Count on Me (Bayview Heights Trilogy) (18 page)

With a sigh Kurt said, “The nursery kids love him. He’s the best child-care worker I’ve ever had.”

“I always liked that boy. You know he dropped out for a year. We got him to come back, and he’s been our top At Risk student since Johnny.” She smiled again. “I think there’s something going on between him and Julia.”

Kurt shook his head. “How do you keep up with them?”

Zoe said, “It’s hard these days. The older you get, the more difficult teaching is.”

“Well, you look pretty good for an old lady. Especially in that red Bayview Heights T-shirt.” Today she wore it with denims and low-heeled boots.

Zoe focused more intently on the folder, ignoring the jolt of pleasure his words gave her.

“You looked especially good the other night.”

Time to change the subject. “Have you noticed anything different about Erica?” she asked.

A pause. “She seems even more driven than she did a month ago. College pressure, you think?”

“I don’t know. I’m going to try to spend more time with her.” She sighed. “I’ve asked her if anything’s wrong, and she says no. Still, I feel I’m missing something.” Zoe read the folder again. “Her work’s good, this says.”

“It’s super. I wish she’d go to Georgetown and then come back to run the clinic here.”

Zoe sighed nostalgically. “I’m going to miss these girls when they graduate.”

“You should have more in your life.”

“I won’t talk to you about personal things, Kurt. I mean it.”

He didn’t want to spook her—he knew she was running scared, and this new possibility was going to push her into high gear. But it had to be said. “Well, you might just be forced to.”

“Why?”

God, she really hadn’t thought about it. Reaching over, he covered her hand with his. Gently he said, “Sweetheart, we didn’t use any protection Tuesday night.”

It took a moment for awareness to dawn. And just before the mask slipped into place, he caught a tiny fleck of hope in her expressive eyes. It gave him courage.

“That’s ridiculous. It was only one time.” When he just stared at her, she said, “You’re making too much of this because you want it to be true.”

“Maybe I’m making so much of it because of what happened with Ashley.”

Her hand slid to her stomach. “No, it won’t happen to us. People try for years to conceive.”

He shrugged. “Maybe. What part of your cycle were you in?”

Her face paled. Shakily she said, “The middle. Exactly.”

She closed her eyes, trying to block out the ramifications of his words, he guessed. Well, she was entitled. The possibility of her being pregnant, however remote, had had
him
up most of the night.

“Would it be so bad, Zoe?” he finally asked.

She looked at him as if he’d grown two heads. That hurt, especially because, by this morning, he was thinking a pregnancy might be their way back together. Maybe fate had intervened.

“I don’t believe—”

Her comment was interrupted by a deep male voice from the doorway. “Ah, there you are.”

Zoe’s head whipped around. Kurt followed her gaze.

In the entry stood a tall slim man whose hair was graying slightly at the temples; he wore what looked like a Saville Row suit and a delighted smile. And he was looking at Zoe as if she was tonight’s dessert. Kurt didn’t need the confirmation when she said, “Pierre? What— I can’t believe you’re here.”

“I am,
ma chère
.” His voice was low and sexy.

Kurt stiffened. He watched as Zoe stood, a huge smile on her face, and crossed the room—where Pierre enveloped her in an affectionate embrace.

It was in that instant that Kurt made a decision. He’d be damned if he let some slick Frenchman, or some young buck of a vice principal, have the woman he loved without a fight.

This was war!

o0o

ZOE GLARED at Jerry Bosco across the conference table in Seth’s office. With him was the superintendent of schools, Joe Finn.

“It’s ridiculous what that trip cost the district.” Bosco rapped his chubby knuckles on a pad in front of him. “For a fun weekend at camp?”

Seth had warned her to let him do the talking. “It’s not just a fun weekend, Jerry. It’s instructive—it teaches cooperation, self-esteem, working as a team and trust. We went over this when you came to see me last week.”

“It’s also dangerous. Last year a student broke her leg.”

“Jerry,” Finn said. “Two kids broke their legs in
gym
class last year.”

“A man hung suspended from a harness for fifteen minutes.” Bosco’s eyes narrowed. “And the kids relished it like a scene from the latest horror movie.”

They hadn’t. Actually they’d been scared witless. Zoe shivered, thinking of Kurt, dangling in the air. She crossed her legs, smoothed her skirt and tried to stay calm.

“Dr. Lansing was perfectly fine.” Seth’s tone was admiringly patient. “Franz Hoffman says the safety harness functioned exactly as it should.”

Bosco’s face grew florid. “Well, I object to this field trip. And to these other activities—the outing at Northern Lights Park, the overnighter in the school gym.”

“You’ve always objected to them, Jerry,” Zoe finally said. She was tired of his bullying. “You were vocal about it when you were a teacher here.”
And wrong!
she wanted to shout, but didn’t.

“Yes, but now I can do something about it.”

Zoe shook her head and turned to the superintendent for help.

Finn was angry. A muscle leaped in his jaw. “You can bring this up at the next executive session, Jerry, but I have to tell you that I won’t let you use the board for a personal vendetta.”

“You should watch how you speak to a board member.”

Finn’s eyes were cold. “I am.” He stood. “Thanks, Zoe, Seth. We’ll be in touch.”

When they were gone, Seth sank into the chair behind his desk. “He’s an albatross, isn’t he?”

“Yes.” She shrugged. “With power now.”

“It’ll work out.”

Nodding her head, she said, “Sure, things always do. You coming to volleyball tonight?”

“Yep. We’re short because Mitch and Cassie won’t be there. They’re getting ready for the weekend.” He smiled. “Lacey’s coming with me. I talked her into leaving the kids on a weeknight. You?”

“Uh-huh.”

Zoe said goodbye and left Seth’s office, her mind a muddle. She was exhausted, what with Kurt’s little bombshell of a suggestion—
Would it be so bad?
—and then Pierre showing up, and trying to deal with him all weekend.

Now this. She wondered what was next.

o0o

ZOE SAW HIM as soon as she and Pierre entered Hotshots. They were late and a game was already in progress. Kurt was on the court, giving a high five to Seth, after which Lacey hugged him. He looked good in his jock clothes, his hair messy, his color high.

“Shall I get you a drink,
ma chère
?”

Smiling up at Pierre, she said, “Just a club soda.”

“Are you—How do you say it?—on the buckboard?”

Zoe scowled. “Buckboard?”

“You have had nothing to drink all weekend.”

“Oh, on the wagon.” She laughed and kissed his cheek. “No, I’m just not drinking for a while.” Though she knew rationally that the chances of conceiving were slim, not drinking was the one concession to the possibility she’d made. “I need to stay sharp for the game.”

Giving her a smile, Pierre headed for the bar. As she neared the court, she watched Kurt straighten his arms and, with his hands clasped together, pop the ball into the air, to Alex this time; Alex slammed it over the net. They all cheered—and came off the court.

“Ah, there she is.” Alex strode right to her and swooped her into a big hug. “Where’s that Frenchman?” He made an exaggerated frown. “It’s time to challenge him to a showdown.”

“At the bar getting us a drink, cowboy.”

Kurt’s head came up. Zoe turned away, but not before Barb Sherman handed him a beer. Barb, who looked remarkably like Elizabeth, his ex-wife.

Alex made his way to the bar. Zoe took a seat at one of the tables. Bending over to get a tissue from her bag, she saw sneakered feet first, then muscular hairy legs, then a trim torso. Finally she looked into Kurt’s face. “Hi. How are you tonight?” he asked.

“Fine.”

Pierre joined them, precluding a response. She’d introduced the two Friday and, contrary to the congenial competition between Alex and Pierre, there was real animosity between Kurt and Pierre.

“Here you go,
ma chère
,” Pierre said.

Kurt stiffened visibly. At the endearment?

“Nice to see you again, Lansing.” Pierre’s tone said it was anything but.

“Same here,” Kurt lied.

“What are you doing here, Kurt?” she asked bluntly.

“Subbing for Mitch. He suggested it.”

Seth joined them. “Hi, guys.” He turned to Zoe. “Did you tell Kurt about Bosco’s rant today?”

Zoe sighed and filled him in.

“Next game!” someone yelled. Putting down their drinks, the group headed to the court. Zoe was playing for the teachers.

As she stretched on the sidelines, Kurt came up to her. Nodding to the bar where Pierre sat, Kurt’s whole demeanor changed. “Did he stay with you?”

“Kurt, please.”

“Did he?”

“He stayed at my condo, yes. Now leave me alone.” She was saved from his tenacity by the start of the game.

Zoe played enthusiastically but carefully. It was only sensible...if she was...No she wasn’t...but if she was, she’d never forgive herself for acting carelessly.

“Heads up, Zoe!” someone called.

She turned and narrowly missed catching the ball on the chin. Damn that man!

Kurt watched her play from the corner of his eye. She was damn cute in her tan shorts and teacher shirt. He would have taken joy watching her if it hadn’t been for Jean-Claude Van Damme sitting at the bar.

Who’d stayed with her this weekend.

Kurt tried to banish the thought during the second game, but it plagued him. What if she’d slept with Pierre? And what if she
was
pregnant? Would she think it was the Frenchman’s? Would she even know? Damn it, why hadn’t she considered all this? By the time the last point was called, he’d convinced himself he had a real issue. He needed to talk to her now.

When she headed toward the ladies’ room, he seized the chance. Following her, he lay in wait outside the door. “I want to talk to you,” he said implacably when she came out.

She sighed. “Why?”

“We’ve got to get something straight.” He grasped her arm and dragged her down the aisle of tables to a small alcove that held the telephones and some bench seating. Inside, he faced her squarely. “I want to know if you slept with Pierre.”

Zoe’s huge brown eyes widened. “Where do you get off asking me that?”

His temper rose. “Though you don’t want to consider the possibility, what if there
is
a baby, Zoe? And you sleep with someone else. How will you even know...” He broke off, unable to articulate the heinous words aloud.

She said nothing.

He swallowed hard, dreading the words to come. Finally he asked, “Does your silence mean you slept with him?”

She studied her sneakers.

“Sweetheart, please,” he whispered. “I need to know. It’s driving me crazy.”

She raised her gaze. “Not that it’s any of your business—” her eyes glistened “—but no, Kurt, I didn’t sleep with Pierre. I haven’t been with anybody but you since we split.”

His throat tightened and he bent his head to get control of himself. “Thank God.”

Her hand went to his hair. Then her lips brushed his head. “I’ve got to go.”

It was a few seconds before he was able to stand. He stepped back and jammed his hands in his pockets to keep from reaching for her.

At the doorway she faced him. “If there’s something to deal with, we will—when we know for sure. Not before, Kurt. I haven’t changed my mind about us.”

“Maybe you will if there’s a third person to consider.”

She didn’t respond. Just turned and walked away.

He plunked down on the bench. The vinyl was slightly warm from her body, the air lightly scented by her perfume.
Well, one step forward
, he thought, trying not to be too hopeful.

But it was hard. Since this was the very first vestige of that emotion he’d felt in more than a year.

CHAPTER NINE

KURT LEANED BACK in his office chair and scrubbed his hands over his face. He felt eighty-six, not forty-six. The week had been tough—and it was only Wednesday; he was also dreading the long Veterans Day weekend to come. He’d forfeit his stock portfolio, his house and even his boat if he could just spend the three days with Zoe.

Julia skidded to a halt in front of his office doorway. Always sassy and pert, today she looked frazzled—her blue eyes wide and frightened, her hair askew. “Dr. Lansing, come quick.”

Bounding out of the chair, he hurried to the door. “What’s happened?” he asked as he accompanied her down the hall.

“It’s Ashley.”

“Ashley?” The girl had been overwrought for almost two weeks. He’d spoken with her several times, using her obvious ambivalence to encourage her to talk to her parents about her situation. Again she refused.

“She’s...something’s happened...” Julia stopped at the ladies’ room. “She said to get you.”

Kurt pushed open the door and rushed inside. Ashley was slumped in front of a stall. She was doubled over and clutching her stomach.

He dropped to a knee beside her. “Ashley, what’s wrong?”

“I didn’t want to. I really didn’t.”

His heartbeat escalated. “Didn’t want what?”

“An...an abortion.”

His mind whirled. Gently he stretched her out as best he could to diagnose the problem. It was then that he saw the blood staining her tan jeans. “Julia,” Kurt said calmly. “Run and get Johnny. Tell him to bring the gurney in here.”

Julia flew out the door.

Moaning, Ashley brought her knees to her chest.

“Ashley, did you go somewhere for an abortion?”

She stared at him with glazed eyes. Finally she shook her head.

“Did you do something to yourself?”