Chapter 2 #3
He skidded to a halt long enough to grab the paper.
“Thanks.” And he was thankful. She got it; she understood his fear and panic.
He ran, not caring that he was breaking rules, to Kaden’s classroom.
He got himself under enough control to look through the door’s window instead of bursting in like a lunatic.
At first, the room looked empty, but as he scanned, he saw the children standing in a semi-circle around Chelsea.
They were making strange hand movements.
He listened and realized they were singing and acting out a song.
Scanning further, he saw Kaden standing next to Chelsea. Relief came in a wave.
“As you can see, he’s fine.”
Jagger turned his head.
The woman who’d handed him the visitor’s pass was standing next to him.
“Thank you.”
“As the principal, I normally wouldn’t allow a parent to go running through the halls, but it sounded as if you felt he was in danger. As a divorced parent myself, I can understand the type of fear that a potential abduction could evoke.”
He nodded, not bothering to correct her assumption that he’d been married to Tanya. He looked back in the classroom just to be sure Kaden was still there.
“But, now you know he’s okay, and I assure you, we’ll keep him safe, you can go and let him have his last day of school.”
On an intellectual level, Jagger understood what she was saying. However, deep in his gut, he knew there was no way he would let Kaden out of his sight. Not until he knew where Tanya was and what her intentions were.
“I’m not leaving—”
“Mr. Talbot. You can’t stand outside the door all day.”
“I’ll volunteer.”
When the principal didn’t answer, he turned to look at her.
She was studying him. Granted, he wasn’t Kaden’s parent.
He was a spoiled, rich, former playboy, which he supposed detracted from his character.
But he’d spent the last year raising Kaden on his own and, before that, he’d spent much of his time helping with Kaden’s care.
He was as much a parent as anyone. He certainly loved Kaden as if he was his father.
Apparently, the principal saw what she needed. “I’m sure Miss Beemer would appreciate the help, since her aide called in sick today. But—”
He reached for the door handle.
“Pull yourself together. Children can sense fear and worry in the adults around them. I don’t want you worrying Kaden or the other children.”
He nodded, took a deep breath to steady his nerves, plastered on a smile, and opened the door.
“Miss Beemer?” The principal stepped in behind him. “Mr. Talbot has graciously agreed to help out today since Mrs. Gordon can’t be here.”
Chelsea’s eyes widened in surprise but then she smiled. It was a warm, welcoming smile that made him feel he’d earned a point with her.
“Jagger!” Kaden ran to him, grabbing his hand and pulling him back to the group. “We’re singing.”
“I saw you.” Jagger let himself be drawn into the circle.
“Class, this is Mr. Talbot, Kaden’s—” Chelsea frowned and looked to Jagger..
“He’s my nephew,” Kaden told his class. “My dad was his grandpa.”
While Jagger was sure the children didn’t quite understand, they didn’t seem to care either.
“Good morning, Mr. Talbot.” They all chimed in a chorus.
“Good morning.”
“We’ve just finishing morning stretches and are getting ready to sit and share some of the things we liked about kindergarten. If you’d like to get a chair, Mr. Talbot, you can join us.”
He picked up a chair and set it behind Kaden, who, along with the other children, sat on the floor in a circle.
When she smiled at him again, he regretted not coming sooner.
“So, who wants to start sharing one thing you liked best about Kindergarten?”
He wasn’t sure how she did it, but somehow she kept the kids organized and engaged as they sat taking turns sharing what they’d liked and learned. Jagger had put on a few birthday parties for Kaden and none had had any control. Could he hire Chelsea for Kaden’s next birthday?
“We’re going to go to our seats and make a picture.
This will be a special picture as it will be the cover of your kindergarten book.
” Chelsea held up a stack of papers. “I have put together most of your work over the year from learning your ABCs and numbers to art work, and even some of the pictures we’ve taken.
You’ll make the cover and you’ll have a book to remember kindergarten. ”
The children smiled. No wonder Kaden was in love with her. She was gentle, kind, and genuine. Jagger was half in love himself.
“So, when I call your table, I want you to stand up, go to your cubby to get your art box and your art shirt, and go to your seat. Mr. Talbot and I will get more art supplies and bring them to you.”
She scanned the group. They sat forward, anticipating which table she’d start with. “Honey bees, you can start.”
Honey bees? Jagger glanced at Chelsea with one raised brow.
She smiled at him then turned her attention to the five children who stood and quietly went to a large storage area along the side wall.
He was amazed at how orderly they were. How’d she do that?
As the first group gathered their items, Chelsea called a second group, the Sharks, and Kaden, along with four other boys, stood.
“No girls wanted to be a shark?”
“Girls aren’t sharks,” one boy said.
“I don’t know. I’ve met a few.”
Chelsea sent him a warning glance, but her gaze held humor.
Like the previous group, this set of five children quietly went to their storage cubbies and got their items. Kaden put on his art shirt, making Jagger frown. Was that one of his old shirts? When did he send that to school?
Within a few minutes, all the children were at their tables, waiting for their next task.
“Mr. Talbot, can you help me pass out the other art items? There are several boxes over here. You can put one box per table.” Chelsea led Jagger to a storage area near her desk. There were several boxes filled with glue, glitter, beads, paint, and other art supplies.
“You’re just going to let them have at all this?” Jagger had done art with Kaden before, the results of which were still smeared on Kaden’s bedroom wall.
She smiled and, for a moment, it distracted him. She really was beautiful. “It’s the last day of school.” Her gaze slid over his body and he realized he ran out of the house without considering what he was wearing.
Not able to remember, he glanced down. Old faded jeans Miss Z kept trying to throw out and a blue, plaid button-down over a white T-shirt. Could be better. Could be worse.
“If you’re worried about getting your clothes ruined, I have a smock you can wear.”
“I’d rather buy new clothes than wear a smock.”
She nodded, her lips twitching into that coy smile, and then she turned her attention back to the children, whose noise level was rising.
“Remember, indoor voices. Mr. Talbot is going to give each table an art box. Don’t forget your manners and take turns.
There are enough art supplies for everyone.
I’m going to give you each a piece of construction paper.
You’ll have your choice of color.” She held up a large stack of construction paper.
“When I give you your paper, you can start.”
Jagger picked up the art boxes and set one on each table as instructed while Chelsea handed out construction paper.
“Jagger, I chose green.” Kaden waved his paper in the air, nearly hitting the boy sitting next to him.
“I like green. What are you going to put on it?”
Kaden set his paper on the table and rummaged through his art box. “Me and you and Miss Beemer having pizza.”
Jagger cast a glance toward Chelsea. Her lips curved upward slightly and a blush came to her cheeks as she turned her gaze to Jagger.
Interesting.
It seemed like hours that he and Chelsea checked on the kids and stopped glitter wars, which, in his estimate, he lost. Miss Z might get her wish with the jeans if the glitter didn’t come off.
Then Chelsea gave them a five-minute warning that it was time to finish up.
In a marvel Jagger wouldn’t have believed if he hadn’t seen it, the kids finished and within ten minutes of completing their work, all the supplies were stashed, the artwork sat along the window to dry, and the kids were back on the carpet waiting quietly.
“Mr. Talbot will read you a story while I finish cleaning up and then we’ll have our snack and party.”
There was a group, “Yay!” from the kids.
Story? “I can clean if you’d—”
“I think Kaden would enjoy you reading a story. The one about napping is a favorite.” She nodded toward the shelf of books.
Jagger blew out a breath and scanned the shelf for said nap book.
“It’s the blue one with the dog on the cover.” The little girl nearest the shelf pointed.
“Thanks.” Jagger picked up the book, sat in Chelsea’s chair, and scanned the eager faces sitting around him. Kaden sported a huge grin, which gave Jagger confidence to keep going. He opened the book and began to read about a puppy who did everything he could to avoid his nap.
After each page, Jagger held up the book to show the pictures to the kids, who sat enthralled.
He looked at Kaden, whose eyes shone with delight and such happiness, it stole away Jagger’s breath.
Why didn’t I come to school sooner? Is Chelsea right?
Am I not involved enough? He chanced a glance at her.
She was wiping down a table, but her gaze lifted to his.
He swore she was saying, “See how important this is?”
Jagger finished the book and the kids asked him to read more.
“Maybe just one more. I have to set out all the party food.”
“Yay!” the children cheered, but Jagger wasn’t sure if it was for one more book or the party.
Jagger read a second book and, by the time he was finished, Chelsea had set up for the kids to get their snacks, grab some treats, and head to their seats.
Once the children were sitting and eating, she handed him a brownie. “Thank you for the flowers.” She nodded to the sad-looking blooms wilting in a paper cup on her desk.
“They were in better shape when I picked them this morning.” He bit into the brownie and nearly groaned as the gooey goodness melted in his mouth. He’d never been much of a brownie fan. Usually they were dry and lacking in taste. But these were moist and rich. “You made these?”
She nodded. “My mother’s recipe.”
“How many flowers do you need for me to order a whole batch?” He popped the rest of the brownie in his mouth.
She smiled and, like the brownie, it dazed him a little bit. “You can have more for being my aide today.”
“I should have come to help sooner.” He grinned, knowing his comment would annoy her.
Her eyes narrowed, her expression similar to ones his teachers had given him when he was in school. It was amazing how one glare could convey so much.
She gave the children twenty minutes for their party, which, along with snacks and goodies, included a few games they could play at their tables. It only took another ten minutes for her to have them clean up their food mess, line up, and go out to the playground for recess.
Although the area was fenced, Jagger’s guard was back up. He scanned the perimeter in case Tanya was skulking around. It reminded him that he needed to call his lawyer to make sure his legal situation involving Kaden was solid.
“I didn’t want to say anything with the kids around, but is everything all right? Mrs. Compton called the classroom this morning to make sure Kaden was there and then you showed up.”
Jagger did a quick check on Kaden, who was playing basketball with a group of other children. “It’s a long story.”
“And none of my business.”
Jagger tore his gaze away from Kaden to look at Chelsea. “No. That’s not what I meant. It’s a long story and this isn’t the place for me to tell it.”
She nodded, but he got the impression she’d thought she’d been reprimanded for being nosy.
“His mother showed up this morning.”
She jerked her gaze to his.
“After being gone for years, she just showed up. Thank God Kaden was already on the bus.”
“You think she might abduct him?”
“I don’t know. Maybe. I know you think I’m just the playboy nephew, but I’ve cared for Kaden since long before she left.”
“You love him.” She reached out, placing her hand on his arm. Her voice and touch soothed.
“Yes. And I’ll do anything to protect him.”
“Even work with glitter.” She grinned as she patted away red glitter clinging to his shirt.
He laughed. “Whatever it takes.”