Forced Handfasting Read Free Page A

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Chapter 2
     
                  Samantha Gradin dropped her head onto her folded arms. She breathed a sigh of relief then looked up again at the empty classroom. Her students had been especially rowdy today since it was the last day of school before summer break. Even she had to admit she was ready for a much-needed break from the strain of kids, homework, and lesson planning.
                  The door to her classroom swung open, and a head popped inside. “Hey! Are you coming to the luncheon?”
                  Her partner teacher, Tracy, had been a lifesaver during her first year of teaching. Having a roomful of hyper ten-year-olds was trying at times but well worth the feeling she got at the end of each day.
                  “I’ll be there is a moment. I am enjoying the peace, and quiet,” she said with a smile.
                  “Don’t blame you there, honey! See you in a bit,” Tracy said then closed the door.
                  Samantha, or Sam to those who knew her, laughed out loud as she thought about the kids as they each filed out of the room when the final bell of the school year rang. Little Ronnie was the last one out of the room and had hung back some until all the other kids left. He held a special place in her heart because he had come to her in the middle of the school year, and was from an abusive home. The state’s foster care system had taken Ronnie away from his drug addict father, and placed him with a family who adored him. He was little for his age but had made friends quickly, and was even voted most popular in the school.
                  Ronnie wanted to make sure all the kids were out of earshot before he wiggled his index finger at her to bend over. He took her by complete surprise when he threw his arms around her neck, and gave her a tight hug. She did what was only natural to her, and hugged him back. She would miss him next year as he went into the fifth grade.
                  “Thank you for being my friend, Miss Gradin,” he whispered in her ear.
                  She pulled back to look at the boy, and saw he had tears shimmering in his blue eyes. “Oh honey, I will always be your friend. I’m going to miss you next year, but I will see you around school.”
                  “I know. You will still be my favorite teacher ever!” His smile brightened her heart tenfold.
                  “You had better get moving before you miss your bus!”
                  Obviously he had forgotten all about his bus. He let her go, and took off running down the hallway. Right before he reached the end he turned around and gave her one last wave goodbye. She waved back, and had to swallow down the lump that was trying to block her air passage. 
                  She looked around the now empty classroom and smiled. Her first year of teaching had been a success! At times, she didn’t think she was going to make it but she pulled through with flying colors. The kids had taken to her instantly, though they were a bit of a handful at times. Almost every school day she had a little present on her desk from a student, whether it was a note, a candy or, sometimes, a flower, she treasured them all.
                  Sam left the classroom and headed to the teacher’s lounge for the luncheon. She couldn’t not show up since everyone at the school had been so nice to her since her first day. Inside the lounge teachers, and staff formed a line to get to the array of food spread out on the tables. Everything smelled wonderful and made her stomach growl.
                  Everyone waited patiently as the line moved slowly. After filling her plate, she went to sit next to Tracy, who was sitting at the table with the principal, Mr.