she muttered under her breath as dark emotions began to overtake her while she mulled the topic over and over.
A couple of hours later sunset had fallen, and Katrina changed into a turquoise blouse, fashion jeans, and knee-high black leather boots. She finished tying her hair into a tight ponytail and headed towards the garage.
She made her way to Robert Fulton, where the parking lot was rather empty by that time. As she walked through the parking lot, she reflected on when she had enrolled in Caleb’s history class the previous fall semester, as well as the enjoyable experience she had while listening to his lectures. He had a real gift for teaching, and she loved how fulfilling it was for him.
Her features fell slightly as a wave of sadness rolled through her at the possibility that her mate might be unhappy living with her. She breathed in heavily as she pulled the door open leading into the social sciences building.
His office door was closed, and she failed to hear anyone inside. She confirmed the time, having estimated that he was likely finishing his last class that evening. She bit her lip and decided to slip up to his classroom.
Maybe I’ll stand outside and listen to the last part of his lecture for old time’s sake.
Then a sinking feeling shot through her stomach as she contemplated what the evening’s conversation with him might reveal.
As she approached the classroom, she noted that the door had been left cracked open a sliver, and she heard his voice carry out of the room. She wanly smiled at the sound of him in “lecture mode” and peered in to see that his back was turned to the doorway as he scribbled notations on the chalkboard. She slipped into the classroom in virtual silence and sat into an empty seat on the back row near the doorway.
“So that’s why the Texans were unable to relieve the troops at the Alamo before the Mexican Army overtook the fort. Keep in mind that the facility was never intended as a tactically defensible point, so its own inadequate design contributed to the fall of the defenders as much as their relatively outnumbered forces and poor logistics,” Caleb explained, completely oblivious to Katrina’s entrance.
However, as he turned and scanned the room’s faces, his eyes immediately fell upon her, and he smiled.
She felt a wave of confusion flow through her as she once more sensed a disconnect between his behavior and the phone call from the realtor.
He smoothly fell back into his lecture without drawing further attention, “However, on April 21, 1836, Sam Houston and the Texan Army marched against and defeated the Mexican Army at San Jacinto. While this was a tactical victory for the Texans, it hardly resolved the issue of settlement in the largely contested Mexican territory. It’s not until we discuss the Polk Administration and the Mexican War during the late 1840s that any resolution occurs on that matter. But let’s stop there for tonight.”
Barely two seconds following the end of his statement, the students scrambled for the door. He shook his head at their hasty departure, as well as the passing glances that a number of male students gave to Katrina on their way out. As he gathered his notes together, he failed to notice that she had moved to stand beside him. When he turned to pick up his textbook he lurched slightly at her unexpected proximity, and his eyes immediately noticed the intense look in her eyes.
She looks sad, he noted.
“Is everything okay, Kat? I was surprised to see you at the back of the room,” he ventured. “Although it was a nice surprise, actually. It reminded me of when you took my class last fall.”
She towered before him, staring silently down into his eyes. “I was going to ask you the same thing, actually.”
He gently placed his notes and textbook back onto the podium and reached out to take her hand in his as he stared up into her eyes.
“What do you mean? Kat, what’s wrong?” he pressed. But then he felt a wave of nausea in the pit of his stomach and insisted, “Has something bad happened to Paige or Alton?”
She squeezed his hand while shaking her head. “No, they’re fine. It’s you I’m worried about.”
His eyes narrowed. Me?
“Caleb, are you happy with us?” she asked as her emerald eyes drilled into his. “Is this about that old couch Alton shipped to you? Have I done something that you’re displeased about?”