Fever for Three Read Online Free Page A

uncle?”
    Paulo’s dark eyes flickered a little. “We’re like family, si .” He put a hand on her arm, which made her shiver. He’d been so helpful with the house, and he always made her feel special, not like a mousy teacher.
    “Let me find her shoes and I’ll be right with you.” She led the little girl to the cubbies, finding one sparkly pink shoe that had fallen behind the cabinet.
    “ Alli esta !” Cynthia clapped her hands and Cheri felt like a hero. That was the best thing about kids.
    Cheri helped the wee girl get her backpack on and then pointed her down the hall toward the line of children waiting for the bus to the reservation.
    Paulo came up behind her, his hand slipping to rest on her hip. “How about an early supper?”
    Really, she’d never had so much attention from men.
    She looked up, her face surprisingly close to his. “I would love that. Is there a place to go?”
    This town was the smallest place she’d ever lived. Ever. It had a feed/general store, which was also the gas station and post office. There was a hotel from days gone by, but she wasn’t sure it was even still open, and a diner that did breakfast and lunch.
    “There’s a truck stop out by the main road. They have good meatloaf.”
    “I like meatloaf. Let me grab my purse.” She headed for her desk to get her purse. “Did you need something? Here at the school, I mean.”
    “Oh I was wiring the sound system in the cafeteria.” He followed, close enough for her to feel his heat.
    “Yeah? How fun! Now we’ll be able to have announcements.” When all grades were in the same building, that could be a challenge.
    “Hey, you should have seen it before we had the cafeteria.”
    Apparently that had been only a few years ago. She couldn’t imagine.
    “The kids were telling me.” She grabbed her bag, her sunglasses. “They’re amazing, you know? The kids?”
    “I know.” His cheeks heated when she smiled at him. Gosh, he was cute.
    “Do you want me to follow you?” She locked her door, leading him through the one long hallway.
    “I could drive you and bring you on back for your car after.” He took her elbow, his hand warm and calloused.
    She nodded, smiled. There was something about him, something comfortable and easy and relaxing. He had this calm strength about him, coupled with an “aw shucks” sort of shyness.
    He led her to his truck, handing her up into the cab, and he pulled out, honking and waving at Johnny Rodriguez, one of her third-graders.
    The truck was surprisingly clean, even the backseat looked as if someone could sit back there and not be disgusted. The drive to the truck stop took only about ten minutes. How tired had she been on the way into town that she’d never seen that?
    The place was rustic and older, but it looked busy, clean, and the smell when she opened the car door was delicious. The sign where the specials were posted said “Meatloaf Monday”. It was Thursday. Looked as if meatloaf was always on.
    Paulo led her in, hand gentle on her arm, warm. Sure. Everyone smiled and nodded and the lady behind the long counter popped her gum.
    “Everyone here seems to know everyone else, hmm?”
    “Give or take. Some get along better than others.” That seemed very cryptic for Paulo, but she hardly knew him, really, so who was she to judge?
    “It’s like that anywhere.” She offered him a smile. “You should have seen my last school.” When your year ended with a knife fight, it was a little depressing.
    “It sounds like the big city didn’t agree with you.” Paulo helped her into a booth and she jumped when someone slipped into the seat across from her.
    “Why would it agree? Cities are loud. Hey, honey.” Josh popped up in the strangest places.
    “Yes. Hello. It was scary. Lots of violence. It’s hard to teach like that. Hard to keep everyone learning.”
    “Bet the kids liked you though. Hey, you haven’t had any more snakes since Monday, have you?” Josh asked.
    She