Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 64751 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 259(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64751 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 259(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
“Look, I’m not here to judge. I’m just concerned for her wellbeing,” I explain. “Hope came to school today with no lunch and no socks. I don’t know if her uncle is aware, but kids need to eat ...”
Bonnie’s eyes widen. “He sent her with no lunch? Oh my gosh, why didn’t you call me?”
“I tried to call the number on file, nobody answered. Don’t worry, I made sure she had food.”
I shared my lunch with Hope and made sure that she had as much as she needed. My stomach might be grumbling now, but I can rest easy knowing that the little girl didn’t go hungry. Not today, at least.
Bonnie’s cheeks redden with anger. “My gosh, I’m going to throttle him. Don’t you worry, he will not be sending her with no food again. I promise you that. I am so sorry.”
“Do you think her uncle will consider coming and speaking to me?” I question.
“I’ll give him no choice. He can bring her in tomorrow. Once again, I am so sorry. I didn’t know. I’m not giving him credit, because he’s going to get a backhand, but he had no idea he had a niece, and he has never had anything to do with children before. So, just go easy on him, it might take some time.”
I smile at her, nodding. “Well, she’s lucky she has you.”
Hope approaches Bonnie and Bonnie leans down, stretching out her arms. The little girl rushes over, embracing her. I can see she trusts Bonnie, and I’m certain that while Bonnie is around, Hope will be taken care of. As for the uncle, well, he’ll just have to come and speak to me. I think it’s time he learned a few lessons about taking care of children.
Whoever this biker is, he needs to get it together.
Or he’ll find me climbing all over his back.
I take my students’ wellbeing very seriously.
He’s about to find out just how much.
2
“You Alexis?”
The gruff male voice startles me.
I’m organizing papers on my desk and didn’t even hear him approach. Spinning around, I’m faced with the sexiest man I’ve ever laid eyes on. I had an image in my head of what Hope’s uncle might look like, and I’m here to say this was definitely not it. Wearing a thick leather jacket that very proudly announces who he is, vice president of the motorcycle club, the biker before me crosses his arms over his chest as he lets his eyes roam over my body.
I’ve never felt so exposed in my life.
“I am,” I say, my voice croaky.
I can’t help but stare at the man before me, with his long, thick blond hair that is loose around his shoulders. His beard is perfectly sculpted and mixed with his dazzling green eyes, gives him a god like look. Thor comes to mind.
He’s spectacular.
“I’m Ford. Hope’s uncle. Heard you wanted to talk to me.”
I’m struggling to find my words, to gather my strength. No man has ever made me weak at the knees. Inhaling a deep breath, I straighten as much as I can, but next to him I feel tiny. My short, curvy frame is nothing on his powerful one. I’m suddenly very aware of myself, and quickly tuck my long, blond locks, wondering if my hair is neat or if I look like an absolute nerd. On a good day, I very much look like a teacher. I’m not sure if it’s my petite glasses, or the freckles on my nose, or the flowery dresses I often wear. Maybe it’s my weird yellow eyes, or the way my hair is always down in curls.
Either way, I could never catch the eye of a man like him.
I can’t seem to get the words out that are in my mind, and, instead, the only sound that comes out is a garbled stutter.
Ford’s mouth stretches into a grin that only makes it that much harder for me to get my brain to work. “Am I makin’ you nervous, honey?”
Does he just go around calling all women honey?
“Yes,” I say, then quickly shake my head. “I-I-I mean no. No. No thanks.”
What is happening?
What are the words coming out of my mouth?
A low chuckle erupts as he leans in close, making my throat seize and my stomach flutter. “Don’t worry, it happens to the best of them.”
Get it together, Alexis.
You’re a teacher.
A role model.
Taking a long, deep breath, I close my eyes for just a moment before gathering myself. Finally, I look at him and, in a calmer voice, I say, “Yes, I did want to speak with you.”
He’s still grinning.
Damn him.
“What about?”
“Hope.”
His eyes flash. “She done somethin’?”
“First of all, no,” I snap, “and even if she did, I don’t like the look on your face right now. Little girls need kindness and compassion, a safe place to sleep at night and food in their bellies. Don’t get me started on the socks ...”