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“Not until you ask politely,” Gray reprimanded, and it was clear that it embarrassed him to have to discipline his daughter in front of a third person. Being caught in the middle of it embarrassed Eve, too, but she admired him for not letting Tinker get away with being disrespectful.
“Oh, Daddy,” she said mutinously, but she turned to face them, and once more asked—politely this time—to be excused.
Gray looked relieved. “Yes, you may,” he answered crisply. Tinker turned around and headed for the back of the house.
When they heard a door slam shut, Gray sighed and dropped down on the couch beside Eve. “I don’t know what to say, how to apologize for my daughter’s behavior.” He sounded more concerned than humiliated. “I know you’ll find it hard to believe, but she’s usually too meek rather than too aggressive.”
Eve wished she could touch him in a reassuring gesture, but knew that would be a big mistake. There was too much magnetism between them. Neither of them had admitted it, but it had been building since their chance encounter in the hallway of her school the previous afternoon.
That sort of thing had never happened to her before. The attraction she’d felt for men had usually taken time to build, and had never really gone anywhere. Except with Damian, and she wasn’t going to think about him....
“I’m not a bit surprised or offended by Tinker’s bethavior, Gray,” she told him. “The poor child is terrified.”
He looked at her and blinked. “What do you mean, ‘terrified’?”
“She’s afraid of trying something new and failing again,” Eve said gently. “Apparently her mother isn’t very supportive of the idea of having her tutored, and let Tinker know it. Then you sprang me on her—”
“I admit that was a mistake. I should have listened to you. You warned me—”
“But you couldn’t have known your ex-wife would be so...so...” How could she put it without criticizing?
“I think insensitive is the word you’re looking for,” he said harshly. “But I should have known. I lived with her for eight years...” His voice trailed off.
Eve wondered what he meant by that, but she wasn’t going to prolong this conversation. She took a sip of her now-cold coffee, then put the cup down and stood.
“I’m truly sorry this happened,” she said. “It will make the process of having Tinker tutored much more difficult. But I urge you to keep trying to find someone she likes and trusts. Have you tried counseling? That might help.”
Gray stood also. He didn’t answer her question, but posed one of his own. “Eve, are you sure you can’t work with her? I’ll have her counseled if that’s what you suggest. You and the counselor could work together, but I have a gut feeling that you can handle my daughter better than anyone else.”
Eve shook her head sadly. “You don’t even know me, Gray, and I don’t know Tinker. I’m sure, though, that any help I could have given her has been spoiled by her mother’s interference. Both Tinker and your ex-wife would resent me if I tried, and it would only harm Tinker further.”
Eve picked up her purse and headed for the door. “May I have my coat, please.”
“Are you sure there’s nothing I can say to change your mind?” He was surprised to hear himself ask the question as he followed her to the closet by the door and took out her coat. The object wasn’t to change her mind, dammit, it was to agree with her that the situation was hopeless.
She shook her head. “No, but I really am sorry.”
She shrugged into the coat Gray was holding for her, then turned to face him. “It’s been nice meeting you, Gray,” she said, and stuck out her hand. “Tinker too. I wish you the very best of luck with a different tutor.”
Gray took her hand and cradled it in both of his. His were warm and strong, and there was a tingle of electricity that flowed from them into hers. He felt it, too. She could see it in his eyes. The blue of his pupils darkened and softened.
“You haven’t seen the last of me, Ms. Evangeline Costopoulos,” he murmured as he squeezed her hand and released it.
She turned and, not even sure why, she fled.
Chapter Three
The weekend came and went, and Monday morning was sunny and bright But the nape of Eve’s neck tingled, so she wasn’t surprised when storm clouds began gathering by noon. Ever since she was a little girl, she’d been forecasting the weather by paying attention to a tightening at her nape. But she no longer bothered to mention it. Nobody believed her.
By the time she was ready to dismiss her class, the skies had opened up and were pouring rain onto the roof, which in turn dripped water through the ceiling and noisily into buckets strategically placed by teachers and students in hope of keeping themselves and their school supplies dry.
It was maddening, and Eve clenched her jaws in frustration. The fund that had been started for a new roof was increasing, but much too slowly. If only there was something she could do! Eve thought. But on her salary she could only make token contributions. If she’d accepted the summer job Gray Flint had offered her, he would have donated money to the roofing fund....
Tinker. Eve tried not to think about the child, because that led to thoughts of Gray, and she didn’t want to reflect on him. She’d been right when she refused to go ahead and tutor Tinker in spite of the child’s objections. A student had to be willing in order to learn.
Eve was just getting ready to dismiss the children when Jessica, the school secretary, came into the room, positively glowing with excitement.
“Eve, you have a phone call,” she said. “It’s Gray Flint. He says he has to speak to you, that it’s urgent. You never told me you knew him!”
Jess was the consummate hero-worshiper, and anyone in the public eye was hero material for her. Eve couldn’t help grinning, even as her own stomach filled with fluttering butterflies and tickles rippled up and down her spine. Gray projected her into orbit, too, but it wasn’t hero worship. It was a much more perilous attraction than that.
“Thank you, Jess,” she said without satisfying the other woman’s curiosity. “Will you keep an eye on the kids? I won’t be but a minute.”
Without waiting for an answer, she left the room and headed for the office. Why was Gray calling her? After all, they’d agreed that she couldn’t tutor Tinker. Last time they saw each other, he’d sort of indicated he might be in touch with her again, but that was four days ago. Besides, she hadn’t actually believed he meant it.
She walked into the outer office and picked up the telephone. “Gray, this is Eve Costopoulos.”
“Eve,” he said, and sounded relieved. “I’m sorry to bother you at school, but I neglected to get your home phone number.”
“That’s okay,” she replied. “Is something wrong?”
“No. Actually something’s very right. Tinker has agreed to be tutored, and she wants you to do it.”
“Oh?” Eve said skeptically. That sounded somewhat suspicious given the way the youngster had objected when first approached about it. “Are you sure you didn’t coerce her into it—?”
“I swear, I didn’t put any pressure on her,” he interrupted. “Bambi and I just explained to her why it was so important that she have help in catching up with the rest of her classmates.”
Eve’s stomach muscles knotted. “You and Bambi?” Her tone betrayed her uncertainty. “And how did you get her approval?”
He chuckled. “I don’t blame you for being skeptical. I admit Bambi’s pretty scatterbrained, but she does want what’s best for her daughter. Once I went over the situation with her, she understood why it was necessary—and helped me convince Tinker.”
“Well, I think that’s great,” she assured him. “I know several teachers who are looking for summer employment. If you like, I can give you their names—”
“No. Wait,” he interrupted. “Didn’t you hear me? Tinker wants you to tutor her. I didn’t even mention you. It was her own request. She asked for you.”
Eve felt her eyes widen. “Really?”
“Really,” Gray assured her. “Look, we don’t have time to discuss this now—I know you have to get back to your students. I’m calling to ask if you’ll have dinner with me tonight. We can work out the details then. I have a baby-sitter I can call.”
Common sense told Eve that she should say no to a social engagement disguised as a business meeting, but then, when had she let common sense stand in the way of something she wanted to do as much as she wanted to go to dinner with Gray? After all, she wasn’t his daughter’s teacher—yet.
“I’d like that,” she admitted. “I usually get home by three-thirty.”
“Good,” he said, and he really sounded pleased. “Okay if I pick you up around six-thirty?”
“Fine,” she agreed. “If you have a piece of paper and a pencil handy, I’ll give you my address and phone number.”
Eve was bathed, dressed and ready to go early, so she used the extra time to straighten up her already immaculate apartment. It consisted of a living room, kitchen/dining area, bedroom and bath in one of the city’s newer apartment complexes. This one had been built by her dad’s construction company.
She heard the doorbell ring, and a wave of warmth swept over her. That would be Gray! She hurried to the door, and a glance through the peephole revealed him standing on the other side. Quickly she unlatched the locks and opened the door.
For a moment they just stood there looking at each other. Gray was wearing a dark blue suit, and looked suave as always. She was glad she’d selected her above-the-knee burnt-orange long-sleeve chemise—very plain but elegant. With the addition of a glowing amber necklace and earrings, she could go anywhere and be appropriately dressed.
She finally broke the spell. “Please, come in Gray.”
There was no foyer; the door opened right into the living room. She stepped back to let him enter. As he walked past, she caught a faint whiff of his expensive shaving lotion. It was heady stuff: understated, but enticing.
She closed the door, and Gray’s gaze roamed over her. “You look lovely,” he said huskily.
“Thank you,” she replied, at a loss for words to express how much his admiration meant to her. “How...how much time do we have? Can we sit down and talk for a while or...”
He shook his head. “I’m afraid not. I made reservations for seven, and the restaurant is clear across town.”
“Oh, then I’ll get my purse,” she said.
Outside, he led her to a bright red Jaguar and helped her in.
“What a beautiful car!” she exclaimed. “It looks new.”
He beamed as he climbed in behind the steering wheel. “It is. It’s my one extravagance.”
“What a joy it must be to drive,” she said. “My poor old buggy is ten years old and badly in need of a paint job—but I’m not complaining, it runs well.”
He glanced at her as he started the engine and pulled away from the curb. “You’re going to have to convince me that you’ve been driving for ten years. You don’t look old enough.”
She smiled. Even when using a cliché, he sounded sincere. “Ten years ago, I wasn’t even old enough to get my learner’s permit. Dad and Mom gave me the car secondhand when I graduated from City College. I had enrolled at the University at Brookings to get my BA, and needed something to get around in.”
She thought she saw him wince. “I feel like I’m robbing the cradle. I’m thirty-six,” he admitted.
She couldn’t help but laugh. “Lighten up, grandpa,” she teased. “It’s not as if you were taking me out to propose marriage. This is just a business dinner, remember?”
“I’ll try my best not to forget,” he muttered so low that she wasn’t sure she’d heard right.
The restaurant Gray had chosen was the newest and the nicest one in town. The walls were paneled in wood, the lights were dim, and the diners were seated in secluded booths with shimmering votive candles in stained glass holders on the tables.
“Oh, it’s lovely,” Eve breathed as the hostess seated them and handed them each a large menu.
“You haven’t been here before?” Gray asked.
“No, I haven’t,” she admitted. “I’m afraid it’s out of my price range, but I read the food critic’s review when it opened.”
“The menu is pretty much all American, but their chef is a master at cooking it.” He opened his menu. “They’re already known for their prime rib, and with good reason. I highly recommend it, but don’t hesitate to order anything that appeals to you.”
The cocktail waitress came, and Eve asked for white wine; Gray ordered Scotch on the rocks. When the woman had gone, he closed his menu and laid it aside. “So, are you glad there’s only one more week of school?”
She looked over the top of her menu. “I’m positively ecstatic,” she said with a sigh.
Before Gray could answer the cocktail waitress returned with their drinks, and almost immediately after that their server came to take their order. Eve followed Gray’s lead and asked for the prime rib, but the petite cut.
When they’d settled on the choice of side dishes and soups, the server left, and Eve took a sip of her wine. It was good, and she sighed and leaned back against the thick brown leather upholstery of the booth. “Now, what was it you wanted to talk to me about? You did say Tinker has agreed to be tutored, didn’t you?”
He grinned. “Yes, I did, and I don’t think Bambi will give me any more trouble about it. She’s not malicious. I’ve also talked with Tinker, explained just what would be expected of her by a tutor and how much easier school will be for her once she’s caught up with the rest of her class. I let her make the decision, and she decided she wants to do it after all.”
Eve breathed a sigh of relief. She was glad Tinker was no longer afraid of her. Whether deliberately or not, Bambi had frightened the child with a variation on the “wicked witch” theme.
Eve was beginning to wonder about this woman. What kind of mother would frighten her own daughter into not wanting to go to school?
Eve knew the answer. It was the same type who frightened her children into behaving by threatening them with the police. Eve had met parents like her before, but she hadn’t expected to find one in a family like the Flints.
She was so absorbed in her thoughts that she jumped when Gray spoke again. “Eve? What’s the matter? You haven’t ruled out tutoring Tinker altogether, have you? I’m sorry she made such a bad impression when you met her but—”
“She didn’t make a bad impression,” Eve hurried to assure Gray. “I liked her, and I agree she needs help. I even think I can provide that help if you still want me to, but I sort of got the idea when I came to your house the other day that you weren’t quite as eager for me to take on the job as you had been the day before.”
They were sitting across the table from each other, and Gray shifted nervously. If the light hadn’t been so dim, she would have thought his face flushed, but that was unlikely. Men his age didn’t blush.
“I’m going to be truthful with you, Eve,” he said quietly. “You’re right, I was having second thoughts. But not for any reason you might think.”
She felt the glow that had permeated her since his call this afternoon flicker and die. If he no longer wanted her to instruct his child, then why had he phoned and indicated he did? Was he prepared to hire her only because Tinker had asked for her? That thought was a real letdown. Not only was it upsetting to her, but it was also impossible. She had to have the enthusiastic approval of all three members of the family; otherwise, it would just confuse the child.
To say nothing of what it was doing to her!
She felt Gray’s hand cover hers where it lay on the table, and his voice was husky when he spoke. “Please, don’t misunderstand. Just hear me out.”
She was too stunned to speak, but he continued. “I don’t know how to say this without taking the risk that you’ll think I’m crossing the line between parent and teacher.”
She blinked with surprise, but he didn’t give her a chance to say anything. “I’m attracted to you, Eve. When I walked into your school last week, it was with the intention of offering an anonymous Ms. Evangeline Costopolous a summer job tutoring my young daughter. But I wasn’t prepared for the fascination, the...the pull I felt as I talked to you. When I walked out, I knew I was hooked. And I wasn’t happy about it.”
Then he’d felt it, too! The excitement between them wasn’t just on her side.
Eve opened her mouth, but still no words came out. He removed his hand from hers and gestured with it. “As you know, I’ve been married and have a daughter. It was never a happy marriage, and it got worse as it went along. The only thing we had going for us was infatuation, and when that wore off there was nothing else to bond us. If it hadn’t been for Tinker, we could each have gone our separate ways once we divorced, but our daughter is the glue that binds us now. Now I’m trying to deal with a divorce and child custody. The whole thing has been something of a nightmare, and I learned my lesson. I’m not looking to get seriously involved with a woman again.”
Now Eve was totally confused. “I’m flattered,” she said, and felt the radiance returning. “But what does all this have to do with whether or not I tutor Tinker?”
He leaned forward. “Not a thing. Just put it out of your mind. For a while I thought it might not be a good idea to work closely with you, knowing there was this attraction for you on my part. But that’s absurd. After all, you’re a beautiful and charming woman. You no doubt have a lot of admirers.”
Eve didn’t know how to reply to that. Did he want her to be his daughter’s tutor—or his lover? Both? Or neither? Heaven knows, she was attracted to him, too. And she wasn’t any more eager to get involved with him than he was with her. Whatever he had in mind, he was making it clear that it wasn’t wedding bells. And she wouldn’t accept anything less from any man.
She almost chortled. What was the matter with her? They hadn’t even known each other a week yet, and already she was thinking about a proposal of marriage!
She was saved from having to respond to him by their server, who brought the soup course. By silent but mutual consent, they dropped the subject. They chatted about other things: the food, the weather. Finally she was able to bring the conversation around to his personal history.
“Are you a local boy, Gray?” she asked. “Do your parents live here?”
He sipped the delicious beef-and-barley soup they’d both ordered. “Well, yes and no. I was born and raised here until I left to go to the University of California at Berkeley. After I got my degree, I worked out there for several years, until Dad had a massive heart attack and nearly died.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” Eve said, thinking of her own beloved father. “Did he—that is, is he all right?”
Gray smiled appreciatively. “Yes, but he had to retire as vice-president of the bank, and he can no longer survive the severe winters here, so he and Mom moved to the Rio Grande Valley in southern Texas. There, all he has to do is sit in his orange grove and pick the fruit off his trees.”
Again they were interrupted, this time by the busboy who cleared the empty soup bowls from their table. He was followed shortly by the server with their salads, and by the time they got to the entrée they were more relaxed and at ease with one another—enough so that they were finally able to discuss the subject that had brought them together.
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