“Okay. But why did you need to make a special trip here just to tell me that?”
“Because when it comes to staff reductions, it’s first-hired, first-fired.”
Oh. “James.”
“Exactly,” she said with concern. “I know you two have been getting close. And I wanted to tell you about it, so you’re not blindsided. I wouldn’t even know, except I happened to be in the career and college readiness office while Principal Nadal was on the phone.”
“You were eavesdropping?”
“I was collecting papers in a crouched position behind the half-wall separating his office from the resource room.” Her eyes lit mischievously. “Toe-may-toe, toe-mah-toe.”
This would be a tricky situation if the information proved true. It wasn’t like another high school existed in town for James to teach at. And even though I felt certain he could get a job elsewhere, I wasn’t ready to lose him at Coleman Creek.
“Is there anything we can do?” I asked.
“It might help if the holiday fundraisers produce like gangbusters, especially the tree lot. But, of course, that's a totally different budget than the one that pays for faculty. I guess it can’t hurt if our overall finances look strong. Just keep in mind, if we’re being realistic, it’s unlikely to make a difference.”
“Well, this is the season for miracles…and longshots,” I offered.
“I suppose. And it’s good Mr. Wymack is already popular at school. Students would be upset to see him go. It’s also possible we could get lucky and have a bunch of new enrollments.” She didn’t sound optimistic.
The sound of the bathroom faucet running echoed down the hall. James would be out soon.
“Should I warn him?” I asked.
“Principal Nadal will give him a heads-up once he knows more, I’m sure. I think it’s okay if you just want to enjoy the rest of the weekend and not worry about it yet. No matter what happens, it’s good to see you two together.” I pursed my lips at her, and she held up her hands. “I know, I know. Just friends.”
Mrs. Allen made her way to the door, pausing to scrutinize the nutcracker salad tongs as James reemerged.
“You’re leaving?” he asked.
“Yep. I have two cats at home who’ll start climbing the curtains if I don’t feed them soon. I just needed to give Marley a heads up about something at school.”
“Everything alright?”
James’s palms rested lightly on my upper arms as he stepped behind me. He seemed to have made the gesture unconsciously, but my breath caught at its intimacy. His gentle touch burned into my skin.
Mrs. Allen looked between the two of us. “You know James, when I came over here, I wasn’t sure if everything was alright, but now I’m thinking it will be.” She wrapped her scarf around her neck. “It just might take a bit of Christmas magic.”
I stepped away from James to walk Mrs. Allen to her car, causing him to look down curiously at his hands, like it surprised him to discover they’d been resting on my shoulders.
When I returned to the house, I found him sitting at the dining table, looking down at a word-search magazine he’d pulled from his satchel. I exhaled heavily, drawing his attention.
“Do you think Mr. Bailey will stop by soon?” he joked. “Or Principal Nadal? Maybe the math department?”
I chortled. “I know for a fact Mr. Bailey goes to Missoula to visit his nephew’s family every Thanksgiving, so I’m pretty sure we’re clear, at least on one.”
James stretched his arms above his head. “I should get going. Don’t want to wear out my welcome.” He snapped his fingers and Bambi came over to his side. “You’re cool if I come back tomorrow? To help you finish?”
I nodded. “That would be great. Noon?”
“See you then.”
He grabbed his bag and the dog’s leash, giving me a quick hug on his way out. Oscar whined for a minute as James closed the door behind himself, protesting their exit. I calmed the dog down with a treat and patted the cushion so he’d jump up next to me on the couch. He laid his furry head over my thigh while I scratched his ears.
The good news was that I’d had no difficulties managing my newly discovered, more-than-platonic desire for James. It had been easy enough to rely on our natural, effortless connection to avoid giving myself away. I marveled at how he clearly enjoyed helping me and hearing about my family. With Kasen, I’d always felt overshadowed. The lesser half of a whole. And that wasn’t a knock on Kasen. He just hadn’t inspired me to come out of my shell the way James did.
But I couldn’t help feeling like I’d been so busy these past few months enjoying James’s company, trying to savor every moment until he found his place outside of our friendship, that I hadn’t done an adequate job ofseeinghim back. How had I missed his insecurities? Or that, while he’d given some details into his past, he was clearly afraid to share too much?
