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Annie glanced at her watch She'd called Bryan's uncle twenty e But he htaway"

"Then ait"

She almost smiled at the stubbornness of him, but knew that that would only make matters worse "Are you sure you don't want to tell an?

"No"

Annie tucked back a strand of hair that had escaped the bun she'd anchored with a pair of lacquered chopsticks in a vain atteether—would you feel s with her?"

She'd already called Mrs Nicholson to tell her that Bryan would be late getting home The woman had taken it in her stride—she had three boys "And one of theh, love in every syllable "Since you're waiting on Zach, he can drive thisbaby home"

"Bryan?" she prompted, when her little mischief-maker remained silent

"No You promised I could wait for Uncle Zach" He scowled "Pro, that's what Uncle Zach always says"

"That's true" Giving in, she smiled "Let's hope your uncle

makes it here soon"

"Hot date?" The voice was rich, dark, and completely out of place in her classroom

Startled, she stood to face thein the doorway "Uncle Zach?"

A smile that cut her off at the knees "Just Zach's fine" Vivid aqua-colored eyes, straight black hair cut in a careless way, copper-gold skin and bones that spoke of an ancestor from one of the native tribes "You called"

And he'd come

She felt her cheeks blaze as the thought passed through her head "I'm Annie Kildaire, Bryan's teacher"