A Wedding In the Family Read Free Page A

opinion. Atleast, that’s been my experience over the years—both at work and in real life.”
    Angela was curious about his comment, but didn’t want to pry. “You work around kids here all day long. You must be very good with them.”
    “Not having any of my own probably makes it easier to be with them so much here at the center.”
    “You don’t have any of your own?” Angela repeated, surprised. He certainly looked like the family type.
    Adam didn’t answer immediately, which puzzled Angela.
    “No,” he said after a moment’s hesitation. “The only family I have is my brother, his wife and their daughter.” Abruptly, he looked toward the refreshment table. “Could I get you some coffee?”
    “I’d like that,” she responded, and watched him leave to get their drinks. She glanced around the room to check on Heather, Nathan and David, all of whom she caught sight of over by the bleachers talking with friends.
    Then Adam returned. She smiled as she accepted the foam cup. “Thanks.”
    “It’s black. I didn’t know—”
    “That’s fine…really,” she answered a little nervously. She would never have guessed that it would be so awkward—and yet so pleasant—to share a conversation with this man. She almost wished that it wasn’t pleasant.
    “So…what do you think about Heather?” Adam continued, obviously not intending to return to thesubject of his life. “Would you be willing to talk to her about going off the board? This session ends in mid-November. That’s not a lot of time.”
    “I’ll discuss it with her. I’d like to see her advance in the series.”
    “She could probably be on the swim team if she wanted to try,” Adam added.
    Angela shook her head. “I don’t think she’d do that. She’s not as competitive as her brothers. Team sports haven’t interested her at all.”
    “It was just a thought. You know, if you could come to a lesson or two and watch her, it might be just the encouragement she needs.”
    “I’ll try. It’s difficult sometimes with my schedule to do little things like that, although I know it would mean a lot to her.” A familiar pang of guilt tugged at Angela. How would she ever have the time to do all the little things that would mean a lot to her kids?
    “Where do you work?”
    “I’m principal of a private Christian school on the west side of town. This is my first year at it, and I spend too much time there. I taught for so many years and now that seems almost easy compared to this job.”
    “I was a teacher, too,” Adam remarked, watching some other parents and visitors enter the lobby. “Algebra…geometry…”
    “Math? I’m envious. That was never my strong point. I taught primary grades. First grade for several years, then second for five more before I moved into administration.” She shivered slightly, appreciatingthe warmth of the cup in her hands. The cool night air of autumn blew in through the center’s heavy front doors that opened and closed as visitors came and went.
    “There.” Adam, obviously noticing her shiver, pointed to an empty space near the drinking fountain. “You’ll be warmer over by that wall.”
    When she turned to move, he cupped her elbow with his hand directing her to the spot that he had indicated. Angela was suddenly aware—too aware—of his momentary touch and it startled her.
    “So we both left teaching for administrative jobs,” Adam remarked, taking a drink of his coffee. “Any regrets?”
    “Regrets?” Angela thought for a moment. “I guess I have about a thousand of them, but none have to do with leaving teaching. I needed to make a change, and I needed more income, so…it’s a challenge, but one I enjoy.”
    He nodded in recognition of her answer. “Me, too,” he agreed. “Teaching was great for a while, but I was ready to do something different. Then this job at the center came up. It seemed like the perfect solution.“
    “Is it?” she asked.
    “For now,” Adam responded. She