Unexpected Attraction. Stella MacLean

what he is, not what she wants him to be.”

      Her first instinct was to protect her daughter from the man she knew Scott to be. But since Shannon had called her father before talking to her, it was up to Shannon to take responsibility for the choices she made. “You’re right. Besides, I’d only get another nasty response from him.”

      “That’s better. Stop being his verbal punching bag. Let the two of them work the kinks out of their relationship. It’s not your job to referee.”

      Gina’s words made Andrea feel a little less alone. And Gina was right about her relationship with Scott. Andrea was always trying to do the right thing, even when it didn’t make any sense. “She’s probably calling him as we speak.”

      Gina gave her a quick hug. “Oh, Andrea, I’ve been where you are. Remember when Simon had his car accident, and how panicked I was?”

      “Yeah, I do.” Andrea hugged her back. “Thanks for being here. I’m very glad I have you as a friend.”

      “And a business partner, don’t forget.”

      “Right,” Andrea said.

      Gina tapped a few keys on her computer before turning to Andrea. “Just remember the same qualities that I admired in you when I hired you, and then when you became a partner, are the same qualities that will get you through this.” Gina wagged her finger at Andrea. “You’re smart, caring and determined, and you will get through to Shannon. It’s only a matter of time.”

      “I hope so,” Andrea said.

      “Listen, why don’t you take the day off? Go shopping and buy something really nice for yourself. You never have the opportunity to do things just for you, and you work harder than anyone else in this office.”

      “That would be lovely, but I can’t when I keep feeling I should be doing something about Shannon. Maybe I should go home and be there when she gets up. Any other time Shannon’s had a problem, I’ve supported her,” she said, that uneasy feeling not leaving.

      “While you’re thinking about it, I’ll duck across the street and get us coffee. The usual?”

      Andrea nodded. “Thanks.”

      After Gina left, Andrea continued to puzzle over Shannon. When her cell phone rang, she glanced at the caller ID. What did the school want? Then she realized what she’d forgotten to do. “Hi, look, sorry. I should have let you know that Shannon wouldn’t be in class today.”

      “That’s okay. I know about Shannon’s incident yesterday, and I’m really sorry. But I’m not calling about that, not specifically,” said Melody Chapman, the guidance counselor. “We need to talk with you, Mrs. Taylor.”

      Andrea’s throat tightened. “Why?”

      “Shannon’s been having...difficulties at school recently.”

      “What kind of difficulties?”

      “That’s what we need to see you about.”

      “Why didn’t anyone tell me?” Andrea said, upset that she was only finding this out now.

      “We sent messages home with Shannon. In hindsight I should have contacted you directly, but Shannon’s always been such a responsible student...” An uncomfortable silence filled the void.

      Always been such a responsible student?

      What was this woman saying? Was she implying that Shannon’s grades weren’t good? Or could Melody be suggesting something worse than slipping grades? “When do you want to meet?” Andrea asked.

      “Would this afternoon around two work for you?”

      “Of course.”

      After she hung up, Andrea sat in a state of disbelief. Shannon was having difficulties and she’d known nothing about it.

      The door whooshed open, flooding the room with chilled air. “What a long line over there...” Gina stopped. “What’s wrong?”

      “I have a meeting at the school.”

      “About what?” Gina’s eyes were wide as she placed a cup on Andrea’s desk.

      Andrea took a sip from the double espresso. “Apparently Shannon’s having difficulties. But I don’t know any more than that. The woman took me so much by surprise I didn’t press for details. I don’t know what to do. I probably should talk to Shannon before I go to the meeting. But the whole business of not telling me the truth yesterday...”

      “Is there anyone you could talk to about this?”

      “You mean a professional counselor? I went that route after the divorce.”

      “And it helped, didn’t it?”

      “Yeah, but that woman has left her practice and moved away.”

      “What about Carrie?”

      “Mom’s in the midst of getting a new exhibition up and running. Besides, she hates Scott. In her mind I’m too lenient with Shannon. Not enough rules.”

      Gina shrugged. “You need an ally. Teenagers are clever about concealing the truth. You’re alone with a young woman who is intelligent and resourceful. Can I help?”

      “Not unless you have a magic wand that would erase all this.”

      “Would a sympathetic ear help?”

      “You’re already doing that.” Andrea stretched her arms up over her head, trying to release the tension in her neck. “I’m going to call Shannon and see if she’s up. Maybe if I tell her I have a meeting at the school about her behavior, she’ll talk to me.” Andrea grabbed her jacket and purse then started for the door. “But first I’m going for a walk. I need to clear my head.”

      “Call me after the meeting?”

      “I will.” Andrea crossed the street and walked along the river, sitting down on a bench placed near the walking path that hugged the river’s edge. The air was scrubbed clean, the sky a dazzling blue with wisps of white clouds punctuating the horizon. She dialed Shannon’s cell phone number, searching for the words she wanted to say.

      It went straight to voice mail. She left a message, urging her daughter to call her as soon as possible. She called the house, but there was no answer. Needing to move, she began to walk. She stopped to call Shannon only to have the call go to voice mail again. Shannon couldn’t be talking to Chloe unless they were both home from school. The two girls were joined at the hip most days, and she was certain that Shannon would tell Chloe all about what happened.

      Walking along, enjoying the fresh air and the flowering shrubs lining the path, Andrea felt the tension ease. She’d needed this. Moving and being outside gave her some perspective. She glanced at her watch and decided to head back since she was due at the school at two.

      As she got into her car, she redialed Shannon’s cell. Again it went to voice mail. When she called the home phone, Shannon’s voice sounded sleepy and bored.

      “Why didn’t you answer your phone?” Andrea asked, fighting to keep the accusatory tone out of her words.

      “I don’t know where it is. I must have left it in the car. Can you look for me?”

      Andrea leaned across the console and checked the floor and the sides of the seat. Down near the door she saw the bright pink cover. “I found it. Why didn’t it ring?” Andrea inspected the phone.

      “I must have turned it off.”

      Shannon’s casual attitude was surprising since she never allowed her phone out of her sight and never turned it off. “Shannon, I’m sorry, but I won’t be home for a little while.”

      “Why?”

      “I’ve been called to a meeting at the school.”

      “What?” Shannon