Charade

Tyler was studying his coffee cup. “It must have been rough for you.”

His quiet words, filled with understanding and sympathy surprised her.

She nodded. “Everything worked out, though. After Brady started catching up, Mr. Briant joined us in our after-school lessons. I think he was lonely, too, and looking for some direction. He wanted to learn how to help his son study, so for a few weeks I helped him do that. Now they’re on their own, and Brady Briant is earning A’s.”

Tyler stared at her, and Carlie could feel him looking beneath her calm control, trying to read her thoughts. “You’re very dedicated,” he said quietly.

“You have to be dedicated, to any job, if you want to do it well.” Then she smiled, curious over Tyler’s distracted expression. “That’s no reason to be so solemn, though.”

“I was just wondering how dedicated I am to my job, to handling the small load of petty cases that land on my desk each month.”

“And?”

“Oh, I’d say...not very.”

“That can’t be true. Jason says you do a wonderful job.”

“I’m a good lawyer.” It was a statement of fact, with no fringe of lace to pretty it up. Abruptly, he reached across the table and took her hand.

Carlie tried to pull away, but he held her firm. “I’m sorry if I inadvertently insulted you. I only meant that you’re very sure of yourself and you appear to be able to handle any situation. Including irascible fathers.”

It was more difficult than she’d expected, because Tyler wasn’t what she’d expected. At least, not completely. There were too many facets to his personality, and now he seemed genuinely thoughtful, interested in the children and concerned that he might have hurt her feelings. And he’d been very patient while she’d talked to Mr. Briant.

His hand was warm and strong, feeling exactly as she remembered. But her reaction wasn’t dulled by familiarity.

“I’m not invincible, Mr. Ramsey. I simply don’t believe in allowing myself to be trod upon.”

“You’ve done that before, you know. Called me mister when you’re agitated. I think we know each other well enough to dispense with mister and Ms., don’t you?”

She managed to slip her hand free, but only because Tyler allowed it. She needed to regather her defenses; Tyler was a devastating man when he was being the seducer. But as a caring, considerate man, he was downright potent. “I don’t really know you at all, but I think I know your type, and I’m not all that impressed by it. That’s one of the reasons I hesitated to involve you in this program. But I’ll be honest with you...Tyler. There was no one else to take Jason’s place, and—”

He interrupted her long enough to say facetiously, “Stop, Carlie. You’ll swell my ego with all this praise.”

Carlie heaved a disgruntled sigh, and saw Tyler’s eyes go automatically to her breasts as she inhaled. He wouldn’t be able to tell a damned thing, though, other than the fact that she did have them. Her shirt was buttoned to the throat and her suit coat was bulky, concealing any dimensions or shape. Carlie glared at him.

Still not looking at her face, he said, “You’ve made quite a few assumptions about me, haven’t you? Did you ever consider you might be wrong?”

“No. I hadn’t considered that.”

“Well maybe you should.”

When he finally looked up, appearing totally unrepentant, she frowned at him in exasperation. “I think it would be better if you kept your hands to yourself.”

Tyler did a double take. “All I did was hold your hand. I didn’t make an indecent proposal.”

His blunt speech could easily rattle her, but still her tone was brisk and confident. “This is a very small town,” she said. “People love to gossip. I don’t want to give anyone reason to speculate.”

Tyler blinked, completely incredulous, a small, uncertain smile playing about his mouth. Then the smile broke, and he indulged in unrestrained laughter. Carlie immediately felt like a fool. Her remark had been totally asinine. No one would ever assume Tyler Ramsey was romantically involved with her. Secret rendezvous in disguise aside, the idea was too absurd.

Tyler shook his head, still chuckling and watching Carlie with an air of expectation, as if he was waiting for another joke. She knew her face was red, and she hated it. She reached into her purse, blindly searching for her wallet, then threw a couple of bills on the table and stood. She slipped her purse over her shoulder and walked away.

“Carlie! Wait a minute.”

She ignored him.

Tyler cursed as she walked out the door. When Carlie glanced back, he was hurrying after her.

It was a beautiful autumn day outside, with only a hint of chill in the air to suggest that winter was approaching. The sun was a hazy tangerine glow dipping low on the horizon. And beneath it, her sturdy shoes clapping loudly on the pavement, stomped Carlie. She was intent on marching back to the school to retrieve her car.

She heard Tyler jogging after her.

“Leave me alone,” she said succinctly as he reached her side and tried to grasp her arm.

“Be reasonable, Carlie. You can’t walk all the way back to the school.”

“Of course I can. We didn’t go that far.”

“I’d rather drive you.”

“I’d rather walk.”

Growling, Tyler grabbed her arms, despite her resistance, then shook her gently. “Will you stop being so contrary? You were worried about causing speculation? Well, what do you think it will do if I carry you back to my car?”

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“Take one more step and you’ll find out what I dare.”

It was a standoff, and they glared at each other until finally Carlie did an about-face and, without a word to Tyler, stalked over to his car. She stood by the passenger door, impatiently waiting for him to unlock it. But before he opened the door, he caught her shoulders again.

“Carlie, I didn’t mean to...that is... Oh, hell, I’m sorry, all right?”

Carlie faced him, hard as that was to do. She felt thoroughly humiliated and had no problem blaming Tyler for her discomfort. She may have memories to cherish, but Tyler would obviously be appalled to learn the true identity of his mystery woman.

Straightening her shoulders to hide her hurt, she stared at him with cold indifference. “Do a good job with the children. That’s all I ask. Beyond that, you don’t concern me.”

* * *

Tyler nodded stiffly, then walked to his own side of the car. His hands flexed on the wheel twice before he started the engine.

“Doesn’t anything rattle that damned calm reserve of yours?”

Carlie stared out her window. “Is that what your insult was meant to do? Rattle me?”

“Actually, I didn’t mean to insult you at all.”

Carlie snorted. “I’m not an idiot, Tyler. I understand how ridiculous I must have sounded. Certainly no one would ever think... I mean, the idea of me and you...”

“That’s not why I laughed, Carlie.”

She snorted again, and he grinned. “There, you see?” he said. “You just never say or do what I expect. You were sitting back there all prim and proper, your pretty hazel eyes all disapproving, and it just struck me funny. You seem too much of a modern woman to be so prudish.”

Carlie felt mortified. “I’m not prudish,” she mumbled, memories of a few nights ago tumbling about in her mind. Then she told the necessary lie. “Just circumspect.”

They stopped at a red light, and he turned toward her, scrutinizing her. She stubbornly ignored him, only briefly glancing his way. But it was enough to see his smile. She had the vague suspicion that he felt challenged. And an even worse suspicion that if it came to a battle of wills, she’d lose. Hands down.

Tyler certainly had more experience sparring words. A thrill of trepidation ran down her spine, and then her reason for that trepidation was verified.

“Your lips are nice. Full and soft, but not a hint of a smile. And I like your small, stubborn chin.”

He was teasing, she could tell. And she almost grinned at his underhanded tactics. Almost.

“Does it hurt?”

That gained her reluctant attention, and a quizzical frown. “What?”

“Wearing your hair so tight. It gives me a headache just to look at it.”

She should never have looked at him. His dark eyes were shining and his firm lips were tilted in a boyish grin. He appeared totally harmless. But she wasn’t buying it.

“How long is it?” Tyler moved when the traffic light turned green and drove smoothly down the uncrowded street. “Shoulder-length? Longer?”

“I can’t see where my hair could possibly interest you, Tyler. But to end your juvenile tactics to annoy me, I’ll tell you. It reaches my shoulder blades, is a very mousy brownish blond, and I wear it this way because I don’t have time to fuss with fancy hairdos. As long as a person’s hair is clean, what should it matter to anyone else how it’s worn?”

Very softly, but with devastating sincerity, he said, “I don’t think your hair is mousy.”

Her head swiveled so sharply to look at him, she winced.

“I think it’s a nice color, especially with the sun on it. I see shades of red—which suits you—but also blond and dark brown. It’s very nice. You should wear it loose.”

“I don’t know what game you’re playing, but I’m not interested. I’m not a teenager to be flattered by comments on my hair or eyes. I want to do a job here, Tyler. I’m very serious about it, even if you aren’t.”

“You are so damned defensive.”

With reason, she wanted to scream. If he found out.... She sucked in a calming breath and stared at his profile. Her voice was patience personified, and filled with sane reasoning. “I’m not defensive. Just realistic. As you already made clear, there’s very little about me that would ever entice you. I’m not naive. I’m aware of how I look. Why don’t we talk about something important now? Like the students.”

“I was only being honest with you, Carlie.”

She gave him her patented teacher’s look, reserved for students who had pushed her past the line. He shrugged, then returned his attention to the road.

She felt oddly deflated.

As he pulled into the school parking lot a few minutes later, he asked, “Were you at Bren’s Halloween party?”

Coming out of left field like that, the question left her temporarily routed. Then she gathered her wits, opened the door and stepped out. Tyler left the car also, the consummate gentleman, and walked her to her own car, opening her door.

Carlie wasn’t certain if it was just an innocent question, or if he was guessing at the identity of the masked lady again. She hesitated.

“Carlie?”

She saw no way around the lie. “No, I didn’t go. There’s always a lot happening at school this time of year. We had our own class party, you know. For the students, I mean. And we’ve already started practicing for the Thanksgiving play. And then, with the new project I’ve been working on...” Carlie came to a fast stop, appalled at her rambling. She looked into his eyes as she added truthfully, “I don’t go to parties very often.”

“Why not? You don’t have a steady date?”

Carlie rolled her eyes, leaning back on the car. She adjusted her glasses carefully on the bridge of her nose. “I most certainly don’t need a man to take me to a party if I wish to go.”

“Of course not. I was only going to say that I didn’t have a date, either, but I...well, I had a...terrific time. You should have come. I think you would have enjoyed yourself.” He grinned. “I went as a pirate.”

“How appropriate. Did you rape and pillage your way through the party?”

It was a lousy jest, and Tyler made certain she instantly regretted it.

“I wouldn’t do something as reprehensible as rape, Carlie. As for pillaging, I would never steal from my brother. Now, if it was at your house...do you own anything worth stealing?”

She should have known better than to throw that verbal punch, but she hadn’t been able to resist. She didn’t have an answer to his facetious question, so she settled for a look of disdain. Tyler only smiled.

Carlie turned away and climbed into her car. She needed to get away. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so emotionally drained. Or so invigorated.

That personal acknowledgment angered her even more, and she tried to slam her car door. But Tyler got in her way, gripping the window frame and holding the door open.

“You should go out more, Carlie. It might do you some good to socialize, I think.”

“Then you probably shouldn’t think. You might damage something vital, and then what would the female population do?” She smiled with false sweetness, slammed the door and immediately pulled away.

She glanced in her rearview mirror and saw Tyler still standing there, watching after her. Even from a distance, she could see he was smiling. And then Carlie realized she was smiling also. She shook her head, bemused. She couldn’t recall the last time she’d actually had fun with a man. Even arguing with Tyler was somehow fun.

Maybe she had been missing out and didn’t even know it.

* * *

On her drive home, she thought about seeing Tyler again. She was actually anticipating it. He didn’t seem to be at all deterred by the cold shoulder she was giving him. In fact, she believed it amused him. He smiled often enough to give her that impression.

The very last thing she wanted to do was amuse Tyler. She had to maintain an emotional distance; she had to keep herself safe. It certainly wouldn’t be easy, but she’d just have to try harder not to react to his little provocations. The only problem was, Tyler could be very provoking even when he wasn’t trying. All the man had to do was stand there, and women fawned all over him.

But Carlie wouldn’t be like other women. He’d find that out soon enough. She’d see to it.

* * *

Tyler bounced the basketball, feeling impatient. Where was Carlie? He was anxious to see her again, which surprised him to no end. He’d decided he must be a glutton for punishment, because as much as she seemed to look down on him and his life-style, he still enjoyed every minute he spent with her. Even when they were arguing.

The woman had a real flair for putting him in what she considered his place. She was fun.

He heard a sudden squeaking of gym shoes and looked up, a huge grin spreading across his face when he saw her. Carlie was waltzing onto the gym floor, looking as if she wore the comfortable, baggy sweatpants and thigh-length sweatshirt every day. She couldn’t quite stop her nervous hands, however, from tugging on the hem of the shirt, trying to pull it farther over her thighs.

He couldn’t resist teasing her. “Well, Ms. McDaniels! You have very long legs. I hadn’t realized.”

She held his steady gaze and Tyler found himself anticipating what she might say. She never reacted as he expected her to. She never reacted as most other women would.

She was definitely unique.

“There was no need, nor will there ever be a need, for you to notice my legs, Tyler.”

His grin never slipped. He enjoyed baiting her, watching her struggle with her temper. “Is every damned thing you own the same shade of mud? Don’t you have anything blue or yellow?” He smacked his forehead, as if struck by a thought. “Red! You might look...nice, in red.”

Her teeth snapped together in a loud click. “Watch your language. There are children present, and no, I have no desire...”

“None at all?”

“...to wear red! We’re only playing basketball, for goodness’ sake, and I hardly think the occasion warrants dressing up.”

“It doesn’t warrant dressing down, either. Is your body actually in there somewhere?” He leaned back, his gaze ranging slowly over her. “There’s enough extra material there to clothe three women.”

“Not that it’s necessary for me to explain myself to you,” she told him, starting to lose that steady, rock-solid calm, “but I thought I should wear clothes that were loose to allow for freedom of movement. I always wore something similar when I was a child and played basketball. I believe in being comfortable.”

Tyler paused with interest. “You have some experience with the game then?”

“A little.”

He chuckled. Knowing Carlie, and he was getting to know her, despite her efforts to remain aloof, “a little” probably meant she was very proficient at the game. “Excellent. We’ll start by outlining the rules to the children, then we’ll choose sides. I’ll lead one team, you can lead the other.”

Carlie nodded, but put in, “After warm-ups. I don’t want to take a chance on anybody getting hurt.”

“Whatever you say. But you’ll have to lead those. I don’t know any, other than sit-ups and such, and I’m not certain what kids this age are used to.”

Tyler watched Carlie as she rounded up the kids and introduced them to him. As he spoke with each child, taking the time to joke and put them at ease, he caught Carlie staring. He winked at her, and she favored him with a genuine smile.

He wasn’t used to her doing that, and for a second there, it threw him. Then he realized she was merely pleased that he was taking the time to really talk with the children. What had she thought he’d do? Bark at them?

The exercises she’d chosen were simple, but she challenged the children to keep up, to do each individual stretch properly. Throughout it all, Tyler watched her, and he grew increasingly curious.

Her breasts bounced. He’d never really noticed how amply endowed she was until now, but Mother Nature had treated her generously. And from what he could tell, she was totally unaware of it.

Unfortunately, he wasn’t.

After helping a little girl catch the rhythm of the exercise, he wandered between all the children, checking to see if anyone else needed help. But even as he did that, he kept his gaze on Carlie, watching her every move.

When they finally broke up into teams, Carlie taking four girls and the biggest boy, Tyler with four boys, he announced they would play “shirts and skins.” He led the boys in stripping off their shirts, then noticed Carlie staring. She tightened her mouth and blushed bright red when he caught her eye. He was amused, but he also liked the idea of her liking his body. Walking toward her, seeing her back up a step before she could stop herself, Tyler grinned. When he reached her, he slipped a fingertip over her lips, then chucked her chin, all without a single word. She closed her mouth with a snap, stomping to the other side of the hoop. But still, she looked her fill.

Later, after each of the children had taken a few practice shots, Tyler pulled Carlie aside. “They’re well-behaved. Only a few of them are a little rambunctious.” He laughed. “I heard one of the boys daring another to do a few...indiscreet things. They saw me looking and changed their minds.”

“Just remember that when the novelty wears off and they get used to you. They can become a little more than rambunctious.”

There were several occasions to point out misconduct, ranging from offensive language to shoving. Once, Tyler had to break up a skirmish between two of the boys. By the time six o’clock rolled around, Tyler was beat and Carlie looked exhausted.

But still, she took the time to make certain each child was bundled up properly. She helped with tying shoes, answered numerous questions and convinced one little boy that he didn’t really want to hit another, just because the child had sneezed on him.

Then she gave the sneezer a tissue.

“I’m impressed,” Tyler told her, his eyes on her flushed face. “You’re really good with kids. You never once lost your temper.”

She shrugged off his compliment. “I enjoy them. They’re fun, and honest to a fault.”

Tyler felt a tug on his hand, and looked down at a little girl named Lucy. She was smiling at him, showing him the stuck zipper on her coat. He helped her get her coat closed, then tweaked her nose. As he started to stand, she threw her skinny arms around his neck and squeezed him tight. “Thank you, Mr. Ramsey. I had fun.”

Surprised, he looked toward Carlie, then ruffled the girl’s tangled hair. “I did too, Lucy.” She giggled, and Tyler grinned at her. “You’ll be here Monday?”

“Yes, sir.” She skipped away, leaving Tyler to stare after her.

“Whatever could that little girl have done to deserve detention? She’s a doll.”

Carlie waved goodbye to the last little boy, watching as he climbed into his parent’s car, before allowing the heavy gym door to close. She turned to Tyler, chuckling softly. “Lucy has a problem with her language. She could make a sailor blush when she puts her mind to it. Personally, I think she just wants attention. Her father took off about a year ago, and her mother has her hands full trying to take care of five kids, all under the age of fifteen. Lucy sort of falls into the middle of the group.”

Tyler turned away, his left hand rubbing the muscles of his neck. “I hate hearing stories like that. They make me want to strangle somebody.” He began idly bouncing the ball, just to give his hands something to do and his mind something to focus on other than the problems of innocent children. But it didn’t work. The issue was a sensitive one with him. “Why is it the kids who have to get hurt?”

“It’s always the ones who are most vulnerable. That’s simply human nature.” She shrugged philosophically, then took him by surprise, snatching the basketball out of his hands and dribbling it across the court.

Tyler watched her antics, knowing she was trying to distract him, and appreciating her efforts. Being with the children today reminded him of his own childhood. It had been rough for him and Jason, and when they’d become teenagers it had only gotten worse. Tyler had always pretended with his friends, bragging about the freedom he and Jason had, making it sound as if raising themselves had been a lark. And he had refused to admit to the embarrassment of having a mother who was the town “lightskirt.”

God, it had been hard. Luckily, he’d had Jason. But it wasn’t the same. Children needed an adult to look up to, someone they respected and who cared about them.

These kids had Carlie, but he wanted to help, too, wanted to make a difference.

“All right, Tyler,” she said, breaking into his thoughts. “Enough moping over things you can’t change. I hereby challenge you to a little one-on-one. The first to make ten baskets wins.”

His grin was slow and filled with wicked delight. He put his hands on his hips, watching Carlie as she continued to expertly dribble the ball. “What are we betting?”

“That I can beat the pants off you.” Her tone was smug and taunting. And then she understood exactly what she’d said. She flushed scarlet.

“My pants? Well, Ms. McDaniels! It wasn’t enough to ogle me without my shirt? You want to strip me of all modesty?”

“That would be impossible.” Her face was still hot, but she began dribbling the ball again. “You don’t possess any modesty and probably never have.”

His grin widened. He approached her slowly, his eyes never leaving her face. “I’m ready when you are, sweetheart. But the stakes have to be worthwhile. Say...dinner? At the winner’s choice of place?”

Carlie gave him a confident smile. She did a fancy little feat of bouncing the ball behind her back, then between her knees, before shouting suddenly, “You’re on.” She raced down the court, scoring the first basket before he realized the game had started.

“Oh, ho! Getting tricky on me, huh? I like a woman who can take me by surprise.” Carlie faltered at his words, nearly losing the ball. Tyler lunged, staying right on her, his body looming over hers, his arms outreaching her, his legs able to cover the same amount of ground more quickly. Carlie claimed it was an even match.

She was good, real good. She dunked the ball three times before he had a chance to score. Then he got serious. But all the while, he grinned. He felt better than he had in a very long time.

They were both sweaty by the time the score was evened up, eight all. Tendrils of hair had come loose around Carlie’s face, sticking to her forehead and flushed cheeks. She looked done in, but still very determined to win. And she was laughing, obviously enjoying herself.