Caroline's Seduction (Montgomery Family and Friends) by Iris Abbott Page B

out about her phone’s dead battery.
    Sarah’s eyes looked so much like her dad’s that Caroline felt a sharp stab to her heart.  She couldn’t help but wonder if her child would have had those gorgeous brown eyes too.  She looked down at the phone she’d offered.  “What’s his number?”  Caroline couldn’t believe she was doing this, but she couldn’t leave the girl alone in the parking lot.  Who knows where Kyle was and it would be dark eventually.  Not safe, not safe at all.
    She punched in the number Sarah gave her and waited for Kyle to answer.  She rubbed her suddenly damp palm down the front of her skirt.  She’d seen him twice in the past several days, first at Parent Night and then the barbeque.  They still hadn’t bothered to speak to each other.  She was about to disconnect the call when he answered.
    “Kyle Wakefield,” he snapped in way of a greeting.  The words were fast and sharp.
    “Hello Kyle.  This is Caroline Johnson.  I was calling to…”
    Kyle cut her off with a frustrated sigh.  He didn’t have time for this right now.  “Listen Caroline, I don’t have time to rehash the past right now.  The last meeting of the day ran over and I’m late picking up Sarah.  I hope we aren’t going to have a problem like we did after I ended our relationship.  I don’t have time for multiple phone calls and visits to my office unless of course it directly pertains to Sarah and her performance in your class.  And I think it’s a little too early in the school year for you to have problems with her performance.”
    Caroline couldn’t believe what she was hearing.  It was a wonder he was so successful in the business world, since he never seemed to actually listen to what anyone was trying to say.  Or maybe she was the only one cursed enough to have that effect on him.  “Listen Kyle,”
    “No you listen,” he demanded in a harsh voice.  “I wanted to move Sarah out of your class, but she insisted she wanted to stay.”  Kyle knew he was being a first class jerk, but self- preservation made him continue. He’d dated a couple of women the past four years, but he still knew what it felt like to hold Caroline in his arms.  As far as he was concerned that was bad news.  “I understand you’re very friendly with the superintendent of schools.  It probably won’t do any good, but I will file a complaint with the school board if you don’t leave me alone.” 
    Caroline held back the tears that fought to be free.  She wouldn’t cry, at least not while she was on the phone with Kyle or in front of his daughter.  She pushed the end button to disconnect the call.  “Your dad’s on his way.  He should be here anytime now.  His last meeting ran over that’s all, nothing to worry about.”
    A silver luxury sports car pulled into the entrance of the school.  Sarah beamed at Caroline.  “There he is now.  Thanks for calling him.”  She waved to her science teacher who was already halfway round the corner.  “I’ll see you tomorrow,” she called to her retreating teacher’s back.
    Kyle stopped his car next to his daughter.  His eyes followed the retreating figure that he knew all too well.  “Sorry I’m late.  I tried calling you on your mobile several times, but it went straight to voicemail.”
    “I know dad, and I’m sorry.  I forgot to charge my phone last night and the battery died while I was talking to Kelsey.”
    Kyle took the apology in stride, but he still had to caution his daughter.  “Sarah we’ve been over the reasons you should always have a working phone with you.  I don’t make many friends in my line of work.  Corporate raider is one of the nicer names I’ve been called.  You are my only child and very precious too me.  You need to be more careful.  If this ever happens again I’m going to have to ground you.”
    “You worry too much, dad.  I’m perfectly safe here on the school campus, besides Ms. Johnson was still at