***
Stepping out of the shower Connor thought, “I wonder what Sarah looks like naked?” and that put a large, satisfactory smile on his face. He step in front of the mirror and noticed that he needed to shave. Putting some shaving cream in his hand he started lathering he began hearing his mom ask from down the hall and through the shut door. “Well Sarah, where are you from?”
In her velvety voice she replied “I’m from Washington, the state, not D.C. From a place that looks somewhat like it does around here. Lots of trees and animals, I really don’t really like big cities and my family prefers the quietness, even if they sometimes say otherwise. It gets too crowded most of the time. We like natural places and small towns.”
“So you’re used to spending time outdoors?” His grandfather questioned.
“Yes, I am. I just couldn’t help trying out these new woods. I got caught up in the beauty of this place and before I knew it I was lost.” She said shyly while lying her rear off. If Kara, who most certainly did, explain what happened, they didn’t call her out on it.
After he finished shaving and putting on another clean black long sleeve shirt and blue jeans, he stepped out of the bathroom. Connor took a quick right and dumped the dirty clothes in the laundry room. He took a quick whiff of the smell coming from the kitchen. “It smells like Mom is making grilled cheese sandwiches for everyone.”
His grandfather continued saying “That happens to the best of us.” and started laughing loudly.
Connor walked in the kitchen and saw Sarah sitting at the table. Kara sat directly across from her and when Jenny finishes cooking she will sit next to her. David sat oddly, with a funny twinkle in his eye, one seat away from Sarah. It was an obvious setup. He walked over and sat between them. Connor knew that his family did this particular seating arrangement on purpose, but the mastermind was none other than his very own grandfather. “I’m on to you, you sly old man. Well I don’t mind one bit. I’d rather sit with her anyway.”
Her green eyes twinkled even more than his grandfather’s when she finally spotted him, he smiled and she smiled back. She said in front of everyone “You clean up quite well, Connor. I hardly recognized you.” She made everyone laugh.
“Thanks. You do too.” He whispered in her ear, making her blush.
Kara bounced a conversation right in. “He looks quite handsome if he wants to. By the way I saw you at school yesterday, are you a new student?”
Sarah smiled at her as if Kara reminded her of someone. “No, no I’m not a student I’m the new American History teacher at the school.”
Astonished, Jenny jumped in saying “My word, you’re so young, you look maybe eighteen or nineteen years old!”
Apparently Sarah was ready for this accusation. “Don’t let my looks fool you. I am actually twenty two years old.” As she said this Connor looked at her out of the corner of his eye. She still looked firmly at Jenny, but she gently laid her hand on his thigh. “Ha, she is much older than she appears.”
Accepting Sarah’s answer she followed up with “A History teacher? Well that’s Connor’s worst subject. May I ask you something?”
“Sure.” Sarah said with honest interest.
“Can I ask that you tutor him? I can pay you for your services.” His mom asked hopefully, history was the only subject he wasn’t particularly good at, to those that didn’t know otherwise.
Sarah turned to look at him for a moment and her hand remained on his lap. She turned back to Jenny while she still worked at the skillet. “I’ll do it, but I’ll only do it for free since Connor rescued me. That seems like a fair trade, don’t you agree?”
Jenny sighed in relief and then began smiling. “Sarah, you’re a life saver. I mean it.”
“No I’m not, but Connor certainly is.” And at that she squeezed his thigh in appreciation. And he couldn’t help but smile.
Just then, Kara in her hyper and excited voice exclaimed “Yes he is a hero in this house too! He’s a protector and never harms anyone unless someone he loves is in danger.” At that Connor suddenly stiffened as his instinct warned him and Sarah seemed to be the only one who noticed. “Kara! You wouldn’t.” Kara continued “Has Brother showed you his secret? That’s why he always wears dark long sleeve shirts. He has a huge…”