Page 41 (2/2)

“John had heard fro with you He wanted me to know that the school administration, the school board and the parents of ement”

Grant’s head whipped around to face her “Did he threaten your job?”

Zoe sighed “Not in so many words And I don’t kno far he would have pushed it either, because I told hi for a place of my own”

“What else?” He knew her so well Someone else would have assumed that had been the end of the discussion, but Grant could read her too well

“He’s as concerned about the rumor as the reality He wants ossip,” she said

“Like hell” The words exploded in the truck cab like a Christmas firecracker “What did you say?” There was that vulnerability again

She put her hand on his thigh, reveling in the hard muscle and the sense of intimacy of the action “I told hiossips in Sunshine Springs”

“Did he accept that?”

She started to draw little shapes with her finger on Grant’s leg “He wasn’t thrilled, but he had no choice”

Grant’s breathing quickened He put his hand over Zoe’s to still it “I’ to drive us into a ditch if you keep that up” He squeezed her hand and went silent for about half a minute “Maybe we should consider what John said I don’t like the idea of you being the brunt of gossip in town”

Frustration poured through Zoe She hadn’t stood up to her principal for Grant to go chicken-hearted on her “Make up your darnyou were so appalled by what happened in the kitchen that you wanted to curtail our friendship Then you apparently chucked your whole rule about kissingtoo close out the ”