Page 102 of Burning Skies
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 sosorry, 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.”
