Brian's Choice by Vannetta Chapman

Author:Vannetta Chapman
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780736966276
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers, Inc.

NINE

Katie looked at the pile of papers that needed grading.

She never would have thought that first through fourth graders would write so much. Next year, she would modify the assignment to specify a maximum of one to two pages. She caught herself midthought—modify the assignment next year? Did she actually think she’d still be a teacher’s helper then? If so, it would be the first time she’d held a job longer than a few months.

“You look as if you’ve lost something,” Brian said.

“Nein. Only my mind is wandering.”

“Well, it’s been a long day. One child vomiting—”

“I felt terrible about your shoes.”

“They cleaned up well enough.” Brian grinned at her. “Though I’ll admit I never had anyone puke on me when I was teaching college.”

“Then there was Jonas’s tears.”

“He does well, considering his disabilities. Perhaps we need to meet with him tomorrow and make sure we’re not pushing too hard.”

“Ya. That’s a gut idea.” Katie pushed a lock of hair back into her kapp. In truth, she felt as if she’d withstood a storm. Some days teaching was an exhausting profession.

Brian stuffed a stack of papers into the backpack he carried to school each day. “I suggest we both take a break before we try any grading.”

“Ya. I’d probably make better progress after dinner.”

“Speaking of dinner—” Brian stopped midsentence as Stella Stutzman walked back into the room. “Did you need something, Stella?”

She glanced at Katie and then turned her attention to Brian. “It’s the math homework you gave us. I’m having some difficulty with one of the problems.”

“Why don’t you show me which one is giving you trouble?” He set his backpack down and glanced over at Katie. “You may as well go. This will take a few minutes.”

Katie nodded. Most days they left together, but she would probably fall asleep if she had to wait. All she could think of was getting back to her sister’s and putting her feet up for a few minutes.

As she walked out of the schoolroom, she glanced back. Stella was pulling her math papers from her bag and smiling up at Brian. Did he have any idea how severe the girl’s crush was?

Katie felt something stir in her chest—not jealousy. She had admitted to herself, and to JoAnna, that she had feelings for Brian. No, she wasn’t worried that a young girl like Stella would win his affections. Brian was a man, not a child. But something about the situation bothered her. She had a brief flash of impending doom that she quickly brushed away.

A hot cup of tea and fifteen minutes resting would improve her outlook. At least that was what she told herself as she made her way out of the schoolhouse and walked toward home.

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