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  Though I know what he says is true, it feels like he slapped me. I’m not trying to take his or their mother’s place. Grace and I bonded, I do feel a closeness and responsibility for her, and I am in no way trying to take over.

  “How dare you, Dexter. I’m going to chalk that little rant up to you being exhausted and worried about your sister because I would never confuse her with a pet. I’m not playing house, trying it out to see if I like being a mother. I’m not that little girl’s mother and I know it, but let’s be honest—she needs one. She needs someone who loves her, shows her affection, reads her stories, and tells off her teacher when deserved. I’m saying I’d like to be there and help her. You can do as you think is best.”

  “Trust me, the last thing I need right now is you around constantly messing up my thoughts and focus, but Grace is worth it. The offer is on the table and you can take it or leave it. Either way, I’d like the contact information of her teacher. I refuse to have someone working in the Ministry who sees anyone, much less a child, as a lost cause. You can leave it with Judy if you like. Have a nice day, Dex.”

  With that I walk away. I am still fuming by the time I reach my office and decide I need a little impromptu party to get my mind straight. I buzz Judy.

  “Judy, would you mind getting Wes, Molly, and Tash in here please? Also, if you could set up a meeting with Andi and yourself for this afternoon I’d appreciate it.”

  I don’t even get the chance to raid the snack food drawer before Molly comes bursting through the door. I wonder if she has ever walked into a room. I’m pretty sure she has too much energy for a normal walk. She comes right up to me and gives me a huge hug.

  “I’ve decided the next tour you go on you are taking me with you. It really does make sense to be there and help you, and I can’t handle months without seeing you, you know!”

  “I missed you too, and we will see for next time. However, I’m not planning on going out again for a while.”

  Wes walks in, not half as excited as Molly, but his eyes light up. “Wesley Sanders, get your scrawny butt over here and give me a proper welcome.”

  He reluctantly gives me a hug, but I can tell he missed me.

  Tash comes walking in looking like a million bucks. “Dang girl, look at you. Hot date?” Molly asks her.

  She flashes her winning smile. “Not exactly. Masters’ first day back is today and it doesn’t hurt to remind him what he’s been missing,” she says with an impish smirk. “Roz, my dear, how are you? You look wonderful as usual.” She hugs me and I can’t help but sigh.

  “I’m exhausted and annoyed, but I missed all of you and had to take a little time out for my friends.”

  Molly squeals. “Oh goodie, gossip time. Wes, get the candy.” Wes glares but does as she asks anyway. Everyone joins me around the couch and Wes takes the chair.

  “So, spill,” Molly says.

  “The trip went great. I’m completely exhausted but I think I was able to really connect to the people. I met with the Council who, by the way, don’t like anything about my look, so they are sending me to an image consultant.”

  Wes scoffs. “What is wrong with your look? I think you look great. You look like you.”

  “Thanks, Wes. Apparently I look too young and naive or some nonsense.”

  “Oh don’t listen to them; you look fine. They are always going to find things they want to improve upon. It has nothing to do with you. They need something to complain about since you are doing such an amazing job at everything else,” Tash says, picking up some candy.

  “Have you seen Dex?” Molly asks.

  I look to Tash because as far as I know she doesn’t know what’s going on there. Molly waves a hand and says, “I already filled Tash in.”

  “I saw him today, and things got a little, well, heated. We were talking about Grace and he made it sound like I’m trying to play house with her.” Molly and Wes exchange a look I can’t exactly read. “He said she’s not doing well, so I’m concerned.”

  Molly bites her lip. “Well, she has been different since you left. She’s pretty sad and withdrawn, not sleeping well, afraid of her own shadow too.”

  “Will you guys leave that poor girl alone? So she’s quiet. I think more children should be that way. She is perfectly content being by herself. Who can blame her for that? If it were up to me I’d never talk to anyone either,” Wes said, defending her…or himself, I’m not sure which.

  “I hope you guys don’t mind, but I kind of mentioned they could move back in with us. I told him I would be fine with only Grace moving in, but obviously that didn’t fly well with Dex’s protective streak.”

  Wes snorted. “Protective is an understatement. The first few times she wanted to sit with me he kept giving me that evil glare like I was a pedophile or something. I even made a three foot rule and everything.”

  I laugh out loud at that.

  Tash hasn’t really said much, but that’s her way. She tends to sit back and observe, take it all in, and then come to a conclusion or add some advice. She looks right at me now with that all-knowing look.

  “Are you sure moving in is a good idea right now?”

  “No, I’m not. I’m not sure what else to do.”

  “Why stop with them?” Wes snorts. “Natasha, you should move in too, and bring that scary boyfriend of yours. It seems Rosaline thinks we run a hostel.”

  “Wes, zip it! It’s her house, she doesn’t even have to let us live there. Remember that,” Molly says.

  “Don’t get me wrong, he’s a nice enough guy, totally scares the crap out of me, but he’s all right. The little girl is great, but with both of them come many more complications. That’s all I’m saying. What happens if you start dating someone? Or he does?” Wes says bluntly, like always.

  They are all good points; ones I keep running around in my head.

  “I don’t know, Wes. I don’t even know what’s going on with Dex and I. We were never really together and we never really broke up. We both have an interest but he needs to get his stuff together. I have a country to run and can’t be there to go through all his ups and downs. It’s hard enough picking up the pieces of a broken country and rebuilding it into something better; how do you fix a broken man? As far as dating goes I’m not going to date anyone, and if he does, well, I will have to ask out of respect for me that he doesn’t bring her to the house. He can take her back to the Council house for all I care. Plus he didn’t say yes, so this could all be for nothing.”

  “Don’t worry about it, honey, it will all work out. Give your focus to running this country and getting it on track; the rest will fall into place,” Tash says, patting my hand.

  “Thanks guys, I feel much better. Now I have a billion and one things to do, and I still have to meet with Andi and Judy before I can do those things.”

  At the mention of Andi’s name Wes starts to fidget.

  “How’s everything going with Andi, Wes?”

  “I don’t know what you mean. Everything is fine. We are only friends after all.”

  “Does she know that?” Molly asks.

  “Of course she knows that. Now you are making me uncomfortable and I really need to go back to work.”

  I hug him and he leaves.

  “I better get back too. I’ll see you soon, hon.” Tash gets up to leave.

  “Thanks for stopping by, Tash. I’ll see you Friday for sure. We’re doing a staff lunch. Masters can fill you in if he wants.”

  She leaves.

  “I guess I need to get back too. Don’t worry about anything, Roz, and it’s totally fine if Dex wants to move in. It will be more company for when you are gone and Wes is…Wes. But just so you know, Dex hasn’t been talking to any other girls and only talks to Aspen when he has to. He really missed you if that’s worth anything.” Molly waves and bounces out of the office.

  CHAPTER TWO

  A few hours later Andi and Judy come into my office for our meeting.

  “Thank you ladies for
meeting with me since I know you both are terribly busy. It’s an odd request to make of you, Andi, but you seem to be very gifted in this area and I wasn’t sure who to get to help Judy and me.”

  “I’m happy to help in any way I can, Roz.”

  “Thank you. While I know this isn’t much notice, we are on an extremely tight schedule. I need to put together a lunch for the heads of all the departments in the Ministry. It doesn’t have to be fancy at all, just a place for them to eat something while I talk to them about something important. I would like this to take place this Friday around noon. Do you think it’s possible? You can bring in anyone you need to help you, of course.”

  Andi smiles and looks over at Judy, who nods.

  “I’d be happy to help Judy with anything she needs. You’re right, this sounds right up my alley. Do you have a preference on food, flowers, or décor?”

  She is so sweet, and completely misses my “low key” element. Not that all those things wouldn’t be nice, though after springing it on them like this I’d be happy to have chairs.

  “You are too sweet, Andi. Seriously, I don’t have any expectations at all. This is last minute, however it’s a very important meeting. I’m putting your uncle on security so we should have several guys making sure the doors are secure from people wandering in. All I need are some tables and chairs, a microphone and speaker set up, and something to feed everyone. Other than that it’s completely up to you. You can go as minimal or as fancy as you’d like.”

  Andi grins. “Oh, this will be fun! Judy, how about you get in touch with IT and make sure the sound and podium are set up? I’ll go over security with Kevin and do all the decorations and food. If you want to make sure maintenance has a room set up with enough tables and chairs as well, that would be great.”

  Judy smiles widely, glad to have someone to share the work, I’m sure. “That sounds wonderful, Andi. We can meet Thursday to finalize. If there’s nothing else, I really need to get back to my office now.”

  “That’s all, Judy. I’m sorry, I know I’ve been running you ragged lately. As soon as things let up I plan on giving you a few days off.”

  “Oh nonsense, Miss Roz, I’m so happy you’re back.” She is out the door before I can blink.

  “She is such a life saver I would be totally lost without her. You’ve been amazing too, Andi. Thank you again for helping out with this, I really appreciate it.”

  Andi has a beautiful smile. She is rather plain and hides behind her glasses a bit, but she is a sweet girl and I really hope Wes and she can figure something out eventually.

  “Well, if that is all I’ll get started on this right away. Thank you for having me help. I love to do parties and things like this. Getting stuck down in Guest Services tends to become pretty mundane after a while. If you ever need any help at all please let me know.” She waves and with my thanks she is on her way.

  With that taken care of, I have one more thing I need to do and then I can head home. I still haven’t heard from Dex with the contact info for Grace’s teacher and I refuse to let this go. Although I might be a little sensitive on the subject due to being such good friends with Wesley, I don’t believe a child should ever be pigeon-holed. If you can’t teach them your way, you find another way until you reach them. I’m not going to take this lightly and if Dexter isn’t going to give me the information I will find it myself.

  I pick up the phone and call the only other person I can think of who would know the teacher’s name and info.

  “Hi, Aspen. I’m sorry to bother you but I was wondering if you helped Dex get Grace into school?”

  “Yes I did. Is everything all right?”

  “Not really, though I’ll save that for another time. You wouldn’t happen to know the name of the teacher would you?”

  “Her name is Miss Baxter. I also have the school’s address, phone number, and the headmaster’s info. Would you like that information?”

  “You are an angel. Yes, I’d love it.” She recites the info and I jot it down quickly. “And Aspen, if you wouldn’t mind keeping this little conversation between us I would really appreciate it.”

  She snickers. “Uh oh, someone messed with momma bear’s cub, huh?”

  “Something like that.”

  “Is this one of those don’t ask permission, ask forgiveness later types of things?” she asks.

  I laugh; she knows me too well.

  “No, this is an ‘I’m the president and if you can’t do your job right I will have you removed’ kind of thing.”

  “Yep, momma bear mode. Go get her, girl. Although I won’t say anything to Dex, you know he’s going to find out, and he’s gotten a lot more scary in the last few years. If he comes sniffing my way I’m totally ratting you out.”

  I chuckle at her honesty. “Fair enough. Thanks again for your help, Aspen.”

  Luckily the school for the children whose parents work at the Ministry is connected to the Ministry, so it isn’t far to walk. I gather my things and get ready to leave for the night. On the way to the school, I think about how confrontational I’ve had to become this past year. Normally I hate confrontation and get sick thinking about it. In my new position I’ve had to learn ridiculously fast how to throw my punches and keep up with the big kids. I still feel like I’m going to throw up every single time I have to really assert myself, although I think I have even Masters snowed now.

  The idea of getting into it with a teacher has my stomach in knots, even if she isn’t my teacher. However, being friends with Wes has taught me many things, and if there’s anything I can’t stand it’s having a standard mold. Grace may be different, but she’s smart and sweet and can use all the kindness and understanding she can get. To tell a child she isn’t ready for school is absurd. The school better get ready for her…or me anyway.

  When I arrive at the school I’m glad to see the children have left for the day. I’m hoping I’ll be able to catch Miss Baxter before she leaves. If not I can always use the intimidation factor and have her officially summoned to my office, though I’d like to give her the benefit of the doubt. I open the door to the classroom and feel relief to see her at her desk. She is much younger than I expected; barely twenty or so. Maybe she hasn’t had a lot of experience with special needs children. That’s certainly understandable, and I’m hoping this can be done as painlessly as possible. I put on my friendliest smile and approach her.

  She is completely lost in whatever she is doing and when she sees me approach she speaks without even looking up.

  “I don’t see anyone without an appointment.”

  “I apologize, Miss Baxter. I didn’t mean to come at a bad time. I’m President Rosaline Thatcher and I have something I would like to discuss with you if you have a moment.”

  She looks up sharply, surprised to see the president in her classroom. I see a bit of worry cross her face even though she tries to hide her nervousness.

  “Of course, Miss President, please have a seat.”

  I sit down and decide to dive right in. It’s always hard for me to address people who are older than me. I hate to sound condescending, but there is no way around it this time, I’m afraid. No one likes to be told they aren’t doing their job right, let alone being told how to do it by someone who is younger and not even in their field.

  “I’m sorry to stop by unannounced and catch you off guard. I’ve been away touring the Zones and just returned today. I believe you have a family friend as one of your students, Grace Vaughn. I know she has been having some trouble so I wanted to talk with you to see what the problem is and if there is anything I can do to help.”

  Once she figures out she isn’t in trouble she visibly relaxes. “Ah yes, Grace. There is a bit of an issue there.”

  “What’s the problem?”

  “Well, as I told her brother, she checks out. I can’t reach her at all, and she doesn’t respond, talk, or join in with any activities. It is impossible to try to teach a child who doesn’t want to learn.”
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  This instantly has me raising my eyebrows. I’m trying to keep my anger in check but it’s so hard to do.

  “Have you met with Grace outside of a classroom setting? Tried to talk with her one on one when it’s less intimidating?” I ask, trying to sound helpful and not upset.

  “That’s the problem, Miss Thatcher. You can’t talk to Grace. She. Can’t. Talk,” she says slowly, like I am having a hard time keeping up. That’s it; the gloves are coming off now.

  “Miss Baxter, I know very well that Grace is non-verbal. However, that doesn’t mean she can’t talk. She can and does communicate when you actually try. As far as her not wanting to learn, that’s a copout for not trying hard enough. I have personally worked with Grace and she is a little sponge, taking it all in. While teaching her may require out of the box thinking and a little extra time, it will be completely worth it.”

  She’s looking at me now like I sprouted an extra head.

  “I see you are attached to this child, Miss Thatcher, which is why I’m sure it’s hard for you to see reason. I have a classroom full of students and it is impossible to give all my attention to one girl when there is a room full of others who need my help.”

  “First off, it’s President Thatcher. Second, the fact that I’m attached, as you put it, means nothing. I don’t care if it is a child I’ve never met or my own, that isn’t a way to teach any child. A teacher is only as good as their worst pupil, and I truly believe that. If you can’t find the time to give a child what they need, maybe you are in the wrong profession. Lucky for you I have the power to change that. I have also realized the schools at the Ministry were overlooked on my tours. That will soon be remedied.”