Jamie hiked a hip on the railing. “No, Gracie likes it here. She’s coming out of her shyness more and more. Amanda has a business in Wichita Falls that she’s not going to leave. You have one in Dallas. You do the math.”
“I’m not leaving,” Amanda said. “I’ve got time and I don’t want to be cooped up in an apartment. I like this fresh air and sunshine, and I’m staying right here until I have to leave.”
Kate glanced at Jamie.
Jamie pushed away from the railing. “Like I said, it is amazing how much Gracie has come out of her shell this past week. I want her to have the rest of the summer here.”
“So we’ll all have to agree to disagree about who’s going to wind up with this property,” Kate said.
Tonight was definitely not the time to bring out those letters. Everyone needed to have a level head when they found out what was in that will. Hopefully, in the next few days, something would be decided about Darcy’s involvement.
And maybe the argument is an omen that it’s not the right time, that niggling little voice in her head said.
I don’t believe in omens or fate. Choices that we make determine our future, not fate or karma, she argued.
Amanda almost snorted. “Miss Fancy Pants With Money speaks and we’re supposed to bow down and worship her wisdom.”
The smart-ass statement brought Kate back to reality. “Don’t take it out on me because you are angry at Conrad.”
“Besides, that’s downright mean,” Jamie said.
“So now the two smart wives are going to gang up against the one that barely made it through high school,” Amanda smarted off.
“And now you are getting malicious.” Jamie’s tone said her claws were about to come out. “I’m not looking down on anyone.” She glanced toward Kate. “Or up to anyone, either.”
“Yeah, right,” Amanda said.
“Mama Rita says that familiarity breeds contempt. I’ll take care of part of that tomorrow. Gracie and I will be gone all day. Victor offered me a job at the school just for the summer. The secretary quit without notice, so Gracie and I will be spending our days there.”
“Well, thank you, Jesus.” Amanda raised both arms toward heaven.
Kate looked from one to the other. Jamie was right. They did need some time apart, and there was no way she was staying in the cabin with Amanda every day. That hay truck job was looking better and better.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Jamie inhaled the familiar scent of what could only be described as school when Victor took her inside Bootleg Elementary that morning—pure vitamins to her heart and soul. He led her down the hallway to the office and pointed at the desk. “Basically, you will answer the phone all morning. Office closes at noon during July and August, and the principal will drop by later today to visit with you. There’s a stack of filing over there, if you don’t mind doing it. The secretary that quit left the files in a mess.”
“So you haven’t hired a secretary yet, either?” Jamie asked.
“Haven’t had a single bite on the job. Got someone in mind?”
Jamie immediately thought of Amanda but shook her head. She damn sure didn’t want to work with that woman after the argument from last night.
“Don’t y’all keep all this on the computer?” she asked.
“We do, but these files are a nightmare. She’s put stuff in them that hasn’t been entered, and they need to be organized and then checked with what has already been put in the computer. You want to tackle it?” Victor asked.
Jamie didn’t even flinch when she looked at the stack of paperwork. “I don’t like to be bored, so yes, sir.”
Gracie tugged on her arm. “I can help, Mama.”
“Yes, you can.” Jamie smiled. “You’ll be a big help.”
Victor winked broadly. “Man, this is the school’s lucky day. We’re getting two secretaries for the price of one.” He lowered his voice to a whisper. “Hattie says if Gracie gets bored to call and she’ll be glad to keep her for you at no charge.”
“Thank you,” Jamie said.
“And now I will leave you to it.” Victor waved as he left the room.
First things first—Jamie found the teachers’ lounge across a small hallway and made a fresh pot of coffee. The cabinets were empty except for one lonesome little package of cheese crackers, and she earmarked those for Gracie’s midmorning snack. When the coffee was ready, she chose the biggest mug in the dish drainer and filled it. She made a mental note to bring her own tomorrow and to pick up a package of crackers or cookies on the way to work.
“Hey, Mama, look at that.” Gracie pointed toward a television and a basket of DVDs. “I see Little Mermaid and The Chipmunks and . . .” She went on to name a dozen of her favorite children’s movies and then turned around and crossed her arms over her chest. “And why were you and Amanda and Kate fightin’ last night?”
“That was big-people stuff,” Jamie answered.
“Well, I don’t like it,” Gracie said. “I like Kate and I like Amanda and I love you and big people aren’t supposed to act like that.”
“I will remember that.” Jamie bit back a giggle. “So what’s it going to be? Movie? Barbies? Or looking at books?”
“Little Mermaid first,” Gracie said.
Jamie got the movie started, left the door open so she could hear and see Gracie, and went to work. She opened the first of twelve file drawers and shook her head. Lord love a duck! How did these poor people find anything in that mess? Before she could start on the stack of to-be-filed papers, she needed to straighten up what was already filed. Starting at the back of the first drawer, she removed the dark-green folder and carried it to the desk.
After she’d organized the whole thing by date, she couldn’t decide whether to file to the front or the back. She dug her cell phone from her purse and called her grandmother, who did volunteer work at the health clinic. “Mama Rita, I’ve got a summer job and I need help.” She went on to tell her everything.
“Put the newest forms to the front. That way they’ll be able to open the file and see exactly what happened recently. And I’m glad you are working at something where Gracie can go with you, but don’t get too comfortable up there,” Mama Rita said.
“They do have an opening for a third-grade teacher,” Jamie said.
“Promise you will think before you jump,” Mama Rita said. “You tend to let your heart rule your mind.”
“I promise,” Jamie said.
She slipped the paperwork back into the folder, now all neat and organized so that the newest documents were on top. At midmorning she was on her third cup of coffee and was chewing up the last of her half of the orange crackers when a middle-aged woman entered the office.
She swallowed quickly and covered her mouth with her hand. “May I help you?”
“I’m Paula Greeley, the principal here at Bootleg Elementary.” She stuck out her hand.