“And, Dave, she is married, so you be careful.”
“Lacy, shame on you.” Dave shook his head. “It’s not like that. She’s Cara’s one-on-one teacher. I told you that. I just want to get to know her better.”
“I know what you told me.” She raised one eyebrow. “And you heard what I said.”
She breezed by him. He’d known Lacy and her husband since high school. They’d lost touch for five or six years until they all landed here in Round Top. Lacy’s husband was still a bit of a jerk like he’d been in high school—Lacy had caught him cheating on her years ago. One thing about Lacy. Nothing got past her. He made his way back to the table just as a woman’s voice rang through the crowd from the stage, asking for everyone’s attention.
In her opening comments, the emcee encouraged everyone to bid generously on the auction items so that the new wing at the school would become a reality. Dave planned to do just that, and he hoped others would as well. With enough funds, they could hire more teachers and expand the programs to include other children from surrounding areas who also had special needs, including children from lower-income families.
“Enjoy your dinner,” the woman said as she finished her speech. “The silent auction will close at nine o’clock, followed by a live auction. Then please stay to enjoy the band and dancing.”
Waiters were already bustling around and delivering salads, and a low buzz of conversation ensued after the woman left the stage. Dave shifted to his right so the waiter could place a salad in front of him. Layla grabbed the guy before he could head back to the kitchen, and she requested another glass of wine. He’d need to keep an eye on his friend tonight. She’d probably arrived in a limousine, as she was known to do for these things, but he also didn’t want her making a fool of herself—as she’d done once or twice after too much wine.
He’d considered asking Layla out awhile back. Not many single women lived in the area, and she was certainly beautiful. But he’d realized early on that Layla was holding on to a lot of baggage. Not just the loss of her daughter, but after being around her a few times, he sensed she was still in love with her ex-husband, Tom. Nonetheless, they’d become good friends. She respected his crisp reminders that Round Top wasn’t Hollywood when her ego occasionally reared its head, and he, too, accepted her frankness when he needed it. Despite her controlling tendencies, she was a warm, loving person.
Penny cleared her throat. “Darlene, I hear you’ve only been working at The Evans School for a couple of weeks. How do you like it so far?”
Dave glanced to his left at Darlene.
“I love it. I love working with the kids.” She turned to Dave briefly. “And I have Dave’s daughter, Cara, in the afternoons. She’s a pleasure to teach.”
When she turned back to Penny, Dave kept his eyes on Darlene. Her royal-blue halter dress showed off a delicate back, and loose tendrils of ash-blond hair swept against rosy cheeks. He wondered if she knew how pretty she was, and if her husband told her often.
“And what’s your degree in?” Penny took a sip of wine, her eyes staying on Darlene above the rim of the glass.
“Actually . . . I don’t have a degree.” Darlene’s cheeks reddened a little. “But Myrna and the other employees have been great, teaching me what I need to know to be effective in the classroom.”
“Cara likes her a lot,” Dave chimed in after swallowing a bite of salad.
“I remember a time when teachers actually had to have a teaching degree to teach. But even substitutes in the public schools don’t have to have a degree anymore.” Penny shook her head.
As Dave sipped his water, he glanced to his left. A polite smile trembled over Darlene’s lips. He took a deep breath, preparing to choose his words carefully, but George’s father, Bob, spoke up first.
“Penny, I don’t recall you having a degree,” the older man said, dabbing ranch dressing from his chin. He chuckled. “Except maybe a degree in how to shop and spend money.”
“Now, Dad . . . ,” Penny said as she tried to hide her embarrassment with a tentative smile.
Bob sat taller. “Well, it’s the truth.”
Penny cut her eyes at George, as if she expected him to muzzle his father. But George just shrugged and