River's End (River's End Series, #1)(64)
“I know she’s nice, Charlie, but why would you invite her to dinner and not tell me?”
He avoided Jack’s gaze. Jack wasn’t sure what Charlie’s intent was all about. He exhaled a sigh as he glanced at his watch, and saw it was four-thirty.
“We’d better put the horses away and get to the house. Lynnie will at least have it clean, but we’d better wash up and see about dinner. And next time, Charlie, ask me first. And don’t forget to tell me.”
Jack rubbed a hand to his temple. He already had a headache from his previous encounter with Erin and the resulting aftermath he didn’t want to deal with. Now this? Charlie setting up a dinner with his teacher? Was there something going on at school that he didn’t know about? He looked at all of Charlie’s work, and talked to Charlie daily about his school day. Could he be missing something important?
Erin, of course, would not be out to ride horses today. Of that, Jack had no doubt. Between the way he yelled at her and then… what? Made up with her? Nearly tried to have sex with her? He was so ashamed, he couldn’t even contemplate where to go next.
Charlie followed him towards the house, talking again about Ms. Gray’s fun way of teaching them their math facts, and how she always planned parties for every student’s birthday.
He met Allison Gray at Charlie’s parent-teacher conference. She was a pretty woman in her mid-twenties with red hair, like him. However, while his was dark in color, hers was bright, and she had the milky-white, freckled skin that was more typical of a red-head. She had a pretty face and a warm smile. Jack could see why Charlie was so infatuated. She had a fun, warm, nurturing air about her. A womanly air, that Charlie couldn’t get enough of because he had no mother. Jack stopped at the bottom of the porch steps and frowned. Why exactly did Charlie invite his teacher for dinner?
Charlie ran inside to his room to change. Jack took his boots off and walked inside. Kailynn was finishing up. She had a stew simmering on the stove and the entire house smelled of spices and warm bread from the bread maker. Thank God she cooked something that resembled a meal one might serve to company.
“Did Charlie mention to you that he invited his teacher to dinner?”
Kailynn turned at Jack’s voice. She was a pretty girl whose father was a long time friend of theirs. When she needed a job, they readily gave her one that accommodated her schedule
Kailynn nodded. “He asked me to make your favorite stew. He didn’t ask permission first?”
“About twenty minutes ago.”
Kailynn smiled. “I wonder what he’s up to?”
Jack grumbled, “Got me.”
Ian came through the door then and glanced at Kailynn with a hello. She smiled and turned back towards the laundry room to get her things to leave. “It’s all cooked and prepared; it should stay warm until you’re ready to serve it.
“Thanks, Lynnie, I don’t know what we’d do without you.”
She ducked her head at the compliment, then slid past him without another word. Ian looked after her, then back to Jack before stomping towards the closet and returning with a coat. “I’m going to town for a drink.”
Jack watched Ian leave. Who knew what was eating him? Not like Ian would ever say. And Jack had his own drama to deal with. He headed off into his room to shower and change before Charlie’s teacher showed up. He really wished Charlie hadn’t sprung this on him, and that the day would end soon.
When he finished showering, he threw on some dark slacks and a tan, button-up shirt. He came out of his room twenty minutes later and stopped dead in his tracks when he found Erin standing in the middle of the living room. His mouth opened in shock. This was not how he planned to face her. Not now. Not after today. Not in front of his sons. He muttered a curse as she raised her head and her eyes met his.
****
Erin glanced up when she heard Jack and rubbed her hands on her jeans to dry out the sweat on her palms. She felt like she might throw up from nerves. She’d never been so anxious to face someone before. But what choice did she have? She stared at Jack when she heard him across the room and gulped in shock. He looked so… different. And good. He wore dark slacks, with his shirt tucked in that showed off his long, strong build and made his red hair seem darker. He always looked tough, strong, and handsome, but dressed this way, he was devastating. He got dressed up for a teacher? She didn’t get it.
His eyes met hers for a second before he looked away. Or did she look away first? She wasn’t sure, but now found herself staring at the couch to the left of her. Charlie bounced over to his dad.
“I asked Erin to dinner, Dad. That’s okay too, isn’t it?”
She glanced at Jack’s face because she knew his eyes would be focused on his son, and not her. Jack’s face showed displeasure, and no doubt, the next question he wanted to ask Charlie was why did Charlie ask Erin to dinner? Especially tonight, of all nights?
Erin wondered the same question. He finally looked over his shoulder at her. She fidgeted under his vacant stare. She came there in only worn jeans and a sweatshirt. Nothing to mistake her as the slutty siren Jack liked to portray her; but not nearly dressy enough next to him now.
She didn’t know what to say when Charlie came knocking at her trailer and begged her to come to dinner with his teacher. She knew Jack would be there, of course, but what possible reason could she give Charlie for not attending? She was too busy? Everyone knew she wasn’t. So there she stood.