The Deputy's New Family by Jenna Mindel

Author:Jenna Mindel [Mindel, Jenna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2014-09-06T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

“Beth, Mr. Grey, thanks for meeting with me.” Diane sat back down at her desk.

“Of course.” Beth was used to this sort of thing.

She and Diane had met with the parents of at-risk kids before. Sometimes the parents were willing, sometimes they weren’t. But this was weird because she knew Nick pretty well.

And cared for him, too.

“No problem.” Nick wore his deputy sheriff’s uniform. At least he’d left his hat in the car so he didn’t look quite so formidable. “What’s this about? Beth said we’d discuss how Corey has been settling in, but there’s more, isn’t there?”

Diane nodded. “A little. Yes. Corey’s previous school had some troubling notations—”

Nick snorted contempt. “They labeled him without understanding what he’d been through.”

Beth held her tongue. And her hands neatly in her lap. She’d nearly reached out to Nick at the strain in his voice. But that wouldn’t be good, not in front of Diane. The counselor had seen them out together, and Nick had called her by her first name.

Diane didn’t falter. “He’s showing improvement. He’s socializing, making friends, and his reading is progressing.”

“Then you won’t recommend he be held back, right?” Nick had moved forward in his seat.

Diane looked at her for help.

“We don’t make those recommendations until closer to the end of the year,” Beth said.

Nick’s eyes narrowed. “How close?”

“The last couple of weeks.”

“Miss Ryken knows I won’t agree to hold my son back.”

Diane nodded. “Yes, she told me that. Look, Mr. Grey, if Beth believes it’s best for Corey, and he scores well for repeating second grade, you’ll need to sign a waiver that you’re refusing retention. Those forms follow Corey until he graduates.”

Nick nodded. “Understood. But he’s doing better.”

“I’d say.” Diane leaned back in her chair. “Thanks to both of you working together instead of in opposition.”

Nick looked surprised.

Beth was, too. Where was Diane going with this?

“The first time I met with Corey, he said that he wanted a family. A new family that would never leave.”

Beth’s belly tumbled. Diane hadn’t told her that. That whole teacher-mode warning made sense now.

Nick puffed out his cheeks, then released his breath in a whoosh. “He feels abandoned after I had him live with his grandparents.”

Diane looked even more serious. “Not now, he doesn’t. Whatever it is that you two are doing outside of schoolwork and tutoring, keep it up. Corey is settling in nicely because he has both his teacher’s and his father’s support. Inside the classroom and out of it. But if you’re dating, that will play right into Corey’s new-family fantasy.”

Beth glanced at Nick. “We’re not dating.”

He looked determined. “Not yet.”

Diane looked between the two of them. “Whatever you decide to do, keep in mind that the outcome of your relationship will have an impact on Corey. Now, let’s go over Corey’s progress in detail.”

Beth cringed. She knew what Diane said without really saying it. Getting romantically involved with Nick had to be a one-way street. Go all the way or don’t go at all. Marriage or maintain friendship.

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