Chapter 9

Principal Livingston came rushing down the front steps after Diana, waving his arms like a bird learning to fly.

“Miss Snow!”

She stopped and turned. The principal reached her, panting, and wiped his forehead with a large handkerchief.

“I keep forgetting I’m not as young as I used to be.”

“Mr. Livingston.” Diana smiled warmly. “I didn’t get the chance to thank you for hiring me.”

“There’s no need. You were the most qualified. Now, if you have a second, would you mind coming back to my office? It’ll only take a moment.”

“Is something wrong?” Diana stiffened.

He shook his head. “Not at all. Just need to go over something quickly. Right this way.”

Diana followed him down a hallway lined with red lockers and through the Administration office. Maybe there were still some papers to sign. Nothing too serious—she hoped.

“Go ahead and take a seat in my office,” Livingston said, holding the door.

Diana stepped in—and stopped cold.

Steve was already seated in one of the two chairs in front of the desk. He’d changed out of the shirt she’d spilled coffee on, but his expression had changed too—his jaw was tight, his brow slightly furrowed. He looked stern. Like a teacher about to hand out detention.

A chill moved through her. Oh God. Had Steve told Livingston about her breakdown in the bed-and-breakfast yesterday?

Why had she trusted him not to say anything?

She should’ve known better. If the last two years had taught her anything, it was that men lied. Her father. Her ex-fiancé. All of them.

If Steve had reported seeing her cry, what would that mean? Could they fire her for that? Probably not. But she might be ordered to see the school counselor. Humiliating.

Livingston lowered himself into his swivel chair.

“Go ahead and sit, Diana. Don’t worry—Steve doesn’t bite. At least not often.” He chuckled at his own joke.

Diana set her bags down and pressed her palms together.

“I can explain—”

Steve raised an eyebrow. “I sure hope so, because I’d like to know what I did to get called to the principal’s office this early in the year.”

“Wait.” She looked between the two men, landing on Steve. “You don’t know why we’re here?”

“No. Do you?”

“Then you didn’t...?” Her voice trailed off.

Steve shook his head.

Relief flooded her system, loosening the tension in her chest. She crossed the room and sat beside him.

Livingston folded his arms on the desk and looked from one to the other.

“Apart from being principal, I also serve as head of the board at a local nonprofit organization. So, I’m speaking now from that position—not as your boss. Over the past month—”

Steve cut in. “If this is about Equal Opportunity, why is Diana here?”

“Because,” Livingston said calmly, “I was thinking about asking her to volunteer.”

“No way.” Steve’s hands clenched on the armrests. “It’s too dangerous—especially for someone new in town.”

Diana’s spine stiffened. Why did men always think they could make the rules? Lay down laws for women like they owned the place?

Livingston leaned forward. “The board oversees volunteer approvals, Steve. That’s the policy.”

“I have a say,” Steve snapped, standing abruptly. “Equal Opportunity wouldn’t even exist if it weren’t for my wife.”

Wife?

Diana blinked. “Steve was married?” Her gaze dropped to his left hand. No ring.

Livingston held up a hand. “Calm down, Steve. That’s exactly why I asked you both here—to talk, not to argue. I didn’t want to spring this on you in front of anyone else.”

“There’s nothing to talk about,” Steve muttered, shaking his head. “She probably has no experience dealing with the kind of teens that come through there. The neighborhood’s changed. Fast. And not for the better.” He stormed across the room and flung open the door.

“Steve,” Livingston called after him, “we’ve implemented safety measures. The parking lot is fenced now.”

“It’s not enough—and you know it.” Steve slammed the door behind him.

Silence lingered for a moment before Livingston sighed and turned back to Diana.

“Don’t worry. He’ll come around.”

Diana nodded, still trying to make sense of what just happened.

“I wanted you two to meet beforehand, give Steve a chance to process. You saw his reaction. Ever since Peggy died, he’s been ... overprotective.”

Her eyes dropped.

“So, Steve was married to Peggy? The woman who started the program?”

“Yes,” Livingston said with a quiet nod.

“And she died?”

“I’m afraid so. The entire town loved Peggy. She was one of a kind.”

Diana’s stomach twisted.

“That’s ... so sad.”

No wonder Steve seemed so guarded. So serious. He carried the grief of someone who’d lost the love of his life. She hadn’t lost anyone close before, not like that. But now she understood the weight behind his eyes. She’d remember that the next time they talked.

“Very sad indeed,” Livingston said. “Having you at Equal Opportunity will be hard for him. But don’t get me wrong—Steve’s a good man. He just wants what’s best, what’s safe, for everyone involved.” He straightened a stack of papers on his desk.

Diana leaned forward slightly.