Teasing You, page 26
There was no mention of anything specific about the school or the community, so he opened another tab and did a little research himself while he waited.
“Sweetbriar Ridge is a town in…blah, blah, blah…population 1200. Yikes. Currently going through a bit of a renaissance with the re-opening of the ski resort…interesting…”
“Mr. Westyn?”
Clearing his throat, he said, “Yes?”
“Principal Kincaid is actually available to speak to you right now if you have the time,” Susan told him, and Tanner had to hide his delight.
“That works for me,” he said evenly. “Thank you.”
“Hold on while I transfer you, and good luck!”
He thanked her again before the line went quiet. Letting out a slow breath, he prepared himself to give the best damn job interview of his life.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Westyn. Thank you for being so agreeable and speaking with me on such short notice. I’m Steven Kincaid. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Thank you. It’s nice to meet you too. I just received your email and figured I’d call and make an appointment.”
“That’s normally how we do things, but I was in between appointments and figured there was no time like the present.” He paused. “Your resume is very impressive, but I see this would also be your first full-time teaching position.”
“That is correct. I realize I may have started applying a little late for this school year, but I was hopeful to find a district that needed a fifth-grade teacher.”
“Tell me why you’re drawn to that particular grade. Most early educators are a little more open to where they get placed–except for kindergarten teachers. They are the most passionate about teaching that grade. So tell me your story.”
“My story?” Tanner repeated, shifting a bit in his seat. “Well, I feel like that age is on the verge of moving on to middle school and really figuring out what subjects they like or dislike, and a lot of times, they’re just discovering who they are. It’s an amazing age that’s filled with so many possibilities, and I love the challenge of helping to guide them into that next phase of their education.”
“I see,” Principal Kincaid murmured, seemingly unimpressed.
“Um…”
“Would you be open to perhaps starting out the year as a substitute in another grade? We have a situation where we just lost a teacher–not to anything dramatic, but she had a family emergency and took a position in a school closer to them. We’re getting ready for school to start back and we only have the one classroom available.”
Well…shit.
“So this would only be a short-term position?”
“Well…we haven’t had any other applications for it, so there’s a very good chance it would be for the entire school year. Then, once you’re in our system, any openings for a fifth-grade teaching position, you’d be given first consideration.”
“First consideration? Even after proving myself as an excellent teacher in another grade, the position still wouldn’t go automatically to me?”
Steven Kincaid laughed softly. “We haven’t seen how you are as a teacher yet, so I really couldn’t commit.”
“I guess that’s fair,” he reasoned.
“Our town has been going through a bit of a transformation, Mr. Westyn. I see on your resume that you were a competitive skier. Our resort, Summit Ridge, is gearing up for its inaugural season. It’s located less than twenty minutes from the school. We work with the local real estate company here to help our teachers relocate–if you need that sort of service. I can send you our information packet on the town with everything you’d need to know. You’d be moving here from upstate New York, correct?”
Tanner nodded. “Yes.”
“And considering your skiing career, I’m guessing the cold weather isn’t an issue for you.”
Tanner chuckled. “It’s safe to say that I’m used to it.”
“Excellent! Do you have any questions for me?”
“I do,” he told him. “You haven’t mentioned what grade the position is for.”
“Kindergarten. We already have one kindergarten teacher–Chloe Donovan–and she’s amazing. She was teacher of the year the last two years. But with all the growth our town has been seeing, the school has expanded a bit and now we have a need for a second kindergarten class.”
The frown was firmly in place, and his entire body tensed. Kindergarten? Did he really want to teach kindergarten? He loved kids and loved teaching, but he really enjoyed it when the students were a bit older and settled into school life. Could he honestly switch gears like that?
“I understand it’s not exactly what you’re looking for, but I’m hoping you’ll consider it. I truly believe you’ll be a perfect fit in Sweetbriar Ridge. And if things keep expanding the way they have in the last year, I’d like to say that we’ll be needing more teachers in the next few years. If you’re patient, you can potentially get that fifth-grade class you’re looking for.”
Just not right now…
Sadly, his initial reaction was to say thanks, but no thanks. Tanner knew what he wanted and didn’t want to settle for something else.
However…
Could he really afford to pass up the opportunity?
“I want to thank you for taking the time to speak with me today, Principal Kincaid,” he began, “but I’m going to need to think about this. I’ve got a few other offers to consider.”
“I completely understand. Feel free to call me back if you have any other questions. In the meantime, I’ll send you that informational packet I mentioned along with information about the position including salary, benefits, and all the other boiler plate stuff.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it. I’ll be in touch soon.” And with that, they said their goodbyes and hung up.
That’s when the guilt set in.
He’d lied.
And Tanner never lied. It was something he prided himself on, but in the moment, it seemed like the only way to save face.
Immediately pushing all thoughts of the conversation aside, he settled in for a deep dive into finding the perfect position for him.
At some point, his parents left to meet up with their friends, the sun went down, and he found himself sitting in the dark with nothing but the light of his laptop screen. Still feeling determined, he got up and ordered himself some Chinese takeout before continuing his search. Then accepted the dinner delivery and ate while still searching.
He must have fallen asleep because the next thing he knew, his father was waking him up and gently telling him to go to bed.
The next morning, he started his search again.
It took another entire day before he realized he only had one option, and by then, it was too late to call Sweetbriar Elementary and accept the position.
If it were still available.
So that night, over dinner, he went over the information packet with his parents. It would be a nine-hour drive from his home to Sweetbriar Ridge, and there were several homes for rent that were well within his budget. His father offered to drive a U-Haul with all of Tanner’s belongings and help him get moved in before flying back home, and his mother agreed to come along and make sure his home was well-stocked with food and every necessity he would need so he could focus on his new job.
He’d hit the parent jackpot with the two of them. They’d sacrificed so much for him and were always ready to lend a hand wherever he needed it.
“Do you think I’m doing the right thing?” he asked them. “Should I wait and try again for next year?”
“Tanner,” his father began. “The position is a good one. The town sounds like the kind of place that’s perfect for you, and everyone has to start somewhere. Most people don’t just step into their dream job on the first day. You’re getting your foot in the door and that’s the most important part. If it’s not a good fit, then you give proper notice, and then move on. No one expects you to stay if you’re miserable. It wouldn’t be fair to you or the students.”
“I know, but…”
“And you said the other kindergarten teacher was teacher of the year? Sounds like she’d be a great person to work with! You’ll learn a lot from her, and before you know it, you’ll be getting a classroom of your own with the age group you really want.”
Nodding, he looked over at his mother. “Mom? What do you think?”
Michelle Westyn smiled before reaching for his hand and squeezing it. “I think you’re going to do a wonderful job. You’ve always been a great leader and someone who has a heart for teaching. I think those kids are going to love having you as their teacher!”
He felt himself blush at the praise. “Thanks.”
They finished dinner and cleaned up together before Tanner found himself in his room alone. Picking up the latest Steve Berry book, he got comfortable on his bed and settled in for a relaxing night reading. Talking with his folks really put his mind at ease and as much as he had been putting pressure on himself to find the perfect job, they were right. It would come in time, and this was only the first step.
So tonight, he could relax. Tomorrow morning, he’d make sure that he was up early and possibly the first person Principal Kincaid talked to.
Sweetbriar Ridge might not be a place he’d ever heard of before, but he had a feeling it was going to be a great place to spend at least the next year.
And who knows? Maybe Sweetbriar Elementary was ready for a new teacher of the year.
“It’s always good to have a goal,” he said confidently as he opened the book to chapter one. “And it’s even better to achieve it.”
Get your copy of WANTING YOU here:
https://www.chasing-romance.com/wanting-you
And check out the entire DONOVANS series here:
https://www.chasing-romance.com/the-donovans-of-sweetbriar-ridge-series
Also by Samantha Chase
The Donovans Series (Sweetbriar Ridge):
Loving You
Teasing You
The Donovans Series (Laurel Bay):
Call Me
Dare Me
Tempt Me
Save Me
Charm Me
Kiss Me
The Wylder Love Series:
Irresistible Love
The Montgomery Brothers Series:
Wait for Me
Trust in Me
Stay with Me
More of Me
Return to You
Meant for You
I’ll Be There
Until There Was Us
Suddenly Mine
A Dash of Christmas
A Merry Montgomery Christmas
The Magnolia Sound Series:
Sunkissed Days
Remind Me
A Girl Like You
In Case You Didn’t Know
All the Befores
And Then One Day
Can’t Help Falling in Love
Last Beautiful Girl
The Way the Story Goes
Since You’ve Been Gone
Nobody Does It Better
Wedding Wonderland
Always on my Mind
Kiss the Girl
Meet Me at the Altar:
The Engagement Embargo
With this Cake
You May Kiss the Groomsman
The Proposal Playbook
Groomed to Perfection
The I Do Over
The Enchanted Bridal Series:
The Wedding Season
Friday Night Brides
The Bridal Squad
Glam Squad & Groomsmen
Bride & Seek
The RoadTripping Series:
Drive Me Crazy
Wrong Turn
Test Drive
Head Over Wheels
The Shaughnessy Brothers Series:
Made for Us
Love Walks In
Always My Girl
This is Our Song
Sky Full of Stars
Holiday Spice
Tangled Up in You
Band on the Run Series:
One More Kiss
One More Promise
One More Moment
One More Chance
The Christmas Cottage Series:
The Christmas Cottage
Ever After
Silver Bell Falls Series:
Christmas in Silver Bell Falls
Christmas On Pointe
A Very Married Christmas
A Christmas Rescue
Christmas Inn Love
The Christmas Plan
Life, Love & Babies Series:
The Baby Arrangement
Baby, Be Mine
Baby, I’m Yours
Preston’s Mill Series:
Roommating
Speed Dating
Complicating
The Protectors Series:
Protecting His Best Friend’s Sister
Protecting the Enemy
Protecting the Girl Next Door
Protecting the Movie Star
7 Brides for 7 Soldiers:
Ford
7 Brides for 7 Blackthornes:
Logan
Standalone Novels:
Jordan’s Return
Catering to the CEO
In the Eye of the Storm
A Touch of Heaven
Exclusive
Moonlight in Winter Park
Waiting for Midnight
Mistletoe Between Friends
Snowflake Inn
His for the Holidays
About Samantha Chase
Samantha Chase is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller of contemporary romance that’s hotter than sweet, sweeter than hot. She released her debut novel in 2011 and currently has more than ninety titles under her belt – including THE CHRISTMAS COTTAGE which was a Hallmark Christmas movie in 2017 and WEDDING SEASON which was a Hallmark June Wedding movie in 2023! She’s a Disney enthusiast who still happily listens to 80’s rock. When she’s not working on a new story, she spends her time reading romances, playing way too many games of Solitaire online, wearing a tiara while playing with her sassy pug Maylene…oh, and spending time with her husband of 34 years and their two sons in Wake Forest, North Carolina.
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Samantha Chase, Teasing You
