Read Charm School After Dark: Lesson 1 for Free Online

room. Her large frame sat atop the tiniest pair of feet Caelen had ever seen, and she found herself grateful for the gray cane Ms. Hattie used to navigate the short walk.
    Caelen’s heart squeezed painfully at the reminder of the march of time. As a kid, she’d reveled in every moment she’d spent with such smart, strong women. Now Ms. Belle was gone, and Ms. Hattie looked frail and in pain.
    Pulling the front of her hat forward, Caelen tried to hide the sheen of tears behind the black mesh as she waited for Ms. Hattie to make her way to Mr. Brown’s desk. She had a million questions to ask, but the proper grandmother-figure would think it totally uncouth if she launched into her mental list of demands.
    Ms. Hattie’s face beamed with happiness. Caelen had always loved her; it was impossible not to be drawn to the serenity that oozed from the large woman. Having three sisters and a frantic mother who was constantly working just to keep food in their mouths, Caelen had loved spending time with Ms. Hattie.
    Usually, they’d worked together in the kitchen. Ms. Hattie was an amazing cook. Too bad none of Ms. Hattie’s skills had rubbed off on Caelen. She still considered bagels with cream cheese fine dining. Ms. Hattie had caught on quick and never actually allowed Caelen to prepare any of the meals; instead, most tasks were relegated to chopping or stirring.
    “Hello, my Baby Quads. It’s so good to see you. I know we said hello earlier, but if these feet would allow me, I would just run over and kiss you again.”
    “Yes, ma’am,” all of the girls responded dutifully.
    “Such manners.” Ms. Hattie clapped her hands in glee. “It warms my heart that y’all have held onto the instruction Ms. Belle taught you. Makes me so proud. And my, my, Ms. Caelen! I see you still enjoy your special outfits. You look as pretty as a movie star, but why are you dressed for a funeral, baby?”
    “I wanted to be respectful of Ms. Belle’s memory.” Caelen popped up and rushed into Ms. Hattie’s arms, pressing a soft kiss against her wrinkled brown cheek.
    “That time has passed now, honey. The mourning is over. It’s what Ms. Belle would want. She’d want us to celebrate, her life and yours!” Ms. Hattie’s words were uplifting, but Caelen caught the sheen of tears trapped between her faux mink lashes.
    Ms. Hattie went on to hug each of the girls individually. As the greetings went on, Caelen’s mind wandered and her gaze kept returning to the window. She tried to focus on the matter at hand, but she couldn’t help but imagine Dare toiling away under the hot sun, his tanned body glistening with sweat as—
    No . Didn’t matter he was drop dead gorgeous. Well, to be honest, he wasn’t exactly gorgeous. He was rugged, uber-masculine and so sexy it made her toes curl, but that didn’t matter, she reminded herself for the thousandth time. He was still a jerk! He didn’t deserve a second of her time. So why couldn’t she stop thinking about the feel of his warm, callused palm holding hers against his chest?
    Focus.
    Finally, Ms. Hattie settled in a seat toward the front of the room, right behind a large traveling trunk, adorned with gold buckles and worn leather. “Yes, yes. We are leaving all the mourning behind. Now we celebrate.”
    “Is it true that the place is going to be foreclosed upon?” Dacey asked.
    “Not if I have a breath left in my body. That isn’t even the biggest of our problems. We have a Handsome Devil, that’s what I call him, coming in, thinking he has a claim to Ms. Belle’s legacy. Just watch out, girls, for that wolf in sheep’s clothing. Doesn’t matter how pretty he is, he’s a devil all the same. Thank the Lord above that Ms. Belle put you girls in charge. I know if anyone can save the school, it’s you four.”
    “But who is this guy? How could he have any claim to the school?” Caelen asked.
    “In order to have a claim, he’d have to be a relative, silent partner…” Athena