“Have you noticed that you call me that a lot?”
“Yeah. It’s almost like an endearment, isn’t it?”
She sighed and shook her head, thinking that only Scott would believe that.
They talked for another half hour, the remainder of the conversation as light and flirtatious as the beginning. That was one of Scott’s charms, Blair mused when the call ended. He could make her blush and giggle like an infatuated teenager—something she had never really been. She had been so young when it became apparent that someone in her family had to be serious and responsible—and the task had seemed to fall on her. Now that she was a serious and responsible adult, it felt good to be silly and frivolous for a change.
Jeffrey was still smiling at bedtime. Freshly scrubbed and dressed in his PJs, he allowed her to kiss him good-night—a new habit they had adopted. “I’m going to ask Scott if he’ll teach me to ride a bull at his ranch,” he said, climbing into bed.
“I’m sure a horse would be more appropriate,” Blair remarked, smoothing the covers over her nephew and making a mental note to absolutely forbid Scott to even think about putting this child on a bull.
“Aw, Aunt Blair, how can I get in a rodeo if I don’t know how to ride a bull?”
“You’ll have plenty of time to learn that when you’re older.” And when she was dead, she added silently with grim humor, because over her dead body was the only way she would let Jeffrey ride one of those beasts.
He was so excited about the upcoming visit to Scott’s ranch. Blair had to admit she was looking forward to it herself, though she knew there would be no opportunity this time for her and Scott to be alone together. She knew she was headed for trouble when she fou
nd herself thinking with reckless optimism that there would be plenty of other opportunities for them to be alone.
Her fingers were crossed when she left Jeffrey’s room—an old, superstitious act that served no purpose except to divert her from her worry about the future.
*
THERE WAS a final parent-teacher conference at Jeffrey’s school Thursday evening before the summer break. Blair attended, of course, crossing her fingers that the conference would go well. Jeffrey’s teacher, Miss Greene, was a no-nonsense young woman who’d butted heads with Jeffrey more than once. She smiled smugly when Blair took a seat in the classroom while Jeffrey waited in the hallway. “Ms. Townsend,” the teacher said smoothly. “I’m so glad you could make it this evening.”
“I make it a point to be available for Jeffrey,” Blair reminded the teacher, a bit annoyed that the other woman had sounded surprised she was there. Blair hadn’t missed a school function in the entire six months Jeffrey had been with her.
“Of course. Anyway, I wanted to let you know that your nephew has improved significantly in both his schoolwork and his attitude during the past few weeks. I’m quite pleased with his progress.”
Blair smiled. “Thank you.”
Miss Greene gave a rather weary sigh in response. “I must admit it has been a difficult undertaking, but I’m happy to say my persistence is paying off.”
The teacher was obviously taking full credit for Jeffrey’s progress, Blair thought in exasperation. She seemed to have no concept of how hard Blair had worked with her nephew—or how much input Scott had had.
“It’s actually too bad school is almost over,” Ms. Greene added. “If I’d had a bit more time with Jeffrey, I’m sure I could have completely turned him around.”
“Thank you for all you’ve done, Miss Greene, but I’m sure my nephew and I will get along just fine in the future.”
“Yes, well, I’m certain you’re doing the best you can—considering that you’ve had no training to work with difficult children,” the woman replied with a touch of condescension that set Blair’s teeth on edge. She went on to show Blair Jeffrey’s most recent papers and then usher her out of the room with the excuse that she had parents waiting—as opposed to a mere aunt, her tone seemed to imply.
“Twit,” Blair muttered beneath her breath as she exited the classroom. No wonder Jeffrey had never bonded with his teacher. At least next term he would have someone new, and most of the teachers at Lander Elementary were very professional and friendly.
A giggle from behind her made her wince as she realized that her unflattering comment had been overheard. She was relieved to see that it was only Jeffrey who had heard her, even though she regretted her lack of restraint in front of him. “Do not repeat that.”
“No, ma’am,” he agreed, though he was still grinning.
“You will treat your teacher with respect during the remaining few days of the term, is that understood?”
“Yes, ma’am. I know how to work the system, remember?”
She sighed and placed a hand on his shoulder. “You’re beginning to worry me, Jeffrey. You’re starting to sound too much like Scott.”
The comparison obviously delighted him. “Can we go home now?” he asked. “I want to play with Belle.”
Blair readily agreed.
Jeffrey was in an exceptionally good mood that evening, even though both of them were somewhat disappointed that Scott didn’t call. The good-night hug he gave her was impulsive but sincere. “One more day until we go to the ranch,” he announced happily when he pulled away.