The Bachelor’s Christmas Bride by Victoria Pade Page A

well.”
    â€œYou can’t be talking about your Rumson—”
    â€œWes can dance—all the Rumsons learn how early because dancing at fancy dress balls and parties and at their country club makes for good photo opportunities,” she said, reiterating what Wes had told her. “But when it comes to non-Rumsons—”
    â€œI didn’t have to learn to dance for photo opportunities, but it was part of my mother’s notions of high society—she said that all people of class knew how to dance. And the girls had to wear party dresses and the boys had to be in a suit and tie so we learned the correct comportment .”
    That explained the respectable space between them.
    But once the wedding pictures had all been taken, Dag had removed his bow tie and cummerbund. His tuxedo jacket had come off by the time dinner was served. The collar button of his pleated white shirt was unfastened, and he was definitely looking like himself—in what was left of the tux, he’d managed to combine refined and relaxed. So Shannon wouldn’t have minded it if he had eased up a little on that comportment, too, to hold her closer.
    But instead he displayed what he’d probably also been taught—to make polite conversation while dancing.
    â€œSo, kindergarten, huh? You start at the ground floor with the kiddos?”
    â€œActually, for most kids the ground floor is preschool now. But yes, I teach kindergarten.”
    â€œKindergarten for me was more playtime than learning.”
    â€œPlaytime teaches kids social skills and to share and to cooperate with other kids—there’s value in it. But there are academics now, too—work on reading and writing, numbers, the basics.”
    â€œAh, I’m underestimating the kindergarten teacher of today—it’s not just sing-alongs and reading stories and breaking up fights over toys?”
    â€œThere’s all that, too, but there’s also definitely more to it than that.”
    â€œAnd why did you pick the beginners rather than say…fourth grade?”
    Had he just adjusted his hand on her back and brought her the tiniest bit nearer?
    Shannon had to tip up her head slightly more to peer into that handsome face, so she thought he might have.
    Not that she was inclined to complain…
    â€œI’m licensed to teach K through sixth, but I like the really little kids,” she answered his question. “They’re so full of life and so unjaded. They truly believe the world is their oyster, that anything—and everything—is possible. I guess I like to believe that, too. And seeing things through a kindergartner’s eyes helps.”
    Dag was looking down into her eyes and that explanation seemed to please him because he smiled an appreciative smile. “You’re good with Tia and Cody. And Tia is crazy about you. So I’m betting that teaching is what you’re cut out for.”
    â€œI never doubted it. Even now, when I’ve needed time off and appreciated having it, I’ve still missed my job.”
    â€œAre you going back to work after Christmas break?”
    â€œNo, actually I’m going to Beverly Hills.”
    â€œCalifornia?” he said with an arch of his eyebrows.
    â€œI have a good friend there—Dani Bond. She’s been my best friend since first grade, we were college roommates. She married a businessman from Beverly Hills and she’s building her own private school…well, with the help of her husband’s funding. The Early Childhood Development Center.”
    â€œFancy. And private, I’ll bet.”
    â€œYes, private. And intended to attract the Beverly Hills elite. Dani will make sure that it also provides thebest possible early education and academic foundation for kids from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade.” Without thinking, Shannon added, “She wants me in on it with her. She’s invited me to invest the money from