Brian's Choice Read Online Free Page B

outside. He couldn’t have made it clearer that he wanted to spend his lunchtime alone, so Katie followed the students outside. She helped them find the equipment needed to begin a game of softball, dusted off one of the younger girls when she fell off the seesaw, and watched for any disagreements between the students.
    When she overhead three of the older girls discussing their new teacher, she distracted them by suggesting they fill a pail with fallen leaves for decorating the classroom.
    Once she glanced up and saw Brian staring out the window. She offered a little wave, but he turned away without waving back. Perhaps he hadn’t seen her, or maybe he was being purposely aloof.
    Regardless of the reasons for his demeanor, Katie found that she enjoyed her new job. She had worked plenty of jobs in the past—as a baker’s assistant, in a quilt shop, and even at a dry goods store. Always the person who hired her tried to be patient and teach her what she needed to know, but her mind would dart here and there. She had trouble focusing on what the person said, and when she was left alone she had no idea how to complete her task. The results had been disastrous.
    Somehow, being in a schoolroom felt natural. Maybe because she’d grown up in one. Or maybe because her nephews kept smiling at her, even William, who was often very serious.
    It was also possible she felt less intimidated by this job because her boss was so obviously out of his depth. She wasn’t exactly sure what Brian had taught in his Englisch world, but his students obviously hadn’t been small children. She also didn’t know why he seemed so stiff and formal with her. Because they had never met before this morning and she’d not had time to offend him in any way, she assumed his cold manner had nothing to do with her. Perhaps he was uncomfortable around women.
    If they were to work together until Christmas, she’d have to find a way to break down the defensive barrier he’d carefully placed around himself. That wouldn’t be easy, but if there was one thing that Katie liked, it was a challenge.

SIX
    The next two weeks passed quickly.
    Katie was thrilled at how smoothly things were progressing. Not only were the students behaving well, but Brian seemed to have relaxed somewhat around her. He still kept an almost laughable physical distance between them, as if she might have some contagious disease, but he had stopped avoiding her company.
    For instance, they now ate lunch together at the picnic table under a maple tree. For Brian this seemed to be a concession of some sort, as if the temptation to be outside in the wonderful fall sunshine was too great. The cost was that he had to sit by his helper because there was only the one table—though he was careful to sit at the opposite end. Katie found such things amusing, but she didn’t worry about it any longer. She’d discussed Brian’s odd behavior with JoAnna, who had smiled and suggested she give him time.
    She’d done exactly that, being careful not to touch him or stand too close. The result was that he’d edged out of his shell, like a turtle hoping the world might be safe.
    Because they ate their lunch outside, students always joined them—in particular the older girls, who seemed to have something of a crush on their new teacher. But as soon as they were finished eating, off theywould go in a flurry of giggles and whispers. The younger students had to be convinced to finish their lunches. They preferred running and playing as children should.
    â€œClasses are going well,” he said.
    â€œYes, but it’s best to be realistic.”
    â€œMeaning what?”
    â€œStudents are students and the same everywhere. Never let your guard down.”
    â€œAre you kidding me?”
    Katie had mentioned the lunches to her sister, and JoAnna had asked if she was going sweet on Brian. A ridiculous suggestion. He was eight years older and