Love you, too.
We make a good team, you and me.
Teams can be lots of people, she said. Like when Coach B splits us up to play kickball at school. Two isnt very many.
Her words sliced through him, her delicate suggestion that, much as he loved her, he wasnt enough.
Mark chose his response carefully. Two might not sound like very many, but when you think about it, we have plenty of other people who love us. Aunt Dee, Uncle Frank and Bobby, Mrs. Norris, Lucy at the store, Cade
Cade Montgomery had become Marks best friend since Jess diedbecause the sometime white-water-rafting guide, sometime carpenter was single. It was so much less awkward to hang out with Cade than all the married couples Mark and Jessica had known. Cade was about as confirmed a bachelor as a man could get, but he was surprisingly good with Vicki. Hed even promised to come to her ballet recital.
Of course, hed later asked Mark if any of the little ballerinas had hot single moms.
Mark sighed. Honey, is this about wanting a mom?
Will I ever have one?
He knew the answer she wanted to hear, but the few dates hed had in the past two years had left him cold. And even if he had more interest in the idea, he would put it on the back burner right now while he tried to sort out his job situation. Providing a stable home and financial security for his daughter were his priority.
Someday, maybe. It was the best he could offer her without being dishonest.
Are you shy? she asked. We talked about shy at school, like when you dont know how to make a new friend or are nervous to sing in music class. If you feel shy with girls, I can help!
He grinned at that, imagining his six-year-old coaching him through first-date nerves. You can, huh? Well, thats very nice of you, but it will have to wait until later. Right now, you need to get ready for school. Were already running late.
Okay. She sat up, patting him on the shoulder. But dont worry, Daddy. I have a plan. A good one.
Oh, boy. Part of him was amused and curious, wanting to ask his inventive daughter for details. On the other hand, hed rather not encourage her Mommy Quest. It had wrecked him when he opened the letter to Santa shed given Mark to mailthe one shed insisted on writing all by herself. Mark had tried throughout November and December to get her to tell him what she wanted for Christmas, but shed coyly refused to answer. Anxious to make sure Santa met her request, hed finally seen it spelled out in green crayon. As a result, hed over-compensated in the toys hed bought her. Shed seemed delighted with them on Christmas morning, but after a week had passed, shed turned pensive again.
Maybe if they didnt discuss her plan to overcome his supposed shyness with the ladies, shed eventually forget about it. Yet even as he wanted to cling to that hope, he knew better. Vicki had inherited her mothers curly locks and big brown eyesbut she had Marks stubborn streak.
THE STORE MARK RAN WAS called Up A Creek, a tongue-in-cheek name for a place that sold sporting goods and equipment for outdoor recreation. Right now, however, up a creek seemed entirely apt for his situation. This breakfast felt too much like a last meal.
Across the table, Bennett Coleridge, owner of the dozen or so Up A Creek locations, looked sympathetic as he picked up the syrup pitcher. Understand, if I do close the store, there are still opportunities in the company for you. We have other sites. The one in South Carolina is closest, although if you wanted a complete change, our two stores in Colorado stay busy all year round.
And busy meant profitable.
When Up A Creek had first opened in Braeden, North Carolina, there had been a campground just outside of town and a popular lodge half an hour beyond that which offered hiking and kayaking excursions. Both had unfortunately closed in the past couple of years. Now it seemed as if the store Mark managed might be next to succumb to tough economic times.
Bennett had mentioned the possibility of Colorado if the Hathaways wanted a complete change. But Vicki had been born here, had spent her entire life in the same house. For her, anything outside Braeden limits would be an overwhelming change. Mark knew that his personal lifeor lack thereofdisappointed his daughter. How could he tell her that he was a failure professionally, too? That shed have to move away from her school and her friends?
He swallowed hard, determined to sound calm. Businessmen like Bennett were swayed by numbers, not desperation. I know the stores profits have dipped. Around here, some folks were working two jobs to make ends meet, sacrificing their free time for recreation; others had been laid off, without the funds to maintain a hobby.
But I have some ideas that might help turn things around, Mark said. He sounded passably convincing.
Bennett raised an eyebrow. Such as?
Well, a few months ago I spoke to Principal Ridenour about sponsoring a booth at the elementary schools spring Fitness Fair. Its an all-day event local coaches and doctors started last year to educate parents on the risks of childhood obesity. In addition to the information, they provide stations that demonstrate fun ways the kids can keep in shape. Its a perfect platform for us. I can do a small-scale climbing wall, remind parents about the importance of bike helmets and staying hydrated, give out promotional coupons for items that will pull them into the store.
Speaking as a dad, he continued, parents are more willing to spend on their kids during lean times than on themselves. Especially if it means keeping the kids healthier.
Belatedly, Mark recalled that Principal Ridenour had retired over the holidays. He should really get in touch with the mans replacement.
Im all for this fitness fair thing, Bennett said, but increased sales in canteens and junior knee pads arent
Also, I recently read a business article, Mark said quickly, about how people who used to travel to luxury resorts or other countries are looking for less expensive domestic vacations. Lets face it, not many of us can afford to go to Aspen or Vail. People who live right here or in neighboring states, however, might be able to indulge in a day at Sugar Mountain more easily than they realized. There are several ski resorts within a hundred-mile radius of Braeden, but the newest one, Hawk Summit, is only a forty-minute drive. Their projected grand opening last year got delayed twice due to construction and when they finally did open for the season, unusual weather conditions hurt their bottom line. Theyre in their second season now and Id guess theyre struggling.
Bennett set his fork down with a reproachful sigh. So you think a fledgling ski resort thats in danger of going under itself is somehow going to save a store thats going under?
Mark felt his jaw tightening and forced himself to relax. I think we can help each other, yes. And because they are, as you say, fledgling, they have a bigger incentive to participate in some of the cross-promotional discount ideas I have. Bennett, I know I can turn the store around. I just need time, and
Until the end of April, the other man interrupted, his tone final. My wife and I are coming to the area for her high schools twentieth reunion. You and I will look at the numbers that week to determine whether or not theres been significant improvement over last spring. If not
Mark wouldnt let the reprieve go to waste. For the next three months, he would bust his butt and try everything he could think of to make Up A Creek a success. He owed it to his employees, who needed their paychecks, and his boss, who was giving him this chance. But most of all, he owed it to his daughter.
SHAY MORGAN PULLED HER CAR into the slot marked Reserved For Principal. Just a few weeks ago, seeing those words had filled her with enthusiasm and pride. While she was still proud that shed been appointed the interim principal to finish out the year, wellit had been a long week. But today was Friday, which meant shed soon have forty-eight hours to recharge, minus the stress of a family dinner Sunday evening.
Maybe the roads will be too icy for me to make the drive.
What she wanted to do was hole up in the cozy warmth of her house with a good book, free from pointed looks from a staff and faculty who were testing her authority, free from helpful advice from well-meaning parents who had limited knowledge of the county policies Shay was required to follow and free from the quiet disapproval of the school secretary, Roberta Cree.
Roberta had been at Woodside Elementary since it first opened its doors in 1987 and had outlasted all four previous principals, including Shays immediate predecessor, the Esteemed Jonathan Ridenour Who Could Do No Wrong. The corridor that led from the main reception area to Shays private office was lined with gold-framed portraits of the prior principals. She swore their eyes followed her whenever she passed. And the principals of yesteryear probably shook their heads at her when no one was looking.
All in all, her first month at Woodside hadnt gone as smoothly as expected. Even though years had passed since shed first voiced her ambition to become a principal, she could too clearly hear her fathers words in her head. You dont need those administrative headaches, sweetie. Why not stay a teacher, with only your classroom to worry about and summers off to focus on your own kids?
Not that Shay had any kids. Or a husband. Or even a steady boyfriend.
She was currently between relationships, which seemed to worry her parents. After climbing out of the car, she shut her doorresisting the juvenile urge to slam it. Her brother, Bastien the M.D., didnt have a girlfriend. He practically lived at the hospital, and both parents applauded his lofty career goals as building a solid foundation for the future. When Bastien had declared he wanted to go to medical school, their father had never once suggested he settle for being a school nurse and take the summers off! So why the heck couldnt Shay get the same support for her professional aspirations? After all, it was a lifetime of listening to her mothera retired elementary school teacherthat had inspired Shay in the first place. Mrs. Morgan and her teaching colleagues had been full of great ideas but lacked the power to implement them. Shay had decided early that she wanted to work her way up the scholastic ladder so that she could one day help teachers.
But so far, it was slow going at Woodsidean elementary school too small to have an assistant principal who might have been an ally in easing the transition. Maybe some of the faculty felt that warming to Shay too quickly would be disloyal to Esteemed Principal Ridenour. Everyone had been shocked by his heart attack in November and sorry to see him leave the school when he took early retirement midyear. Perhaps Shays eagerness to tackle her new position after the winter break had come across as unseemly, as if she were seizing on someone elses misfortune.
I will win these people over, she promised herself. After all, she was pretty darn likable. She was also truly passionate about providing a wonderful environment and the best education possible for the students of the small elementary school. In theory, her advocacy for their well-being gave her common ground with everyone else who set foot inside the door.
Like, for instance, the PTA president.
Shay sighed when she saw that exact woman pacing outside the schools front office, talking in low, tense tones with two other mothers. Shay recognized one of them as Carolyn Moon. The mom of a first grader, a third grader and fourth-grade twins, Carolyn seemed to spend as much time on school property as Shay did. Shay couldnt remember off the top of her head who the third woman was, but she looked just as unhappy as her companions. Thankfully, the trio kept their voices diplomatically softthe students making their way to class before the first bell rang seemed oblivious to whatever the problem was.
If Shay were shorter, she might have given in to the temptation to blend in with a few of the fifth graders and slip past the mothers lying in wait. The PTA president, Nancy, was a sweet woman who truly cared about the student body, but she was a very anxious the sky is falling sort. She seemed perpetually worried that the school teetered on the brink of disaster and that, as president, she would be at the helm of the ship when it sank. It didnt help to have a second-in-command like Carolyn Moon, who complained about everything, upsetting Nancys already-nervous disposition. Shay had learned quickly that finding Carolyn waiting for her outside the office was never a good way to start the day.
I can handle this. I am the principal, and I got this job because I am good at what I do. Shay pasted a wide, welcoming smile on her face and vowed that while she certainly encouraged dialogue from concerned parents, she was not going to let herself be ambushed before shed even had a chance to pour a cup of coffee.
Good morning, ladies, she said as they descended on her, all talking at once.
Ms. Morgan, Carolyn began, do you have any idea
Nancy cleared her throat and gave a surreptitious shake of her head. Principal Morgan, were sure you have a very full day, but
I would be happy to find a few minutes in the schedule to chat with you, Shay assured them, but right now, I need to prepare for the morning announcements. If the three of you want to wait, Ill be back as soon as I can. If you have somewhere else you need to be, please email me with anything you need to discuss. Or see Roberta about setting up an appointment.
This should be addressed immediately! Carolyn insisted. A person cant just spam
Well wait, Nancy said firmly, shooting another look at her fellow PTA board member. Carolyn, this years vice president, was clearly champing at the bit for her chance to be commander in chief, figuratively speaking.
Although Carolyn seemed like the type who might not realize it was figurative.
Shay agreed to return as soon as she could, then allowed herself to get caught up in the swell of children sent to the front office with various please excuse Dianes absence yesterday and please allow Johnny to ride home on the bus with his friend notes that had to be filed. The thirty minutes between when the front doors first opened to students and when morning announcements began were always hectic for the administrative staff.
Today, the usual cacophony of voices was dominated by two boys, each claiming that a pair of mittens in the office Lost and Found belonged to him. One boy was wailing that his mother had sworn hed never see his Nintendo DS again if he lost another article of winter clothing this year. Roberta was trying to arbitrate the dispute. The five-foot-tall secretary had hair exactly like steel wool and she owned a sweater set in every color invented.
You boys are much too loud, Shay said in quiet counterpoint to their shouting. Its disrespectful to Mrs. Cree and to everyone else in the office.