Breaking the Rules

  Breaking the Rules

  Melinda Dozier

  Avon, Massachusetts

  This edition published by

  Crimson Romance

  an imprint of F+W Media, Inc.

  10151 Carver Road, Suite 200

  Blue Ash, Ohio 45242

  www.crimsonromance.com

  Copyright © 2013 by Melinda Hildebrand

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, corporations, institutions, organizations, events, or locales in this novel are either the product of the author’s imagination or, if real, used fictitiously. The resemblance of any character to actual persons (living or dead) is entirely coincidental.

  ISBN 10: 1-4405-7030-2

  ISBN 13: 978-1-4405-7030-8

  eISBN 10: 1-4405-7031-0

  eISBN 13: 978-1-4405-7031-5

  Cover art © 123rf.com

  To my three boys. I do it all for you.

  Contents

  Dedication

  Acknowledgments

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  About the Author

  A Sneak Peek from Crimson Romance

  Also Available

  Acknowledgments

  Thank you to my family, especially my husband and boys for allowing me to spend hours cooped up writing. You know I love you! A deep appreciation goes out to my editor, Julie Sturgeon, for her insightful and welcome guidance in making this story better. Huge hugs and lots of chocolates to my critique partners Brittney Rhondeau, Kimberly Sullivan, and Linda Gillis.

  Chapter 1

  The minute Colin stepped foot into the middle school office, the sinking feeling dropped deep into the pit of his stomach. Why would the principal summon him to meet her immediately? It’d been a while since the school called him and the secretary’s tone indicated this impromptu meeting would be a delicate situation.

  He approached the counter and looked down at Mrs. Snyder, the same secretary from when he attended Harbor Bay Prep, her hair cut into a bob with a pencil sticking out behind her ear.

  She gaped at him. “Dr. Calaway. So nice to see you.”

  “Good afternoon, Mrs. Snyder.” He looked down at her worried face. “You called about my meeting the principal.”

  “Oh, yes.” She fumbled with a piece of paper. “She’ll be with you in one minute.”

  He had a list of responsibilities that demanded his attention. Mondays were always busy at the office. His physician assistant had taken over his last two examining rooms, and patients filled the regular waiting area at his clinic, expecting him to diagnose their problems. Now, he had to wait for the principal? He glanced at his watch and asked, “Can you tell me what this is about?”

  “The principal will be with you in one minute. Have a seat.” Mrs. Snyder pointed to the tiny chairs against the wall.

  Colin walked to the window facing a hallway. He hoped to see his eleven-year-old son, Jason, among the padding feet next to the lockers. No sight of him. What the hell did Jason do?

  His son almost never got into trouble. Last year Jason’s teacher had called Colin about a small disagreement with a boy in his class, but that was it — he’d never been called to the office. The only other reasons he ever came to school were for the parent-teacher meetings or swim meets on the weekends. Never for something serious enough to meet with the old school marm.

  He took a deep breath, looked back at the little seats and unbuttoned his sports coat. He perched himself with a squeak at the edge of the hard plastic seat.

  Who was this new school principal anyway? He hadn’t met her yet, since it was only September. He looked around the office walls to try to find pictures or some indication of who the woman was. Nothing.

  He took out his smartphone to see the time — again — and to check for any messages from his assistant. Above him, the steady tick of the wall clock kept him company as he waited. He checked his watch. One more hour until his next patient. Enough time, if the woman would hurry.

  When the school bell rang, a tall, slender figure wearing a foot cast wobbled into the office entrance. She paused, broadcasting regal certainty as her eyes roamed Colin’s figure. “You must be Mr. Calaway.”

  Colin frowned, opened his mouth and then closed it. Standing, he took a double take at the alluring woman who held out her hand. “You’re the principal?”

  “Yes.” She met his smile and the hand he offered. “I appreciate you meeting me at such short notice. Please come into my office.”

  He took a deep breath as he followed her. Interesting. This blonde bombshell was the principal? Why didn’t principals look like this when I was in school? He couldn’t help but eye her behind. The tight pencil skirt that accentuated her narrow waist commanded his attention. He rubbed his hands together. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been in the principal’s office.”

  “I’m glad to hear that. Have a seat.” She closed her office door and used a cane to teeter over to her workspace. Looking over the desk at him, she cocked her head, then sat in her cushy rolling chair. She fumbled with some papers on her desk with a puckered brow.

  Colin sat across from her and examined the nameplate on the desk. “Ms. Robinson, huh?” He stretched his leg across his knee, bouncing it up and down. Jason had somehow forgotten to mention that his new principal was hot. And for some reason, meeting her in this tiny room made him nervous.

  Ms. Robinson’s long blonde hair looped into a bun at the back of her head, with strays falling on her long neck. She wore a tailored dark blue dress suit showing off her one fine leg that she probably used to stomp on young misbehaved students. Her blue eyes glowed as she leaned back and steepled her fingers in front of her.

  “That’s right, Mr. Calaway.” She grinned, her full lips beckoning his attention. “I’m Hope Robinson. It’s nice to meet you, finally.”

  “Finally? Oh, you mean because you’re new to the area. How do you like it so far?” Why am I so nervous? I talk with patients all the time, for crying out loud.

  He inspected her perfectly neat desk. Papers stacked high on the side of her computer, and a photo frame displayed a picture of two older people, most likely her parents. No pictures of a significant other, as far as he could tell. Why he looked for that, he didn’t know. Ah, hell, he did know. The spark of interest in this particular woman hit him like a bolt of lightning the minute he laid eyes on her.

  “Well, it’s perfect, actually. But, that’s not what I meant.”

  He shook his head to rid the imprudent thoughts and his gaze met hers. He swallowed as the sense of dread overwhelmed him again. “Then what did you mean?”

  She cleared her throat and jutted out her chin. “Jason has been given another detention.”

  “Another detention?” He sat up straight. “He’s had others?”

  “Well, yes. This is his third since school started.” She pulled out two forms from the folder in front of her. “Don’t you remember signing — ” She stopped when Colin frowned. “I’m guessing you didn’t see these previous detention slips, then.”

  Colin reach
ed over and grabbed the two papers from her well-manicured hands, their fingers touching briefly, which caused a shudder he had to ignore. “I hate to say it, but these are not my signatures.” He ground his teeth together. “Looks like Jason has some explaining to do.” He shook his head and handed the detention slips back to her.

  Her jaw tightened. “I’m afraid so. And there is this third altercation.”

  “Ms. Robinson, I know you’ve heard it all before, but this is coming as a huge surprise. Jason has never been in trouble before.”

  Her lips straightened and she stared at him for three beats. A blush rose on her cheeks and then she looked down. “Sometimes middle school can be a big change for a student, among other things.”

  Colin crossed his arms. “What did Jason do?” He had to stop focusing on the principal’s long neck and that dip in the front of her blouse. What was going on with his son?

  Opening the file in front of her, she pointed at a paper filled with notes. “The first two detentions were for inappropriate language and throwing water on another student, hardly major disturbances.” She closed the file and titled her head to the side.

  “And this latest incident?”

  She straightened and folded her hands together. “Jason pushed a boy.”

  “He got into a fight? Where is he?”

  “It wasn’t a fight, although it almost escalated into one. Luckily, a teacher stopped him before it got out of control. He will need to stay after school on Thursday for detention, along with the other boy. Jason’s in class, but he’s aware I’ve called you to the school.”

  Colin scooted to the edge of his seat. “I don’t know what to think. This has never happened before.”

  She bent over her desk and placed her hand on top of his. “I understand. Since he’s never had any major trouble before, something must have changed recently and he doesn’t know how to deal with it. What do you think about the counselor speaking to him?”

  Their eyes met and for an instant, real concern shown in her face, mixed with something else. Interest. He couldn’t miss it. Her lashes batted against her cheeks and her pupils grew larger. Hell, even the feel of her hand made him want to reach over and take those fingertips that rubbed the top of his knuckles into his mouth.

  He shook his head and that seemed to wake her from her senses. When she pulled her hand back and sat up straighter, he spoke through a hoarse voice. “That’s a good idea, and I’ll talk to him tonight. Not just about the pushing, but about signing those forms, too.”

  Ms. Robinson stood, grabbed her cane and walked to his side. He took that as his cue to stand, too. She placed her hand on his arm. “Maybe he’s seeking attention. I suggest spending more quality time with him. Father and son time.”

  Of course. What other time would there be? After his wife died two years ago, there had been no one else. Father and son time occupied their days and nights, if they weren’t visiting Jason’s grandparents. Although the medical journal had published his research this past year, which kept him busy. Maybe the time away had sent Jason off the deep end. The pretty principal was right. He needed to spend more time with his kid.

  He glanced at her, an empty feeling in his stomach. “What do you suggest?”

  She reached toward her desk in front of him, brushing her own arm against his chest. She brought back a flier that sat on the corner of her desk. “There’s a Friendly Games Morning this Saturday. Sports like volleyball, soccer, but non-competitive. I bet Jason would love to attend, and if you go with him, he’d love it even more. Ideal father-son time right at your fingertips.”

  “Sounds perfect. Will you be there?” Now, why did he ask that? Maybe he wanted to see Ms. Robinson in some athletic shorts. He shook his head. Stop it, Colin. Get yourself together. Your son needs you.

  She brought the flier down to her side and looked at him in the eyes. The interest that radiated there wrapped him like a warm blanket. A message passed between them quickly, telling him she wanted to see him there too, and more than just for Jason’s sake. A few beats passed between them, her breathing quickened, then she slowly lifted up the flier. “It’s a school function, so of course I’ll be there.”

  Colin grabbed the information from her hand and smiled. “Even though he’ll be grounded, we’ll be there.” He pointed down at the walking cast. “What happened to your foot?”

  “Just a little mishap. Fractured my foot.”

  He smirked. “How will you play on Saturday with your foot in a walking cast?”

  She shrugged. “Lucky for me, the cast comes off tomorrow.”

  He raised an eyebrow and leaned in. He could smell her rosy perfume. “Who’s your doctor?”

  She lifted her eyes to meet his and bit her lip. After a moment, she shook her head and wobbled closer to the door. Obviously, their meeting had ended. “Dr. Patel. Why?”

  Now why did Rajan Patel always get the hot patients? “I’m an orthopedic surgeon. In fact, Dr. Patel and I work together at the clinic.”

  “I’ll be there tomorrow to get this beast off.” She reached for the doorknob but stopped. “Please speak to Jason. I want to be lenient with this case, but if it happens again, he will be suspended.”

  Those blue eyes struck him all the way to his toes. She must scare the middle school students to death. “I’ll speak to him, there will be consequences and no other incidents.”

  “Great to hear.” She smiled sweetly, looking at him from her lowered lashes. Then, she opened the door and escorted him out. “I’ll see Jason Thursday after school and both of you at the games on Saturday.”

  Colin nodded and shook her hand. “It was nice to meet you.”

  He looked into her sparkling eyes and time ceased. His pulse raced against his breastbone and he didn’t want to be anywhere else but there — staring at those eyes, hearing the intake of her breath, smelling her sexy perfume. Her inviting figure again called his attention, from head to toe, and when he looked up, a blush graced her cheeks. The connection was there, no doubt about it.

  Letting go of his hand, she cleared her throat and said, “It was a pleasure to meet you, too.” Then she teetered back to her office and shut the door.

  • • •

  Finally the day arrived. Four weeks in a walking cast definitely took some getting used to. Only one and a half months into her new town, her new school, and she had dropped the huge storage unit’s lock onto her foot. Luckily, she had only a hairline fracture, but she hated walking the hallways with her big cast in everyone’s view. If she heard another “what happened” from an inquisitive parent, she would break her “I got it together” demeanor and scream.

  With a sigh, Hope sat on the examining table and looked at her cell phone. Her lunch break just finished, but she had informed her secretary that she’d return late. She had to meet with the athletic department to finalize the Friendly Games Morning plans, and there was an administrator’s meeting at five. But first, she had to take care of her foot.

  When she entered the clinic, Dr. Calaway’s name on the door triggered images of the concerned father from the day before. Her cheeks warmed as she recalled Dr. Calaway saying goodbye. Did she hold it together long enough? Hopefully he didn’t notice her rapid pulse and sweaty palms when she touched his arm. It had only been a small gesture to comfort him — one that turned her knees to mush and made her girly parts ding to life. Although he had been obviously nervous, a trait she usually found a turn-off, she found it endearing. His broad shoulders and smoldering green eyes didn’t hurt either. It had been a long time since she felt an immediate attraction to someone, not since Vincent. She was a little P.O’d it had to be with a student’s father, who was officially off limits.

  The door to the room opened and a voice called, “Hello, Ms. Robinson.”

  Hope blinked twice. Speak of the knee-wobbling, to-die-for devil.
A new and unexpected warmth surged through her. “Dr. Calaway. What a surprise. Where’s Dr. Patel?”

  He scooted his wheeled chair up to the table and sat down. “To be honest, I looked up when you were coming so I could attend you.”

  The lower ping in her belly danced to life as his lips curled upward. She didn’t know what to say. His dark hair fell gently over his temple, and those green eyes stared at her. The white doctor’s coat fell across his strong shoulders perfectly and his tie hung over his chest in a way that made her want to reach forward and straighten it. Her heart pounded faster and she bit her bottom lip. “Okay, I mean, you could take my cast off too, right?”

  He hesitated, measuring her for a moment. “Right.” He smiled and put his pen in his breast pocket.

  She tried to throttle the dizzying current racing through her veins. With a deep breath, she observed the wall and pretended to read the poster about knee anatomy.

  “Um, right. Let’s see.” He opened her patient folder and studied it. “Looks like you’ve been in a cast for four weeks now.” He quirked an eyebrow. “When did you move here again?”

  “Six weeks ago. Great timing, huh?” She laughed under her breath, pulling her hair behind her ear.

  “Not an ideal way to start off in a new place, but you seem to be settling in well enough.” He patted the patient table next to where she sat. “Put your foot up.”

  She swiveled her foot over and laid back. “Did you talk to Jason?”

  “I tried. He didn’t feel like talking much last night, but at least he listened.” He rolled her capri pant leg up and eyed her cast. A wave of apprehension swept through her at his touch. But at the same time, his touch thrilled her. “So, can I call you Hope, since you’re my patient today?”

  “You can call me Hope, if I can call you Colin.”

  He grinned. “You know my name, then?”

  She pointed. She didn’t want to admit she looked it up after he left her office the day before. “It’s on your name tag.”