quarter after six, she pulled into the school’s parking lot and rushed into the building again.
She didn’t want Mr. Mcfarlane to know it was her classroom he was using, since she didn’t want to put any undue pressure on him. Her plan was to wait in the hall until he showed up. At that point she’d prevail on him to let her be part of his group. If he agreed, she’d tell him how she’d found out about the night class.
A few people had entered the building ahead of her. Heidi walked past the main office to the west wing but slowed down when she saw that her door was already open.
She checked her watch. The man was forty minutes early for his class. If he’d come ahead of time to prepare, he might not like being disturbed.
After a slight hesitation, she peered around the edge of the door. Her eyes widened in surprise as she saw a rugged-looking man in his midthirties writing something on the board. He had to be six foot two or three, with wavy dark-brown hair cut fairly short. The navy business suit, toned with a royal blue shirt, couldn’t disguise his hard-muscled physique.
Heidi found herself staring at him in fascination.
He couldn’t possibly be the retired investigator Carol had raved about.
Her spirits fell. An older man might be more malleable. Heidi didn’t know what to think about this stranger.
Maybe Mr. Mcfarlane couldn’t come tonight and had sent a substitute. In that case, it was possible his replacement wouldn’t let Heidi sit in on the class. Then again, he could simply be an assistant and Mr. Mcfarlane would arrive shortly. All she had to do was go in the room and her questions would be answered.
After another minute of watching him, she realized how embarrassing it would be if he happened to glance in the direction of the door and saw her eyeing him with such frank pleasure.
Gathering her courage, she walked in. When he looked over, she momentarily held her breath. Between thick dark lashes glowed a pair of brilliant blue eyes the same hue as his shirt. They swept over her in guarded male admiration.
“Hello,” they said simultaneously.
He smiled and put down the chalk. “Hi. I’m Detective Gideon Poletti.”
“I’m Heidi Ellis.”
His narrowed gaze wandered over her hair and face. It set her pulse racing. “Your name’s not on the list.”
“No. I came early to see if I could join the class,” she said, hating that she sounded out of breath. “I guess I’ll have to wait to speak to Mr. Mcfarlane.”
“He had surgery this morning and won’t be able to teach for at least a month.”
“Oh, no!” She bit her lip to prevent the tears that threatened the moment he’d said Mr. Mcfarlane wouldn’t be coming. She’d been counting on this opportunity to try to help Dana, long shot though it was. These days her emotions hovered near the surface. There was little she could do to hide them.
The detective eyed her with concern. “I can understand your disappointment. Daniel’s a legend in this part of the state. Unfortunately he needed to find a substitute and asked me to do the honors. I could never hope to fill his shoes, but you’re welcome to join the class.”
“Thank you,” she whispered. “Thank you very much. Please don’t think my reaction had anything to do with you personally. It’s just that I was hoping he’d let me in. And then when I realized someone else had come, I wasn’t sure, and—”
“You don’t have to worry,” he assured her before she could finish. “Welcome to the class.”
Grateful for his willingness to add her to the group, she shook the hand he extended. Hers became enveloped in a strong grip. Warmth spread through her body before he released it. She wondered if he’d experienced the same tingling sensation.
When he let her go, he said, “Take any seat in the semicircle. It looks like the teacher who’s here during the day went to the trouble of setting things up for this class. I’ll have to find a way to thank whoever it was.”
“You already have,” came her tremulous reply.
He blinked as realization dawned. “This is your room?”
“Guilty as charged. That’s how I learned about the criminology class. Mr. Mcfarlane left something written on the board Wednesday night.”
His lips twitched in amusement. “What did it say?”
“‘Rule 1. Never assume anything.’”
“That sounds like Dan.”
“You know him well?”
“He was my boss until his retirement last year.”
She couldn’t tear her eyes away from the intensity of his. “If he chose you to replace him, then it means this class is very fortunate.”
I’m very fortunate, she thought. Maybe you’ll be able to help me.
“I don’t follow.”
“Considering his reputation, I’m sure Mr. Mcfarlane wouldn’t have asked you to take over for him unless he thought you were the best.”
“That would be nice if it were true.”
The man’s charm was already working on her.
“Thanks again for allowing me to participate. I’ll pay at the community-ed office after class.”
“That’s fine.” He moved to her desk and handed her the attendance sheet. She noticed he didn’t wear a wedding ring. “Why don’t you add your name. Be sure to put a home phone number next to it, in case I need to get in touch with you. I’m not anticipating any emergencies, but you never know.”
Heidi took it from him. There were phone numbers written by the names of the other class members. It was ridiculous, but for just a moment she’d hoped he’d wanted hers for personal reasons.
GIDEON TURNED AND FINISHED writing information on the board. It was important he keep himself occupied until the rest of the class arrived. Otherwise he might be tempted to stare at the schoolteacher sitting only a few feet away.
There was only one word to describe her. Knockout. The woman was a knockout.
Short and curvy, she had gleaming red-gold hair to her shoulders and blue eyes that lightened or darkened depending on her emotions. He imagined that every boy lucky enough to be in her class had a terrible crush on her.
She was like the most scintillating ornament on the Christmas tree, the one that drew your gaze again and again.
They’d spoken only a few words, yet he already felt the impact of her personality and was excited by it. How many years had it been since he’d sensed a real connection to a woman on first meeting?
Her room was as exciting as she was. He liked the idea that this was her world. It told him a lot about her. Artifacts and posters from every continent had been mounted on the walls with a decorator’s
