Falling For Sarah (Sarah Series Book 3) Read online

  Table of Contents

  Falling for Sarah | Julieann Dove

  Dedication

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Other Books by Julieann Dove

  Falling for Sarah

  Copyright © 2017 Julieann Dove

  All rights reserved.

  This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons –living or dead –or places, events, or locales is purely accidental. The characters are reproductions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.

  Formatting by Dallas Hodge, Everything But The Book

  Please be aware that this book cannot be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without written permission from the author, Julieann Dove, at [email protected], or within the sharing guidelines at a legitimate library or bookseller. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

  WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction, sharing, or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI (http://www.fbi.gov/ipr/) and is punishable by up to five years in a federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

  For my Luke,

  you always remind me NOTHING is impossible.

  I love you beyond words.

  I looked at Liz and wondered why it was so hard for her to acclimate to living with Rick Sinese. She sat in my office, head literally between her knees and was breathing as if she’d just completed the hundred-yard dash. Although the fit was brought on by just thinking about dinner, and how Rick was home waiting for her to join him in eating it. I’d kill to have a guy performing acts of food preparation in a kitchen when I got home. Please, someone give me that hurdle in life!

  “Come on, Liz. You’ve been living with him now for two months. When are you going to get over the fact someone is waiting for you to return from where you left this morning? I mean, seriously.” I shook my head and rolled my eyes simultaneously.

  She grabbed hold of her calves and let out a guttural moan.

  I shut my filing drawer and walked to where my purse sat on the floor. The second week of school and I was still trying to get my bearings. We had a lot of transfers, and I was without a secretary. Vicki Chambers, our usual one, was out sick. I checked the time and saw it was time to leave. Rose got picked up from school each day by Aunt Heidi. She took her back to her house, gave her a snack, and let her watch cartoons until I picked her up. Today, I was running late.

  “Liz… Liz… Liz!” I waited for recognition, but all I was getting was a clear shot of the crown of her head. Her dark roots had a good half-inch past a salon appointment. Totally not a Liz thing for her to slip by. Then again, nothing was a Liz thing for her to do lately. “Get up. It’s time to go home. Rick will begin calling, wondering where you are.” I kicked at the chair leg, hoping to jar her. “You poor thing. Someone has dinner ready for you when you walk in the house. The clean house. Where cereal bowls with crusty milk can’t be found. Or your underwear strewn in an empty bathtub because who are you kidding, you don’t have the time or willpower to draw yourself one. For a couple years, I thought that thing in the corner of your bathroom was a giant clothes hamper. Now go home. I can’t bear to see you like this anymore. You…you…pampered thing.”

  She slowly stood and glared at me. “Easy for you.” She paused, no doubt thinking of something brilliant to counter my sarcasm with. “Easy for you to just sit there and make light of what I’m going through. Do you know it’s been…” She tapped her lips. “It’s been almost a month since I’ve attended a party…or a mixer. Heck, I’d even settle on a good wake with an open bar and non-grieving pallbearers to pass the time! I’ve not talked to another man in over four weeks!”

  “Because you live with one?” I could barely contain my tongue. “Because he’d move heaven and earth for you. That’s why it’s been a month?”

  “It’s not easy for me like it is for you, Sarah. I get bored with commitment. I get complacent. Then the same guy I’ve been staring at for days…that same guy begins to look like a leg on a table. Boring. And I begin strolling down the names on my phone, waiting to land on one I can remember swooning over while sipping red wine and knowing it came with a one-way ticket to his place.”

  I picked up my jacket and threw it over my arm. “Don’t start, Liz. You live with Rick now. He’s the best thing for you since blonde hair. Which reminds me, see someone about that crop of brown-gray you’ve got growing.” I aimlessly pointed toward her head. “Embrace it. Love it. Rick adores you, and I wouldn’t say to stick it out if I didn’t think you loved him.”

  “Embrace it? Love Him? I’m freaked out by him. Do you know last night I turned the light off and kissed him goodnight?” Her voice grew loud and her posture more erect. “Move in with him, you said. It will be the best thing to happen to you, you said. My libido has failed me. We’ve become Ozzie and Harriet. I hated when Mom would watch reruns of that dumb show. I think it’s why I’ve been promiscuous my whole life. I didn’t want to turn into some generic black-and-white version of settled.”

  “Liz, this arrangement has been the best thing to happen to you. Who said you have to trade in your pumps for bed slippers? There’s several things to keep it alive. Having the same guy there to do these things with is only a perk. Trust me. You seem so under control now. So unlacking in organization. Not once have I seen you come in to work with mismatched socks. For crying out loud, you even pack in Rubbermaid containers. A huge improvement over potato chip bags.”

  Liz, pre-Rick days, used to cut up empty Frito bags and stuff anything edible she could find around her kitchen inside them. Half the time I never knew what she was eating. I don’t know if she did either.

  “Yeah, well, that’s because Rick packs me.” She rolled her eyes. “It’s unnerving to have your lunch stored in shapes to match the food.”

  “You’re incorrigible.”

  I waited till she cleared the threshold of my office to shut the door. “Now get home and thank your lucky stars you have that man.”

  Rick was a totally nice guy. And he was crazy about Liz. Okay, so he went a little overboard with the Tupperware, but the man was a neat freak. I even noticed when I was over there for dinner one night, all the glasses were arranged from tallest to shortest in his glass cabinets. I secretly wasn’t sure Liz would survive, but if she got over the extreme organization of the man and focused on how he made her feel secure, she just might give up her little directory on the cell phone. All right, so not the directory, but maybe her finger would itch less to press the buttons to find it.

  “Oh my gosh, I’m so glad you’re still here.”

  I looked up and saw Carter jogging up to us. The main overhead lights were turned off, with only the center one buzzing out a low amp. Just enough for the janitor to see as he rolled his trashcan into each classroom, collecting trash and doing a once-over with his mop on the gray tiled floors.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “There’s a student still in detention, and her
ride isn’t here yet.”

  “So?” I pushed the strap of my bag up on my shoulder. “Didn’t we just start school—why is someone already in detention?”

  He shrugged. “Mrs. Marshall mumbled something about it to me before she left, but I was signing something for someone who had to leave. But I’ve got a meeting with the coaching staff in ten minutes, my secretary left for the day twenty minutes ago, and I’ve got to lock up before going to the gym. I’m in a bind and there’s no way I can leave her without a way home.”

  He was still cute, and still Carter. No matter how many times I tried to mentally draw horns and a fake mustache with boogers coming out of his nose. I was doing it now while he gently panted out his agenda for the evening, staring at us with pleading eyes. After all, why keep him insanely attractive if he was no longer a viable option in my own dating directory? I needed to give the man ugly attributes just to not daydream about him during our recent staff meetings. Yes, we tried to start something over the summer. Yes, Sam Turner showing up wielding roses and professing his love for me stopped it. Yes, I hid away the remainder of the time off for summer. Yes, Carter did, too. And, no, I didn’t ask anyone what he was doing, or who he was doing it with. Liz was too busy breathing into paper bags, and Maggie was still semi-seeing her pediatrician and breathing in her own stash of bags. There was no one left to hint about Carter Williams and his whereabouts, but I was pretty certain he was cavorting with someone. He was like Liz; he didn’t stay unattached for long periods of time.

  “Liz, can you stay with her? I’ve got to go and pick up Rose.”

  Liz had a blank look on her face.

  I snapped my fingers and startled her.

  “What?”

  Carter piped in. “Can you stay with the student until her ride comes? I’ve tried calling her home number and her dad’s cell phone but I get voicemail for both.”

  “No, I’ve got to get home. Rick said he’s making my favorite tonight. He gets so testy when I’m late and the noodles get stuck, or whatever they do.” She seemed drugged when she said it—a glazed look of a full lobotomy. So much for the Liz I used to know. Maybe love and security just didn’t suit some people. Said no one normal, ever!

  “I’ve got to get—” I started to say.

  “Great. I knew I could count on you, Sarah.” He patted my shoulder as though I were his new Labrador puppy and turned to leave.

  “Carter…”

  “I checked,” he said, walking away. “She lives on the same street as you. Push comes to shove, you could take her home. You probably know her anyway. Maybe bumped into her and didn’t even know it.”

  “Her?” A her was in detention. And likely I bumped into her. Unless she’s doing trash duty on Tuesdays or hanging out in my driveway, I’ve never seen a strange “her” on my street before in my life. “What’s she in detention for? The school year has practically just begun.”

  “This is actually her second time. The first time I just let her go. I didn’t even have a teacher assigned to duty yet.”

  “Good grief. Do I want her in my car? Is she safe? I need to pick up Rose first. I don’t exactly have a metal detector machine hooked to the passenger doorframe of my car.” I elevated my voice to accommodate his escaping my hearing distance.

  He paused and turned. “Yeah, she’s safe. I had a talk with her just now. Good girl, just wants to be misunderstood. I’ll leave another message that you’ll be taking her home.”

  “Wants to be misunderstood? Since when are you doing my job? Assessing the students?”

  He shrugged. “Someone has to.” He began to walk backward while finishing up our conversation. “She’s in room 201. She’s waiting for you.”

  I let out a small scream to Liz. “That Carter. I’ll get him back for this.”

  “Well, I better go. I’ll call you later. When I’m standing on the roof, trying hard not to jump.”

  I pushed her on the shoulder. “You’ll do fine. Enjoy the dinner. It doesn’t come from a cardboard box, but I’m sure it won’t kill you.”

  I headed down the English department hall and walked until I made it to room 201. It was the only light streaming into the hall. Inside, I could see someone with their head down on the desk. I pulled the door and swallowed. Not the evening I planned.

  “Excuse me?” I said quietly.

  She looked up. Stray, stiffened dark hair fell into her eyes. Her purple lipstick contrasted sharply to her pale complexion. Her eyelashes were the next thing to stand out. They were bat-like, black and flapping with every blink. The thick pencil markings made her almond-shaped eyes small and depressed. The blue hue of her actual eye color had been completely lost in the translation of the circus makeup. The only expression on her face was that typical teenage “give me a break” kind of look.

  “Mr. Carter said for me to take you home. He left a message with whomever was to pick you up to let them know. Go ahead and gather your things. They’re locking up the school, and I’ve got to go pick up my daughter.”

  Without batting another eyelash, she continued to stare at me. “I don’t know you, and I’m certainly not getting into a car with you.”

  “Because you fear what exactly?” Really? She’s sitting in detention and yet I’m the bad person? Must’ve been the patches on my tweed coat that gave me away to be some serial killer. Or my duck cloth tote bearing my initials. Maggie got it for me my first year as counselor. Wait till this little goth-like creature saw my four-door sedan.

  “I don’t know.” She shrugged. “You could take me somewhere and—”

  “I’m sorry, I need to go. Just hurry. I’m late to pick up my daughter.”

  I waited for her to gather her bag. She did it in record time—for a sloth. I didn’t see any books, but then again she was in detention…week two of school. Did I expect to find her with her nose in a Jane Eyre novel and a backpack oozing of Algebra books, notebooks, and pencil pouches?

  After waiting for her to dramatically shove out of her chair, roll her eyes, and sling her bag on her back, I pulled the door shut and walked briskly toward the parking lot. Rose would be waiting, and I needed to get home to start dinner. With her being in school, along with me, I seemed to be busier. So much for preschool and playing until she dropped and snacks were provided one hour into play, and one hour after lunch, and minutes before the car ride waiting to get picked up. We had to be on a schedule every day. Luckily Aunt Heidi gave her a snack to hold her over until I cooked.

  “So, I believe I’ve seen you around. I think Ms. Richardson has you down for being her student to counsel. Your name must begin with a letter between A and L.” I had all the students M-Z.

  I looked both ways before pulling out of the school parking lot. Before I took off, I glanced to see whether she was still coherent. She didn’t seem to be moving back there, let alone answering my difficult question of the letter her last name began with.

  I spoke louder. “What’s your name?”

  “June. June Cruz.” She twisted, pulling at the gray seat belt and rolling her eyes for a new record of ten times a second, I believe.

  “Nice to meet you, June. My name is Ms. Keller.”

  “Okay.”

  I noticed the purple nail polish as she pushed her hair out of her eyes and grunted. What I wouldn’t give for a barrette for this child. And some eye makeup remover.

  “What in the world did you do to get detention? They usually don’t have a room set up until the second month of school. You know, to give the students a chance to be told the rules before knowing which ones to break.”

  I stole another look toward the back. Nothing. Okay, so I’d stop trying to make small talk. Clearly she wasn’t into it. I’d ask Carter the next day anyway. Maybe. We still weren’t on the level of my dropping by his office. It was as though I was a student all over again and the principal’s office was the last place I wanted to get caught. Awkward had become our new norm.

  We pulled into Aunt Heidi’s and I jumped out t
o get Rose. “I’ll be back in a sec. I’ve got to pick up my daughter.” I poked my head inside. “By the way, have you tried calling your parents or guardian and let them know where you are? I don’t want anyone worried. It won’t take but a few minutes until you’re home, but still. I’d want to know.”

  I saw her smacking her gum in the backseat. “My dad grounded me from my phone. Serves him right to be worried. But I assure you, he isn’t. He has no clue where I am, nor does he care.”

  Hmm…that sounded like fertile ground for counseling. Who exactly was her dad, a heartless buffoon? At least I could rest thinking there wasn’t a missing person’s report out for this girl. I dashed in the house, grabbed Rose, kissed Aunt Heidi and thanked her profusely, then started back home. Rose was completely engrossed with this new person in our car. I couldn’t say the same for June. She squeezed against the door and stared out at passing traffic, being oh so unresponsive to Rose and her one hundred questions.

  “Mommy, is she coming home with us?” Rose asked, bebopping in her booster seat.

  I looked at her in the rearview mirror. She seemed so stoked about the possibility of it being more than just her and me. I try to be entertaining. Last night I even played Barbies. I was the one with the chopped-off hair. It was a phase Rose was going through with the novelty of scissors and how much they could do. Oh well, so she wanted more than me and troubled-hair Barbie for entertainment tonight.

  “No sweetie. I’m driving her home.” I turned slightly toward the backseat. “June, exactly what is your address? Mr. Williams said you live on my street.”

  “132 Pine Street. I think.”

  “You think?”

  “We just moved there.” Her expression was all that of a comatose patient. “My dad’s idea, not mine.”

  “Wait, 132? I’m 134 Pine Street. Hey, are you my neighbor?”

  Strange to be asking, but they moved in when Rose and I went to the mountains with Aunt Heidi and Uncle Pete. Two days exactly it took. The only evidence was the inside lights were now on. I only discovered this one Monday night, trying to get the trashcan to the curb for Tuesday service. Oh, and there was a Mercedes that drove in the garage every now and then. The door closes and I’ve yet to see anyone exit it. I assumed they’re quiet people, wanting to stay to themselves.