The Mogul and the Muscle - Claire Kingsley Page 0,34

wonder how this afternoon was going to go. He was so serious. I didn’t want him searching the Kid-Ovation facility like he expected to find assassins hidden around every corner, or watching the kids with that suspicious glare that seemed to come so naturally to him.

“Is there any way you can tone it down?” I asked.

He glanced over his shoulder. “Tone what down?”

“The scary bodyguard thing. We’re about to be surrounded by a bunch of elementary school kids.”

“Do you think I’ve never been around kids before?”

“I wouldn’t know,” I said.

He chuckled softly, but didn’t reply.

I’d just have to hope for the best.

I spent the rest of the drive reviewing the talking points Brandy had outlined. We got to the campus—an old high school I’d helped them purchase. Half of it was still under construction. It was being remodeled in phases so they could use parts of the facility, since their old location had been too small for their growing program.

Joe parked out front and I thanked him when he opened my door. I checked my email again while we walked in—Jude in front of me to assess potential threats or whatever it was he did—hoping Noelle hadn’t sent another email to argue with me further. I decided if she had, I’d ignore her until tomorrow. I had too much to do to get caught up in a debate with her.

Sheri Cruz, Kid-Ovation’s executive director, met us just inside the double doors. Old lockers lined the hallway and the linoleum floor had seen better days.

“Cameron, it’s so nice to see you,” Sheri said.

“Thanks for having me. I’m excited to see what you’ve all been up to.” We shook hands and I gestured to Jude. “This is Jude Ellis.”

“Nice to meet you.” Sheri shook hands with Jude. “We’re ready for you, if you’ll come with me.”

“Sounds good.”

We followed Sheri down the hallway, past banks of dented, slate-gray lockers. The faint sound of construction carried from the other side of campus, a series of loud bangs and the low hum of heavy equipment. She turned at a set of double doors leading into the old gymnasium.

Kids from the ages of six to fourteen sat on the bleachers, along with both paid and volunteer adults. Their voices filled the air, echoing off the concrete walls.

Much to my relief, Jude didn’t insist on walking in first, nor did he do his customary sweep of the area. He followed just behind me, slightly to my right, keeping a comfortable distance.

Sheri and I stepped up to the microphone and she called for quiet. The kids shifted in their seats and a hush settled over the gym. Sheri introduced me and I waved to the kids while they applauded, then thanked them for inviting me to visit.

My talk was short and sweet, focusing on why art, science, and engineering projects are not only fun, but good for growing brains. I mentioned a few of the projects Spencer was working on, particularly the flashy ones like advanced rocket technology, earning me excited oohs and ahs from the crowd.

When I finished, there was more applause. Then the teachers and volunteers led the kids to their respective workspaces. I chatted with Sheri about construction progress until it was time for me to make the rounds and see what the kids had been working on.

Jude was our silent companion as we walked to the first converted classroom. Instead of desks and chairs, it had long rectangular tables where the kids could build, paint, tinker, and craft. A dozen kids stood in front of their various creations, faces beaming with excitement and pride. A few wore safety goggles and one had donned a white lab coat.

I cast a glance at Jude. Brandy had said he seemed to have an ability to make himself appear less intimidating, and I could see what she meant. He was still enormous, but his posture was less rigid, his facial expression almost friendly.

“Okay, everyone, Ms. Whitbury is going to come around and take a look at your projects,” Sheri said to the eager kids. “This is your chance to show off your hard work to someone new.”

I visited Kid-Ovation every few months, and I always made sure Sheri and the teachers didn’t make a big deal out of the fact that I was the primary benefactor and main source of funding for their program. I didn’t want the kids to feel like they needed to perform for me. I simply enjoyed the chance to see what their creative