Big Sky Family

He glanced toward Ellie, his lips twitching with the threat of a smile. “Sure, ask away.”

Torie’s face scrunched into its most serious expression. “If my mommy bought me a horse of my very, very own, would you come take care of it for me?”

Ellie choked. “Victoria James! You’re not supposed to—”

“I don’t know, squirt,” Arnie said with equal seriousness. “That would be a big job to take care of a horse.”

“I know, and I’m too little. I get a dollar a week allowance. I could pay you that much.”

By now those standing around Arnie’s table were fully engaged in the conversation, to Ellie’s mortification.

“High time you earned an honest dollar, Arnie,” a man said.

“Isn’t she cute?” a woman said. “I bet when she’s a teenager, her father will have to guard the door and lock the windows to keep the boys out.”

Ellie had heard enough. “Come on, Torie. We have to find Grandma.”

“But Arnie hasn’t said he’ll take care of my horse yet.”

“You don’t have a horse, so why don’t we worry about who’s going to take care of it if and when you have one?” With an apologetic smile, she handed the pledge form and check to Arnie.

He glanced at the form and the check, then looked up at Ellie. “Preschool teachers must earn more than I realized.”

“No such luck, but a guilty conscience can make a person feel generous.”

“No need for you to feel guilty.”

That was nice of him to say, but she knew it was a lie.

He held up the check. “Don’t you want to hold off on this in case I don’t actually finish the race?”

“You’ll finish. I don’t doubt that for a moment.” She took Torie’s hand. “Tell Arnie goodbye, honey. Grandma’s waiting for us.”

With her daughter in tow, Ellie hurried toward the parking lot. Having such an outgoing child had its disadvantages.

A muscle pulsed in Arnie’s jaw as he watched Ellie and her daughter scurry away. His hands grasped the armrests of his chair, turning his knuckles white.

He had to get a grip on his volatile emotions—a boiling mix of anger, longing and grief—whenever Ellie showed up.

In eight long years he still hadn’t figured out how to do that.

Chapter Four

“Shane, we don’t throw sand at our friends.” Ellie quickly corrected the boy’s behavior Monday morning, during outdoor playtime at the preschool.

It was the second week of classes, and she already felt more comfortable with her students, knew all their names and their differing personalities.

They seemed more at ease with her, as well.

On this hot September day, most of the children wore shorts and a T-shirt, their arms and legs darkly tanned from a summer in the sun.

Squinting, Ellie scanned the play yard to check on her other students just as a van pulled into the parking area. A moment later, Arnie rode the wheelchair lift down to the ground. Sheila hopped right off and waited for him.

Ellie’s heart stuttered an extra beat and her breathing accelerated. She wondered what had brought Arnie to the school.

Some of the children recognized him and his dog.

They raced to the wire fence, shouting his name. Torie was there first.

“Arnie! Arnie! Did you bring your horses?” she cried.

“Not today, squirt.” He reached through the fence to tweak Torie’s nose. “Hey, kids, you having a good time at school?”

They clamored to answer him all at once, a chorus of high-pitched, excited voices.

Without giving it any thought, Ellie strolled toward the fence and Arnie. He looked dressed for wrangling cows, well-worn, faded jeans, blue work shirt and black Stetson firmly in place. Despite the wheelchair, he managed to radiate sinewy strength, constrained only by his self-confidence.

“Good morning.” Her voice a little husky, she forced a smile. “I hope my check didn’t bounce already.”

His lips twitched, and a sparkle appeared in his dark eyes. “No one has deposited it yet. Should I be worried?”

“No, of course not,” she gasped. “I just thought—”

“I came by to see Vanna. There’s a school board meeting Thursday night. They’re going to vote on Vanna’s request to turn Ability Counts into a charter school, kindergarten through third grade.”

“Yes, Vanna mentioned that to me.” Vanna’s dream of expanding Ability Counts from four preschool classrooms to a school for all primary grades was a big reason Ellie had been so eager to accept the job here. The school board hearing was a first step.

“I’m going speak to the need for specialized services for disabled kids. I wanted to touch base with her before the meeting, and I was in town, anyway.”

“I think she’s in the office.”

“Good. See you later, kids.” He started to roll up the ramp, then stopped. “Are you coming to the board meeting?”

“Yes. Vanna wanted as many supporters as possible to attend. We’ve asked all the parents to be there if they can.”

He held her gaze for a moment, making Ellie wonder if he was pleased or dismayed by her answer. Then he nodded. “I’ll see you Thursday night.”

He wheeled away, Sheila trotting along with him. Ellie exhaled. After all these years, he shouldn’t have any effect on her. No racing pulse. No shallow breathing. No ache for what might have been.

But he did affect her. Like a direct shot of caffeine into her veins. A shot she’d better get over soon, before she made a fool of herself.

“All right, children,” she said, shaking off the image of Arnie’s muscular arms and his sweet smile for the kids. “Let’s go inside for story time. Can you all please line up at the door?” She gently herded the youngsters toward the classroom.

Before she had the children settled down, Peggy Numark appeared at the classroom door. Short and petite, Peggy looked like a pixie and would never be taken for the fifty-year-old teacher that she was. More like a mother of one of the children.

“Ellie, Vanna would like to see you in the conference room. She asked me to take your kids for a few minutes.”

Ellie frowned. “Now?”