Page 9 of The Clover Chapel (Jamison Valley 2)
“Okay,” I sighed. “I love you.”
“Love you too,” he said quickly and hung up.
I stared at my phone for a second before tossing it onto the passenger seat. I hoped that call wasn’t indicative of others to come.
Logan and I had been together for the last five years. We’d met at a fundraising gala where I had been working for my father and he had attended as a guest, representing the extraordinarily wealthy Kendrick family.
I had been dancing with my father when Logan approached and asked to cut in. My father had gladly handed me over after telling me that I “wasn’t to fuck up his setup.”
I’d felt so confused at that moment. I hadn’t wanted to be with someone because he’d passed my father’s criteria as suitable boyfriend material, but I also hadn’t been able to walk away from Logan.
His white smile and handsome face had been irresistible. I’d been mesmerized by his deep brown eyes and the sight of his lean muscles wrapped perfectly in an expensive Italian tux. So I’d spent the rest of the night dancing in his arms, laughing as he’d told me embarrassing stories about some of the gala’s guests.
My separation from Logan was the only thing I regretted about moving to Prescott. He was an important part of my life and I didn’t want to lose him. I just hoped that after I got some space from New York, I’d have a better idea of which direction my life was headed. Until then, I needed to balance living in Montana and holding onto my relationship.
I’d work to find those small ways to connect with Logan. I’d call and text often, then email him when I could. And for myself, I’d focus on my students. I’d spend my nights in the peace and quiet of my new home, and I’d explore this new-to-me part of America.
I’d search for that elusive happiness I had been missing lately, hoping to find a piece of it here in Montana.
Two months had passed since my first day of school and I was preparing for another meeting with the Clearys. Sitting in my desk chair, I took a minute to look around the classroom, making sure everything was put away for the evening. Books and counting blocks would be strewn all over the alphabet carpet as soon as the kids arrived in the morning, but for now the room was neat and tidy.
A knock at the door stopped my inspection and I stood as the Clearys walked in.
“Hi, Gigi, Jess,” I said, smiling as they took a seat. “Thanks for coming in this afternoon.”
“No problem, Emmeline. Is something wrong with Rowen?” Gigi asked, nervously patting her protruding belly. Jess reached out and grabbed his wife’s hands.
She looked so much bigger than the last time I had seen her. She was either closing in on her due date or her baby was going to be huge.
“It’s nothing serious,” I told them. “Rowen is a wonderful and bright little girl. She’s full of energy and is so positive. But I did want to make you aware of a situation.”
Jess nodded as Georgia’s face paled.
“This really is nothing serious. Please don’t be worried. She’s been such a joy to have in my classroom these last two months. I just wanted you to be aware that I’ve had to reprimand Rowen a few times these last couple of weeks.”
“Oh, no,” Gigi muttered.
“I’ve had to get after her recently for using inappropriate language in school. I understand that children these days are exposed to cursing at home and from media outlets. I’m not trying to change what you say at home, but as it is kindergarten, I don’t want to let hints of bad language into the classroom.”
“I knew it!” Gigi cried before I could continue. She twisted to glare at Jess. “I knew this would happen, Jess! I’ve been telling you over and over again to watch the effing language in front of her. But you just keep on cussing. Saying you two have an understanding and if she repeats those words you’ll have to arrest her. Now look at where we are! If she’s not cussing, then she’s not even scared of jail anymore! What’s next? Drinking? Drugs? Look what you’ve done!”
“Georgia, relax and breathe,” he said. “You’re working yourself up and we don’t need you going into labor.”
I waved my hands to get their attention. “Actually, if I could interrupt . . .”
“Sorry,” Jess said as Gigi huffed and crossed her arms on top of her belly.
“No, I’m so sorry. I should have been more specific. Rowen is not cursing. She’s just using replacement words. And though they aren’t actually bad, I don’t want the kids getting in the habit of adding curses or placeholders to their sentences. We’re working on expanding their vocabulary and crafting complete phrases. Rowen adds one word in particular quite frequently. She says ‘eff’ a lot.”
Gigi’s jaw fell open.
Jess’s head tipped back and he roared with laughter.
The longer he laughed, the harder I fought the urge to laugh along with him. The guilty look on Gigi’s face was hilarious.
“You feel like telling me you’re sorry?” Jess asked Gigi with a smug grin after his laughter subsided.
“No,” she mumbled.
