Snowbound - Harlequin.com

JANICE KAY JOHNSON
47
He thought he could come up with a few pairs of
quilted pants and more parkas and gloves. “The lost and
found is full of gloves. And hats.”
No surprise; those were the small items easy to
misplace. She could lose a glove at home or in her car.
When she was done eating, she insisted on carrying
her own dirty dishes to the sink and then he showed her
the laundry room. “I’ll get a load running,” she said with
a nod. “And I’ll organize the kids to wash dishes. You
shouldn’t have to wait on us.”
He opened his mouth and closed it.
“What?”
He shook his head. “Just…you don’t look like a
schoolmarm. But you have it down pat.”
“I’ve been teaching for five years now.”
“You don’t look old enough.”
Two personal observations in a row. Were either
compliments?
“I’m twenty-seven.”
“So you started teaching right out of college.”
Fiona nodded. “I’ve been working on my master’s
degree at Portland State for several years. Summer
quarter and sometimes an evening class.”
“Better salary?”
She sighed. “Of course. But also, I’m learning. I
used to think I wouldn’t be interested in administration,
but maybe someday.”
This was when the conversation was supposed to
become reciprocal. Yeah, I thought about minoring in
education but…
Even though he didn’t say anything in response, he