Snowbound - Harlequin.com

JANICE KAY JOHNSON 263
“Talk to them,” Fiona advised. “If they have problems
with your decision, I’d be glad to speak to them.”
“Okay.” Erin took a deep breath and stood, her poise
restored. “Thank you. I needed someone to tell me I’m
not making a really horrible decision.”
Fiona laughed. “You’re not. Come back tomorrow
and tell me what they said.”
The next day the girl stopped by Fiona’s desk on the
way into class. Her smile was shy but happy. “Mom
said she loved Scripps, too. They don’t seem disappointed
at all!”
“It is in the top tier of liberal arts colleges in the nation.”
“I just thought…Stanford sounds more prestigious.
But I mailed my acceptance to Scripps today. I’m
really excited.”
It was as if all their lives were coming together, Fiona
reflected, paying attention that day as she saw them
coming and going. Willow and Dieter had blossomed
because of their romance, Hopper was his usual happygo-lucky
self, Kelli and Tabitha both seemed to be
working harder this semester with a resulting improvement
in grades, Erin and Troy were prepared for the
exciting step of leaving for college, and even Amy,
another teacher reported, seemed to have a better attitude.
Only mine sucks, Fiona thought, checking her e-mail
before she put away the milk she’d bought on the way
home. And, of course, being once again disappointed.
She had a good life. A satisfying life. But aside from
that, she’d been right to say no to John. She knew she
had. The decision hadn’t been about what she would be
giving up. It had been about what kind of relationship