A Mother for His Twins

by Jill Weatherholt

  She gave him a nod. “Okay, but I’ll just take a bite or two.”

  “Yeah, sure. You say that now.” He winked, then turned to the young woman. “One big piece and two forks, please.”

  Anxious to hear about his plan, Joy focused on Nick once again. “Please tell me what happened.”

  “The idea came to mind after I found out I’d be up against you for the position. I remembered some articles I’d read a few years ago on coprincipals. They’d been quite successful around the country and were becoming more popular.”

  Joy had heard about that concept, but always assumed it could only be done in big school districts that had fat budgets. “I’m somewhat familiar with it.”

  “I recently did a ton of research and went to the interview prepared with a lot of positive statistics. Once I presented the idea, they seemed very interested...especially Mrs. Dixon.”

  Joy’s heart softened. Nick had taken the initiative to search for a way that they could both get what they wanted. She reached across the table for his hand. “That was kind of you to use your interview time to try and come up with a solution that would take us out of competition with each other. I really appreciate it.”

  “Hey, don’t be too appreciative... I’ve got my own ulterior motives.” He grinned.

  “Really now?”

  “Oh, yeah, working side by side with the most beautiful woman in Whispering Slopes... That’s a dream job. Who wouldn’t sign up for that?”

  He seemed so excited. Joy’s heart raced listening to his kind words, but she knew the reality. She was familiar with the school’s budget. In fact, she hadn’t received a raise in the past two years, but that didn’t matter. She loved her job, the students and especially the school. “I hate to burst your bubble, but coprincipals aren’t in the school’s budget. They struggle with teachers’ salaries as it is.”

  The waitress returned to their table with the biggest slab of cake Joy had ever seen.

  “Wow! That slice is big enough for the entire restaurant to share,” Nick said, passing a fork to her.

  He sank his utensil into the gooey frosting and pulled a bite loose. “Here, try this.” He extended his arm across the table.

  She opened her mouth wide and savored the sweet mocha the moment it touched her tongue. “That’s the best cake I’ve ever tasted.”

  He reached over and wiped a smear of frosting off her lip. “Are you saying it’s even better than my pancake cake?”

  When he shot her another wink, her pulse quickened. “Well, maybe it’s the second best I’ve ever had.” She took her fork and gouged out another bite.

  After the dessert was eaten and their coffee was topped off, Joy turned the conversation back to the school’s budget. “I guess I’m confused why Mr. Jacobson and Mrs. Dixon would show interest in your idea when the money isn’t there.”

  He hesitated for a moment. Had they only pretended to like the idea? After all, they’d still need to hire another teacher. No. Why would they pretend? “I told them that I’d be willing to take a pay cut, if necessary, but Mrs. Dixon pointed out that we’d have to receive the same salary.”

  Joy was speechless, but her heart no longer felt like an empty shell. At this moment, it was full of love for the man sitting across from her. He was obviously putting her wants and needs before his own. But he had a family to support. She didn’t. If anyone should take the lower salary, it should be her. She swallowed the lump lodged in her throat. “Nick, I don’t know what to say.”

  When the server brought their bill, Nick whipped out his credit card to pay the tab.

  As they strolled toward the coat check located at the front of the restaurant, Joy didn’t want the evening to end. “Would you like to take a little walk around the lake?”

  “It’s not too cold for you?”

  She slipped on her heavy down outerwear. “Not with this, but who cares. I need to burn off some of that cake.”

  As they stepped outside, he took her hand in his.

  Her knees were weak, barely able to hold her up. A cold wind peppered her skin and she shivered.

  He hesitated in his tracks and turned. “Are you sure you don’t want to head to the car?”

  Despite the chill, being so close to Nick again made her feel warm and toasty. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined they would be together like this again. She felt more alive than she had in years.

  Midway through their walk, he stopped and pulled her into his arms. With a crystal clear sky, full of millions of stars, his lips pressed against hers and she melted under the warmth of his mouth. It was real. Her first and only love of her life, Nick Capello, had really come home. But she wasn’t the same person as she’d been when he’d left. Kissing would lead to her having to reveal the truth.

  When a northerly gust of wind whipped off the lake, Joy abruptly pulled away. “Nick...”

  He stepped back, placing a comfortable distance between them. “I’m sorry. I—I thought...” He mauled his face with his hand. “I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

  He was thinking about Scotty. Maybe he thought she couldn’t be close to a man. In a way, that was true, but if there was one person who made her feel safe, it was Nick. But she couldn’t allow their relationship to blossom into anything more than work friends. Joy knew he’d eventually want more children. Why wouldn’t he? Nick was a wonderful father. But that was something she’d never be able to give him since she was damaged goods.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Thursday evening, the auditorium at Whispering Slopes K-12 buzzed with activity. Backstage, Nick watched as Joy attended to the children. This was their big night. As much as he’d enjoyed the extra time with her that the rehearsals had provided, he was ready for the performance to be over and done. He knew the added stress the play created for Joy. A constant reminder of Scotty was something she certainly didn’t need. Like him, she hadn’t been able to put the past behind her. He desperately wanted to help her, but he wasn’t sure how.

  He crossed the stage and placed his hand on her shoulder. “Are you doing okay?” When she practically jumped out of her skin, he knew she wasn’t.

  “Sure. Why wouldn’t I be?” She clutched the clipboard against her chest.

  Joy wasn’t going to go down that road again with him. “I know it’s a stressful time for you. If you’d like to leave, I can handle things.”

  Her brow crinkled. “Why would I do that? This is our big performance. I need to be here for the children. Besides, I promised Jordan I’d sit with him while he plays the overture.”

  Of course she’d decline his suggestion, but he had to offer knowing how difficult this had been for her. She always put the children first. Joy deserved to be principal of this school—she’d earned it. Not only to fulfill her dream of following in her father’s footsteps, but after all of the years she had invested her time and love with these kids, the job should be hers. But where would that leave him if the board didn’t go for his idea? The guilt settled in a little deeper.

  A few moments later, Nick spied Jordan slowly heading toward Joy with a piece of sheet music in his hand and his head down. Nick’s stomach twisted as he approached his son. “Are you okay, buddy?”

  Jordan looked at his father and then gazed up at his teacher. “I’m nuhvous, Miss Kellihuh.”

  This was too much pressure. He should have never agreed to Jordan being the center of attention on stage. “You don’t have to do this if you’re uncomfortable, son.”

  Joy knelt in front of Jordan and placed her hand in his. “Oh, sweetie, you don’t have a thing to be nervous about. You’ve practiced this piece and you play it so beautifully.”

  Nick watched his son’s brow crinkle as he listened to his teacher and allowed her comforting words to settle in.

  “I’ll be there with you the entire time. It’s just me and you—no one else.” Joy
kissed the crown of his head.

  “Let’s do it!”

  Nick’s heart soared at the confident sound of his son’s three little words.

  Moments later, silence filled the auditorium as Joy and Jordan took the stage, holding hands.

  Chills snaked up Nick’s spine as Jordan’s tiny fingers tapped the first new notes. Immediately, Nick recognized the song. Michelle’s favorite. Of course his son would want to play “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” It was the first song his mother had taught him to play, and now Joy was giving him the courage to pay tribute to his mom.

  Nick scanned the crowd, who appeared just as mesmerized as he was by the gentle melody filling the hall. His attention turned back to Joy. She had one hand resting on Jordan’s as she watched him, her eyes overflowing with love as she wiped away a tear.

  A shiver jolted through his body the moment he realized—God was giving him a second chance at love.

  Ten minutes into the performance, Bella stepped onto the stage. Dressed in a red riding cloak, she headed through the forest on her way to visit her grandmother. Nick chuckled when one of the children, dressed as a tree, sneezed. Moments later, it was time for Tyler, the Big Bad Wolf, to make his appearance. Nick kept a close eye on Joy as she twisted a piece of hair around her index finger. Beads of perspiration dotted her forehead.

  He couldn’t bear to watch her suffer. “Joy, do you want to step outside?”

  She could only nod before she scurried out the side door.

  He wanted to follow her, but he couldn’t abandon the children. What if one of them needed help with their lines? Like a festering wound, the thought of her outside, cold and alone, struggling with the memories of that horrific night, was too painful. He needed to go to her. He hadn’t been there for her in the past, but he could help her now.

  “Jenny.” He stepped beside the young college student who’d been volunteering while she studied for her degree in education.

  The petite redhead approached him. “Yes, Mr. Capello?”

  “I need to leave for a few minutes. Will you be okay on your own?”

  She nodded. “Of course. I know every line of this play. Besides, they’re just about ready to wrap it up. Don’t worry—I’ve got everything under control.”

  “You’ll make a great teacher one day, Jenny.” Nick bolted toward the same exit where Joy had made her escape only moments earlier.

  Outside, the moon was tucked behind a gathering of low-lying clouds. A cold wind grazed his face. She’d left without her coat and his was still backstage, too. He quickly turned to go back inside to get them some outerwear.

  With both coats in hand, he trekked around the outside of the school. When he spied her car still in the lot, he figured she couldn’t have gone too far.

  “Joy? Where are you?” He rounded the corner and spotted her sitting on a bench in the courtyard, by the flagpole where the time capsule had been buried so many years earlier. Her head was down and her face covered by her hands, so he approached with caution. “I brought this for you.” He extended his hand to pass her the coat.

  She glanced up with tear-soaked eyes. “Thank you, Nick.” She balled the wrap on her lap and covered her face again.

  “You’re going to freeze.” He reached for the garment. “Let me help you put this on.”

  Moving as though her arms were made of lead, she slipped them inside the sleeves and wiped her tears. “Thank you. This feels good. I didn’t realize how cold it had gotten outside.”

  Nick took a seat beside her and gingerly slid a little closer. “Do you think you’re ready to go back inside or do you need a few more minutes? Jenny has everything covered, so don’t feel rushed. We can stay out here all night, if need be.” Truth be told, he’d like to stay by her side forever.

  Joy gazed up toward the sky. The clouds had parted. “It’s a full moon, just like that night.”

  She quivered against his shoulder, obviously venturing back to that dark place. “Don’t go there, Joy. I’m here with you now and you’re safe. No one will ever hurt you again. I promise.”

  “I’m not sure I’ll ever feel secure again. Scotty stole so much—my innocence and my sense of safety. If only you’d come for me—”

  The guilt was suffocating. He should have never agreed to get in the car with his family. Since Joy had told him about the attack, he’d replayed the night over and over in his mind. Each time, a different scenario played out. In one, he’d stood up to his father and demanded he be allowed to go and talk with Joy before the family left Whispering Slopes. In another, his father had decided to wait and leave for Chicago the following morning. In the last vision, he’d caught Scotty in the act of trying to hurt Joy and he pummeled him until the evil boy begged Nick to stop. He had to admit, that was his favorite musing, but sadly, none of those scenarios had happened, and Joy was left with scars he wasn’t sure would ever heal.

  Obviously sensing his pain from his silence, Joy clutched his hand inside of hers. Nick turned and looked at the woman who’d captured his heart for the second time in his life.

  “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that, Nick. It wasn’t your fault, what happened that night. I was the foolish young girl whose ego had been bruised. I made a decision that I’ll regret for the rest of my life.” Her small frame trembled.

  Gently, he brushed the loose tendrils of hair away from her face, exposing the porcelain skin that sparkled under the light of a full moon. Emotions from the past and present collided as his heart yearned for another chance. “I wish I’d been there that night.”

  Her eyes sparkled like the stars overhead. “I know you do, Nick. That means a lot to me.” She leaned closer and softly placed her lips onto his.

  Nick hesitated, but then he gave in to the moment as though no time had passed. The intensity in the kiss grew as an urgent need to make up for lost time was evident. In the distance a lone coyote cried out for its pack and Joy flinched.

  “It’s okay. You’re safe.” He placed his hand against her cheek.

  She nuzzled her head into his shoulder. “I feel sorry for him,” Joy stated.

  “For who?”

  She gazed off into the distance. “The coyote... He sounds scared and lonesome.”

  Nick couldn’t help but wonder if Joy felt like that animal. Longing to protect her, he leaned in and grazed his lips against her forehead. “You don’t have to be afraid any longer. I promise.”

  After a few quiet moments, Joy nodded. She was ready to go back inside to the children.

  Nick rose to his feet and extended his hand. “Let’s go.”

  As they headed back inside, a barn owl called out from a nearby Fraser fir. Nick could only hope the big bad wolf and all of Joy’s fears would be left behind in the cold night air.

  * * *

  As Nick’s class enjoyed their half hour of free reading time on Friday morning, his phone chirped, announcing the receipt of a new email. The wooden chair screeched across the floor when he pushed away from his desk. “Jenny, will you keep an eye on things?”

  “You got it, Mr. Capello.” The girl gave a thumbs-up.

  Nick strolled out into the hallway for a little privacy. The screen told him the message was from Mr. Jacobson with a request to come by his office during the lunch period. He could only hope the man had some good news for him and Joy.

  An hour later, Nick entered the office of the soon-to-be retired principal. He admired the oversize mahogany desk where Joy’s father once sat when he’d presided over the school.

  “Please, have a seat, Nick.” The elderly man motioned toward one of the two leather chairs situated in front of his desk. “Can I get you anything to drink?”

  His stomach was too knotted up to risk putting anything inside. “I think I’m good, but thank you for the offer.”

  Nick watched as Mr. Jacobson closed the door and strolled
across the tile floor. He settled into his chair and riffled through a stack of papers resting in front of him. He cleared his throat and locked eyes with Nick. “I’m afraid I have some bad news, son.”

  When he’d entered the room, Nick had a good feeling about the outcome of his suggestion for coprincipals, but his bubble was about to burst.

  “The school board really liked your idea, Nick. They appreciate your out-of-the-box thinking, but after a great deal of number crunching, they just weren’t able to work it into the budget. Our funds have been tight for the past couple of years, but perhaps the topic can be revisited in the future.” The man removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes before sliding the eyewear back in place. “I do have a little good news for you, though. Mrs. Murray decided not to return from maternity leave. She said she couldn’t imagine leaving her daughter for one minute. I’d like to offer you the position, if things don’t go your way moving forward. If you’re interested, of course.”

  The children in Mrs. Murray’s class had set up a permanent residency in his heart. Nick couldn’t think of a better consolation prize. “Thank you, sir... I’d definitely be interested.”

  “Great.” The man pushed away from his desk and stood. “I better let you get some lunch. Again, I’m sorry the coprincipal idea didn’t stick. I really do think it’s a fantastic idea and one I hope the board will keep in mind for the future.”

  Nick stood and his shoulders slumped when he thought of Joy. She’d seemed excited when he shared his plan. Maybe he should have held off telling her until he knew it was a done deal. Had he gotten her hopes up and once again disappointed her? “So what happens now, sir?”

  Mr. Jacobson leaned back in his chair and folded his hands together. “Well, since you and Joy are the only candidates, once she has her interview on Monday, the board will make their decision. They are really anxious to get my position filled.”