Free Naughty by Nature by Judy Angelo Page B

had so much free time on
her hands.”
    “Wolf, I don’t
mean to be forward but would it be okay if I…paid a visit to your mother?”  He
must think she was crazy but she’d say it anyway.  “I know she doesn’t know me
but maybe she wouldn’t mind a new face, someone outside of the family.  I guess
I’m not making much sense, but it might help.  You never know…”
    “That’s a great
idea.”  To Tessa’s surprise Wolf’s voice was tinged with relief.  “I’ve been
trying to keep her occupied and so has Dad but I think we bore her sometimes.
I’m sure she’d welcome female company.”
    Now it was Tessa’s
turn to feel relieved. That had been easier than she’d expected.  “Great.  I
can hardly wait to see her.”   And you .  But she kept that part to
herself.
    “And Tessa?”
    “Yes, Wolf?”
    “When you come
over to visit, no pranks, okay?”
    Tessa laughed. 
“No pranks.  Promise.”
    They said their
goodbyes and Tessa was just about to slip the phone into the pocket of her suit
jacket when she remembered.  Cell phone off.  She powered it down but this was
one time she did not regret having left it on during class time.  Now, as she
slipped back into the class – which, of course, had disintegrated into a room
full of chattering teenagers who had forgotten they were supposed to be reading
a poem – she felt like she was floating on air.  No matter what her students
did today there would be no detentions.  How could there be, when one day soon
she’d be seeing Wolf again?

CHAPTER SIX
     
    Tessa was in no hurry. 
She was over half an hour early for the Sunday afternoon appointment at the
home of Wolf’s parents.  They lived only twenty minutes drive away in the
nearby city of Mississauga.  She took her time cruising along Mississauga Road,
admiring the stately homes that lined the streets.  None for under a million
dollars, she was sure.  Seeing that she was very familiar with salaries in the
field of education her guess was that such an expensive home would be a gift
from their son.  In her books, another plus for Wolf.
    She found the
house – a sprawling home with an immaculately manicured lawn – but drove past
it.  She would drive around some more, just to kill the time.  It would also
give her a chance to think up some conversation points.  Impulsive as always,
she’d blurted out that she’d wanted to visit Mrs. Spencer but now that she was
here the doubts came rushing in.  What if they had nothing in common?  What if
she ran out of things to say?  And worst of all, what if Mrs. Spencer hated
her?  Irrational fears, probably, but she just couldn’t help it.  As she drove
along, she sighed.  Indie was right about one thing – she really was ‘Miss
Melodrama’, blowing everything out of proportion.
    At exactly four
o’clock she pulled into the driveway and was pleased to see that Wolf’s car was
already there.  She was climbing out of her car when the front door opened and
it was the man on her mind who stood there in the doorway.
    He gave her a smile
of greeting and came down the steps to meet her.  “Good to see you again,
Tessa,” he said, extending his hand to her.  “Thanks for coming.”
    “No, thanks for
allowing me,” she said, taking his hand.  “It’s my pleasure.”
    It seemed so
strange to be so formal when he’d been on her mind all week.  And then she
looked up into his face and saw the twinkle in his eyes and knew he really was
glad to see her.  He wasn’t just saying it.  And it made her heart dance.
    “Come on in,” he
said and beckoned for her to go ahead of him.  “My parents have been eagerly
anticipating your visit.  Especially my mom.”
    She took his hand
as he helped her up the steps and as his warm fingers encircled hers she drew
in a deep breath.  Well, here goes…
    Wolf led her
through a majestic lobby with a chandelier whose lights twinkled star-like in
the high cathedral ceiling, then along a hallway