The Gift of a Good Start (Harlequin More Than Words)

by Sewell, Earl

  “Hi,” a child’s voice said behind her. Olivia opened her eyes and saw a beautiful little girl smiling at her.

  “Hi,” Olivia said, searching around for an adult who was with the child. She saw a woman who looked just like the little girl a few steps away. The woman was keeping a close eye on her daughter.

  “Do you have any grandchildren?” the little girl asked.

  Olivia laughed. Did she really look that old? “No, sweetie, I don’t. Why do you ask?”

  “Here.” The little girl handed Olivia a flyer. She scanned it and saw that it was an invitation to attend story time for children aged five to eight at the park district field house, which was located about fifty meters to her left. The mother waved at Olivia and she waved back. In spite of mistaking her for a grandmother—Olivia made a mental note to buy some retinol cream on the way home—the little girl left Olivia with a special feeling. She watched the mother and daughter as they walked hand-in-hand toward another woman with a child who was scooping up sand and placing it into a little blue bucket. Then Olivia rose to her feet and brushed the sand off her butt. Her decision was made. Her calling and passion was teaching and helping others. To do anything else would just be silly.

  * * *

  The following Monday after work, Olivia visited the school that Principal Bowen had suggested she might be interested in—a small elementary school built in the 1940s. She was pleased to discover that it was more than adequate for her tutoring and school supplies program. The building housed a small stage and a gymnasium that could be utilized for performing arts and other community events. Olivia felt as if she’d found the perfect space, but the road to acquiring it wouldn’t be easy. She had a lot of work ahead of her to make her dream a reality.

  Olivia focused her efforts on creating a new business plan for her organization. The plan had to fund the operational expenses of the organization, cover construction costs, and take into account a salary for her and the modest staff she would need to employ. Principal Bowen pulled a few strings as she had promised. Olivia found a company called Zinberg Construction and did a walk-through of the school with the owner, Eddie. Mr. Zinberg was a handsome older gentleman, with curly salt-and-pepper hair—Olivia’s friend Carla had recommended him. Eddie pointed out issues that needed to be fixed that Olivia would have missed. The roof needed repairs and there were some plumbing issues. He pointed out that the furnace, although operational, was very old and should be replaced. She explained to Eddie that she wanted to remodel the school’s cafeteria and the administrative office areas. Eddie took notes on everything she wanted and needed repaired and forwarded blueprints and cost estimates a few days later. Once Olivia had that information, she plugged it into her business plan and then set out to find funding for her nonprofit. Her first step was to download the information on applying for a state grant from the website that Principal Bowen had scribbled on the yellow sticky note Olivia had kept on her fridge for just in case.

  * * *

  Although Olivia had talked with Langston on the phone multiple times in the past two weeks, it had been nearly that long since she had seen him. They’d both been so busy. Langston had been trying to stay afloat in a sea of rhetoric and political finger-pointing.

  On Sunday evening, she found herself thinking about him. She missed going out on dates with him. She missed his smile, his scent and the sound of his laugh. She retrieved her cell phone and decided to send him a text.

  Hello, Handsome, she typed.

  She anticipated a return text but instead, he called.

  “Hello, beautiful,” Langston said. “It’s so good to hear from you. I thought you were mad at me.”

  “Why would you think that?” Olivia asked, tucking her legs beneath her on the sofa.

  “Well, we were seeing a lot of each other for a while and then we both got busy and the phone calls turned into short conversations and then just the occasional text message.”

  “I have been busy, Langston. And from what I’ve been seeing and hearing in the media, it sounds like you’ve got your hands full.”

  “You have no idea. This is really bad. No one is happy. Teachers aren’t happy, parents aren’t happy and neither are the politicians.”

  “Do you like the work that you’re doing, Langston?” Olivia asked.

  “Some days I ask myself that question,” he admitted. “I like to believe that I’m doing what’s in the best interests of everyone involved. However, as the saying goes, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.”

  “Isn’t that the truth,” Olivia agreed.

  “So, when will I get to see you again?” Langston asked.

  “Why do you want to see me?” Olivia couldn’t quite place her finger on what the problem was, but she knew she wanted more from him. She wanted to know why he missed her.

  “I like hanging out with you. You’re fun to be around,” he said

  “So, is that it? I’m just fun to be around?”

  “Yeah, what’s wrong with what I said?” Langston asked.

  “You make it sound as if I’m one of the guys you call up to go play a few rounds of racquetball or something.” Olivia pouted.

  “Well, you’re definitely not one of the guys. I apologize if that’s the way I came off,” Langston said.

  “Then, what am I to you?” Olivia asked.

  “Well...” Langston gave a low chuckle. “I hope I’m not coming on too strong, but you embody all the qualities of the type of woman I am extremely attracted to.”

  “Oh, really? What are those qualities? I’d like to hear them,” Olivia said with a big smile.

  “You’re intelligent and that is very important to me. You’re compassionate, understanding and determined.” Langston paused and then said, “And you can be feisty.”

  “Wait—is that a bad thing?” Olivia asked.

  “No, it’s a very good thing.” Langston laughed. Olivia loved it when he laughed. The deep, completely masculine sound of it gave her goose bumps. “I’ve missed you.”

  He had told her exactly what she’d hoped to hear. “I’ve missed you, too,” Olivia said.

  “So, what are we going to do about that?” Langston asked.

  “What’s your schedule like? Can you get away long enough to go out on a date again?” Olivia asked.

  “Actually, I’ve taken Monday and Tuesday off. Monday I’ll be doing more volunteer work at the hospital. I took Tuesday as a personal day before the next round of school closure meetings starts.”

  “Ugh. I really hate the job you’re doing,” Olivia said.

  Langston gave her a half smile. “Well, I can’t do much about that.”

  “I know, and I don’t mean to steer our lovely conversation down that path,” Olivia said.

  “How does Tuesday evening look for you?” Langston asked.

  “On Tuesday my class is going on a field trip to the Museum of Science and Industry,” Olivia said.

  “You’re going to be exhausted,” Langston said, sounding disappointed.

  “No, it’s not going to be bad. You should come along on the field trip. The more adult chaperones we have, the better.”

  “As much as I would love to, Olivia, I can’t. It just wouldn’t look good for me to be on a school field trip with your students, given the current situation. It could be perceived as favoritism.”

  “I understand. Then why don’t you pick me up when school lets out? I would drive to you, but my car might still be in the repair shop. My coworker Robyn is going to be driving me to work.”

  “Sounds good,” he said. “I’d like to take you to Gibsons downtown on Rush Street.”

  “That sounds wonderful, Langston,” she said. “Be at the school by two-thirty, okay?”

  “Okay, two-thirty. I’ll see you then,” Langston agreed.

>   * * *

  Upon her return from the field trip to the museum on Tuesday afternoon, Olivia noticed a news truck parked outside the school. When she walked into the building, she saw Principal Bowen being interviewed by Andrea Spencer, the journalist who had interrupted her dinner with Langston a while back. Principal Bowen’s back was against the wall, and a camera was aimed at her. Andrea pointed a microphone at her chin. Olivia’s students were excited to see the camera and the news reporter. To avoid interrupting the interview, Olivia had the students exit the school and walk around to another entrance. On her way to the side door with her class, Olivia saw two more news trucks pull up.

  “My students, walk directly to my classroom,” Olivia said loudly as she held the door open for them to file in. Once they were inside her classroom, she stepped out into the hallway to see if she could find out what was going on. She saw Robyn heading toward her with Andrea’s news crew trailing behind her.

  “What’s going on?” Olivia asked Robyn.

  “Twenty-six teachers were arrested today,” her friend told her.

  “What?” Olivia said, stunned.

  “Six of the teachers that were arrested are from this school,” Robyn explained.

  “Where were they arrested?” Olivia asked.

  “Down at City Hall. They were protesting.”

  “Wow,” Olivia muttered as she saw other news crews coming in the same side door she had just entered.

  “This situation is about to explode. People are not happy.”

  “Tell me about it,” Olivia deadpanned.

  “I’ve been teaching here for fifteen years, and I never thought I would see the day that this school would actually close. I could really use a cocktail. Do you want to go get a drink with me after work?”

  “Sorry, no, I can’t. I meant to tell you that I have a date. He’s picking me up after work, so I don’t need a ride tonight.”

  Robyn grinned. “A date? With who? Have you been holding out on me?”

  “Sort of,” Olivia mumbled.

  “I was wondering why you seemed so detached from everything. What’s his name and what does he do?” Robyn asked, her expression keen.

  “Where are your students?” Olivia asked her.

  “I let them out a few minutes early. They’re out front being picked up,” Robyn said.

  “Will you keep an eye on my class for a minute? I need to make a phone call.”

  Robyn agreed and Olivia headed down the hall toward where Andrea and her camera guy were setting up a shot. She needed to pass them to go outside so she could get a phone signal. She had to call Langston and tell him not to come to the school. Andrea caught her gaze as Olivia tried to discreetly go around her. She removed her phone from its holster and flipped it open, hoping for a signal. She was so focused on her phone that she bumped directly into someone who was carrying a bouquet of red roses.

  “I’m so sorry,” she said, inspecting the flowers for damage.

  Chuckling, Langston said, “It’s okay. They’re for you.” Before Olivia had the chance to tell him to turn around and go back, Andrea spotted him.

  “Langston, is that you?” the reporter called out. Olivia glanced over her shoulder and saw Andrea and the camera operator rushing toward them.

  “What’s going on here?” Langston demanded, surprise and discomfort in his voice.

  “Langston, I had no idea the media would be here,” Olivia said as she looked back over her shoulder. Olivia could tell the camera was rolling by the way the lens was turning and adjusting its focus on its own. They were trapped. There was nowhere to hide.

  “Langston, can I get a comment from you about the twenty-six schoolteachers who were arrested down at City Hall today?” Andrea shoved the microphone in his face. Agitated, Olivia wanted to shove the microphone aside and tell her to back off.

  “No comment,” Langston said as he turned to walk away. Olivia walked with him.

  “What about the ten thousand signatures on the petition the teachers brought down to the mayor’s office protesting the school closures?” Andrea pressed on. When Langston continued to ignore her, she said, “This is the second time I’ve seen you two together. Are you two dating?”

  Langston stopped and turned to face her.

  “Isn’t it a conflict of interest to be romantically involved with a schoolteacher when you’re a member of a review board that is conducting hearings on the largest public school closures in the history of the United States?” Andrea asked. Camera crews from other stations homed in on the activity and more microphones and television journalists appeared, seemingly out of nowhere. Langston was about to speak, but Olivia stopped him.

  “We are not dating,” she said angrily.

  “Then why did I just see him hand you roses?” Andrea was going for the kill and Olivia had to think quickly on her feet.

  “It’s none of your business.” Olivia raised her voice at the reporter.

  “Mr. Langston Hill, what would you like to say to those teachers who were arrested trying to save their jobs so they could continue working at this school?” asked a journalist from another station.

  “I have no comment at this time,” Langston finally spoke. He looked into Olivia’s eyes. No words needed to be exchanged between them. She knew he had to leave and knew that his presence at her school may have cost him more than he had bargained for. As he walked to his car, the media continued to swarm him, trying to force him to discuss the teacher arrests and his reason for being at the school.

  With a heavy heart, Olivia turned and went back to her classroom to relieve Robyn and dismiss her students for the day.

  Chapter Ten

  When the dismissal bell rang, Olivia went outside with her students and searched around for Langston, but he was gone. Once all the kids in her class had been picked up, she headed back inside the school. All she wanted to do now was grab her belongings and get a hold of Langston. When she returned to her classroom, Robyn was there waiting for her.

  “Okay, I need to know how you ended up dating Langston after you chewed him out at the public hearing.” Robyn perched on the edge of Olivia’s desk and waited for an answer.

  “It’s complicated,” Olivia said, unlocking her desk drawer. She removed her purse and was about to head out.

  “It can’t be anything but complicated,” Robyn said. “It must be going pretty well for him to bring you flowers.”

  “That was something new and unexpected.” Olivia opened her purse and dug around for the keys to her classroom.

  “Olivia.” Robyn got off the desk and stood before her. She placed her hands on Olivia’s shoulders. “Are you okay?”

  Olivia huffed. “No, I’m not. The media isn’t going to leave him alone now. He’s been through so much already and doesn’t need or deserve this.”

  “Wait.” Robyn recoiled as if she’d just been stung by a wasp. “You’re defending the man who’s helping shut down our school?”

  “Like I said, it’s complicated, and I just wish I could have warned him,” Olivia said.

  “Well, there’s nothing either one of you can do about it now. But woman to woman, I like the way you told that reporter that it was none of her business as to why he brought you the flowers.”

  “Thanks.” Olivia bit back a smile and gave Robyn a hug. “I’m going to hail a cab and catch up with him.”

  “I understand. Go get him,” Robyn said.

  Olivia rushed out of the building and flagged down a taxi. Once she was inside, she called Langston, but he didn’t answer. A few minutes later, she got a text from him asking if it was possible for her to get dropped off at Gibsons. Smiling to herself, Olivia typed back that she was on her way.

  When she arrived, she found Langston sitting at the bar with a drink. She approached and took a seat on t
he stool next to him.

  “I am so sorry,” Olivia began. “I had no idea that the media was going to be there.”

  “I know you didn’t.” Langston took a sip of the clear liquid in his glass.

  “What are you drinking?” she asked.

  “I would love to have a brandy right now, but since I’m driving I’m just having water.” “How do you feel?” Olivia asked, placing a hand on his arm.

  “Hard for me to tell what I feel right now,” Langston spoke honestly.

  “Well, I feel protective of you,” Olivia admitted. “I wanted to choke Andrea today.”

  Langston smirked as he focused his attention on his glass.

  “Can I get you something to drink?” the bartender came over and asked Olivia.

  “I’ll have some cranberry juice,” Olivia said. The bartender filled a glass with ice and poured her drink. Langston insisted that he pay for it.

  “The steaks here are delicious,” Langston said, changing topics.

  “Yeah, so I have heard.” Olivia glanced up at a television screen in the corner of the room.

  “Oh, God,” she whispered.

  “What?” Langston asked. Olivia pointed to the screen. Langston craned his neck toward the TV and saw what Olivia was watching.

  “How do they do things so quickly?” Olivia murmured. Together they watched video footage of Langston handing the roses to Olivia. The caption at the bottom of the screen read, School Board Hearing Committee Member Shows Fondness Toward Schoolteacher.