Harmony (Part 11 Of 16)
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Charlie checked her phone.
“Is that Eduardo?” He’d texted Charlie that he was on his way but he wasn’t here yet. Had something happened?
“No, honey, someone else.” Charlie handed her dainty china plates. “You sure you only met Eduardo a day ago?”
Stacy’s cheeks heated as she set the plates on the table. “It was a long day.” The school teacher pursed her lips and she rushed to clarify, “We are good friends.” As she hoped she was fast becoming with Charlie.
She got a sure-you-are glance. Pancakes were flipped. Silverware was passed. “Eduardo is a good man. The children love him.”
“Children?” Who were these children of his heart?
“He helps with the school. An administrator of sorts. He is our go-between with Mr. Santos. He handles enrollment and other administrative tasks. Currently he’s looking for another teacher so we can split the class into two.”
It would be a challenge, an exciting challenge, to teach children of all ages. “You are looking for a primary school teacher?” Stacy fingered the elaborate leaf design on one knife. If they needed a primary school teacher she’d help, but the children needed more than music and languages.
“We would settle for teacher. Period.” Charlie laughed. “Though I had no formal education in teaching before I started so even that is negotiable. All I need is someone friendly and hard working. If she has those attributes, I can train her.” She passed the drinking glasses.
They were hand painted in bright colors, at odds with the rest of the table setting. Daniel would call them tacky. Stacy thought them charming.
“I could help with the classes.” Eduardo had plans to show her Belize, plans he had shared with her last night, but to be able to teach in another country where kids truly, desperately needed her skills, that would be such an opportunity. “For the two weeks I’m here, until you find someone.”
“It’s hard work, honey.” Charlie handed Stacy the pancakes. She carried the eggs and bacon herself.
Stacy set the platter on the table. “I’m not afraid of hard work.” She was trained to handle a classroom full of rowdy kids. She hadn’t been trained for getting shot at and trekking through the jungle, yet she had managed. “I’d like to help.”
“That would be terrific.” Charlie beamed. “We’ll mention it to Eduardo. See what he says.”
“Mention what to Eduardo?” The man himself wrapped an arm around her. “Stacy.” He kissed her on the lips. “Charlie.” The older woman got a wink. “Yummm… Pancakes.” The Windsor chair creaked as he sat down.
He looked tired. But then she must look tired also. They hadn’t slept long last night, talking and laughing for hours.
“How did the meeting with your boss go?” What Charlie had told Stacy of Eduardo’s boss, this Tavos Santos, hadn’t eased any worries. He protected the village yet he was, what Eduardo would call, a bad man.
“Okay.” He stuck his fork into the pancake stack. Stacy had thought there was enough food on the table to feed the village. Or, she watched as Eduardo transferred four more pancakes to his plate, one very large man. “What did you want to mention to me?”
“Charlie was telling me how she needs help with the village school.”
“Was she?” Eduardo’s fork froze midair.
“I told her it is very hard work, but so rewarding,” Charlie jumped into the conversation. “It is interesting that I badly need help with the school and here Stacy is, another teacher.”
“It is hard work.” His head bowed over the pancakes. “And Stacy is on vacation, Charlie. We can’t ask her to give that up.”
She was needed. Stacy slid forward in her chair. “You don’t have to ask. I’d love to help. I could shadow Charlie for a few days and then we could split the classroom into two and I could take the younger children.” Charlie had suggested that.
“She’s staying with me. I live close to the school.” Her new friend added. “When the school day is over, you can show her Belize.”
“And on weekends. I’ll need her weekends free.” Eduardo considered her. “Are you sure, Stacy?”
“I’m sure.” She grabbed his hand and squeezed.
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