“You go left, and I’ll go right.” Raegan forks off and attempts to catch him, diving onto the grass. She slides through the mud and almost grips his hind leg, but Jeffrey runs right past her.

Jeffrey heads toward the school. The doors are propped open so families can use the bathrooms. It might cause a bit of a scene but if he runs into the building, I’ll be able to corner him.

Raegan and I successfully herd him inside. The goat loses traction on the tile, slipping all over the hallway. This slows him down. I catch up to him in seconds, and dive toward him when I get close enough.

“Gotcha!” I grip his hind legs and pull him into my arms.

Raegan skids to a stop behind us. “Oh, thank God.” She hunches over, hands on her knees, gasping for air.

Jeffrey bleats as I sit up and cradle him. “Sorry, bud.”

A smile tugs at Raegan’s lips. Then a giggle escapes her, and next she’s full-on belly laughing.

I grin. “What’s so funny?”

“We just … chased a goat … around the school.” She can barely get the words out, tears springing from her eyes.

Jeffrey bleats again and I laugh along with Raegan. “Pretty sure he just told you to go fuck yourself.”

She smacks her leg as she doubles over, laughing even harder.

Carol, the owner of the runaway goat, appears in the doorway. “Jeffrey!” She slaps her palm against her forehead. “I am so sorry about this, Mr. Waters. The goat is nuts!”

I hoist myself up as she takes Jeffrey from me. “It’s okay. He just wants to run free.”

Carol shakes her head. “I’ve gotta get a taller fence.” She scurries back into the hallway, scolding Jeffrey along the way.

I lift my jacket to my nose and grimace. “Great. I smell like a farm animal now.”

Raegan giggles, wiping her eyes. “I can’t remember the last time I laughed that hard.”

“You should do it more often. It looks good on you.”

“Never a dull moment with you.”

“I’m going to take that as a compliment.”

“You would.”

I want to continue our usual banter, but Raegan’s words replay in my head: Stay away from me, Jaxon.

My smile falls. “Well, enjoy the rest of your night. I won’t take up any more of your time.”

She looks like she wants to say something, but I don’t give her the chance. I head for my office, leaving her alone in the darkened classroom.

It’s just after eight-thirty and the fundraiser is over.

The teachers and I clean up the schoolyard while the families clear out of the parking lot. I wish the staff Happy Holidays and tell them to enjoy their week-long break. Then I head back into the building.