Black Creek Burning (The Black Creek Series, Book 1) Read Free

Family Services had
     left her tapped before her class even arrived. Brie started putting up chairs for
     the custodian and shook her head in disgust as she thought about young Aaron Babb.
     His explosive father would have a lot to answer for. He would be furious, but she
     didn't care. She did her part to end the cycle of bruises Aaron had likely put up
     with since birth.
    The rest of the day flew by teaching twenty-five first-grade students, then a meeting
     with the assistant superintendent. She was spent and ready for a breather. After putting
     the final touches on her report cards, she loaded her bag down before heading to turn
     out the fluorescent lights. As she walked to the door, she glanced back at the plywood
     covering her windows. Her shoulders jerked as she felt a chill.
    She flicked the lights, just when her sister stormed around the corner. "All right,
     spill." Liz was as direct as she was selfless. "Why do I work in the same building
     as my baby sister and am only now hearing your windows were shot out again?" Liz set
     her hands on her hips as she blocked her way while peering over Brie's shoulder at
     the plywood.
    She could make excuses by taking Liz step-by-step through her hell of a day, but instead
     she let out a sigh and simply answered. "Sorry, I was just coming to find you, and
     they were not shot out. It was mostly rocks," she lied. "After several questions from the kids, they moved
     on to obsess about Christmas. Are we still on for tonight?" She changed the subject,
     walked around her sister and headed toward the school office for her last stop on
     her way out.
    Liz adjusted her heavy bag and took up stride with Brie's longer legs. "Of course
     we're on. It's tradition. I heard it was another rifle. And my students are too old
     to admit they're obsessed with Christmas."
    "I need to take a shower, then meet with Mrs. Melbourne before we go. Is eight too
     late? Will you owe Tim for having to put the kids to bed?"
    "Tim knows the drill. Detox time at Mikey's the last day of school before any break."
     Liz draped her free arm around Brie's shoulder. "And he knows his payment will be
     well worth it," she said with a sexy grin. "Are you sure you're okay?"
    "I am, thanks. I'll meet you there. I think I'll get a cab tonight."
    "I'll pick up you at eight and have Tim drop us off; we'll share a cab home," Liz
     said.
    Brie pulled open the door to the front office to let the secretary know she was leaving.
     Mrs. Seward was as big around as she was tall, and as scary as they came. She was
     also conscientious and made sure to keep everyone on their toes. Her walls were wallpapered
     with neatly displayed schedules and calendars.
    "Theme tests are due before you leave, Miss Chapman, Mrs. Brownley."
    Brie pulled out a small tin of cookies with a bow. "Merry Christmas, Mrs. Seward."
    "Thank you, Miss Chapman. Theme tests are still due before you leave," she said as
     she stapled a phone message to a note card.
    She smiled at her favorite secretary. "You're welcome, and I turned them in yesterday."
    Liz flipped through the papers she had pulled from her office mail slot as she followed.
     She grinned and glanced up. "Don't look at me. I turned mine in last week."
    "You're getting a new student when we return from break, Miss Chapman, and Dr. Tyman
     wants you to call her. Something she forgot to mention in your meeting this afternoon."
     Mrs. Seward turned to peck furiously at her document.
    Liz's eyebrows went up at the mention of the assistant super.
    Blowing the hair from her face, Brie stopped and turned back to Mrs. Seward. "What
     is the spelling of their first name? Do they ride a bus or a car, and did you tell
     Dr. Tyman I would call her back today?"
    "Sylvester, spelled the regular way. Bus fifty-one, and I told her you were already
     gone for break." Winking, Mrs. Seward dipped the few files left on her desk neatly
     into drawers. "Enjoy your break, Brianna."
    * * *
    Four wide eyes looked