Chapter 38 Honey
HONEY
Rain blows sideways, battering our windows. “I didn’t bring my umbrella today,” I tell my co-worker Laura as I squint at the shadows in the parking lot. I still have a throb behind my eyes.
“Murphy’s Law. I only have it when I don’t need one. Hopefully this will pass by the end of the day.”
“Fingers crossed.” I grab my planner and head to my lunch duty in the cafeteria. I’m about to go in when someone calls my name. “Hey, Paige.”
She grabs my hand and whispers, “I’ve been meaning to track you down this week, but by the time I get here for cheer, I’m usually running late. How are you?”
The concern in her eyes almost makes me cry. I take a steadying breath. “I’m hanging in there. It’s been a tough week.”
“I bet. Plus, Beau’s been at the station. I’m sure he’s frustrated he can’t stop by to see you.”
“I wish I could see him too, but I understand. He’s juggling a lot.” It’s one of the reasons I admire him so much.
“Have you talked to your family?”
“My father and Trig won’t return my calls or messages. Cash is the only one who hasn’t cancelled me.”
“Aww.” She hugs me with one arm. “I guess this is a bad week for everyone.”
I still. “What do you mean? Did something else happen?”
Her eyes widen, and she shakes her head. “I don’t… I don’t think I’m supposed to say anything.”
“Say anything… about?”
“I’m sorry. It’s not my place.”
I rub my temple. “Is it bad?”
She tilts her head one way, then the other. “A little, yeah.”
“What if you told someone and I accidentally overheard?”
“I don’t know, Honey. Beau will be pissed if I upset you more.”
Glancing around, I realize we’re standing in the middle of the hall where anyone could overhear. I tug her into an alcove by the sports award displays. “I won’t be upset. I promise. Tell me.”
“Ugh, I’m so annoyed with myself right now. I tracked you down to give you a gift, not burden you.”
I grab her hand. “You can give me the gift afterward, but first tell me what happened.”
“Okay, but let me preface this by saying it’s not the end of the world. We’re working on solutions.” She gives me a cheery smile, and I nod like I believe her.
“Solutions are good. But solutions to what?”
That’s when she tells me about their vendors who won’t work with them anymore.
“Son of a bitch. Are you serious?”
“Like I said, we have all hands on deck. Everything will be fine.”
“I’m so sorry. Please let me know how I can help.”
“You can help by not telling Beau. I’m sure he’ll tell you on his own when he’s ready.”
The bell rings, and kids flood out of the cafeteria. “I’m so sorry, but I have a lunch duty I need to do.” I motion behind me, where the smell of tuna casserole makes my stomach revolt.
“Before you go, take this.” She hands me a basket that’s wrapped with cellophane and tied with a big red ribbon. “Baylee and I put this together for you to help you relax, but fair warning, don’t open it here because we included some not-safe-for-work items.”
My brows lift. “I’m intrigued.”
She chuckles. “There might even be gifts in there you can enjoy with Beau. Have fun!” She pulls me into another quick hug before she trots off toward the gym.
I can see why she was a cheerleader. Paige has an innate perkiness and optimism I love.
I peek into the basket, but the items at the top aren’t scandalous. Tea, chocolate, a scented candle, a coffee mug. This is so sweet of her and Baylee.
But it does nothing to quell my anger at my father for harassing the Walkers. Because I know he’s behind their troubles.
I grab a seat at the far end of the lunch room and take out my planner. I’m grateful to sit down because my head is killing me, and that tuna smell isn’t helping. My stomach is just starting to settle when a fire alarm goes off down the hall.
“Son of a”—a kid looks at me—“biscuit.” Is it still pouring outside? Murphy’s Law says it is.
I help usher the students out of the cafeteria. It’s a madhouse. Food goes flying. A kid trips and falls. And there’s smoke and a terrible smell wafting down the hallway.
I help the student off the floor. She’s okay, just covered in macaroni salad. I help her flick it off and then we head for the exit. I duck into the main office to put my basket down because I don’t want to haul it outside.
Adrian runs by headed in the opposite direction. “The fire department is on the way. I heard it’s a stink bomb.”
“Today of all days?” We’re all going to catch pneumonia outside in the rain.
Walking backwards, he laughs. “I thought this was going to be a slow news week.”
“I like those.” When I reach the main doors, I brace myself for the cold.
I wish I had time to run to my desk to grab my jacket, but it’s on the other side of the school.
Since I’m on lunch duty, I’m supposed to stay with the students who were in the cafeteria.
Damn. As I reluctantly run outside, I button my thin sweater over my shirt, but I’m soaked within seconds.
Some students and I huddle by an SUV and try to get out of the wind. Adrian’s student, Keith, has full rain gear on while he photographs the rest of us looking like drowned puppies. His nemesis, Sabrina, follows him with an umbrella as they snark at each other.
Fortunately, the fire department pulls up within minutes, but it’s now raining so hard, I can’t tell if one of the guys is Beau. If he’s here, I hope I get to see him. It’s the only silver lining to standing out in a torrential rainstorm in mid-November without a coat.
By the time we’re allowed back inside, my teeth are chattering.
But I’m not the only one. The kids are all frozen little blocks of ice.
I motion to the students I’ve been standing with.
“I have some hot chocolate in my office if you want something warm. I’ll write you passes to your next class so you’re not late. ”
That perks them up. A little group of students follows me to my office.
They head to the bathroom to dry off with paper towels while I get the chocolate packets and make a plan.
We can grab some mugs in the cafeteria and microwave our drinks in there.
Using my scarf, I dry my face and hands before I dig through my desk.
“Honey.”
I look up and see Beau. He’s decked out in his fireman’s uniform and looking sexy as hell.
I don’t have time to say anything before he stalks to me in three quick strides, picks me up, and kisses me.
“You okay? Aww, you’re soaked, babe. Here, let’s get you into your coat.
” He sets me down to grab it off the back of my chair and tuck it around my shoulders.
“Thanks. I didn’t have time to grab it after the alarm went off.”
Pulling me into another hug, he leans down to nuzzle my neck. His beard tickles me, and I giggle.
Just then, weirdo Trish hops her ass onto my desk, and Beau and I pull apart. Her eyes are enormous. “Did you two just kiss and then… snuggle? A Walker and a McAllister? That’s sacrilege, isn’t it? Like you’re violating town lore.” She motions between us. “When did this happen?”
Beau mouths “sorry,” and I shrug. “Everyone knows now, right?” I guess it doesn’t have to be a big deal. My family’s already flipped out. How much more damage could I do?
That gets me a smile. “Well, when you put it like that…” He leans over and kisses me again, and I grin.
“Wow, so is this thing serious?” Trish asks, not knowing how to mind her business.
“We’re taking it slow,” I say just as Beau says, “Yes.”
His smile tugs up a little higher. “I’m serious about Honey.”
Sigh, he’s so swoony. Seeing him makes me realize how hard it’s been not seeing him this week while he’s been working. “Are you off tonight?”
“I am, finally.”
“Would you like to come over for dinner later?”
Trish starts singing “bow chicka wow wow,” and I grit my teeth.
Beau turns to her. “Hey, would you mind giving us a minute?” I’ve never heard anyone ask a person to go away so nicely before. It’s certainly nicer than anything I could say right now.
“Sure! No problem!” She hops up off my desk, and I narrow my eyes at her.
“Why aren’t you wet like the rest of us?” Because she’s dry, from head to toe.
She snickers. “I ducked into the staff bathroom by the main office. It sure beat standing in the rain.”
“You don’t say.” I wipe a droplet out of my eyes.
Beau frowns at her. “That’s a violation of fire code.”
Her eyes go comically wide, and she races out of the office so fast, I laugh. “I’ve never seen her move so quickly before. That was amazing.”
He chuckles and wipes more rain off my face. “Hey, you.”
I tilt my head up and smile. “Hi.”
He’s about to kiss me again. There are other people in the office.
I can feel them walking around, but all I see is Beau.
I don’t care if this is unprofessional. I miss him so much, and it’s so good to finally see him.
His lips almost reach mine when the loudspeaker squawks, startling me so bad, I jump back.
“Can I have your attention? This is Principal Erickson. Because of the fire alarm and the torrential rain, students should not be marked late. I’m extending the passing period by ten minutes for students to dry off or get their belongings.”
That’s when I catch a glimpse of the kids in the hallway who are waiting for me. I grab the box of hot chocolate out of my desk. “I promised to make this for the students who were freezing outside with me.”
“You’re a sweetheart. I’m sure they’ll appreciate it.”
As I head for the hallway, I reach back to squeeze his hand. “Did you want to come over for dinner?”
“Wish I could, but I have a lot to do at the ranch.”
Because my father is being an asshole and making life difficult for the Walkers. But Beau doesn’t say that. He probably doesn’t want to upset me. “Then some other time.”
I join my group of students as Beau walks down the hallway. “Miss Honey.” One of the kids nudges me. “He’s hot.”
I smile. “He certainly is.”
I just wish we didn’t have such busy schedules.
Or a hundred-and-fifty-year feud between our families.