“By the age of four she could do algebraic and quadratic equations. One of her elementary school teachers took her under her wing and made sure she was challenged, gave her all kinds of resources and opportunities. By ten, she was into complex numbers and math theories.”

At ten, Sebastian had been into skipping school and hating the world.

“She stayed in public school through eighth grade,” Ben continued, “then was offered a scholarship to the Program for the Exceptionally Gifted at the Clemmons School.”

“I’m not familiar with it.”

“It’s basically a boarding school for girls who are off-the-charts smart in math. She graduated from there at eighteen with both a high school diploma and her bachelor’s degree in math. Can you relate to any of that?”

Ben knew he could. Sebastian, too, had graduated from college at eighteen.

Ben scratched the hair behind his ear that he kept shaved close to his skull. “She didn’t tell me this part, but I’ve read articles about her, so I know that she was then offered a chance to pursue her PhD free of charge at several of the best mathematics programs in the country. She chose Princeton and was all set to go when her mom took off. Leah ended up turning down Princeton’s offer and looking for jobs as a math teacher.”

“She wouldn’t have had the certifications to teach, though. Would she?”

“No. But she immediately enrolled in an online master’s program. If you have a BA in a subject and can show that you’re pursuing a master’s degree that will lead to certification, you can teach . . . assuming you can convince a principal and a school board to hire you.”

“Which is the route she took?”

“Exactly. She was hired as a middle school math teacher in Gainesville while she was getting her master’s. I’ve never heard of anyone else becoming a teacher so young. It’s rare. But then, she’s rare. Her math mind is one in a million. She should be working as a professor at a university, but instead she’s here, teaching our most advanced math students. It’s a shame for her, but it’s been awesome for the kids. She’s an excellent teacher.”

Sebastian’s mouth tightened. He’d never considered his lack of siblings to be fortunate. But because he hadn’t been saddled with family responsibilities, he’d been free to accept the medical school offers that had come his way. “Why did she move to Misty River?”

“Dylan. He was struggling in Gainesville. His grades were terrible, and his friends were rough. She decided it would be best to give him a fresh start.”

“How’s that worked out?”

“Well, for the most part. I think he still gives her plenty of reasons to worry, but he’s doing much better than he was.”