Page 5 of Shadows Relived
Pushing the thoughts aside, she focused on the day ahead, determined not to let her imagination run wildagain. Kindergarten was her happy place, a sanctuary filled with infectious joy and innocence of young minds just starting their educational journey. They were playful, eager, untarnished by the bullshit of the world. At least, for the most part. She had a couple of students who had already had a rough life thanks to their parents. Her heart broke for them, and she did everything she could to bring a little sunshine into their lives, giving them all the help and stability she could while they were within her care.
As she parked her car and made her way into the school, the cheerful chatter of children and the familiar scents of the crayons and finger paint immediately put her at ease. With a deep breath, she immersed herself in the routines of her classroom, hushing the talkative students during morning announcements, writing the day’s lessons on the chalkboard, and offering each of her students a warm smile as they entered her room.
The morning went smoothly for the most part. Of course, Lucas Thompson was as late as he always was because his parents fought with each other so much, they forgot who was supposed to get him to class, and usually the neighbor girl brought him on her way to high school. Sophie was a constant shadow, always wanting to help and tattling on the other kids, while little Willie simply sat there, sullen and slumped in his chair as he doodled the day away. He was a smart child, but his parents had recently died in a car accident, and he now lived with his seventy-five-year-old grandmother, who could barely take care of herself not to mention a five-year-old boy.
By eleven, the students were getting rowdier, and Meaghan couldn’t stop the smile from slippingacross her face, knowing the children knew it was close to recess time. However, she sat on her stool at the front of the class, clasping her hands together as she stared out at the eager faces. “So, what do you think? Should we read a story?”
“Reeeaaddd?” Lucas whined, leaning almost completely over his desk. “I don’t want to read.”
“I love reading,” little Sophie said as she sat up straighter in her chair. “What story are you going to read?”
Other children whined, almost all of them frowning as they all reminded her it was time for recess.
She feigned surprise as she swiveled her gaze over her students. “It can’t be that late already. I’m sure you’re just pulling my leg.”
“Noooo,” Lucas whined even louder. “It’s time to play outside.” He then pointed to the giant clock on the wall. “Look at the time. It’s right there.”
She made a big show of turning to look at the clock on the wall, allowing her eyes to go wide as she covered her mouth with her hand. “Well, will you look at that? Itisrecess time.”
“I told you,” Lucas said with a loud sigh.
Meaghan glanced over at Willie, but he simply stared at his desk. She pressed her lips together, wishing there was something that would brighten the little boy’s spirit.
“All right, everyone. Clear your desks, putting everything where it belongs, and form a line at the door.
As soon as they were ready, doing their best to stand still, she opened the door and a rush of little feet raced out of her classroom for the playground. She followed themout at a much slower pace, stepping up beside the other kindergarten teacher, Nicole Roberts, both moving to stand beneath the shade of a tall oak tree. The children loved the sun and heat; she wasn’t really a fan.
“They seem full of energy this morning,” Nicole said with a laugh as she crossed her arms over her chest.
Meaghan couldn’t disagree with the other teacher.
They fell into a casual chat, every once in a while fussing at the students to slow down or stop playing so rough. As they talked, she allowed her gaze to drift around the edges of the school property, always cautious when her students were outside. The first thing that stood out of place to her was the two men loitering across the street, their gazes fixed on the school grounds. A sense of unease crept up her spine, and she instinctively drew closer to her children, her eyes darting back to the men every few moments.
“You all right?” Nicole stared at her for a moment and then tried to follow her gaze, her brow furrowed.
Meaghan forced a reassuring smile, unwilling to cause unnecessary alarm. “Yeah, just me being paranoid.” She glanced back at the two men and noticed two more had joined them. “I just find it odd that men would simply stand there watching a bunch of kids playing.”
Nicole gave a weak shrug. “I stopped trying to figure out why people do what they do a long time ago. They make little sense most of the time.”
Meaghan didn’t necessarily agree with the woman. Most people made sense, even if no one else understood them. It just took time to figure out the sense they weremaking.
Pushing the men out of her mind, she focused on the kids playing until it was time to call them back inside for lunch.
As the day wore on, Meaghan found it increasingly difficult to shake the lingering sense of unease, her mind constantly drifting back to the men across the street and the encounter at the café. By the time the last bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, her nerves were frayed, and she longed for the comfort of her own home.
Finally, the day was over, and it was time to get the children to the car loop. Gathering her belongings, she made her way to the pick-up lane, the kids following behind in a straight line. Setting her belongings against the wall, she turned and helped children into the cars as their parents arrived. As she took a moment between vehicles, she scanned the sea of faces as she told Lucas Thompson to get back against the wall. She knew he would be one of the last to go home, his parents not the most reliable people in the world.
As she looked around, her breath caught in her throat as a familiar face from her past stood out among the crowd, his piercing gaze locked onto her. She hadn’t seen the man since… Well, since he had walked out of her life a decade or more ago, telling her she deserved a more stable life than he could give her.
What the hell is Callen McHollister doing here?
CHAPTER 4
CALLEN’S FINGERSDRUMMED AGAINST the steering wheel as he navigated the traffic on I-10, the monotonous hum of tires on the asphalt a stark contrast to the tumult of his thoughts. The senator didn’t give many details about who specifically was threatening him, but that didn’t really bother Callen. He was used to going into situations half-blind. No, what bothered him was the icy reception he knew waited for him when he finally reached his destination. Even so, he looked forward to seeing Meaghan once again after so many years.
The early morning sun cast long shadows across the dashboard, a reminder of the long day ahead. He had hit the road before dawn, the rising sun blinding him as morning swallowed the night. Pale gold spilled across the cracked highway, painting the windshield in a haze of warmth that didn’t quite reach his bones.
His phone had no signal. Typical.
