Page 68 of Sweet Trouble
Tripp Lawrence
hey beautiful!
hope you’re having a good day
my family is dying to have you and the girls over
i guess i can’t keep you all to myself forever
would you guys want to come by for dinner tonight?
Jillian gazed down at the message for a long time, feeling almost teary-eyed with sweet relief.
Tripp wasn’t making things less serious, he was talking to his family about her and the girls, and wanting them to come and spend time on the farm.
She tapped out a quick reply.
We’d love to! What can we bring?
She busied herself packing up her bag before she got back to the phone and saw his reply.
not a thing
just yourselves
She smiled and tapped out a response.
They exchanged a few words about their days and nailed down a time for dinner.
All the while, Jillian was thanking her lucky stars that she hadn’t tried to start some awkward conversation with him. It was better for her to just take her cues from Tripp himself, and not the general public.
When they signed off, she headed out of the school, feeling better than she had all day. The cold air was brisk and sweet, and the swirl of clouds in the pale gray sky promised more snow.
“Jillian Johnson,” a familiar voice called out.
“Dale Stravinsky?” she replied, turning to see the star of the high school baseball team from back in her day.
“Yeah,” he said. “Great to see you. I heard you were back.”
“Sure am,” she said. “Are you working at the school too?”
“I coach baseball,” he told her. “And I teach social studies.”
It was just like the Dale she remembered to list his responsibilities in that order. They hadn’t exactly been friends—Dale was part of that popular crowd. But they’d had a class or two together and he was a friendly guy.
“That’s great,” she told him. “I’m the new nurse.”
“I heard,” he said. “The girls love you. I guess you’re theteen whisperer.”
“Oh,” Jillian said, surprised, but pleased. “I think they just need a few minutes away from class sometimes.”
“Plenty of people would shoo them off or send them to the guidance counselors,” Dale said, shrugging. “Sounds like you actuallylisten to them.”
“Sure,” Jillian said. “Their emotions are as important as their physical health, especially at this age. And I’m guessing it’s easier to talk to the nurse than the counselor. I don’t take notes.”
“I can see why Lawrence likes you,” Dale chuckled.
She smiled back, feeling good about this conversation.
