I nod. “She did. She told me to tell you that she is so proud of you for coming to this big boy school. She can’t wait to hear about all the fun things you did on your first day. I told her I’d let her know how you’re doing. But I don’t want to tell her that you’ve been crying all morning. That would make mommy sad. What do you think I should tell her?”

Joshua sniffles as he ponders for a moment. “Maybe you can tell her I’m listening to a story.”

“That’s a good idea. I’d also like to tell her you made a friend. Maybe you can sit here with Hannah. She is very nice.”

Hannah smiles and pats the rug beside her.

“And you’ll tell my mom I was being a good boy?” Joshua asks.

“I’ll call her as soon as I leave this room.”

Joshua slides off my lap and onto the carpet next to Hannah. She rubs his back the same way I did, and when they hear the part of the story when the wolf falls into the pot of boiling water, Joshua laughs.

Raegan’s expression is priceless, her lips forming a little O-shape. She clearly underestimated my abilities. That makes me glad.

It’ll be that much sweeter when I take back what’s mine.

Raegan

“How can someone that rude be so good with kids?” Kerry asks. “Aren’t children supposed to sense bad people?”

“I think that’s dogs,” Andrea says.

“You should’ve seen him.” I peel the lid off my yogurt. “He got Joshua to stop crying in two seconds. It’s like he’s the child whisperer or something.”

“Send him to my room,” says Mary. “I’ve got a crier too. Poor kid won’t even eat her lunch.”

It’s only twelve o’clock, and we’re already exhausted. Our pretty first day of school dresses are soaked in sweat. Our feet are throbbing. And we still have three hours left to go.

I can’t stop thinking about how helpful Jaxon was with Joshua. He was … sweet. It was the same Jaxon I’d met at the bar last month. Nothing like the unhinged version I’d gotten a front row seat to a couple of days ago.

Why did he help me? Maybe this means he doesn’t think I stole his grandmother’s ring after all. Maybe he came to his senses.

A knock at Becca’s classroom door tears our attention away from our lunches. My stomach twists when I see Jaxon standing in the doorway.

“Just checking up on you ladies. Everybody surviving?”

We all groan in unison.

Jaxon chuckles. “You’re doing a great job. The day’s half over. Raegan, may I speak with you for a minute?”

I suck in a breath and smooth out my dress as I follow Jaxon into the hallway.