Finding Her Home. Carol Steward
quite a young lady.”
“Girl,” Steve corrected. “Don’t make her grow up, or me get older any quicker than necessary.” He laughed. “It’s probably more like she doesn’t want Kyle to know that she tattled on him.”
“Give yourself credit, Steve. She’s a special young…ster.” Tori kept a yard or two between them as they strolled to the corrals.
“Nice save.” Steve chuckled. The silence stretched awkwardly as their shoes collected dust from the tall grass. “So I guess there isn’t much of Stonewall Ranch that I could show you, is there?”
Tori’s eyes sparkled. “Probably not, but I’m sure it would look just as wonderful after…” She paused. “Almost sixteen years. Ouch. Where did time go?”
“I hate to tell you, but time disappears twice as quickly from here on.” He didn’t add that it tripled when kids entered the house.
“Now who’s painting a picture of aging?” With a smile like Tori’s, the years disappeared. Steve hated that she would be going back to the city where her life must seem so rewarding and full. He knew life in Segundo must look dull in comparison.
After saving the pony from the clutches of two young boys, she and Steve escorted the kids back to the gathering where the country band was stirring interest with their skilled fiddling.
Steve motioned for Kelsey and they stepped to the end of the food line where the young cousins attacked the platters with cowboy enthusiasm. Tori gave up with filling her own plate after greeting old acquaintances and answering incessant queries about her grandparents caused more than one delay in the moving of the line.
She had just gotten back into the line when Superintendent Waterman appeared next to her. “Tori Sandoval. It’s good to see you again.”
She offered her hand. “You, too,” she said, caught very much off guard. Jerry Waterman had looked old all those years ago, when she’d been a student at Coal Valley Secondary School, and time hadn’t been kind to him. His tan appeared dull and faded, his eyes sunken and his breathing shallow and labored.
Steve looked concerned. “How are you feeling, Jerry?”
“I can’t say in mixed company. That West Nile is a tough nut to crack.” He shook his head and caught his breath. “I’m hoping the worst is over. I’ve tried to reach you at your grandparents’home, Tori, but I keep missing you.”
“Really? I just arrived Friday.”
“Yes, I noticed your car in the driveway. How is Maria?”
Tori gave him the condensed version of Abuela’s rehabilitation and hoped his only intention in calling was to check on her grandmother.
Steve finished filling the kids’ plates and settled at the table. Did he know something she didn’t?
“Steve tells me you’re an administrator now. Of course, your grandparents told me a while back, but I’ve lost track of time. How do you like it?”
“This is my fourth year, actually. It’s quite a change from the classroom, but I enjoy the challenges.”
After an awkward mention of the state-mandated student-assessment tests, Tori suspected he’d come out of his way specifically to talk to her about local results. “Why don’t we finish serving ourselves and sit down to visit?” she said. At least with the discussion focused on education, Tori felt comfortable and in control. After the direction of the conversation with Steve yesterday, she needed all the help she could get to keep herself focused on her grandparents’ care.
Jerry was well-known for his healthy appetite, yet the portions of roasted pork, barbecued ribs and salad he was taking indicated he wasn’t as much on the mend as he wanted people to think. “I’m sure you’ve heard about the problems at Coal Valley,” Jerry said as they served themselves from the buffet table.
She wasn’t sure if she should admit that she kept her eye on what was happening in her hometown school district or play ignorant. “Colorado Student Assessment scores are always in the news. There isn’t a school in the state that isn’t scrambling to raise scores in at least one area.”
“Oh?” Jerry lifted his bushy eyebrows. “What has your school been working on?”
Tori briefly explained her school’s implementation of a literacy program and Jerry’s eyes brightened. “How did it work? We’re starting the literacy coaching program this year.” They carried their plates to the table where Steve and his kids were seated. Steve excused himself to get drinks, and Tori felt guilty hiding behind the discussion of work.
Jerry quietly voiced his apprehension with the new program. They bounced ideas back and forth, sharing stories of successes and failures of the educational system over the years.
When Steve returned, the “chalk talk” ended abruptly. “I shouldn’t be making you talk shop when you’re on a date. What am I thinking?” Jerry exclaimed.
“We’re not—”
“No need to make excuses,” Jerry said breathlessly. “This isn’t the time to discuss business, anyway. We’ll talk later.” Soon afterward, Uncle Bill started hayrides and Jerry stood to leave. “Tori, it was good to visit, but I’m plumb tuckered out. I’ll be in touch.”
His sudden departure puzzled her, but she supposed he tired easily after his battle with the virus. “I’d be glad to offer any help I can, Dr. Waterman.” She was surprised by her desire to help and the determination to follow through with her promise. She worried about Jerry’s health.
She visited with more old friends and schoolmates while they waited for the first group to get back from the hayride. When their turn came, Steve helped her onto the wagon, but Kelsey squeezed herself between her dad and Tori, endearing herself to Tori. Tori knew Steve was a catch most women wouldn’t turn away, but there were too many marks against them. She had enough on her shoulders without adding the pressure of a romance. She simply needed to keep her distance.
Tori had enjoyed seeing old friends again, as well as the beautiful sights of the ranch. She stayed late into the evening, hoping for a chance to speak with Steve alone. After the kids had fallen asleep she realized Steve had misunderstood her reason for staying. He found a movie on cable and tempted her with a bowl of popcorn.
“Steve, we need to talk.”
“About?” Steve set two sodas on the coffee table and sat down next to her.
She backed away.
He raised an eyebrow. “I’ve had the feeling all day that something’s been bothering you. What is it?”
She nodded, deciding to keep the discussion as far from her personal feelings as possible. “I had the distinct feeling Jerry’s visit to the barbecue was carefully orchestrated.”
“And why do you think that?” he said with a hint of annoyance.
She folded her arms across her chest. “Possibly because he didn’t spend a minute with anyone else. He had one purpose, to quiz me about CSAP scores. And he seemed to know just a little too much to have led into the subject by accident.”
“And that’s my fault? It certainly wasn’t my idea to have him captivate your entire day. I’d like a chance at that myself.”
She paced the room, afraid to look him in the eye. She couldn’t explain why she was so afraid to let herself feel something for Steve, but no matter, he was off-limits. And it was time he understand exactly where she stood on the matter. “What are you trying to do?”
Steve’s bronze eyes met hers. “Why do you automatically presume I’m responsible for Jerry’s questions? When a school is doing things right, everyone hears about it. So you can’t blame me for that. Administrators do keep in touch, you know.”
She tilted her head and squared her shoulders. “Funny. He never called me up and asked