"As much as I love my son, I know his failings. Ignore him, dear," a tiny woman said as she took Natalie from her son's arms and rushed her inside. "What in the world are you wearing, my child?"
That was the question of the hour. Or maybe the last day and a half. "I . . . um . . . wasn't prepared for the cold here."
"I'm Maggie, Hawk's mom, and I'll get you introduced to the rest of the gang real soon. For now, we need to find you some better clothes. You must have ripped your pants in the accident, and those shoes just won't do." Maggie was talking so quickly that Natalie was having a hell of a time keeping up.
"I didn't realize it was Thanksgiving, so I went looking for a place that sold boots . . ."
Maggie just stared at her as Natalie trailed off in embarrassment. Damn.
"Oh, darling," Maggie exclaimed. "No one should forget Thanksgiving. You look about the same size as my daughter, Taylor. Let's go raid her closet." She took Natalie's hand and dragged her up an extrawide staircase to a room with a large sign on it that said, ironically enough, Do Not Enter.
"What size shoe do you wear?"
"I'm a seven, but really, I can wait until tomorrow and go buy some appropriate apparel."
Natalie's protests were clearly falling on deaf ears--Maggie was already digging around in the closet.
"Aha! I knew you were about the same size. Here's a brand-new pair of UGG boots, size seven," she said triumphantly. "I bought them for her two years ago, but Taylor disdains any article of clothing without a Fox label on it. She races dirt bikes."
Natalie's mouth dropped wide open. "Your daughter races?"
"Yes, and she's very good at it. This is the first Thanksgiving in years that she hasn't been home. She made it to the finals. It breaks my heart, but I understand." Maggie's sudden sniffles belied her final words.
"Doesn't that scare you?" Natalie asked.
"Oh, it can if I let it," Maggie said, "but I'm very proud of my daughter. Her two brothers, on the other hand, are constantly preaching to her about how unsafe racing is. They don't realize that the danger makes her that much more competitive. Someday they'll learn, but I fear it won't be anytime soon." The woman kept pulling out clothing.
As the pile grew higher and higher on the bed, Natalie shifted on her feet. "I really shouldn't just borrow her clothes without her permission."
"Nonsense, darling. Taylor would want you to have them. You can wear what you want now, and then we'll bag the rest of the things up for you before you leave." And apparently the woman was just like her son, because she didn't listen to any further protests, but instead just walked from the bedroom and shut the door behind her.
Natalie's knees suddenly turned weak and she found herself sinking down onto the neatly made bed. She was so exhausted. But she couldn't help looking around Taylor's room. Pictures of dirt bikes and Fox racing gear lined the walls, and there was a floor-to-ceiling shelf with so many trophies on it that Natalie couldn't count them all. Taylor was apparently really, really good at racing.
Knowing that if she went back downstairs without changing, there was a very good chance that Maggie would march her back up and dress Natalie herself, she picked out a nice pair of jeans and a thick sweatshirt.
When she slipped on the fur-lined boots, she had to admit her toes wiggled in warm appreciation. Okay, maybe the boots were worth the slight guilt she was suffering from taking clothes from a stranger's closet. And they probably made up a little for the torture of feeling out of place, of knowing that she'd essentially barged in on this nice family.
Although she wasn't happy about facing the crowd again, she couldn't hide in this bedroom all night. So she took a deep breath and moved to the door.
She opened it, and then fell backward with a squeak. Hawk was standing right in front of her, and the smoldering embers leaping from his eyes sent a shiver of anticipation deep into her core.
Heat invaded her system, and she found herself wanting to find out exactly why that was.
chapter 5
Hawk stood in the doorway staring at Natalie and couldn't move. At least she was now far more decently dressed for the cold Montana weather, but she might as well have been naked by the way he was gaping at her. He didn't understand the hold this virtual stranger had over him.
This woman was messing with his head and causing him to feel emotions he couldn't fathom--emotions more suited to a teenager than a grown man. He'd been with his share of females, and there had been nothing to elicit any real feeling at all beyond the simple exchange of physical pleasure. Not that there was anything wrong with that . . .
"You look better." His curt tone made him shudder, but he couldn't seem to do anything to stop it. She took a startled step backward, and he felt like a complete tool.
"Um . . . thank you," she finally murmured, casting her eyes to the floor.
No. That wouldn't do. He needed to look into her eyes, and he needed for her not to hide from him, though he didn't know why. So he stepped forward and, placing a gentle finger under her chin, tilted her head up.
"Sorry. That came out wrong. I meant you look warmer," he said, purposely making his voice softer. "We've really gotten off on the wrong foot. I'm not a bad guy. I'm just a bit . . . gruff sometimes."
Her eyes widened at his words, but she quickly looked past him. Yeah, he wasn't making the situation any better. He should take his hand away. And he would . . . in just a minute.
"All right," he told her. "Let's just scratch everything that's happened from the moment we laid eyes on each other." He finally removed his hand and took a step back so he could think properly. "My mother is an incredible cook. Let's go have some dinner," he said, offering his arm and waiting, afraid he might spook her if he moved any closer.
"That sounds nice," she finally said, reluctantly accepting his arm.
As they descended the stairs, Hawk looked out to find every last person staring up at them, some of them with knowing grins on their faces.
"Ah, you look wonderful, Natalie," Maggie said as she came up to them holding his niece close to her heart. "I hope you have a healthy appetite, because I've been cooking for two days straight. Well, okay, to be honest, I've been mostly directing this year as I can't seem to put my granddaughter down."
Natalie didn't even get a chance to reply to Maggie because suddenly she was surrounded, everyone attending Thanksgiving dinner wanting to speak with her. That's how his family and friends were. There was no such thing as strangers; everyone was simply a friend they hadn't met yet.
When he sat down, Hawk found himself directly across from Natalie. "Where did you move here from?"
"I grew up in Southern California," she answered after a beat.
"I guess it's just a bit warmer there," he said, giving her his most trustworthy smile. He knew he should just back off, but what his brain was telling him and what he was doing were two entirely different things.
"Yeah. It's not like I'm stupid. It's just that I wasn't expecting quite this much . . . cold," she said with a nervous laugh as she accepted the large bowl of potatoes passed to her and took a small scoop.
"I've done a lot of traveling, or I used to, at least. I've always enjoyed the beaches in California." See, he could be friendly, have a normal conversation with this woman. He'd have patted himself on the back if he were able.
"I always thought it would be fun to travel. Maybe someday," she said with a soft sigh that almost wasn't noticeable.
"Where would be the first place you'd go?" He could see that she'd rather be left alone, but Hawk didn't feel like doing that, so he just looked at her and waited as other conversations went on around them.
"I guess Europe. I'd love to go to Venice, but that's stupid, really."
"Why would that be stupid? It's beautiful."
"Because it's not practical," she replied.
"We don't always do things because they're practical, Natalie. We have to also live our lives and have some fun."
"Some people have that pr
ivilege."
The sudden sadness in her eyes made him want to know her story. And Hawk was determined to get that story despite the dangers it posed to his peace of mind.
His dad interrupted before he could ask Natalie anything else, and when he turned back to draw her into the conversation, Hawk found Natalie speaking with his brother. When Bryson made her laugh, Hawk felt a bizarre pang of jealousy. If he hadn't known how much Bryson loved his wife, Hawk might have suffered a little more from the green-eyed monster.
But even as the thought crossed Hawk's mind, his brother shifted in his chair and leaned into his wife to steal a kiss before turning back to Natalie. It was sweet. It was also a bit disgusting. Bryson, his own freaking brother, had changed so much since meeting Misty.
"Are you excited about the Christmas pageant, Natalie?"
Hawk saw the way Bethel was grinning. And the way Natalie blanched before her smile disappeared.
"What pageant?" she asked.
"You do know that you will be in charge of the school Christmas pageant? It's a wonderful tradition here," Bethel said matter-of-factly before taking a bite of her gravy-covered mashed potatoes.
"No one said anything about a pageant," Natalie almost gasped, her fork clattering against her plate.
Eileen jumped in. "It's so well organized that you won't have any trouble at all."
"I've never done anything like that before," Natalie replied.
"Don't worry, darling," Maggie said, a reassuring smile on her face. "You'll have Hawk to help you. He volunteers his time every year."
Hawk's eyes narrowed. These women were getting out of hand.
"I . . . uh . . . guess I'll talk to the principal about it on Monday. She'd be much better off having one of the other teachers do it, one who's been here longer than a day," Natalie said with a nervous giggle.
"Nonsense, darling. You'll do just fine."
And just like that, the problem was solved, at least in the minds of the meddlers. Natalie sat there bewildered as the conversation turned to another topic. Hawk wasn't content with the way things were going, and he watched Natalie squirm in her seat.
And then his mother glanced over at him with a sly smile. No, no, no, he wasn't at all happy. Yes, he was attracted to this woman, but if the people of this town thought they could rope him into a relationship, they'd be sorely disappointed. But then his eyes wandered back over to Natalie, and suddenly the room disappeared as she looked up and their gazes collided.
Heat. Steam. Sex. No!
He reined his thoughts back in and focused on the good food before him. But as the night went on and his eyes continued to stray toward Natalie, he knew he was in trouble. Wary as he was, especially with the strong suspicion that his mother and her friends were up to no good, his body and a good part of his mind didn't seem to be listening to him. He couldn't turn away from this woman.
The school pageant--working closely with Natalie over the next month--wasn't a good idea. Not a good idea at all . . .
chapter 6
Natalie twisted a strand of her hair in trembling fingers. She could do this. True, the school was surprisingly large for such a small town. But it was just an elementary school. Just a place filled with young kids. They weren't judging her. They weren't hoping she would fail.
Who was she kidding? They were all hoping she would trip in the doorway and fall flat on her freaking face. They would take immeasurable joy in laughing and pointing as she picked herself up off the floor and endured the utter humiliation.
No. She couldn't think like that. They were only children, for goodness' sake. But she, too, had once been a child and she'd written the book on mischief, at least in her early years. And now she was teaching children who were in those early years.
All she knew for sure was that she must be strong. If they sensed weakness, they'd strike faster than a nest of irate wasps, and chaos would reign in her classroom forever.
Practicing her breathing techniques, she made her way to the main office suite and stepped through the doors. Because of the holiday and the swiftness with which she'd had to be hired, she hadn't gone through the standard orientation. She was early today, as she knew she had to get her classroom ready before the doors of the school opened up to all and a flood of kids came pouring in.
"Hello, Natalie. It's great to meet you."
Natalie looked up, startled. An older woman was smiling at her, and a quick downward glance revealed a nameplate that said Dorothy Simms, Secretary.
"Good morning, Ms. Simms. I'm here to meet with Carol O'Connor." Excellent. Her voice was calm, self-assured. These people would never know that she was actually shaking in her borrowed boots.
"Yes, she's been waiting for you. Go right on in. And it's a real pleasure to have you here with us."
"Thank you. I already feel welcome," Natalie replied, surprised that she did feel welcome. With as much confidence as she could muster, Natalie walked over to the principal's door, knocked timidly, and went inside. She found a petite blond woman sitting behind a desk, reading on her laptop.
When the principal finally looked up, a big grin split Carol's face, and she stood up. "You must be Natalie. It's so good to finally meet you in person," she said as she stepped around her desk. "I hope you're settling in nicely at your house."
"Yes. The furnace was broken, but maintenance fixed it almost immediately."
A shudder passed through Natalie at that thought. After Thanksgiving dinner, she'd been told there was no way she could go home alone for the next twenty-four hours, and Maggie had insisted she stay the night. At some point the topic of her furnace had come up, and as soon as she said there was a problem, Hawk had jumped up and left his parents' house.
The next day, when he came to pick her up and he drove her home, she'd been more nervous in his presence than ever before. But then the two of them walked into her place, and she couldn't suppress the bounce in her step when she felt the heat.
It seemed that when Hawk decided to do something, he did it fast. And the proof was in the fact that in only a weekend, this man had managed to wedge his way permanently into her brain. And that's where he seemed to be staying.
It would be good to get to work, because she needed something to focus on other than a very sexy fire chief who always seemed to be around. She'd run into him at least four times over the weekend. At the small clothing store. In the post office. At the diner. He just seemed to be everywhere.
"Well, you can't have a broken furnace in this weather," Carol said with a laugh. "You're in Hawk's old house, right?"
That quickly snapped Natalie back to the present. "Yes, it's a lovely home."
"Hawk's a good man. A little rough around the edges, but there's nothing that man won't do for the people he cares about, which happens to be just about everyone in our close-knit community. He has a heart of gold. If only I were twenty years younger," she said with a sigh before turning to Natalie again. "Oh, and if I didn't already have a husband," she added with a laugh.
Natalie didn't know why, but she found herself blushing. Could everyone please talk about something other than Hawk Winchester? She really didn't know what to say to that statement--it was far from professional as she understood the word. But everything here was just different, so she'd have to learn to go with the flow or she'd never fit in. Still, she was tongue-tied and more than grateful when Carol started speaking again.
"I know this is your first job as a teacher, Natalie, and if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask me or any of the other teachers. Dorothy is a godsend for this school, and she's your best source of information. She knows everything, and I do mean everything!"
"Thank you. I do have one question. I was told I would be in charge of the pageant? I'm not complaining--not in the least--but as I'm so new, it might be better to have someone else in charge."
There. That had come out professionally. She didn't sound as if she was whining. Or at least she really hoped she didn't.
"Nonsense. You'll be just fine." And that was the end of that as far as Carol was concerned. Everything suddenly moved at warp speed.
Carol moved to her door, and she continued speaking as she led Natalie down the hallway to one of the classrooms. Natalie gulped when she walked through the doorway and found a giant Welcome on her chalkboard with little messages from all the other teachers.
When Carol left her and she was alone in her first real classroom, she read those sweet and hospitable notes. Natalie really hadn't wanted to come to this small town; she'd always dreamed of working in a prestigious private school where she could feel she was molding future presidents and high-level businessmen and -women.
But as she stared at the chalkboard, she was so overcome with emotion that she was struggling to fight off the tears. This wasn't the sort of place where she'd feel intimidated, where parents would try to bribe her to give their kid a better grade.
No, this was the type of school where she would find young children eager to learn, and parents who asked to see their homework. Taking out her cell phone, she snapped a few photos so she could always remember this moment, and then she picked up the eraser and cleared the board. It was time to be practical. Cool, calm, collected. Time to get her lesson plan up, and time to jump into her first day of being a real teacher.
Just as she finished writing on the board, the bell rang and the sweet music of children's voices filled the halls. Laughter preceded the kids into the classroom. With a shaky smile, Natalie turned to face her class--thirty pairs of young eyes looking back at her, trying to decide whether she made the cut or not.
"Good morning, class." The noise didn't die down as the kids all settled into their chairs, so Natalie tried again, this time louder. "Good morning, class!"
The voices quieted; heads turned and eager eyes looked back at her. "Good morning, Ms. Duncan."
Natalie beamed at the little blond girl sitting in the first row.
"Thank you for answering," Natalie said as she pulled out a piece of candy and tossed it to the now-excited little girl. "Each time you answer a question today, or respond to a statement, you get a small treat.