“I won’t.” Cody allowed his tone to soften. “I don’t want to fight. It’s Dad who wants Carl Joseph out of the house, not you.”
“No.” She shook her head. “You’re wrong.” Her voice rang with sincerity. “I see what the center has done for Carl Joseph, how it’s made him happier.” She paused. “I want it, too, Cody. Don’t make this a battle with your father. We’re both in this.”
Cody could hear Carl Joseph coming. He didn’t want anything to trouble his brother that morning. “Okay.” He leaned in and kissed her cheek. “I’ll try to remember that.”
“Good.”
They spent the next half hour getting ready. Carl Joseph needed to bring a bag of flour and a bottle of vanilla to class, because Monday was Cooking Day. “We’re making shortcake, Brother,” he said as he rummaged through the kitchen. “Everyone loves shortcake. People at Disneyland love shortcake.”
“Disneyland?” Cody stood back and let his brother do the work. If he wanted to be independent, he needed to be able to locate ingredients in the kitchen.
“Yes.” Carl Joseph heaved a bag of flour onto the counter. He looked intently at the label. “F-l-o-u-r. Flour.” He turned to Cody. “Teacher said she had strawberry shortcake at Disneyland once.”
Carl Joseph set the ingredients in a paper bag, grabbed his backpack, and grinned at Cody. “Time for school.”
The drive to the center took fifteen minutes. The whole time Cody wrestled with his purpose for going. He didn’t care if Carl Joseph knew how to make shortcake. How would that keep him from getting lost or running out of food? How would it help him know how to handle a seizure by himself? What was Elle Dalton teaching her students that would keep them from getting run down by a car on their way out the door of a grocery store?
As they walked up to the center, Carl Joseph twisted his hands together. He stopped just as he reached the door. “Brother, you’re not mad?”
“No, Buddy.” Cody hugged his brother’s shoulders. “I’m not.”
Carl Joseph didn’t look sure. But he nodded anyway. “Good.”
“Let’s go in, okay?” Cody was suddenly anxious to let the teacher know he was there.
“Okay, right. Let’s go in.” Carl Joseph opened the door and led the way.
Inside the room was full-blown chaos. Loud music filled the place, and even louder voices and laughter. There were more than a dozen young adults with Down Syndrome—the same students who had been on the Subway field trip. A few were sitting on an old sofa, talking animatedly to each other, and three others were huddled over a stuffed turtle, laughing their heads off.
In another corner of the room were Daisy and three students, all of them swaying and twirling and clapping to various rhythms in the loud music. An able-bodied older woman was talking with two students at the far end of the room, but no one seemed to be in charge.
Carl Joseph gave him a nervous look. “Free time comes first.”
Cody could barely hear him. “I see that.” He was about to find a seat where he wouldn’t be noticed, when Daisy spotted him.
Her eyes grew wide and her mouth came all the way open. “Carl Joseph brought his brother to class!” She skipped toward Cody, took his hand, and began pumping it. “I’m Daisy. Remember me?”
“Yes.” Cody was very comfortable around Carl Joseph. When he looked at his brother, he never saw a handicapped person, but only the kid who adored him. But he didn’t know Daisy. He tried to hide his discomfort. “I remember you, Daisy.”
She came closer and made a dramatic show of smelling him. Then she nodded her head at Carl Joseph. “You’re right, CJ. He smells like a bull rider, same as you.”
The other students gradually stopped whatever they’d been doing and gathered around Cody and Carl Joseph. One stepped up, his expression blank. “I’m Gus.”
“Hi, Gus.” Cody shook his hand.
“So you like us now? But not the other day?” Gus looked at the other students around him. “Carl Joseph’s brother doesn’t like us, that’s what we said at Subway.”
“I liked you then, too.” He laughed, but it sounded weak. “I was in a hurry the other day. I’m sorry about that.”
“We prayed for you.” A girl with long brown braids waved her hand. “You might not have life skills so we prayed.”
Cody felt his cheeks grow hot. The entire class had prayed for him because he didn’t have the life skills to be cordial? That had to be Elle Dalton’s doing. He was about to ask where she was, when he spotted her near a doorway at the back of the room. Her eyes met his, but she directed her words to the students. “Okay, everyone. Let’s give our visitor some space.” She turned off the music and moved to a section of the room with two rows of chairs and an oversized blackboard. “We’re getting a new bus route today. Everyone find your seats.”
She held Cody’s eyes a little longer and then turned to her students, making small talk with them. As Cody watched her, something inside him stirred. She was the enemy, no doubt. She was willing to risk Carl Joseph’s life to see her idea of independence played out. But there was no denying that she cared for her students. She took time with each of them, speaking to them at an adult level instead of talking down to them the way people did who weren’t used to being around someone with Down Syndrome. And from his place by the door, Cody couldn’t help but notice something else.
Elle Dalton was beautiful. Breathtaking, even.
Not in the way some girls were, with flashy clothes and makeup and jewelry. She had a quiet beauty about her, and something that could only have come from inside. Cody clenched his teeth and turned away. None of that mattered. He wasn’t here to admire her.
Cody turned his attention to his brother. Carl Joseph was sitting next to Daisy, talking with his hands. His cheeks were red and his smile took up his entire face. Cody realized what was happening. Carl Joseph didn’t come to the center to learn about independence. He came because of Daisy. This was his first crush, and that was innocent enough. He watched his brother for another minute, watched him play with Daisy’s hair and her hands. It might be innocent, but where could it possibly lead?
He shifted, and without meaning to, his eyes returned to Elle, to the graceful way she moved in and out of the rows of students, speaking to each of them. Finally she took her spot at the front of the area. “Everyone turn to a partner and go over the details of Bus Route Eleven, the one we used last week on our field trip.”
“Subway eat fresh!” The girl in braids stood up and grinned with the proclamation. She clapped her hands the way Carl Joseph sometimes did. Fast and loud, with her hands raised up close to her face. “Subway field trip. Eat fresh.”
“Thank you, Tammy.” Elle wasn’t flustered by the student’s outburst. “Please sit back down and turn to your partner.”
Cody watched Carl Joseph turn to Daisy and take her hands. In that moment Cody saw something in his brother’s eyes he’d never seen before. The sort of adoration and puppy love that indicated he was right about Carl Joseph. His brother was completely taken by the girl.
Great, he thought. Carl Joseph would never give up the idea of living on his own if it meant letting go of Daisy.
As soon as the students were busy, Elle said something to the older woman—who was obviously an aide or an assistant. Then Elle walked over to him. The kindness he’d seen in her eyes a few minutes ago was gone. She never broke eye contact as she approached, and when she reached him, she nodded to the door. “I’d like to speak with you outside, Mr. Gunner.”
He followed her. What was this about? She had no reason to be angry with him. Not yet, anyway.
When the door shut behind them, Elle put her hands on her hips. “I didn’t appreciate the way you disrupted our field trip last week.”
“Yeah, well.” He forced himself to stay focused. He wasn’t angry, but his frustration was rising. “If all it takes is an unexpected visit from me to disrupt things, maybe you shouldn’t be taking field trips.”
Elle se
arched his eyes. “What exactly is your problem? The entire class felt bad after you left.”
Cody fought his emotions. Guilt and shame and anger and confusion. He looked down and rubbed the back of his neck. He clenched his jaw. “I heard. I’m sorry.” Cody met her eyes, and he felt his breath catch in his throat. Even angry, her hazel eyes were gorgeous. He had to work to remember his point. A grin tugged at his lips. He didn’t want to fight with Elle Dalton. He only wanted Buddy home where he belonged. “You asked the whole class to pray for me, right? You told them I didn’t have the right sort of life skills.”
Elle’s anger dimmed, but only a little. “Based on my limited experience, you don’t.”
Cody wasn’t sure what to say. And his attraction to Buddy’s teacher was irritating. He pursed his lips and inhaled sharply through his nose. He pointed at the classroom. “What you’re teaching those young people isn’t right for all of them.”
“I disagree.” Her eyes flashed, indignant.
“Okay.” He held up his hands and took a step back. “I’d like permission to watch class today, but I have to be honest. My goal is to have Carl Joseph removed from your program as soon as possible.”
The anger in Elle’s face became sadness. “You’re serious?”
“Yes. This morning Carl Joseph said something about making shortcake.”
“Monday’s Cooking Day.” Elle held her ground. Her gaze didn’t waver.
“And how, Ms. Dalton”—he leaned against the stucco wall and slipped his hands into his jeans pockets—“will making shortcake help Carl Joseph when he’s lost on a bus route somewhere? When he’s bagging groceries at the market and someone calls him a name or pushes him or confuses him? Is he supposed to whip up a batch of shortcake then? Or maybe drop down on his knees and start praying? Is that your answer?”
Elle looked at him for a long time. The emotions in her eyes changed from outrage to hurt, and finally to quiet resignation. “I can see I have a lot of work ahead.”
“No work, Ms. Dalton. I’ll sit in the back and keep to myself. Don’t change your routine for me.”
“I won’t work to impress you.” She lifted her chin, pride smoothing out the concern in her face. “I’ll work to convince you. Because you’re wrong. And before you and I are through, you’ll see that for yourself. I promise.”
“Is that right?” Cody wanted to laugh at her spunk. If things had been different, if life had been different, he might’ve been drawn to Elle Dalton. But even if he had room in his heart to love another woman, it wouldn’t be the arrogant young teacher standing before him.
She took a step toward the door. “I know what you’re thinking, Mr. Gunner.”
“You don’t know the first thing about me.” He gave her a lazy grin. Why did he have to find her so attractive? She was the single reason their home was in turmoil. He reminded himself to focus on that, and not the way her hazel eyes caught the morning sunlight.
She lingered at the door for a moment. “I’m not the only one intent on proving something here, right?”
“Exactly.” His tone grew more serious. “Independence is more than being able to eat at a Subway, Ms. Dalton.”
She gave him a final look and then returned to her students. His heart was pounding as he followed her into the room and took a seat near the door. The longer he watched Elle, her gentle way and patient voice, the more he felt convinced that he’d pegged her wrong. She wasn’t the enemy. She was a confused do-gooder. Someone whose intentions were right, but whose ideas were way off.
So maybe he wouldn’t ask his parents to pull Carl Joseph from the class after watching for just a day. Maybe he’d come every day this week and prove to Elle Dalton that he wasn’t an irrational, irate, overly protective older brother. He would earn her trust, and then they could sit down and talk about the reality of what she was trying to pull off. Especially with a sick student like Carl Joseph. She was an idealistic teacher. She hadn’t spent her life with a Down Syndrome sibling. Cody settled back in his chair and tried not to notice the way Elle walked or the way her face lit up when one of her students made her laugh. Yes, he would come every day that week. He would come for the simple reason that he needed to invest time at the center in order to gain Elle Dalton’s trust. Not for any other reason.
Even if at times that morning it took all his strength to focus on anyone or anything in the classroom but her.
Chapter Ten
Elle could barely concentrate on the coursework that day. Having Cody Gunner watching her from his seat near the door was a distraction that rivaled any she’d ever had. Not because of his dark good looks. He was married, after all. No, he was a distraction because of the threat he represented. If Cody convinced his family to pull Carl Joseph from the center, Daisy would be devastated. So would every one of her students.
Carl Joseph’s departure would raise countless questions, fears, and anxieties for them. No doubt they would figure out the reason he left. The truth that his family no longer supported his plans to be independent would be glaringly obvious. And that could quite possibly start a chain reaction of events that would undermine everything the center stood for. Everything she was passionate about.
Elle maintained her composure until break time. It was nice outside again, not a cloud in the sky. She dismissed them to the outdoors, and then, without a glance at Cody Gunner, she retreated to the break room.
And there she fell back on the one life skill she couldn’t live without. She poured herself a cup of coffee, held the warm mug close against her chest, and closed her eyes. God . . . what’s happening? Who is this Cody Gunner and why did he have to come home in the first place? She kept her eyes closed and thought about that. The timing was all wrong. If Cody had come home six months from now, he could’ve seen for himself how independent Carl Joseph had become. They would have a plan to manage his heart disease and his epilepsy.
Instead Cody could see only the early stages of progress.
Lord, I’m up against a wall here. Help me show Carl Joseph’s brother that it’s possible, that even sick people with Down Syndrome can lead independent lives. Please, Father.
She opened her eyes and her breath caught in her throat. “Mr. Gunner!”
“Sorry.” He was leaning in the doorway, watching her. “I was a little harsh earlier. You have a way with your students.” He studied her. “I’m impressed, Elle Dalton.”
She flashed proud eyes at him. “Is that why you’re standing there? To tell me that?”
Regret colored his expression. “I don’t want to be enemies.”
She waited, suspicious. “You’re opposed to what I’m doing here, Mr. Gunner. That much is obvious.”
“I am. For my brother.” He straightened. “But I’m willing to hear you out, willing to see what the program’s all about.” He sighed, and the conflict in his heart was obvious. “I love my brother, that’s all. I want what’s best for him. What’s safest.”
“I understand.” Her tone softened. Still, she wasn’t sure where he was headed with this. “What are you saying, exactly? That you’ll stay around the rest of the day without making a judgment?”
“I’ll stay all week.” He took a step back. “If that’s okay. But at the end of the week, let’s talk about whether this”—he looked back at the class space—“all of this is really good for Carl Joseph.”
She narrowed her eyes. What had Carl Joseph said? That his brother was hurt, that he’d been injured in bull riding, right? Whether the bull riding was true or not, maybe the guy had been injured somehow. Maybe that’s why Cody didn’t want to see anything happen to Carl Joseph. Because he understood that one injury could change everything. “You’ve spent all your life protecting your brother, haven’t you?”
“Yes.” He held her gaze for a long moment.
Elle took a sip of her coffee, but she never took her eyes off him. Behind his brash approach and bitter words, Cody Gunner cared. “There were times”—he caught her eye again—“when Ca
rl Joseph was the only person who kept me going, when everyone else felt like a stranger.” A steely look came over him, and his eyes penetrated to her soul. Not with anger, the way they had before class started, but with a passion that caught her off guard. Each word was measured, full of intensity. “I can’t let anything happen to him. Do you understand that, Ms. Dalton?”
“Yes.” She considered him. “I hope at the end of the week you’ll see that I feel the same way. I would never put your brother in danger. Not for anything.”
“Okay.” Cody gave her a polite nod. “I’ll be in the classroom, then.” He hesitated. “No hard feelings about my attitude earlier?”
“None.” She didn’t smile, but she did feel more relaxed. The rest of the day went smoothly. Cody stayed glued to the action as she went over the bus route again, and then directed the students to move into the kitchen.
“We’re making shortcake today.” She found an apron in a drawer and tied it around her waist. “Who remembers why we make shortcake?”
Daisy shot her hand in the air. She grinned at Carl Joseph and then at Elle. “Because people at Disneyland like shortcake.”
“Disneyland is good for shortcake.” Carl Joseph held his hands toward the other students, looking for their approval.
A chorus of nods and affirmations came from the crowd.
Elle smiled. “Okay, yes. There’s a little restaurant in Disneyland that makes the best strawberry shortcake.” She thought she caught Cody grinning at the back of the room. “But that’s not why we make shortcake. Anyone remember why?”
Sid made an exaggerated sigh. “I know.” He raised his hand. “Pick me, Teacher.”
“Sid, why do we make shortcake?”
“So we can entertain.”
“Right. Very good.” Elle held up a laminated oversized card with a photo of shortcake. “Shortcake is a dessert, and it can be used in many ways when you entertain.”