David's Joy

By Lisa Smelter

Sometimes it's easy to forget that, while professional, teachers are real people, too. They experience the triumphs and losses of love like anyone else and yet are expected to obey the rule to avoid a workplace romance at all costs. While Joy Miller and David Pearson certainly had no intentions to invite the scrutiny and judgment of superiors, colleagues, and the community, they find themselves doing just that. Falling in love was as natural as selecting a delicious apple from a Minnesota apple tree. Despite each having a similar work ethic, and collegial respect, their individual plans to thwart undo scrutiny and survive the school year result in near disaster for their budding romance. Will Joy leave Litton, her friends, and her greatest love behind forever? Will David realize the error in his logic soon enough to rescue them both from a life of deep regret and sorrow? Real teacher and romance writer, Lisa Smelter, brings faithful readers of her Love in Litton series to the edge of their seats in this, her sixth in the popular series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Captured Muse Entertainment
• Release date: Nov 4, 2022
• ISBN: 9781662922169

Book preview

CHAPTER

ONE

Joy Miller sat composedly in the secretary’s office waiting for her interview. She hoped to get the long-term substitute Special Education teacher position at Litton High School. She knew that it would only be for one year since the current teacher planned to take a one-year sabbatical to work on her master’s degree. Joy’s new neighbor, Tessa Hillman, told her of the position and urged her to apply.

Joy thought that a year back home would be perfect. She would have the chance to see more of her brother, Tim, and his family. Since they lost their parents in a tragic car accident in May, Joy had a strong wish to stay close to her brother. He lived in Benton, an hour’s drive from Litton, only a few miles from the house where they grew up.

When Joy came back to Benton for the funeral, she lived in their parents’ home until it was sold a few weeks ago. She looked around for teaching jobs in Benton, but there was nothing available. Tim was a physical education teacher and football coach at Benton High School. She would have loved to teach in the same building as her brother. He was always telling her what a great school it was, but she knew that already. They both graduated from Benton High School.

A friend of Tim’s had a house in Litton that he wanted to lease. Joy looked at it and liked it well enough to choose to live there for the next year. It was a nice older house with a large fenced-in backyard, which was perfect for Curly Sue, her parents’ eight-year-old labradoodle. Joy adopted Curly Sue after her parents’ death because Tim’s wife did not want to own a dog yet. She said that she would consider having one when their two little ones were a bit older.

Tim and Amber’s son, Brandon, was three, and their little daughter, Breanna, was fifteen months old. Joy agreed with Amber that the children were a little young for a larger dog such as Curly Sue. A year from now, when Joy stopped renting the house, Tim and Amber might take Curly Sue to live with them.

That, in turn, would give Joy the opportunity to move back to England if she wanted to. She missed her good friends there. She promised her best friend and former roommate, Pippa, that she would consider coming back to live and work there again. Pippa’s older brother, Robert, was in love with Joy and would be thrilled if she came back to live in England.

Joy lived for a year in a suburb of London, England, while she was getting her teaching degree. Litton College had an arrangement with its sister school in London. The colleges regularly traded students. Londoners came to America, and Americans went to London to learn in their schools.

Joy made a lot of friends there, especially Pippa Evans, who became like a sister to her. They were friends from the moment they met at college. Their personalities complemented each other very well. Joy’s warm and kind character went well with Pippa’s outgoing and fun-loving nature. They were roommates for two terms in the old dorms that the college offered to their students.

When Joy returned to the United States to finish her teaching degree, Pippa made her promise to come back and visit someday. They kept in close contact through emails and phone calls. Joy was thrilled when Pippa called Joy the month after she completed her degree and told her that there were jobs for them both at a prestigious private school in Dorset County.

Her parents were supportive of whatever Joy wanted to do. They would miss their little Joy, but they wanted her to be happy. Joy wanted to go to England and teach. She was young and unencumbered. She would be able to see more of Europe while she worked in England.

Pippa and Joy interviewed for the jobs, and they both were hired. The school was interested in having an American on staff. She was asked to talk with their staff about the way Americans taught in their schools. Joy only had her student teaching experience to go by, but the faculty was thrilled to have her with them.

Because of Joy’s wonderful personality, kindness, and humor, she made friends easily. Pippa’s brother, Robert, liked her right away. Joy saw quite a lot of him since he visited Pippa regularly. Their parents had been deceased for at least ten years, and Robert and Pippa tried to stay close. Robert was five years older than Pippa. He was a junior solicitor in an established firm in London. He was a handsome, quiet, and very nice man.

Joy did not love him, but she was honored that he wanted to spend his free time with her. She never encouraged him but went out with him as a friend. He often came to their apartment to help Pippa with her financial issues. Pippa was a lovely vivacious girl, but she had a terrible head for numbers. Their parents had left them an ample inheritance, and Pippa spent money a little frivolously. In comparison, Joy was more conservative. She was careful with her money. Robert totally endorsed Joy’s practical and conservative side when it came to money matters.

Joy went home to stay with her parents for two months every summer, while still holding on to her job in England. She thought that she might give it a few more years before going back home permanently and looking for a new job. It had been a terrible shock when Tim called her in late May to tell her about their parents’ accident. Joy’s school released her immediately, so she could go back home for the funeral.

After spending a month at home, Joy called Pippa and told her that she wouldn’t be coming back to their school for a while, if ever. Pippa protested but realized that Joy had to get through her parents’ deaths however she could.

The school quickly hired someone in Joy’s place. That young woman was an inexperienced teacher who agreed to share Pippa’s apartment in Joy’s place. If the new teacher didn’t work out, Joy would probably be able to come back to her old position.

Joy knew that she was not ready to leave her brother just yet. They grew closer in the time she had been back home. She also loved his young family. Tim’s wife and two children were very special to her. She was a woman who made good friends and stayed loyal to them for a very long time.

* * *

Joy looked down at her professional blue jacket and matching skirt with resignation. Ever since Pippa told her last year that she shouldn’t wear her regular clothes to work at their high school, she instead wore this same type of loose professional outfit. Her voluptuous figure was a distraction for teenage boys. In these loose boxy jackets and knee-length straight skirts, no one could see her curves.

She had been dissatisfied for years about her full figure until a college boyfriend told her that she had a knockout figure. Of course, this made her feel better about herself. Still, she did not want to emphasize her shapely features to high school boys. So instead, she bought five boxy jackets and matching skirts in various shades of blue, tan, and gray, which she paired with a multitude of plain pastel and white short-sleeved silky blouses. She usually wore sensible low-heeled shoes to go with her suits.

It was a pity that her school clothes were so unexciting because Joy loved wearing pretty, feminine dresses and shoes. Since she wanted to appear taller than her five-foot-four-inch frame today, she allowed herself to wear her two-inch heels. She had no idea that they made her nice legs look much longer and very shapely.

She had small, graceful feet and hands, which she always kept nicely groomed. Today her fingernails and toenails were painted a delicate pink color. She wore no jewelry to the interview, which was a big change from what she wore in private. She loved jewelry and usually wore long dangling earrings and antique vintage necklaces and bracelets. She had always been told to dress conservatively for an interview, so Joy took this advice to heart.

When the secretary ushered Joy into the conference room, Joy walked calmly and confidently into the room. Seated at the head of the table was the principal, a ruggedly good-looking man of approximately forty years of age. Seated on either side of him were two young female teachers. One was Tessa Hillman, Joy’s new neighbor and friend. The other was a friendly-looking woman about Joy’s age.

Joy took her seat and gazed at the principal. She knew from talking with Tessa that his name was David Pearson and that he was a good man. Tessa said that he had a kind heart, and the students willingly talked to him when they had a problem. He was a bit quiet but friendly with his staff. With his thick dark hair, striking amber-brown eyes, and impressive build, he was easily one of the best-looking men at the high school. Tessa had laughed and said that he was a hunk. Joy immediately thought that Tessa was right. She smiled inwardly at her wayward thoughts.

David looked at the newcomer and immediately liked her friendly and pleasant face. His first impression of her was of softness and femininity. Her light brown hair was curly and a little longer than shoulder length. She had big bluish-green eyes that were pleasantly framed by her long lashes. Her nose was small and tip-tilted, and her mouth was wide and a soft pink color. Her clothes were professional, but she wore high heels with little bow ties at the heel. He sensed her calmness and confidence even before she spoke.

David and the other two interviewers took turns asking Joy questions. Joy answered them easily and with a smile. Her smile was charming, and David enjoyed the interview. Joy spoke with a hint of a British accent, which was not unusual because she had spent four years living there. She had a natural smile and twinkling eyes when she recounted some of her former students’ antics. The interview team readily recognized that Joy had a nice balance of confidence that can only come from experience, as well as a cheerful outlook.

Since David possessed a limited knowledge of Special Education, he relied on the other two interviewers to ask the pertinent questions. He was impressed by Joy’s professional and sincere responses. He knew that he would enjoy having her on his staff for the upcoming school year.

The allotted interview time fairly sped by, and Joy was dismissed with an exchange of pleasantries.

After Joy left them, the teachers and Principal Pearson engaged in a candid discussion. The teachers hoped that Joy would be given the job. They both liked her the minute they met her. That makes three of us, thought David. They unanimously agreed to hire Joy for the long-term substitute position. David told Mrs. Rice, his secretary, who found Joy’s phone number for him. He waited to call her until an hour later, in order to give her a chance to get home.

Hello, Ms. Miller? This is Principal David Pearson, from Litton High School. I would like to offer you the position of long-term substitute for the upcoming school year. We found your experience working with Special Education students to be just what we were looking for. He waited for her response.

Thank you, Mr. Pearson. I would be happy to accept that position, Joy said with a smile in her voice. She waited for further instructions from him.

He told her where and when to report for school workshops and that she would be getting a few letters to confirm her appointment and other information about the job. She thanked him quietly. As soon as she hung up the phone, she went to find Curly Sue and gave her a big hug.

This calls for a celebration, my friend. How about a nice juicy hamburger for supper? I’ll make some on the grill outside, and we’ll celebrate, okay? The dog just looked at her and smiled with her big doggie grin.

David thought about Joy that evening. Her voice was soft and pleasant. Her smile kept flashing through his mind. He thought that she was so appropriately named. Her whole being seemed to radiate joy. He didn’t think that her outfit fit her personality, but her high-heeled shoes seemed to make a sweet and somewhat sassy statement. He guessed that she wore those clothes because she intended to present a conservative image, a perfectly understandable strategy for any teacher to use when seeking employment. Whatever her reason was, he was happy that she agreed to work at Litton this next year. He thought that she would likely get along with his staff very well.

He thought about the forty staff members at Litton High School. He had inherited a good crowd. There were only a few teachers around whom he was guarded. There were two female teachers who seemed to have a chip on their shoulders. He heard enough comments from others over the last two years to know that, while they did their jobs adequately, they were not very well-liked by their students or colleagues.

Tessa and her husband, Matt, walked over to Joy’s house late that afternoon. Matt pulled a large wagon that ferried their three-and-a-half-year-old son and eighteen-month-old daughter. Tessa ran up to Joy and asked her, Did David offer you the job? I hope so—you would love working at Litton High School.

Joy smiled at her and nodded excitedly, Yes, he called this afternoon and offered it to me! I told him that I would take it. He is going to send out a bunch of information about workshops and other stuff that I need to know.

She stopped at that moment, turned to Matt and Tessa, and asked, Won’t you please stay for supper? Curly Sue and I are celebrating. We’d love to have you. It will be more of a party if you stay.

Tessa quickly looked at Matt, smiled, and just like that, they nonverbally communicated their mutual agreement.

Thank you, Joy, responded Tessa. Yes, we’d love to celebrate with you!

The group continued its way toward the backyard, stopping long enough for Joy to unlatch the gate. There was a slight delay as she struggled with the latch.

Joy turned to explain to her friend, This doggone latch doesn’t seem to work right. Then, just as soon as she said that it released.

Oh, good. Whew! Got it this time. Even though Joy gave the latch a stern look, she seemed more embarrassed with herself.

Tessa grinned at Joy. Her new friend was a lady through and through.

Once seated at the picnic table, Joy continued her account of Principal Pearson’s phone call.

It’s kind of scary for me. I have never taught for a full year in the United States. Other than my student teaching assignments, I have only taught in England. I am quite sure that we did things a bit differently than they do here. Will you help me with any necessary adjustments, Tessa? she asked her new friend.

Of course I will, Joy. LHS is a great place to work. We have about six hundred students and forty staff. David has only been our principal for two years, and he is a sweetie. He taught in the math department for ten years at Litton Junior High, then was their assistant principal for a few years before coming over to LHS. He trusts the staff to do their work without always looking over our shoulders. He grew up on a farm outside Litton and graduated from Litton High School. He wants to bring back some of the old traditions like float contests for Homecoming, a Sadie Hawkins Dance, and things like that. Most of the female staff members are in love with him, but he is always friendly and professional with everyone. In fact, if I did not have my darling Matt here, I might be interested in him, myself. With that, Tessa gave her husband such a look of love that he smiled widely.

He said tenderly, Just for that, my love, you get a kiss. He reached over, pulled her into a tight hug, and lingeringly kissed her. They laughingly pulled away from each other and then looked sheepishly at Joy. Not everyone liked to watch other people being affectionate.

Joy just smiled approvingly at them and said, Don’t mind me—kiss all you want. It doesn’t bother me at all.

Besides hamburgers on the grill, she had a big batch of potato salad that she made yesterday, some watermelon, and freshly baked brownies. She handed the job of grill chef over to Matt while Tessa played with her children and Curly Sue in the backyard. Joy got out all the food and set up the picnic table, which was near the outdoor grill.

They laughed and talked long into the evening. Tessa told Joy some things about their students, but most of the conversation was unrelated to school. Matt shared some interesting accounts from his work at the Litton airport.

It was getting dark by the time Matt and Tessa started their walk home with their babies, already asleep on the soft blankets in the big wagon.

The road they lived on was long, straight, and very quiet. The only traffic that came past was from the inhabitants of the houses along that road. Matt and Tessa lived a mile down the road from Joy. There were two other houses on the road in between them. Joy had originally met Tessa during the first week that she lived there, while she was walking with Curly Sue.

Joy had never owned a dog before, but