Free The Back-Up Plan by Debra Webb Page A

her life alone before she would take that chance a second time.
    Donna stopped stirring, recognized the unexpected doubt sucking the determination from her decree. Try as she might to block them, memories of that kiss had her wishing she dared explore the sizzling chemistry between her and Bradley. She couldn’t ignore the idea that he represented a serious threat to her decision to avoid men like him. She chewed her lip. There was just something about him.
    No. No, no, no. The best thing she could do was stay away from the man.
    But how? If only she could skip Melissa to the first grade, her dilemma would be solved. If only he hadn’t touched her...or kissed her. Maybe then they could have a normal parent-teacher relationship.
    But he had kissed her.
    And, worst of all, she had kissed him back.
    Banishing the mortifying thoughts to some deep hole reserved for things she didn’t want to touch or feel, she unlocked and raised the windows. She tied her shirttail up out of her way and climbed onto the ladder to edge the walls. After only a few brush strokes she could see that the yellow promised to be a tremendous improvement over the pink.
    The buzzing of the ancient doorbell made her jump. Her paintbrush dropped to the floor in a splat of yellow. “Shoot.”
    Patty was early. Shaking her head, Donna climbed down and snatched up the brush. She swiped up the mess on the floor with a paper towel. The doorbell sounded again. Had she locked the door? She didn’t remember locking it. She carefully placed the brush across the top of the paint can and wiped her hands on the rag hanging from the waistband of her tattered shorts as she headed for the door.
    The bell sounded a third time as she pulled open the unlocked door. “Why didn’t you just—” The rest of what she intended to say died on her tongue at the sight of Hank Bradley on her porch.
    “Good morning.” His lips curved into that disarming smile that knocked the fight right out of her. “You look comfortable this morning.” He lounged against the door-frame and took a tour of her body, starting with her pony-tailed head all the way down to her pink-lacquered toenails.
    Her hand went to her exposed midriff as his eyes made the return trip. Heat sizzled along her skin as if he’d traced that same path with his hands. She might look comfortable, but she felt half naked just now. Girding herself for the charge of emotions she knew would come, she met his gaze. “I didn’t know teachers made house calls.”
    His smile widened into an irresistible grin. “I thought you might invite me in for coffee. I brought pastries.” He held up a bag from the bakery in the grocery store for Donna’s inspection. “I kind of hoped something sweet would put me back on your good side.”
    A lock of his coal black hair fell across his forehead. Donna suppressed the urge to reach up and sweep it back. The memory of his firm, sensuous lips pressed against hers leaped to mind. She kicked the thoughts out of her head. “Assuming that you’ve ever been on my good side is rather presumptuous, don’t you think?”
    “You have a point there, Doc.” He straightened and pulled a serious face. “I really do need to talk to you, though. If you can spare a few minutes.”
    Donna chose her words carefully. “Mr. Bradley, after what happened Thursday I really don’t think that’s a good idea.”
    “That’s one of the things I wanted to talk to you about.” He dropped his dark head and stared at the floor for a long moment. “I’d like to clear the air between us.”
    Donna felt her resolve softening. She had to get rid of Hank Bradley before she melted into a puddle right before his eyes. “Personally, I’d prefer never to think about the incident again, much less discuss it. Like it or not, you are Melissa’s teacher which pretty much rules out the possibility of my never having to interact with you again, but I don’t have to outside the school setting.” The lack of