Her Wickham Falls Seal

Aiden gave her a lengthy stare, then said, “Yes, because I like cooking.”

“Did you go to culinary school?”

A hint of a smile parted his lips. “Why would I go to culinary school to learn to prepare fancy dishes for patrons who can’t pronounce or know what foie gras is? A cook by another name is a chef in his own realm. The Wolf Den has been run by Gibsons since the 1920s, and we continue to stay in business because we’ve established a reputation for grilling the best steaks and smoked ribs in the county.”

Taryn laughed. “Okay, Chef Gibson, let’s continue with the house tour.” Jessica told her that she and Sawyer visited the Wolf Den at least twice a month because the food was exceptional and that Wickham Falls had only two eating establishments—the Wolf Den and Ruthie’s, a family-style buffet restaurant. Jessica had disclosed that the townsfolks repeatedly voted down the town council’s proposal for a fast-food chain, fearful it would impact Ruthie’s viability. The Wolf Den would remain unaffected because they served beer and alcohol.

They descended the staircase to the second floor where Allison and Livia had adjoining bedrooms. Aiden’s bedroom was opposite theirs, and a guest bedroom was at the end of the hallway along with a full bathroom. The girls’ bedrooms were quintessentially girlish with white canopy beds, matching dressers and chests. Window seats were covered with brightly colored cushions stamped with animated Disney characters. Photos and figurines of fairies were in evidence in Livia’s bedroom. Her older sister’s bedroom was less whimsical with framed photographs of birds and flowers. Viewing the rooms gave Taryn a glimpse into the personalities of the two girls who were close in age yet differed when it came to their interests.

“Now, the basement,” Aiden said as they again took the back staircase.

“I noticed the girls don’t have a television in their rooms,” Taryn remarked.

“There was a time when they did, but I had to take it out because they would turn it on late at night when they should’ve been sleeping. They aren’t allowed in the attic, which means they can’t watch television there. Your suite is off-limits, so again they’re denied. I have a television in the basement with parental controls, and they’re only allowed two hours of television a day because I don’t want them addicted like some kids.”

“Did you get rid of their TV?”

“No. It’s in the basement storeroom. Why?”

“I’m going to need it for the classroom. Even though I didn’t do it with my kids in New York because I taught third-graders, I’d like to designate Friday afternoon for free time and show age-appropriate movies, along with popcorn. If Daddy isn’t working, then he’s welcome to join us.”

A flash of humor crossed Aiden’s features. “I’d like that as long as I don’t have to sit on a little chair.”

“What if I order a beanbag chair for you?”

“I’d prefer a recliner.”

She rolled her eyes at him. “Recliners are not allowed in the classroom.”

“What if I string up a hammock?”

“Keep pushing it, Aiden. If your old joints pop and crack when you sit down, then I won’t invite you to join us.”

“I’m not that old.”

“You’ve got to be at least forty.”

“So the pretty lady has age jokes,” he countered. “I thought it was women who were touchy about revealing their age.”

“Not me. I celebrate every birthday all month long, and sometimes even longer.”

“That’s because you were born in the shortest month of the year.”

“Don’t hate on February because it’s a month we celebrate. Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day, Super Bowl Sunday, Valentine’s Day, National Gumdrop Day, Cherry Pie Day, National Margarita Day and, of course, Lincoln’s and Washington’s birthdays, and so many others too numerous to name.”

“How do you know all of this?”

“I put up calendars on my bulletin board with all of the bizarre and unique holidays for each month and I’ll talk about it for five minutes.”

“You talk to children about margaritas?”

“Not the cocktail but the plant. I show them pictures of the blue agave plant, tell them where it’s cultivated, how tall it can grow and that the high production of sugars, mostly fructose, is in the core of the plant.”

“So it becomes a mini science lesson.”

“Everything that goes on in my classroom is tied to learning, Aiden. Academics are important but I believe in educating the whole child, and that means making them aware of their environment. When a child goes shopping with his or her mother or father and sees a bottle of agave on the shelf, he or she will know that it’s a sweetener and not a cocktail.”

“I’m sorry for prejudging you.”

“There’s no need to apologize. You have every right to question me about what I intend to teach Allison and Livia. I may not have any children but I, too, would be concerned if my child’s teacher talked about alcoholic beverages, and I would never expose your children to something I wouldn’t want for my own.”

“I know I’m a little overprotective when it comes to my girls—”

“You don’t have to say it, Aiden,” Taryn interrupted. She wanted to tell him that she’d had students whose parents were dealing with their own personal issues and were unable to protect their children. She forced a smile. “Now, are you going to let me see your man cave?”

Aiden returned her smile with a bright one of his own. “Of course.”

“This is ni-ice,” Taryn drawled, drawing the word out in two syllables when she stepped off the last stair, her shoes sinking into the plush pale-gray carpeting that matched the fabric walls. Aiden flipped a wall switch and high-hats bathed the space in soft light. The basement had been transformed into a media/game room with black leather reclining chairs, sofas and love seats. A flat screen measuring at least seventy inches was mounted on a wall for viewing throughout the expansive space. There was a wet bar fronted with a quartet of stools, a glass-fronted credenza with highball and cocktail glasses and fully stocked with spirits, along with a portable refrigerator and wine cellar. The game area contained pool and air hockey tables and additional side tables with checkers and chess pieces stood ready for willing players.

“How often do you entertain down here?”

“It varies. I usually host Super Bowl Sunday and alternate with my sister for Thanksgiving. My brother and his wife always have Easter and Christmas at their home. What about your family, Taryn? How do you celebrate the holidays?”

Taryn rested a hip against the mahogany bar. “My father is a rabid football fan and his guilty pleasure is attending the Super Bowl.”

Aiden lifted questioning eyebrows. “He goes every year?” She nodded. “What does he do?”

“He’s a family court judge.”

Aiden grimaced. “Been there, done that,” he mumbled under his breath. “What about your mother?”

Taryn knew if he’d gained sole custody of his children, then he would’ve had to have gone through the family court system. “She’s a social worker.”

“Do you have any brothers or sisters?”

“I have a brother who’s active navy.”

Aiden’s expression brightened as if someone had suddenly turned on a light. “Where is he stationed?”

“Base Little Creek.”

Recognition stole its way over Aiden’s rugged features as he stared at Taryn as if she had spoken a language he did not understand. “Your brother is a SEAL?”

“Yes.”

“He’s SEAL Team 8?”

A soft gasp escaped Taryn’s parted lips. “You know?”

“Yes, because I was a member of SEAL Team 5 stationed in Coronado, California.”

She pressed her fingertips to her mouth. “I knew it,” she said between her fingers.”

“Knew what, Taryn?”

“I knew you were special ops because your body language is the same as my brother’s. Do folks around here know you were a SEAL?”

Aiden shook his head. “Only my family knew. It was something my ex complained about because whenever I was assigned a mission I couldn’t tell her where I was going.”

Taryn thought about her sister-in-law who didn’t complain when Langdon received his orders; she knew when she married him that she wouldn’t hear from him for weeks at a time. “Didn’t she know this when you married her?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t understand—”

“There’s nothing for you to understand,” Aiden said, cutting her off. “The only thing I’m going to say, and after that the topic is moot, is the best thing to come from my marriage is my children.”

Although Aiden hadn’t raised his voice, Taryn felt as if he had. She clenched her teeth to keep from reminding him that he had been the one to mention his wife. And she resented that he’d spoken to her as if chastising his children. “I’m ready to leave now.” And she was. She’d spent almost two hours with Aiden, longer than any normal interview, and suddenly she felt as if she’d worn out her welcome.

“Don’t you want to see the rest of the basement?”

“I’ll see it at another time. I need to get back to the house and walk Bootsy.” Taryn hadn’t lied because she’d promised the puppy that she would walk him. Turing on her heel, she headed for the staircase, Aiden following. It only took minutes for her to return to the kitchen and retrieve her jacket and tote. “What time are we meeting tomorrow to go to Beckley?”

“Does ten o’clock work for you?”

She looped the handles of the tote over her shoulder. “Yes, and thank you for breakfast.”

Aiden inclined his head. “You’re welcome. I’ll walk you to your vehicle.”

Taryn wanted to tell him she could find her car without his assistance but decided to be gracious. “Thank you.” Aiden walked her to where she had parked the SUV.

“Drive safely,” he said when she opened the driver’s-side door.

“I will.”

She shut the door, started up the SUV and maneuvered away from the curb. Taryn acknowledged that she’d closed the door on one phase of her life, and when she signed the contract, agreeing to homeschool two preschoolers, she had opened another. Interacting with Aiden had been comfortable and easygoing until he’d mentioned his wife. And it wasn’t for the first time she wondered, what had the woman done to result in her losing her children? Were the townspeople right when they claimed her family was bad news? And why, Taryn mused, did Aiden marry her when he knew her family’s history, whatever that was?

The questions tumbled over themselves in Taryn’s head, until she was forced to mentally dismiss them when she reminded herself that although she would share a house with her students’ father, their relationship would be strictly professional. He was her employer and she his employee. It was something she could not afford to forget.

Chapter Three

Taryn stood at the French doors in Jessica’s kitchen enjoying her second cup of coffee while watching the snow covering the backyard. Last night’s lightly falling frozen precipitation had intensified into a full-blown blizzard. Her cell phone rang and she walked over and picked it up off the countertop. Aiden’s name and number appeared on the screen. She answered the call after the second ring.

“Good morning.”

“Is it really?” Aiden asked, chuckling softly.

She smiled. “It is for polar bears. It looks as if we’re going to have to cancel our trip to Beckley.”

“That’s why I’m calling. The mayor has declared a snow emergency, which means all non-essential vehicles aren’t allowed on the road. This is my only day off until after the New Year, so we won’t be able to order the furniture until you return.”

“Don’t sweat it, Aiden. I’ll order whatever I need once I get to New York and have it shipped to you. Do you want me to ship it to your home or the Wolf Den?”

“Can you arrange for it to be delivered to the house after you come back? Because I don’t want to become a target for porch pirates.”

“That shouldn’t be a problem.” There had been an escalation of porch thefts all over the country, despite homeowners installing security cameras. “Have you thought of installing cameras around your property?” Sawyer had wired the house with a system where he could view the house and greenhouses from remote locations.

“Yes and no.”

Taryn walked over to the eating nook and sat down. “Either it’s yes or no.”

“Yes because it would make the house more secure, and no because we have a neighborhood watch. Many of my neighbors are retired and they are always on the lookout for any suspicious activity.”

There came a pregnant pause before Aiden spoken again.

“What’s on your agenda for today?”

“I’m going to put up several loads of laundry, dust, and vacuum and watch mindless television.” She and Jessica had gotten along well when they shared an off-campus apartment because both were neat freaks. “What are you going to do on your day off?”

“Wait for the snow to stop and then get out the snowblower and clear the driveway and sidewalks for my elderly neighbor.”

“That’s very nice of you.”

“Who’s going to shovel for you?” Aiden asked.

“Jessica and Sawyer have an agreement with a few of the teenage boys on Porterfield Lane to rake leaves and shovel snow.”

“I remember when I used to shovel snow for money before I started working in the restaurant.”

“Can you answer one question for me?”

“What’s that?”

“Why is the restaurant called the Wolf Den?” Taryn asked, not wanting their conversation to end. She liked listening to the sound of his drawling voice that was a constant reminder that he’d grown up in the South.

Aiden’s deep chuckle caressed her ear when he said, “A family named Wolfe, spelled with the E, owned most of the mines in The Falls and several towns to the south. My family worked in the mines for more generations than I can count. My great-grandfather decided he’d had enough after he was buried for hours during a caved in and asked his brothers to go in with him making moonshine. They pooled their savings, bought a patch of land and built the restaurant under the guise they were offering hearty inexpensive meals.”

“Were they?” Taryn asked, totally intrigued by the story.

“Yes, but they were also selling hooch. They’d buy several hogs from a farmer, butcher them and cook every part of them from the rooter to the tooter, and serve them along with rice, greens and corn bread. They charged fifty cents a plate and a dollar for a half-gallon jug filled with moonshine. Of course, they had to stay one step ahead of the revenuers or end up in jail.”

“How did they do that?”

“They had paid lookouts and occasionally bribed the revenuers. When you come to the restaurant, you’ll see that it’s located off the road and down in a valley. The still was concealed up in the mountains and hidden among a copse of trees. Most times, you’d walk by it and not know it was there.”

“Shame on you, Aiden. Your folks were criminals.”

“I’d like to think of my folks as entrepreneurs. It was all about supply and demand. Once Prohibition was repealed, they exhausted their stock of hooch and went totally legit to concentrate on offering some of the best restaurant food in Johnson County.”

“When I come back, I’m definitely going to sample some of your celebrated dishes.”

“I know you’re leaving in a couple of days, so if I don’t talk to you, I’d like to wish you a healthy and happy New Year.”

“I wish you the same.”

Taryn ended the call and drained the coffee cup. Sawyer and Jessica were scheduled to return to the States on the twenty-eighth after their seven-day Caribbean honeymoon, and Sawyer’s gift to Taryn was to pay for a round-trip flight on a private jet for housesitting and for when she planned to come back to Wickham Falls. He’d left the return date open because she still hadn’t determined when she would leave New York. She had selected the thirtieth to return to New York because she wanted to ring in the New Year with her parents and grandmother. She wasn’t certain whether her brother would be stateside, but his wife and children had come up from Virginia to celebrate Christmas with the elder Robinsons.

“Hey, baby,” she crooned when Bootsy ambled into the kitchen and stood on his hind legs for her to pick him up. Taryn scooped him into her arms. “Did you have a good nap?” After she’d let him out earlier that morning to do his business, he had raced back into the house and curled up on his bed in a corner of the kitchen. While most dogs loved romping in the snow, Bootsy was the exception.

Bootsy turned around on her lap and then flopped down to rest his muzzle on her denim-covered thigh. She ran her fingertips over his black-and-white curly hair, wondering if the dog still missed his pet parents. He’d moped around for two days until Taryn picked him up and held him for several hours. She knew Jessica was going to have a hissy fit because she was spoiling her puppy, but Taryn was ready to explain that Bootsy had been experiencing separation anxiety and she had to comfort him.

Her cell rang again, and this time Jessica’s name appeared on the screen. “What’s up, Mrs. Middleton?”

“That’s what I should be asking you, Miss Robinson. I just got an alert on my phone about the winter storm dumping close to a foot of snow on the Appalachians. Are you safe?”

“Safe as a bug in a rug,” she quipped. “I’m here with Mr. Bootsy and we’re going to stay indoors until the roads are cleared.”

“Don’t you dare attempt to shovel, because we pay the kids at the end of the block to clear away the snow along the driveway and sidewalk.”

“Girl, please. The only thing I do with snow is watch it melt.”

Jessica laughed. “I hear you. Sawyer’s travel agent is making arrangements for us to fly into Huntington Tri-State Airport in Kenova, because it’s closer to The Falls, and with the weather, Yeager Airport may have delays.”

“Do you want me to pick you up in Kenova?”

“No. The agent is also arranging ground transportation.”

“You’re lucky you married a rich man, otherwise, you’d be among the huddled masses waiting to take a commercial carrier.”

“Remember, I fell in love with Sawyer even before I knew how much he’s worth, and if it hadn’t been for you knocking some sense into my hard head, I’d still be single.”

Taryn smiled. “I had to talk tough because you deserve to be happy. And don’t forget, I’m a romantic at heart.”

“Does this mean you’re going to be open to dating a man if he shows the slightest bit of interest in you?”

“We’ll see,” Taryn said noncommittedly. She wanted to remind her friend that she had relocated to teach and not to find a lover or husband.

“How’s Bootsy?”

“Spoiled rotten.”

“Have you been holding him?”

“I had to, Jessica, he was experiencing separation anxiety. He wouldn’t eat and moped around as if he’d lost his best friend. Either I spoil him or you can take him to a pet psychiatrist for therapy.”

“Why do you always have to be a drama queen, Taryn?”

“You know I always have to be a little extra because my students love it.”

“You should go back to school and get a degree in theater. You’d be perfect for the stage.”

Taryn smiled. “I’m going to enjoy putting on plays with Aiden’s girls.”

“He hired you?”

“Yes.”

“I knew he would because I couldn’t stop singing your praises.”

Taryn wanted to ask Jessica if she thought she couldn’t get the position without her input but held her tongue. “I probably won’t get to meet his children until the end of January. By the way, where’s Sawyer?”

“He’s jogging on the beach. I’m going to let you go because it’s time for my cooking lesson. I signed up for a course to learn how to cook Caribbean-style roast pork.”

“Yum!”

“Give my baby a kiss and tell him his momma will be home soon.”

Taryn ended the call, set the phone on the table and bent over to press a kiss on Bootsy’s head. “Your momma said to give you a kiss.” The dog looked up at her as if he understood what she was saying. “I’m going to hold you for a little while longer, then I have to put up several loads of laundry and begin packing, because I have to go back to New York. But I will be back, and this time to stay.” Any prior apprehension she’d had about relocating had vanished, and she now looked forward to starting over with a new position in a new state.

* * *

Aiden felt as if the first time he’d stood on the porch waiting for Taryn to arrive was on rerun. It had been almost three weeks since she sat in the kitchen sharing breakfast with him. She had updated him as to what she had purchased for the classroom: the desks, chairs, bookcases, worktables, a supply closet, beanbag chairs, cots, white boards and bulletin boards; all of the items were scheduled to be delivered to his home the next day. The black Pathfinder came into view at the same time he came down off the porch.

He signaled for her to pull into the driveway next to his SUV. She cut off the engine and Aiden opened the driver’s-side door. He held out his arms and wasn’t disappointed when she rested her hands on his shoulders as he assisted her down.

“Welcome home.”

Aiden couldn’t pull his eyes away from her face as he drank in her natural beauty. He had welcomed her back because she would now share his home. He had told his daughters about Taryn, and once they returned to Wickham Falls, they should be prepared to begin school. Spending their days playing with each other and visiting their cousins would become a thing of the past. They had to begin their formal education before they fell too far behind their contemporaries.

Taryn lowered her eyes, smiling. “Thank you.”

He peered inside the Pathfinder. Boxes filled every inch of the cargo area. “What on earth did you buy?”

She tapped a button on the remote and the hatch opened. “Not all of the boxes are filled with school supplies. Only the ones marked CLASSROOM.”

Taryn had had her clothes, sewing machine and school supplies shipped to Jessica’s house ahead of her return. Her leaving New York hadn’t been without melodrama—especially from her mother. Mildred Robinson had questioned whether Taryn knew what she was doing, while suggesting her running away had to do with her being constantly reminded of James’s duplicity whenever she encountered his current lover. Taryn had given up trying to convince her mother that she had gotten over James and let her go on and on as to how she allowed one man to turn her off of the opposite sex. And the night before her departure, her mom came into her bedroom and confessed that she hadn’t wanted her to leave because since moving back home, she had gotten used to having her daughter around.

She had reminded her they would still live in the same time zone and if she decided to fly to Wickham Falls, it would take approximately three hours. Her explanation seemed to pacify her mother, even though it hadn’t stopped the older woman from shedding tears when it came time for Taryn to leave; her mother hadn’t been that emotional when she and her dad drove Taryn to college as an incoming freshman.

Taryn waited for Aiden to stack boxes and carry them inside the house before lifting a wheeled Pullman and carryon with her clothes and personal items and following him. Aiden had welcomed her home and she felt as if she was home. Her first order of business was putting her personal style on the bedroom suite before she unpacked the school supplies.

She had five days to organize the classroom before Allison and Livia arrived, and she’d decided to give them time to reconnect with their father before beginning instruction. Taryn returned to the vehicle to remove two quilted totes at the same time Aiden cradled a trio of boxes against his chest. “Show-off,” she said, winking at him.

“If you’d eaten your spinach this morning, you’d be able lift more than five pounds.”

She scrunched up her nose and pushed out her lips. “For your information, I had a spinach-and-feta omelet this morning.” Once the jet reached cruising speed, the in-flight chef had prepared breakfast for the eight passengers. A car service awaited her when the plane touched down in Charleston at ten, and when she arrived in Wickham Falls, she found the Pathfinder loaded with everything she’d had shipped to the Middleton residence. The night before, Sawyer sent her a text indicating he’d loaded her vehicle, but wouldn’t be there to meet her because he and Jessica would’ve left for school.