LITMIR.BIZ

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chewed, swallowed. “Better than an old bachelor’s cooking.”

      He said the words naturally, without rancor, but Sophie ached for him just the same. Dad alone in their family home without Mom unbalanced the world. Even though Sophie had offered to give up her own place and move in with him, her father had resisted, claiming he wanted his “bachelor pad” all to himself. Sophie knew better. He’d refused for her sake, worried she’d focus on his life instead of hers.

      Carmen dug an elbow into Sophie’s side. “Mr. Gruber just came in.”

      “Principals eat, too.”

      Carmen rolled her eyes. “He’s headed this direction.”

      Sophie’s father looked from one woman to the other. “Have I missed something?”

      “Nothing, Dad. Pay no mind to Carmen. She’s having pre-Christmas fantasies.”

      “Mr. Gruber is interested in your daughter.”

      “Carmen! Please. He is not.” She didn’t want him to be. A picture of the quietly intense face of Kade McKendrick flashed in her head. This morning’s encounter had stirred more than her concern for a lost child.

      “Gruber’s a good man,” her dad said. He stopped a moment to turn to the side and point at a pimply boy for throwing a napkin wad. The kid grinned sheepishly, retrieved the wad and sat down. The high schoolers were convinced Mr. Bartholomew had eyes in the back of his head.

      “Dad, do not encourage rumors.”

      Her father lifted both hands in surrender as the principal arrived at their table. Biff Gruber nodded to those gathered, then leaned low next to Sophie’s ear. His blue tie sailed dangerously close to the mystery casserole. Sophie suppressed a giggle.

      “I need to see you in my office, please. During your plan time is fine.”

      Without another word, he walked away.

      “So much for your romantic theories,” Sophie told a wide-eyed Carmen. “That did not sound like an interested man.”

      “No kidding. Wonder what he wants,” Carmen said, watching the principal exit the room. “An ultimatum like that can’t be good.”

      Sophie put aside her fork. “Sure it can. Maybe he wants to order ten-dozen cookies.”

      Carmen looked toward the ceiling with a sigh. “You’d put a positive spin on it if he fired you.”

      Well, she’d try. But she couldn’t help wondering why her principal had been so abrupt.

      She found out two hours later, seated in his tidy, narrow office. The space smelled of men’s cologne and the new leather chair behind the unusually neat, polished mahogany desk. It was a smell, she knew, that struck terror in the hearts of sixth-grade boys. A plaque hung on the wall above Biff Gruber’s head as warning to all who entered: Attitudes Adjusted While You Wait.

      “I understand you’re doing the cookie project again this year,” he said without preliminary.

      Sophie brightened. Maybe he did want to place an order. She folded her hands in her lap, relaxed and confident. This was Biff and she was not a sixth-grade rowdy. “I turned in the lesson plan last week. We’re off to a promising start already and I hope to raise even more money this year.”

      Biff positioned his elbows on the desk and bounced his fingertips together. The cuffs of his crisply ironed shirt bobbed up and down against his pale-haired wrists. The light above winked on a silver watch. His expression, usually open and friendly, remained tight and professional. Sophie’s hope for a cookie sale dissipated.

      “We’ve had some complaints from parents,” he said.

      Sophie straightened, the news a complete surprise. No one had ever complained. “About the project? What kind of complaints? Students look forward to this event from the time they’re in second and third grade.”

      In fact, kids begged to participate. Other classes loitered in her doorway, volunteered and occasionally even took orders for her. This project was beloved by all. Wasn’t it?

      “How many years have you been doing this, Sophie?” The principal’s tone was stiff, professional and uneasy.

      Suddenly, she felt like one of the students called into the principal’s office for making a bad judgment. At the risk of sounding defensive, she said, “This is year five. Last year we donated the proceeds, a very nice amount, I might add, to the local women’s shelter. Afterward, Cheyenne Bowman spoke to our class and even volunteered to teach a self-protection seminar to the high-school girls.”

      Biff, however, had not followed up on that offer from the shelter’s director, a former police officer and assault victim.

      “I’m aware the project does a good deed, but the worry is academics. Aren’t your students losing valuable class time while baking cookies?”

      “Not at all. They’re learning valuable skills in a reallife situation. I realize my teaching style is not traditional but students learn by doing as well, maybe better, than by using only textbooks.”

      Biff took a pencil from his desk and tapped the end on a desk calendar. He was unusually fidgety today. Whoever complained must have clout. “Give me some specifics to share with the concerned parent.”

      “Who is it? Maybe if I spoke with him or her?”

      “I don’t want my teachers bothered with disgruntled parents. I will handle the situation.”

      “I appreciate that, Biff. You’ve always been great support.” Which was all the more reason to be concerned this time. Why was he not standing behind her on the cookie project? Who was putting pressure on the principal? “The project utilizes math, economics, life skills, social ethics, research skills, art and science.” She ticked them off on her fingers. “There are more. Is that enough?”

      Biff scribbled on a notepad. “For now. You may have to articulate exactly how those work at some point, but we’ll start here.”

      “I really don’t want to lose this project, Biff. It’s a high point for my students.”

      “As well as for their teacher who loves everything Christmas.” With a half smile he bounced the pencil one final time. “Why don’t we have dinner tonight and discuss this further?”

      The offer caught Sophie as much by surprise as someone’s objection to the cookie project. She sputtered a bit before saying, “Thank you, but I have to say no. I’m sorry.”

      Her thoughts went to Davey and the way he’d clung to her this morning. She couldn’t wait to see him again and let him know she kept her promises. She’d phoned after lunch to say hello and see how he was doing. Kade had answered, assured her Davey was doing fine and was at that moment sound asleep on Ida June’s couch. The memory of Kade’s voice, clipped, cool and intriguing, lingered like a song she couldn’t get out of her head.

      No, she definitely did not want to have dinner with the principal.

      “I’ve already made other plans.”

      Biff’s face closed up again. He stuffed the pen in his shirt pocket. “Ah. Well, another time, then.”

      At the risk of encouraging him, Sophie nodded and quickly left his office. The mystery casserole churned in her stomach. As her boot heels tapped rhythmically on highly waxed white tile, she reviewed the unsettling conversation. As much as she wanted to believe Biff’s dinner invitation was purely professional, she knew better. Carmen was right. The principal liked her. She liked him, too. It wasn’t that. He was a good man, a by-the-book administrator who strove for excellence and expected the same from his staff. As a teacher, she appreciated him. But as a woman? She hadn’t thought seriously about her boss, and given the buzz of interest she’d felt for Ida June’s nephew, she never would.

      Frankly, the concerns about her teaching methods weighed more heavily right now.

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