Steve, we need to talk.”

“About?” Steve set two sodas on the coffee table and sat down next to her.

She backed away.

He raised an eyebrow. “I’ve had the feeling all day that something’s been bothering you. What is it?”

She nodded, deciding to keep the discussion as far from her personal feelings as possible. “I had the distinct feeling Jerry’s visit to the barbecue was carefully orchestrated.”

“And why do you think that?” he said with a hint of annoyance.

She folded her arms across her chest. “Possibly because he didn’t spend a minute with anyone else. He had one purpose, to quiz me about CSAP scores. And he seemed to know just a little too much to have led into the subject by accident.”

“And that’s my fault? It certainly wasn’t my idea to have him captivate your entire day. I’d like a chance at that myself.”

She paced the room, afraid to look him in the eye. She couldn’t explain why she was so afraid to let herself feel something for Steve, but no matter, he was off-limits. And it was time he understand exactly where she stood on the matter. “What are you trying to do?”

Steve’s bronze eyes met hers. “Why do you automatically presume I’m responsible for Jerry’s questions? When a school is doing things right, everyone hears about it. So you can’t blame me for that. Administrators do keep in touch, you know.”

She tilted her head and squared her shoulders. “Funny. He never called me up and asked any questions before you came into the valley. I think there’s a connection. What did you tell him?”

Steve closed the distance between them. “I did a little research of my own, then shared my findings with Jerry. What he’s chosen to do with the information, I have no idea.”

She was irked by his cool response. “What are you talking about?”

“Scores took a huge jump after your school worked with the literacy coaches.”

Steve hesitated and Tori quietly waited. A few minutes later, after Steve had eaten a few handfuls of popcorn, she said, “And?”

“Jerry’s going to be out of the building more than he’ll be in….”

She raised her hand to stop him. She forced her voice lower, choking the words out slowly and precisely. “Not going to happen. I don’t belong here anymore.”

He retained his affability, but there was a critical tone to his voice. “There’s a chance you’ll be spending more time here, with your grandparents’situation. You know the community, have experience we need and you offered to help.”

“From a distance,” she snapped impatiently, then shook her head. “I have a job at a school that I love and I’m finishing my doctorate so I can further my career in administration.”

“You couldn’t do that in a smaller community?”

She shook her head, trying to ignore the hurt in his whiskey-brown gaze. “Not here.”

“I didn’t say here.” He stepped closer and lowered his voice. “I think this issue has a lot deeper roots than you’re admitting.”

Tori suspected he was right. “That may be true…Abuela’s stroke has me a little uprooted, but I know better than to get myself in deeper than I can handle. The mess at the school isn’t going to go away by changing one person.”

“I didn’t mean to make matters worse, but I had to try.”

Tori glanced at temptation and turned away. “It’s getting late, and I need to leave early in the morning.”

The silence widened and the tick of the clock echoed its tormenting melody. Finally Steve caved in and spoke. “I understand about not wanting to see me again, but don’t let me chase you away from the fresh air and rest. I can wait until you’re gone to work on the renovations.”

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