Her Secret, His Child

TARA TAYLOR QUINN

"What happened with Nathan?" Jamie asked her daughter, taking Ashley's hands in her own.

"He says dumb stuff 'cause he's dumb."

"That's not a nice word to use, Ash, especially when you're talking about someone else."

"But it's true, Mommy, he is dumb." Ashley's pretty gray eyes were somber yet completely sincere.

"And I'll bet you told him so, didn't you, Ash?" Karen asked, still standing in the doorway. Her gaze was compassionate.

Ashley nodded and Jamie let the little girl go. Ashley's thumb promptly found her mouth.

Jamie would have her talk with Miss Peters first, and then, when she had the full story, she'd have a heart-to-heart talk with her daughter. Ashley needed to learn to be a little more accepting of other people's shortcomings.

"How about some lunch?" she asked.

Karen nodded, but her smile was forced. ' 'I made some chicken salad this morning," she said. "How's that sound?"

"Great." Standing, Jamie ushered the two energetic children next door.

But as she helped Karen make sandwiches and pour juice, Jamie felt increasingly worried about her friend. Karen had been looking a little lost ever since she'd taken the pregnancy test. She wasn't bubbling with excitement yet. Not the way Jamie would be if she were in her shoes. She decided Karen was probably just anxious for Dennis to come home so she could share her news. He was going to be thrilled.

Of that Jamie was certain.

CHAPTER FIVE

"We'd like you to make things a little easier on him."

Pulling off his glasses, Kyle peered up at the coach standing in the doorway of his office. For a Monday, the day was going stereotypically true to form.

"You want me to doctor his grade."

Coach Lippert, the head coach of Gunnison's football team, slipped his bulky frame into the room and closed the door.

"Brad Miller's good. Better than good."

Kyle nodded. He could appreciate that. Talent was a valuable commodity. As was integrity.

"He's star material. Scouts are already looking at him. Another year at the university and he's sure to get the offer of a lifetime." Coach Lippert came closer, leaning his beefy hands on Kyle's desk.

"I hope he gets it."

"He's already on academic probation. If he doesn't pass your lit class, he's out."

"I've offered to tutor him."

"Come on, Professor." Coach Lippert pushed away from the desk. "The boy shows up for every class. He attempts all the homework. And he's still

TARA TAYLOR QUINN

failing. You really think a little tutoring's gonna help?"

Kyle shrugged. "I can only give him the grade he

earns."

"That's bullshit and we both know it." The coach paced in front of Kyle's desk, his shoulders bunched until his neck disappeared beneath a face getting redder by the minute. "Your tests are mostly essay questions, they're subjective. You control the grades."