Read Online Caroline's Seduction (Montgomery Family and Friends) by Iris Abbott - Free Book Online Page A

the ref.  His smile faltered and then disappeared, a look of resignation taking its place.  “There it is,” a third parent added to the conversation.  “Complete and total rejection, the ice princess is still alive and well.”  The four fathers in the group with Kyle all laughed.   
    Kyle, who had been holding his breath, let out a sigh of relief.  He wasn’t laughing.  He was too busy basking in Caroline’s rejection of the referee.  Then the whistle blew and the game resumed.  It was Sarah’s turn to serve.  Thank God, Kyle would finally be able to concentrate on the game instead of examining why he felt such intense relief when Caroline turned down the referee.  It was none of his business who she spent her time with these days.
    ******
    Caroline looked up from the papers she was correcting.  Sarah was patiently standing by her desk waiting to be noticed.  Caroline offered a smile.  “Just give me a minute Sarah.  I’m almost done with this test.”
    Caroline finished the test and set it aside.  She turned her attention back to Sarah.  “What can I do for you?”  She had purposely avoided volleyball games the past month.  She didn’t want to unnecessarily cross paths with Kyle.  The old adage out of sight out of mind didn’t seem to be working.  No matter how hard she tried to forget him he was always in the back of her mind.
    “Well, I need a big favor,” the teen hesitantly replied.  “Jay asked me to be his date to the homecoming dance.”
    Caroline wasn’t surprised.  The two teens had become fast friends and spent a lot of time together.  “That’s fabulous Sarah.  If your father needs me to vouch for Jay, I can.  His mother and I are best friends as you probably already know.  He comes from a fine upstanding family and he’s a wonderful young man.”
    “I think my dad knows that already.  He doesn’t object to Jay escorting me to the dance.  He already met Jay and his family at the barbeque.  Remember?” 
    “So he did,” Caroline agreed.  “What’s this big favor you need then?”
    Sarah gave her another sheepish look.  “Can you picture my dad shopping for a homecoming dress?” she actually laughed while she was asking the question. 
    Caroline raised her eyebrows and smiled at the mental image of Kyle surrounded by a rack full of fancy dresses.  “I see your point,” Caroline agreed.  “He would look rather out of place amongst all that lace, chiffon, and the occasional ruffle.”
    “Exactly,” Sarah giggled!   “I need someone to take me shopping and help me pick out a dress.  Preferably someone with a great sense of fashion, which I know you possess.  You have got to be the best dressed teacher at this school!”  Sarah held out a sheet of paper with a printed list.  “Look!  I already have a list of dress shops and boutiques I want to visit.  They’re all in Atlanta.  I figured most of the other girls will buy their dresses in Tallahassee.  I want something a little different and I’m already familiar with the shops in Buckhead.”
    Caroline was reluctant to involve herself in Kyle’s life anymore than she already was.  And she was sure after their last conversation that he wouldn’t appreciate it either.  “Maybe Mrs. Blake would enjoy helping you pick out a dress, since you’re Jay’s date.”  Caroline could only hope that was the case.  “I know that she and her sisters shop in Atlanta several times a year.  It’ll be a few years before Jay’s sister is old enough to need a homecoming dress.  You know the more I think about the more I’m sure Abigail wouldn’t mind helping you find a dress.”
    Sarah’s smile faded to a frown.  “Mrs. Blake seems nice enough, but I don’t really know her.   I was hoping you and I could go shopping together one Saturday.  You know make a whole day out of it, maybe even a weekend.  It would just be the two of us,” she was quick to add.  “My dad wouldn’t be caught