With a small, apologetic smile, Maggie admitted, “You never have those days.” Sighing, she shook her head and stared into her cup before looking back up. “At least, never before.” Her voice softened to ask, “What’s going on, Claire?”

Claire sank into her chair and ran her hands over her face. “I don’t know, Maggie. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

“Did you really face off with Ray Bailey?”

Claire released a humorless crack of laughter. “Yeah, I did.”

Maggie lowered herself into the desk nearest Claire’s. “You think that was smart?”

What could Claire say to that? How could she explain that she hadn’t stopped to think at all? Just acted. Folding her hands neatly in front of her, she went for honesty. “No.”

“A kid like that might want a little payback, Claire. He’s gotta save face.”

Oddly enough, that didn’t worry Claire. Not like it should have. She wasn’t at all concerned about her own safety. What worried her was how she would react if he did challenge her.

“School will be out soon,” Maggie murmured. “You got enough days saved up. Maybe you should take a leave. Come back in the fall. Refreshed.”

Claire studied her friend’s face before saying, “You think I should?”

“Yes.” Maggie nodded slowly. “I do.”

Claire drew a deep breath.

A day like today couldn’t be repeated. Her students deserved better than a teacher who could no longer control her temper. Snapping at students, taking on bullies… all without conscious thought. A stranger to herself, what guarantee did she have that it wouldn’t happen again? She couldn’t take the risk. Her job required patience and a cool head. Two things she sorely lacked lately.

Today marked the first time in her career she had incited fear in a student. The fright in Ray Bailey’s face replayed itself in her mind like a terrible car crash that she couldn’t shake.

She swiped at eyes that burned with unshed tears, hating to admit that she was so changed, that something was wrong with her, that maybe there was something to the ravings of Gideon March after all. That maybe the guy wasn’t totally crazy. The possibility rattled her. Because if he wasn’t crazy, then neither was her attraction to him.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Even the most aggressive dog knows when to turn tail and run.

—Man’s Best Friend: An Essential Guide to Dogs

Claire slid her key into the lock of her apartment door with practiced speed. In a flash, she was inside, the hard feel of the door at her back reassuring her, closing her off from the rest of the world, sealing her in. Her racing heart steadied. But not by much.