A Message for Julia. Angel Smits

      “Oh, great. Are you crazy? That mine is the lifeblood of this town. Every person here depends on it.” Linc ran a hand through his hair and walked over to the coffeemaker. He poured himself a cup and took his time taking that first sip.

      “I know that.”

      He closed his eyes as if to savor his coffee, or to ignore her. “So you’re trying to go up against the mine management. It was Ryan Sinclair, wasn’t it?”

      “You heard about it?”

      “Half the town heard Jack Sinclair running off at the mouth. I didn’t know he was talking about you. Ryan’s working up at the mine now. I gather your little talk didn’t convince him.”

      “No.” She winced. She’d always found it hard to admit her failures.

      The kitchen fell silent, heavy with unsaid words as they both nursed cooling cups of coffee.

      WHO WAS THIS WOMAN standing in his kitchen? Linc couldn’t help but stare at Julia.

      She’d been edgy lately and he’d known something was wrong. But he’d learned years ago not to push her. Right now she looked a mess—a just-waking-up-in-the-morning mess—but still a mess. Her hair was mussed and her robe hung open to show the shorts and T-shirt she’d slept in. He let his gaze linger on her curves…wishing…

      When the hell had they grown so far apart that he couldn’t even touch his wife when he wanted to?

      Like now.

      “You could—” She stepped toward him. “Could you put something about how it’s not safe for kids to work in the mines in your report?”

      He stared at her, incredulous. “No.”

      “Why not?”

      His anger surprised him. She’d always had her causes and another thing he’d learned was to take cover when she started talking about one of them. Why couldn’t they have a conversation anymore without one of them getting angry? He forced himself to focus, to tamp down his reaction. “For one, I’m not willing to risk my career for someone else’s problem. And this isn’t your business. One of us has to keep working and feed us.”

      “And two?” she bit out.

      “I don’t agree with you. Ryan is old enough to make his own decisions.

      “He’s only seventeen.”

      “When I was seventeen, I was on my own. At least he has parents to turn to, which he did.”

      “They don’t understand—”

      “No, Julia. You don’t understand. Ever since…since…last fall…” His voice wavered, but he quickly caught himself. “You want to fix everyone else’s life. Take care of every lost soul that crosses your path.” He stepped closer to her, lowering his voice, hoping to ease the tension between them. “Maybe you should focus on your own problems and your own life for a change.”

      “That’s not fair.”

      “Whoever told you life was fair? It sure as hell wasn’t me.”

      He closed his eyes for an instant trying to clear his mind. His life had never been even close to fair. But what bothered him most was the fact she’d kept all of this—her new job and this crisis—a secret from him. They’d never had secrets.

      When he’d first heard Jack, he realized now, some part of his brain had thought it sounded like Julia. But he’d dismissed it because he’d thought she was still teaching at the elementary school. Now he wasn’t as shocked as he should be. “Julia, don’t do this.”

      “Don’t do what?” She actually sounded surprised.

      “This. It’s not your battle.”

      “I disagree.” She stomped across the kitchen and stared out the back window.

      The distance between them was too great. He had to find a way across it. “Tell me why you left the elementary school.” He did not want to start this conversation, but it now seemed inevitable.

      “I couldn’t do it. Because…it…it just wasn’t for me.” She fidgeted with the belt of her robe.

      Linc hated seeing the forlorn look on her face. He ached to pick her up, carry her away and fix it all. He also knew she’d resist that and probably deck him in the process. “I can be there tonight.”

      She looked up, and he thought she was going to smile. He held his breath, waiting. He couldn’t remember the last time she’d truly smiled.

      “But I’m not promising anything else.” He couldn’t do more than that.

      She nodded and turned away again.

      Linc went back upstairs, back to bed for a couple hours. He wished she’d join him, but he knew better. She’d have to call in sick to work and she took her commitments seriously—too seriously sometimes.

      The sheets were too damned cold.

      CHAPTER TWO

      Friday Evening, 7:00 p.m.

      THE CAFETERIA WAS FULL, but not so full that it was intimidating. Julia looked around. She knew most of these people, some by name but more by face.

      The six-member school board sat up front at a couple of the lunch tables that had been turned sideways. The twenty or so other people sat at tables where her students usually hung out laughing and eating lunch. It was a small town. A relatively small school. Nothing fancy.

      A few more people filed in and Julia leaned forward. Where was he? Her heart sank. She didn’t want to think that Linc had broken his promise, but he did have a habit of getting caught up in work at times and forgetting things—like dinner.

      The board had reviewed the budget, rehashed the booth at the county fair and had just started to go over the upcoming end-of-year graduation activities when the door creaked open.

      Julia fought her smile. She’d always prided herself on being independent. She didn’t want people to think she was one of those women who couldn’t survive without a man. But knowing that Linc had come to support her made something inside her shift, something warm. Maybe she wouldn’t have to do this alone anymore. He wound his way into the room and took the seat beside her.

      After another ten minutes, the meeting seemed to be winding down. Julia fought not to get her hopes up. Maybe they’d forget about her contract.

      “One final item,” a woman at the end of the table said. Julia craned her neck to see. She recognized her. She knew Shirley Wise from various events as well as from when she’d interviewed for the job at the high school.

      “Is Julia Holmes here?” Shirley looked directly at her.

      “I’m here.” Julia remained seated and Linc nudged her with his elbow.

      “Stand up,” he muttered.

      Julia frowned at him, but stood rather than have anyone around them hear her argue.

      “We’ve reviewed your contract and the letter of reprimand.” Shirley looked over her half glasses at Julia. “Both will stand, barring any further incidents. Thank you, everyone—”

      That was it? She wasn’t going to get the chance to speak? People around her looked confused and disapproving. Many probably already knew what had happened, others were totally clueless and were thinking the worst of her. Julia wanted to have her chance to defend herself and her actions.

      “Julia, shhh,” Linc said softly. He knew her too well, but he should also know she wasn’t going to back down.

      “I’d like to have my say.”

      “It won’t make a difference.”

      Shocked, she turned to stare down at him. What did he mean it wouldn’t make a difference?