<p><b>Copyright © Wendi Zwaduk 2018. All Rights Reserved, Totally Entwined Group Limited, T/A Totally Bound Publishing.</b></p>

“Kindergarten…the best years of your life.” Katie Murphy twisted the knob on her classroom door. “And I get to relive them nine months out of the year.” She laughed at herself. Each August when she unlocked the door for the first time, she said those words. Most of her students were so innocent. If she reminded herself to look at the school year through their eyes and use the same sense of wonder, she’d be all right.

She stepped into the room and breathed in the scent of the disinfectant and construction paper. Ah, the good old scent of the inexpensive paper—it never changed. As for her classroom, everything seemed to be different. Only her desk was the same from the previous year. New octagonal tables had replaced the tinier ones, and carpeting had been installed throughout. Green and pink paint decorated the walls. She turned to where her beloved chalkboard should be.

“They replaced my chalkboard.” She frowned at the white board. Technology wasn’t her friend. It tended to break down, usually when she needed it the most. Chalk couldn’t be hacked, either. She noticed the bank of five laptops on the table she used for small-group testing. Drat. She’d dragged her feet as long as possible on adding computers to the room. The students were inundated with screens and she didn’t want to contribute to the problem.

She sighed. As with everything else in her life, she’d adapt to the changes. So many things had happened during her fifteen years at Valley Elementary. She’d turned thirty what seemed like eons ago. She’d fallen in love with a good man, met his unique family, married that same man, the only one she’d ever loved, and watched him walk away. When she’d been knocked down, she had picked herself up. After the split, she’d managed to stay friends with her ex. Her friend Molly had called her a saint for being so nice to Corey. Molly claimed Corey didn’t deserve pity or a second chance. Katie disagreed, but that probably was why she still hadn’t moved on.

Oh, well. She’d adapted to being single again. Sometimes she wondered why she held on to the hope that there could be a second go-round with Corey. He had the way, but not the will and she couldn’t keep meeting him at the ninety percent mark.

She plunked her bag down on the desk. A shiver ran the length of her spine. From the air-conditioning system? She checked the thermostat. Whoever had been in the room last left the dial on the lowest setting. She rubbed her arms. Time to bring the temp up a bit. She changed the temperature to seventy-eight, then returned to rearranging her room. She nudged one of the tables with her hip. Holy crap. The tables were heavier than they looked. She wished Corey would show up to throw his muscle around. She picked up her phone and sent Corey a text.

Could use your muscle. These new tables are heavy!

He replied within seconds, not unusual for him.

Sorry. I’m stuck at the HS in Denny’s meeting hell. I know what I’m supposed to do.

She chuckled. The poor guy. He hated mornings, meetings and undercooked hamburgers.

Wish I could help. If you have time and want to stop by, I’m here.

She doubted he’d show up. They could handle short bursts together, but getting sweaty would involve being close. He tended to veer from getting too personal and she hated him for it.

“Need help?” A man, one Katie didn’t know, had poked his head into the room.

“Who are you?” She brushed an errant lock of hair from her eyes. “I don’t know you.”

“Stuart.” He rushed into the room and stuck out his hand. “Stuart Gibson. I’m teaching first grade. Just got the assignment. I’m fresh out of college. I majored in primary education with a focus on science. I love to learn.”

She smiled and waited for him to take a breath. “My, you’re a talker,” she blurted. “Very eager.”

“It’s my enthusiasm. If I model it, the students will pick up on it and the year will fly by.” His grin widened. “Now, I heard you talking and came to see what you were doing. Do you want help?”

Talking? She’d only said something when she’d unlocked the door. She bit back a groan. Spending time with the chatterbox didn’t seem like fun, but she could use another set of hands. “Yes. Thank you. I just need to space the tables out.”

“Anything for you. Tell me where and I’ll move them.” Stuart moved the blue chairs out of the way.

“Well, one near each corner of this space.” She waved her arms. “Put the other two in the middle.” She shook her head and surveyed the lay of the room. The L-shaped portion would be good for the quiet reading nook and in front of the smartboard would be perfect for story time.

She stepped out of the way and watched Stuart shove the tables around. He wasn’t movie-star handsome, but he had potential. He’d slicked his brown hair back with a little too much pomade and wore his cologne rather thick. His choice of attire—a button-down, short-sleeved shirt and a necktie—were overkill for the staff days. She’d give him credit for trying, though.

He shoved the tables to where she’d mentioned, then clapped his hands. “Good?”

“Yes, thank you.” She pushed the tiny chairs back into place. The room now looked more like the one she remembered. Not perfect, but good.

“So.” Stuart sat on one of the tables. “What’s your name again? Or didn’t I ask? I get wound so tight and forget things.”

“You never asked. It’s Katie.” She unpacked the contents of her bag. He’d know what her name was if he’d have stopped talking for five seconds while amusing her with his resume. She thought maybe he’d leave, but he stayed put. Shit. He must want to converse. “You said it’s your first year?”

“Yes.” He folded his arms and crossed his ankles. “I’ve always had a love of school but never thought I’d be a teacher. I like the rigor of learning. To find a topic, research and tackle it…that’s exciting.”

Oh, boy. “I bet you were great at term papers.” She continued to unpack. Maybe he’d get the hint that she had work to do. When he didn’t move, she groaned. Guess he’s sticking around.

“I loved writing papers. Yes, then I’d publish them and ensure they were listed at the college library. Even in my youth, I excelled at everything,” Stuart said.

Conceited jerk. “Youth?” She stared at him. The man could talk—she’d give him that. But youth? He couldn’t be that much younger than her. “How old are you?” Not that she’d reveal her age, but come on. She refused to tell people she was thirty-eight years old, but that didn’t mean she was over the hill.

“I’m thirty-two. Probably ten years younger than you,” Stuart said.

She nearly swallowed her tongue. So today wasn’t her best look…and she probably could touch up where the grays had come in to her hair, but jeez…he knew how to wound her.

Stuart left his post at the desk and strode up to her. Instead of stopping in front of her desk, he rounded to the back and stopped next to her chair.

“Whoa.” She moved a few steps back. “A little close, don’t you think?”

“I prefer intimacy.” Stuart leaned his hands onto her desk. “You can speak softer and get a better feel for the person.”

“You can also be in their personal space,” she blurted. “You’re making me uncomfortable.”

“Oh.” He didn’t retreat. “I see we’re different.”

Different? She didn’t know anyone who wanted someone in their personal bubble without permission. “Well, I’m sure you have a lot to do. It is the first day we’re allowed to be in our classrooms. You must be excited to get going. I know I’m swamped.” Maybe now he’d get the hint.

“Oh, no. I’m set. The copies are made, speech practiced, charts and assignments in the proper folders… I’m set through October with the actual papers and such. As for the plans, I’ve got them in the book through the end of the school year and down to the minute.” He stayed next to her. “Organization is next to godliness.”

“You know the class lists will change and they’re just first graders? By October, you might have five new students.” She’d learned the first year that every plan was great but had to be flexible.

“I’ve anticipated every curveball. I’m set. Do you need me to organize your move for you? I can. Won’t take long if you maximize flow, and this room needs some flow.” Stuart nodded. “Honestly, it won’t be a problem. I’ve already done it in my room. Give me half an hour and you’ll be surprised.”

She pinched the bridge of her nose and gritted her teeth. He hadn’t asked if she wanted help or if she’d like suggestions…no, he’d expected her to want them.

“Well?” He shoved his wire-rimmed glasses up his nose. “What do you think?”

“I’m a kindergarten teacher, not a kindergartener. I’ve been at this for a while.” She tried to choose her words carefully, but he’d strained her patience. “I’ll be fine. You helped me move the tables. I’m good.” She’d have been better if her ex, Corey, had been there—she trusted him. Stuart? Not so much.

“Understood, but if you change your mind, I can work wonders on this room. I’ve got so many ideas.” Stuart finally moved out of her personal space. He strode over to the door and stopped. “See you later.”

“Yep. Good luck.” Once he left, she sighed. He was a first grade teacher, so at least he wouldn’t be her problem.

Katie worked for the next hour putting the posters up, redecorating the reading nook and replacing the traffic light behavior chart. She checked her rewards stash. Well, crud. She’d have to get more erasers, pencils and smaller trinkets as prizes for when the students behaved. When she glanced up from her desk, she noticed the principal in her doorway. “Charlie Bunch. What’s happening?” She stood and dusted her hands on her shorts legs. “How was your summer?”

Charlie laughed and his rich baritone echoed down the hallway. “Good. I took the boys out west to Devil’s Tower and Mt. Rushmore. They were bored until we got there. How about yours?”

She waggled her head. “It was relaxing. I went to Vegas with Missy and Tessa, then caught a couple of Corey’s softball games. I tried a spin class but couldn’t keep up. I helped Missy hunt for her elusive perfect wedding dress, too.” She laughed. “It never did materialize.”

“My wife said she couldn’t find hers right away. I don’t know. I wasn’t there, but I believe her.” Charlie tapped the doorframe. “Mind if I come in?”

“Sure. Find a chair and have a seat.” She rounded her desk. “Watch what you’re doing, though. The ground comes pretty quickly if you’re not looking. Corey hates them, but he always lands on the floor first.” A momentary memory of Corey trying to fold his six-foot, three-inch frame onto the chairs flashed in her brain. If nothing else, he made her smile.

“He is all legs.” Charlie paused. “How is he?”

“Good. His batting average went up and it looks like he put on muscle. He seems good. I only saw him three or four times in the past couple of months.” Well, no. She’d hung out with him on five occasions.

“How are you?”

“Good.” Hadn’t he just asked her that?

“Really?” He bowed his head. “I’m saying this as a friend, but why do you keep torturing yourself? You and Corey split.”

“We’re friendly exes.” Liar. She missed Corey. He’d been her rock, and still was.

Charlie nodded. “He still hasn’t given in?”

“I don’t know what you mean.” Yes, she did. Charlie, like everyone else, thought she should move on.

“You deserve to be happy. Get out and do non-school stuff, non-Murphy family stuff. Be friends but find a guy who likes you.”

“I haven’t been interested.” She’d lie all day because she wasn’t ready to move on. Charlie’s worry was nice, but she’d rather have Corey.

“Okay, I’ll leave it alone.” Charlie turned around in the chair and rested his elbows on the table. “The reason I’m here is because you’re on my list of stalwarts. Feel special?”

“Because I hung around? Yeah, I’m glad I’m not burned out yet.” She sat on her desk. “Feels weird when I see the lists, though. The new hires list has been so much longer because the retiring one grew in ratio. Sometimes it seems like the faces I remember are all gone.”

“Unfortunately.” Charlie bowed his head again. “That’s why I’m here. The new faces.”

“You’re not shifting me around, are you?” She couldn’t imagine teaching any other grade beside kindergarten.

“No.” He straightened his legs. “I forgot how short these chairs are. You’re right. Corey’s got five inches on me and I’ll bet he’s miserable trying to sit here.”

“Exactly, but I can’t make them any bigger or the students wouldn’t fit.”

“True. No, I’m not moving you around. As a long-term staffer, you’re getting a mentee. The new superintendent wants more communication and a sense of camaraderie between the staff, so everyone will have a buddy. Annie is mad at me because she didn’t get to choose her mentee.” He shrugged. “I can’t please everyone and my wife is at the top of the list right now.”

“Understandable. Who am I mentoring?”

“Kate, that’s why I like you.” He faced her and smiled. “You get right down to the point. You’re willing to take a challenge with a good attitude.”

She crooked her eyebrow and narrowed her eyes. “Who is it? This person must be a big…challenge.”

He paused. “You’ve got Stuart Gibson.” He winced. “Don’t hate me. We drew names from a hat.”

She sagged in her seat. “The pushy guy with no sense of personal boundaries?”

“I see you’ve met.”

“He introduced himself. Came right in and made himself at home.” She sighed. Corey would’ve hated Stuart. Good thing he wasn’t mentoring the new teacher. Stuart needed a guide, and if she’d been chosen, then she’d do the job. How she’d get used to his pushiness was beyond her.

“He’s youngish and enthusiastic,” Charlie said. “He impressed everyone in the interview.”

“I can see where he might come off charming in an abrasive way.” Katie folded her hands. “So what do I do? What’s the mentoring involve?”

“He follows you during the staff meetings. Basically, he’ll come to you with issues or problems before he comes to administration because most of the problems are easily solved. He’ll have the same lunch period as you if he needs to talk. Having another staff member available means he can learn from your experience.” Charlie stood. “I’ll do a formal team-up, but if he comes around again and mentions it—at least you know.” He paused at the doorway. “Don’t let him bother you. He’s harmless, even if he can be annoying.”

“Gotcha. Thanks.” She waited for Charlie to leave and left her desk to collapse in her chair. A mentee… How exciting? The idea could be. She wished she’d have had a mentor during her first year. She might not have made so many mistakes. She’d been lucky to have Lacy and Allyson as the other kindergarten teachers. They made the unit strong. Right now, she could use all the strength she had. Corey remained distant and Stuart seemed all too close for her comfort.