rubbed his chin, still watching her. “And you really think you can make a difference?”
Carlie leaned back in her chair, forgetting her embarrassment, forgetting last night. The gall of the man, to question her like this! With her hands in fists, she replied, “I’ll certainly do my best to. At least I’m trying to do something to help.”
Jason looked at Carlie, then Tyler. A smile appeared. “I, ah, suppose I should tell you something, Carlie. I won’t be able to help you, after all. Some things came up at the office.” His grin widened, and he shrugged. “I talked to Tyler this morning, and he agreed to do the project with you, instead.”
Carlie closed her eyes for a heartbeat, praying she hadn’t heard that. But when she opened her eyes, Tyler was still watching her, his smile now smug.
She cleared her throat and shoved her glasses needlessly up the bridge of her nose. “I don’t know, Jason.” What excuse could she use after practically challenging the man to help? “Maybe that wouldn’t be a good idea.”
It was Tyler who answered her. “Why not?”
Floundering, she racked her brain, but couldn’t come up with a valid reason. “You understand, it will be three or four nights a week? And we need someone who will set a good example for the kids. Someone patient.”
Tyler raised his eyebrow, looking affronted. “I’d be a good example. Hell, I’m a lawyer, same as Jason. I’ve been to college. I’m articulate.”
“You’re even housebroken,” Brenda added, seeming to enjoy the situation.
He nodded. “Damn right.” Then to Carlie, “You see? I’ll be perfect for the job.”
“But…” The truth was, she simply didn’t want to work with Tyler. Not now, not after last night. “I don’t know. Have you ever worked with kids? And remember, these kids can be a little…difficult.”
Jason interrupted. “Tyler should understand them on a gut level, because he was always damned difficult, too.”
Tyler laughed. “So it’s settled. When do we start?”
Carlie stood with as much aplomb as she could muster. Tyler’s eyes drifted over her body, almost out of habit, it seemed, but there was no sign of recognition in his expression. It rankled, even while she prayed he wouldn’t make the connection. She tugged at the bottom of her tailored suit coat, smoothing it over her slacks. Then she used a tactic that had worked with many rebellious students. She deliberately looked down her nose at him. “I’ll have to let you know.”
Tyler merely nodded. “You do that.”
Brenda rushed forward to give Carlie a hug. “Give me a call later. Promise?”
“Of course. And thanks for the company, Bren. See ya’ later, Jason.” She ignored Tyler, not feeling the least bit guilty about it, and exited the room, her back stiff, her tight braid pulling at her temples. She wasn’t entirely out of the house when she heard Tyler say, “That has to be the prickliest woman I’ve ever met. I got the distinct impression she didn’t like me. Can you imagine?”
Jason’s laugh was sharp. “Unheard of, isn’t it?”
There was a shrug in his tone when Tyler replied, “There’s just no figuring some women.”
Carlie allowed the door to slam just a bit too hard behind her.
IT WAS A VERY NEAT, utilitarian office. Carlie was surprised at how functional each piece of furniture was, with only a modicum of necessary decorations. The walls were beige, the carpet a swirling mixture of blues and creams. The sofa and two chairs were upholstered in a rough nubby fabric of a deep blue, and the wooden end tables were light oak. It was a comfortable room, without any indication of Tyler’s personal style, which she’d assumed to be rather flamboyant.
The office door opened and Tyler stepped out, accompanied by the secretary who had first greeted Carlie. His smile was warm, a natural smile that Carlie knew he bestowed on almost every female he encountered. Beyond him, she could see into his office, and noticed his desk strewn with papers and files. Suddenly, she realized how disruptive, and presumptuous, her visit was, but she also knew if she hadn’t come today, she wouldn’t have come at all. Brenda had told her he’d been asking about the harem girl from the party. He wanted to know who she was.
Carlie hoped he would eventually give up and forget about that night…but then, she also knew how badly it would hurt her if he was able to do just that.
Lately, she felt awfully confused.
“I’m sorry I kept you waiting, Carlie. I didn’t realize it was you. I’m not familiar with the name McDaniels.”
Of course, he wouldn’t be. Carlie took his hand. Very briefly. “I hope I’m not interrupting. I can see you’re busy. I just wanted to stop by and tell you I’d like to accept your offer of assistance for our new sports program.” She was rushing through her words, but she couldn’t seem to stop herself. She’d spent three days stewing over what to do, and finally decided that her personal embarrassment had to take a back seat to the kids’ problems. She was the only one who knew she had reason to be embarrassed, and since no one else had agreed to help, Tyler was her only option.
“We hope to start next week, so I wanted to drop off the material I’ve put together. You might want to look it over before meeting the children.”
Tyler accepted the papers she thrust toward him, then motioned her into his office. “Come on in and have a seat.”
“I don’t want to take up too much of your time.” And she wanted to get away from him as quickly as possible.
He lifted one shoulder in an exaggerated shrug. “I needed a break, anyway.”
Carlie followed him into his office and sat on the edge of a straight-back, narrow leather chair. Tyler went behind his desk, seating himself with all the officious attitude of any good lawyer.
After skimming through the papers she’d given him, he looked at her again. “You’re very thorough.”
She blushed and she hated herself for it. “It’s just a basic overview of the children who will begin in the program. I thought it would help if you knew what kind of problem each child was having and what their backgrounds were like. The idea is that any child who collects more than three after-school detentions or in-school suspensions will have the choice of joining the team or having their misconduct shown in their grades. Of course, if they choose to join the team, they’ll have to contribute wholeheartedly and follow instructions to the letter. In other words, they’ll have to work together and get along. They’ll have to accept that rules have a purpose, and everyone has to follow them. The program had been used in several schools. So far, it’s been very promising.”
Tyler nodded, then gave her another of his intent, probing stares. “How many children will we be starting with?”
Carlie cleared her throat and looked away. She let her eyes roam around his office while she spoke, pretending an interest in his bookshelves, but really trying to avoid his stare. “The list I’ve given you has nine kids. Of course, that number can change daily. And the children will be released from their obligation whenever they show an improved attitude toward school. But no child will ever be forced to quit
