Total pages in book: 248
Estimated words: 236036 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1180(@200wpm)___ 944(@250wpm)___ 787(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 236036 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1180(@200wpm)___ 944(@250wpm)___ 787(@300wpm)
“I understand that,” Jeb said. “Although I think exceptions should be made when Wyatt was sticking up for a friend and for himself.”
“Sticking up for a friend and himself?” Mr. Steeples asked. “What are you talking about? Wyatt pushed Billy. It’s clear that Wyatt has some temper issues. This isn’t the first time he’s gotten upset and angry. But this is the first time he has hurt someone else. And he’s going to have to be suspended for three days.”
Billy didn’t look hurt.
“Wyatt’s the one with a bruise on his face,” Casey pointed out.
“Yes, he is,” Jeb said. “And that isn’t Wyatt’s side of the story.”
“Wyatt’s side?” Mr. Steeples asked, looking somewhat confused by the concept.
Idiot.
“Yes, what did Wyatt say when you asked him?” Jeb asked.
“Well, I, uh, I hadn’t gotten to Wyatt yet.”
“Wyatt, tell your side,” Jeb said.
Wyatt went through the whole story again. Billy’s father was looking less smug and more annoyed while the principal’s face grew increasingly red.
“So, Wyatt was sticking up for a friend. And defending himself. I expect that to be taken into consideration when you are deciding a punishment,” Jeb said.
Wyatt gave his dad another surprised look.
“He could be lying!” Billy’s father said.
“Then get the other kids in and ask them,” Jeb said calmly. “My boy isn’t a liar, Maurice.”
“Ooh, burn,” Casey muttered.
Everyone glared at her.
“Sorry.” She mimed zipping her lips.
Billy’s mom gave her a strange look.
“Fine. I will talk to the other children. But both Billy and Wyatt are suspended until Monday. Getting physical is never the answer.”
Jeb nodded. “Come on, Wyatt. Casey.”
“Thank goodness we’re leaving. The principal’s office always upsets my tummy,” she said as she followed Jeb out. She crunched on her candy, swallowing it.
Wyatt walked beside her. He drew his lollipop out of his mouth. “It does?”
“Uh-huh. Once I got called in to see my principal over a misunderstanding. But I was so upset I vomited all over her shoes. She was not happy.”
“I bet,” Wyatt said with a nod of commiseration.
“I can’t believe the principal was going to let Billy lay all of the blame on you,” Jeb said as he opened two doors to his truck.
“I think Mr. Steeples and Billy’s dad are friends,” Wyatt said.
“Really unacceptable,” Jeb growled.
Wyatt shrugged. “Billy lies a lot and the teachers believe him.”
“Not cool,” she said. “Billy needs to learn that lying and being a bully are not okay.”
“Well, his father probably won’t teach him that. He’s been a bully since we were kids,” Jeb muttered as Billy and his parents left the building.
Maurice shot them all a dirty look.
“Hey, Casey?” Wyatt said.
“Yes, sugar?” she asked.
He grinned. “I got a question.”
Oh, he was probably wondering what she was doing with his father.
“What’s that?” she asked.
“How come you only have one sandal on?”
Well. Hell. She kept forgetting about that.
Jeb picked her up with his hands around her waist and lifted her into the passenger seat.
“Casey, you’re not supposed to be walking around barefoot. In fact, I believe I told you to stay in the truck.”
“Yeah, but I got bored.”
“You didn’t even wait for thirty seconds,” Jeb said dryly.
Casey shrugged. “I have a short attention span.”
“Your bandage is all dirty,” he pointed out.
“What happened to her foot, Papa?” Wyatt asked.
“An incident with hot coffee,” he explained.
“He crashed into me,” Casey added. “It was his coffee that burned me.”
Jeb let out a loud sigh. “Right. Let’s go.” He did up her belt and shut her door.
Wyatt got into the back seat and she turned to him as he buckled in.
“I think the principal made your dad’s stomach queasy too. Think I should offer him candy?”
“Probably best not to.”
Jeb climbed in and gave them a suspicious look. “What are the two of you talking about?”
“Nothing.” Casey gave him a big smile. “So, can I go back to the motel now or are you gonna kidnap me and take me somewhere else? If you are, could it be somewhere fun like the ice cream shop?”
“Ooh, I like ice cream.”
“What’s your favorite flavor, sugar?” Casey asked, turning to look back at Wyatt.
“I like cookies and cream,” Wyatt told her.
“Good choice. I’m a fan of butter pecan.”
“Nobody is getting ice cream,” Jeb said. “And that’s final.”
Chapter Eleven
Jeb stared down at his ice cream.
“Not going to eat it?” Casey asked as she licked her rapidly melting ice cream.
He knew he should have made her get it in a cup like he had. Wyatt too. Now they both had ice cream all around their mouths and fingers.
“I don’t blame you. Vanilla is the most boring of all the flavors. It’s really just a base.”
“A base?” Wyatt asked between licks of his ice cream.
“Yeah, that you add the real flavors to. Like milk turning into a milkshake once you add syrup. So it’s not really ice cream until the flavor is added. Basically, it’s like your dad is eating milk.”