It had been nearly dawn before she’d fallen asleep, with the image of Cody firmly planted in her jumbled mind. Last night she had realized that even though Cody was just down the hall, there was a great deal more than just a couple of walls separating them. A great deal more.
She’d do well to remember that, Maggy lectured herself, but it was hard to remember anything this morning with Cody here, large as life, looking more appealing than any man had a right to.
“Done,” Bobby announced, spitting a stream of cereal in her direction. Maggy jumped back and uttered a wild screech as cereal pelted her blouse and face.
“Tiger!” Cody growled. “Look what you did! You got cereal all over Maggy.”
“All done, Da-da,” Bobby repeated with a grin as he pushed the bowl of cereal perilously close to the edge of the table.
Grabbing the bowl just before it went sailing through the air, Cody yanked the towel off his shoulder and dabbed at the front of Maggy’s blouse. Her eyes closed as her body quaked at his touch. Swallowing hard, she tried to gather her composure. Having Cody’s hands on such an intimate part of her body caused her blood to zip wildly through her veins. She glanced down at his hand and her breathing came quickly as her heart danced a wicked dance.
“I…I can do that, Cody,” she stammered, raising a shaky hand to take the towel from him.
“I know,” Cody said cheerfully, his eyes alight with mischief. “But it’s more fun if I do it.”
Her startled eyes flew to his and she saw the wicked amusement spreading across his features. He was having fun with her again, Maggy realized. He was trying to keep her off balance with his outrageousness and, she thought mildly, he was doing a good job of it. Why did she have the feeling that she was mired ankle deep in quicksand and sinking fast?
“I’ve got to get to work,” she announced shakily, grabbing her jacket off the back of the chair. “See you later, Sport.” She leaned down and kissed Bobby’s cheek. He responded with a toothy grin. “Be good,” she added with a laugh, ruffling his hair.
“What about me?” Cody inquired with a devilish smile as he scooped up Bobby. He paused to wipe Bobby’s hands before plopping the squirming toddler securely on his hip. “Don’t you want me to be good, too?” Cody inquired, his eyes still twinkling with mischief. Maggy rolled her eyes toward the heavens. If Cody’s escapade with her mother last night was an indication of his idea of “being good,” she wasn’t certain she could handle any more of it.
“I’d settle for staying out of trouble,” Maggy muttered under her breath as she slipped her arms into her jacket sleeves.
“Maggy,” Cody said, trying to help her into her jacket, despite the fact that she didn’t need his help. He dropped one big hand around her neck and pulled her close. She could feel the warmth of his body. “I can stay out of trouble and be good. In fact,” he said, lowering his voice and flashing her a wink, “I can be very good.”
Her face flamed at the double meaning of his words and she stepped away from him. She had no doubt Cody would be good, very good at whatever he chose to do. She just hoped he could be very good at staying out of trouble, for the time being, anyway.
“Now,” Cody went on, resting his hand on the middle of her back as he ushered her toward the door. “Off to work. When you get home, I’ll have a surprise for you.”
“A surprise?” Maggy came to an abrupt halt and looked up at him. Cody looked much too mischievous for her peace of mind. “What kind of surprise?” she asked hesitantly, trying not to let her fear show. She didn’t know if she could take any more of Cody’s surprises.
“Mags,” he said, sounding clearly affronted. “Don’t you trust me?”
“No,” she returned, and Cody grinned.
“Now don’t you worry,” he said in a tone of voice that caused her to do just that. “I’ve got some ideas for you.” Cody stopped at the telephone table to scoop up several paperbacks. “Here’s a couple of my books. I thought you might like to take a look at them.” Cody pressed the books into her hands and opened the front door. “Bobby and I will keep things square here. Won’t we, Sport?” Bobby grinned in response. “And don’t worry about your mother, we’ll keep an eye on her, too.”
Yes, but who was going to keep an eye on him? Maggy wondered, lifting her hand to return Bobby’s wave.
“Bye-bye, Ma-ma,” Bobby called, waving a chubby fist at her.
“Bye, Sport.” Maggy blew him a kiss.
“Mags, wait,” Cody called, and she stood still again with a frown. Shielding her eyes against the harsh sunlight Maggy looked back at him.
“What’s wrong?”
“You forgot something.” Cody tried not to smile as Maggy checked her briefcase, her purse and the books he had given her. It appeared she had everything, but she obediently marched back up the walk to him.
“What did I forget?”
Cradling Bobby between them, Cody leaned forward. “You forgot to kiss me goodbye.” Before she could open her mouth to protest, Cody’s lips were on hers, draining her mind and her body of everything but the feel of him. With a sigh, she kissed him in return, realizing she could easily get used to starting the day this way. Cody rolled his lips from hers, and planted a playful kiss on her nose.
“Now off you go,” he instructed as he turned her around and pointed her toward the driveway.
“See you tonight,” Cody called as she walked away on shaky limbs. She turned back to wave and saw Cody’s eyes crinkling in delight. It caused her heart to lurch unexpectedly. Another one of Cody’s ideas, she thought again as she backed her car out of the driveway and headed toward the academy. She wasn’t certain if she could stand any more surprises—or ideas. But her curiosity got the better of her, and she couldn’t help but wonder just what Cody had in store. She only hoped that whatever it was, it wouldn’t land them all in jail this time.
“Margaret!” Miss Barklay’s shrill voice came out of nowhere and the book Maggy had been reading—Cody’s book—went flying through the air.
“Miss Barklay,” Maggy stammered nervously, trying to glance around and under her desk for her dropped book before her boss saw it. Maggy spotted the novel on the far side of her desk, almost touching the toe of Miss Barklay’s sensible low-heeled oxfords. Deftly Maggy slid lower in her chair, stretching her leg as far as she could, trying to maneuver the book toward her with the toe of her shoe.
Somehow she had managed to avoid Miss Barklay all morning. But now, during her lunch hour, the woman had finally shown up. Miss Barklay was stationed in front of Maggy’s desk, watching her perform ankle gymnastics in an effort to retrieve Cody’s book.
“May I ask what you’re doing?” Miss Barklay inquired with a frown, as Maggy tried to maneuver Cody’s book out of range of her boss’s piercing eyes.
“I dropped something,” Maggy muttered, scooting lower in her chair. She could just about reach the book, if only she could scoot forward a little farther! Miss Barklay bent over and picked the book up from the floor.
“What’s this?” One silver brow rose and Maggy groaned inwardly as Miss Barklay carefully examined Cody’s book. A scantily clad woman with ample curves and cleavage adorned the elaborately decorated cover.
Miss Barklay’s brows rose again, almost disappearing in the circle of white curls that marched obediently around her head. “Is this one of the books you confiscated from one of the students last semester?” Her voice was laced with displeasure and Maggy sat perfectly still, holding her breath as Miss Barklay flipped casually through the book. The woman’s eyes widened occasionally as a certain passage caught her attention.
Miss Barklay’s tongue clucked in disapproval. “This is deplorable!” she announced with a heavy sigh. “I swear, Margaret, one never knows what young ladies will do next. We’ve tried to instill good values and morals, and then, just when I’m certain they’ve learned the proper reading—”
“It’s mine,” Maggy said weakly.
Miss Barklay’s eyes widened i
n surprise. “I beg your pardon?” she said stiffly.
“It’s…mine. The book is mine,” Maggy repeated, feeling her face flame.
“You’re reading Wild Bill Cody’s Amazing Adventures of the Amazon?” Miss Barklay looked at Maggy as if her IQ had suddenly dropped to double digits. Sinking deeper in her chair, Maggy offered her boss a weak smile.
“Margaret,” Miss Barklay said carefully, her tone of voice low and controlled. “I don’t believe this title—or this subject matter—was on the recommended reading list for this semester.” She did not try to hide her contempt.
“No, it’s not,” Maggy returned, pulling herself up once more and meeting the headmistress’s frosty gaze. “The author—the author is a friend of mine.”
Her employer’s body stiffened, and she glared at Maggy from beneath a shelf of fuzzy white brows. “You’re acquainted with a person named Wild Bill Cody?”
Never had Maggy heard such a harmless word sound so ominous. Miss Barklay made acquainted sound like some bawdy, indecent cult ritual. Why on earth should she feel guilty? Maggy wondered. It was her lunch hour, and her time, she thought defiantly, not to mention her book. So what difference did it make to Miss Barklay what she read? Judging from the look on the woman’s face, it did make a difference.
“Yes, as a matter of fact I am,” Maggy admitted reluctantly, meeting her boss’s disapproving gaze.
“I see.”
From the expression on her face, Maggy knew that Miss Barklay didn’t see—not at all. Maggy felt a rare and sudden flare of rebellion.
What did her acquaintances have to do with her capabilities as an administrator? Maggy asked herself dismally. Or with her possible future as headmistress? How she conducted her private life and with whom should be just that, private.
But, Maggy realized sadly, it wasn’t. Her life, all aspects of it, had to meet Miss Barklay’s strict standards. Her actions at all times must be totally above reproach. Maggy had been well aware of this when she accepted her present position.
She had always felt comfortable and secure living her life within the structured boundaries laid down by Miss Barklay. The high standards and restrictions had never bothered her. Until now. Until Cody had burst into her life.
While she loved her job, and loved working with children, Maggy had to admit that this was one time she wished her position didn’t require such regimented behavior.
Maggy couldn’t help but wonder how her boss would react if she knew just how acquainted she was with Cody. Sighing, Maggy dreamily remembered the touch of his lips on hers that morning as he’d kissed her goodbye. She felt an inexplicable pang of loneliness well up inside her.
“Margaret!” Maggy’s eyes flew open, and she flushed. “I don’t think I need to remind you that the staff of Miss Avalon’s must be of the highest moral—My dear, what on earth is in your hair?”
“My hair?” Maggy repeated blankly as Miss Barklay leaned over and plucked something from her shiny blond locks. Maggy swallowed hard. The items in Miss Barklay’s hand looked suspiciously like…Bobby’s breakfast. Oh Lord!
“Is this cereal?” Miss Barklay inquired, staring at the little round oats lying in her hand. The cereal reminded Maggy of Bobby, and she felt another pang as she thought of the chubby-cheeked cherub who had suddenly claimed her as his own.
“Margaret,” Miss Barklay said carefully. “I don’t suppose you’d care to explain why you’re adorning your hair with cereal?” One brow rose and Maggy shrugged helplessly. There was no way she could explain to Miss Barklay why she was reading Adventures of the Amazon or wearing oat cereal in her hair, or even why she was acquainted with a person named Wild Bill Cody. She wasn’t even tempted to try.
Scowling, Miss Barklay dusted the oats off her hand as if they were going to sprout antennae and attack. “Margaret,” she began slowly. “I came in here to discuss several matters with you. None of which was your choice of reading material or hair adornment.” Miss Barklay inhaled deeply. “You were over an hour late for school this morning. Punctuality is not merely an exercise in courtesy. It’s a form of discipline that must not be taken lightly. I trust this won’t become a habitual occurrence?” Her tone of voice made the offense sound like treason. “Even though the students won’t be arriving until next week, you know how important discipline is to one’s life. Without discipline, life would be chaos.”
Discipline. Yes, one had to have discipline in one’s life, Maggy conceded. But what about a little room for fun and excitement as well? she wondered gloomily, shocked at her own thoughts.
“I’m sorry,” Maggy said, trying to sound contrite. “I was—” Maggy hedged “—detained.” Detained and reined in by a matched pair of charming men.
“Detained?” Miss Barklay repeated, clearly wanting more of an explanation than the one she’d been given. When none was forthcoming, she continued. “Now, for the other item,” she said, her tone of voice indicating she had saved the worst for last. “Margaret, have you seen this morning’s paper?”
Was this some kind of a test? Maggy wondered. “No, I’m sorry, I haven’t had a chance to look at it.” She’d been too engrossed in Cody’s book to do anything.
As if reading her thoughts, Miss Barklay cast a baleful glance at the book in question. “Yes, well, I can see that you’ve been otherwise…engaged. On the front page of this morning’s paper, there was an article regarding that disgraceful club on the outskirts of town.” Miss Barklay frowned and tapped a slim finger against her pale lips. “I can’t seem to recall the name.”
Maggy stiffened as familiar feelings of helplessness washed over her. She swallowed hard, knowing what was coming.
“The Boom Boom Club?” Maggy supplied dully.
“You’re acquainted with that establishment, too?” Miss Barklay’s voice whistled out of her pursed lips. If being late was treason, being acquainted with the Boom Boom Club was clearly a lynching offense.
“No, not really,” Maggy assured her quickly. “I’ve just…heard of it.”
“Are you certain you’ve never been there?” Miss Barklay inquired suspiciously, clearly not believing her.
“I can assure you, Miss Barklay, that I have never been in the Boom Boom Club.” Too bad she couldn’t say the same about some other members of her family, Maggy thought, remembering her mother’s escapades. She sobered immediately at Miss Barklay’s frown.
“This morning’s paper reported that a raid was held at that disgusting club last night. Apparently they have people who dance for money and then remove their clothing—”
“Strippers,” Maggy supplied helpfully, immediately regretting her words at the look that contracted her boss’s face.
“Strippers?” Miss Barklay shuddered. “Apparently several patrons as well as—” Maggy could see she couldn’t bring herself to say the word “—as well as employees of that establishment were arrested last night. I understand that there was quite a fracas involving picketers and the police. Anyway, several people were arrested and detained at the jail. I was almost certain there was a Magee listed in the paper.”
Maggy sobered instantly. She could see the position of headmistress slowly slipping out of her reach. She felt an unexpected tug of panic. This was what she had always feared—that one of her mother’s escapades would cost her her job.
Maggy had worked so hard for this; it meant so much to her. Why, she wondered now, did Miss Barklay’s rules about her personal life have to be so confining, so restricting? When she thought about it, what had happened to her mother and Cody really wasn’t all that terrible. But she knew Miss Barklay would never see it that way.
“Miss Barklay,” Maggy said firmly, coming to her feet. “I can assure you that I have never been to the Boom Boom Club, nor have I ever been arrested. Neither here,” Maggy added for good measure at the look on Miss Barklay’s face, “nor anywhere else.” It wasn’t a lie, Maggy rationalized. She had never been at the club, nor had she been arrested. On the other hand, it wasn’t
entirely the truth, either.
She probably should have confessed that the Magee in question was indeed a member of her family, but Maggy immediately felt an overwhelming sense of duty to protect her mother. Her mother didn’t work at the school, nor did she have any responsibility to Miss Barklay. Besides, Maggy reasoned, why should her mother have to abide by Miss Barklay’s rules and regulations?
What her mother did was of no concern to Miss Barklay. And, Maggy had to concede, despite her distress at the situation last night, it had all worked out for the best. If pressed, Maggy would have to admit that it did sound as though her mother and Cody had had fun. Now, in the light of day, she could almost see the humor in the situation. Almost. But she saw no reason to admit her mother’s involvement to her boss. Miss Barklay would never understand.
“Well, if you’re sure,” Miss Barklay said finally, and Maggy sighed in relief, hoping her boss was going to let the matter drop. “You must realize how concerned I am. Something like that—well—how would it look if one of our staff were involved in something like that? It…it…would be deplorable.”
“Deplorable,” Maggy confirmed, nodding her head in agreement, and wondering all the while just what would be so deplorable about it!
“Well then, I believe that’s all for now. I suggest you carry on with your work. There’s much to do before the students begin arriving next week. I will be having my customary faculty tea three weeks from Friday. I trust you’ll be there?”
Maggy almost groaned. Miss Barklay’s faculty teas were the drudge of the year. They were held in Avalon Hall to welcome returning faculty as well as new staff members. They were stiff, boring, formal affairs where everyone walked around as if on eggs, scarcely breathing lest someone do something to displease Miss Barklay or catch her ever-watchful eye.
The competition among the staff to get in the woman’s good graces was almost comical to watch. Perhaps it was because Maggy had never engaged in such trivial one-upmanship that Miss Barklay had singled her out to become her successor.
Baby Makes Three: Heartwarming Love and Laughter Page 7
