Declan - Heart of a Tiger (Royal Taiga Streak #1) - J.R. Loveless Page 0,64
like you to meet Sean. Sean, this is Clarissa. She’s been teaching the streak’s children for twenty years now.”
Sean gaped. The woman didn’t look a day over twenty-five. “You’re really pretty!” he blurted then blushed.
Clarissa laughed and held out her hand. Sean accepted it and she gave his hand a light squeeze. “You’re sweet, Sean. I’m glad I finally get the chance to meet the Alpha-mate. Everyone has been abuzz with the news of our alpha having finally found his mate.”
“Clarissa, I’d like you to start private sessions with Sean, the little girl Vicky, and the two teenage girls Sam and Tara. It’s been a number of years since they were in classes and Sean has never attended school at all.”
“Of course, Alpha! It would be my honor to teach them!” Clarissa looked at Sean. “Would it be all right if I ask you some questions?”
Sean nodded.
“Are you able to read?”
Sean shook his head.
“Do you know what the alphabet is?”
“Yes,” Sean murmured.
“What about numbers? Have you learned anything about math?”
Biting his lips and leaning further into Declan’s side, who tightened his hold a fraction, Sean shook his head. “Sam and Tara tried to teach me some, but I wasn’t that good at it.”
“Okay, so we will start with reading. When would you like to begin?”
Sean shrugged.
“It’s already almost Friday, Clarissa. Why don’t we start fresh on Monday?” Declan suggested.
Clarissa nodded. “That sounds great. It will give me some time to draw up some lesson plans. Would I be able to meet the girls? I’d like to ascertain what their levels are as well.”
“Why don’t you come by the house for dinner this evening? It’ll give you a chance to speak with Vicky, Sam and Tara and also get to know Sean a little better as well. Just so you are aware, Vicky does not speak right now.”
“That’s quite all right. We can make up our own way to communicate,” Clarissa said, smiling brightly. “I look forward to meeting the others. I am sure there are things I can arrange for Vicky as well.”
“We’ll see you tonight then,” Declan said.
Clarissa bid them both goodbye and went back into her classroom. Sean could hear the kids giggling and Clarissa asking them to quiet down. Declan released Sean, but snagged his hand, entwining their fingers. “Let’s go see about having your hair trimmed, hmm? Rose should be able to even out the ends.”
Sean quietly followed Declan out of the school. There were several pride members working in their yards and they all waved at Declan and smiled at Sean. He didn’t know how to respond so just smiled back as best he could. When they reached the house, they found Rose prepping vegetables for the evening meal.
“Hey, sis,” Declan greeted, walking up to her and giving her a kiss on the cheek.
“Where’d you two get off to?” she asked, slicing a carrot with expert strokes.
Sean watched in awe. He’d probably cut his finger off, probably more than one! The knife just flew across the cutting board at lightning speed.
“Sean and the girls are going to start sessions with Clarissa next week.”
“Oh, that’s good to hear. I’m sure they will love it! And Clarissa is such a sweetheart! Ronnie adores her.”
“I was hoping you’d have a little bit of time before dinner to trim Sean’s hair.” Declan grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and cracked it open before handing it to Sean.
Sean took it, but didn’t drink from it. He set the bottle on the nearby table instead.
“Oh, sure! Let me just finish up the rest of these carrots. Why don’t you have a seat, Sean? Dec, would you grab my kit from the downstairs bathroom?”
Sean sat gingerly in one of the chairs at the table while Declan left to retrieve whatever she needed. Rose hummed under her breath while finishing the carrots and he continued to observe the way she chopped them. Declan returned a moment later and set a black bag, a spray bottle, and a white towel on the table near Sean. After washing her hands and drying them, Rose came to the table and opened the bag. She pulled out a comb and a pair of scissors and set them on the table.
“How much do we want off?” Rose asked while picking up the towel and draping it over Sean’s shoulders.
“Just clean up the ends and even it out. I like it that length.”
Rose leaned down and looked at Sean. “Is that what you want?”