Twins for the Teacher

Jolie kept her tone compassionate. “Your dad thought this would be a great change for you and your brother. A way for the three of you to be your own family.”

Alli folded her hands in her lap. “I know…and we’re closer to Grandma and Grandpa Friesen now. They’re fun. We haven’t seen them yet, though. Dad’s been too busy. I liked his old job better. We saw him more.”

The voice in Jolie’s head told her not to get involved, but it was too late, she knew. She already was. “My dad was gone a lot, too,” Jolie said, her heart going out to the little girl.

“Really?” Alli’s blue eyes widened.

Jolie nodded. “Yep. My dad was a superintendent. That means he ran the whole school district.”

“So he was your boss,” Alli said.

“No, he worked at a different school district and I wasn’t a teacher yet. But he had to be at school-board meetings and community dinners. He also attended basketball games and school plays. He wasn’t around much.”

Alli stared at her hands. “Marissa says her dad works from home and she sees him all the time.”

“That’s because Marissa’s dad is a real-estate agent and his main office is in his basement,” Jolie said. “Lots of dads are gone. You know Joey in your class? His dad is in the army and he won’t be back until August. He’s in Iraq.”

Alli appeared to think about that, her chin coming up so she could study Jolie’s face.

“You still don’t have to like it, though,” Jolie said quickly.

Alli’s brow creased as she absorbed this piece of information. “No?”

“No,” Jolie confirmed. “You just have to know that your father loves you very much. That’s the most important thing. He does love you or he wouldn’t have called me, frantic, when he knew he was going to be late. Being a dad is hard work, especially in your case. He’s doing double duty.”

“I don’t remember my mom much anymore,” Alli confided. “I have pictures of her, though. She was blond, like me and Ethan.”

“I’m sure your mom loved you very much, too. She’s in heaven and probably very happy that your dad brought you here.”

“My grandma said she wouldn’t be.” Alli’s tone was matter-of-fact.

“Grandmas don’t always know everything,” Jolie said, not impressed that Alli’s grandmother had burdened a ten-year-old with such a message. “Your mom would want your dad to be happy. He likes his new job, doesn’t he?”

She gave a quick nod. “I think so. He said it’s what he’s always wanted.”

“Well, doing a job you love is important. I love my job, too. And see, I’m here late.”

“You don’t have kids,” Alli pointed out.

“No, I don’t,” Jolie said, the familiar pang of sadness washing over her. She brushed the feeling aside and concentrated. “But even if I did have kids, sometimes I would have to work late. Like Mrs. Monahan.”

“She picks up Kelly right before latchkey closes every day. At least my dad’s early sometimes. He tries to be there by five-fifteen,” Alli said, giving her dad some credit.

“See?” Jolie said. “In Kelly’s family, she lives only with her mom. Her mom has to work. You live only with your dad.”

“I don’t get why people have to work. No one seems to like it,” Alli said.

Jolie sighed. Her siblings complained that their children thought money grew on trees. “People work to pay their bills. Things like houses, cars, clothes and food aren’t free.”

“Dad uses a charge card.”

“You still have to pay that. Just all at once,” Jolie said.

“Oh.” Alli considered that.

“Dad!” Ethan shouted. “See what I made?”

Jolie swiveled her head to see Hank Friesen standing in the doorway, as usual impeccable in his dark blue suit. She panned her gaze from him to the SMART board, where Ethan had drawn a picture of a boy playing baseball. He had some raw talent for cartooning.

“I hope they weren’t too much trouble,” Hank said, his gaze assessing Jolie and making her self-conscious.

Alli clambered to her feet and rushed over to her dad. Jolie stood.

“We’ve been good,” Ethan announced. “I passed out papers to every desk and then got to draw on the SMART board.”

“I guess that’s a good perk,” Hank said, hugging his daughter before catching Jolie’s attention. He winked at Jolie and something inside her stomach danced. She placed a hand over the area to stop the sensation. “So what did you do?” he asked Alli.

“I read a book,” she said.

“I hope it was good.” Hank smiled.

“I’ve read it before. It’s okay,” Alli said.

“Go get your stuff off the hooks,” Jolie instructed, deciding to take charge. Hank’s presence had unsettled her. He was too attractive for his own good, like a sweet displayed in a bakery window. Too bad she couldn’t indulge.

Ethan and Alli rushed to do as she’d asked.

“Thank you,” Hank said, stepping toward Jolie. “Turns out there was a three-car accident, which is why traffic was all tied up.”

“It’ll take forever for the mess to clear, then,” Jolie replied, trying to calm her heartbeat. Hank was off-limits.

“I know. I figured I’d take the kids out to dinner before trying to get back. It’s snarled in both directions. All we’ll do is sit in a bumper-to-bumper jam again.”

“Eating’s a good idea. The last snack they had was at three-thirty.”

“It was only a cookie and some apple juice,” Ethan inserted as he bounced up with his backpack in tow. “We didn’t get seconds because Sam didn’t have enough for everyone. I’m hungry. Let’s go to McDonald’s.”

“I’m sick of McDonald’s. You always have to eat there. I want to go somewhere I like for a change,” Alli protested. “Dad, can I pick? Ethan always picks.”

“I don’t like where you like,” Ethan argued. “I want some McNuggets.”

“Well, I don’t. Da-ad,” Alli whined.

“I was thinking we’d go someplace where you sit down with menus,” Hank tried.

“That’s just like at the hotel,” Ethan said. “I’m tired of sitting in the restaurant. I want drive-thru.”

“I don’t,” Hank said.