Halloween in Paradise (Tj Jensen Paradise Lake Mysteries Book 6) by Kathi Daley Read Free Book Online

girls into town. After saying her good-byes to her sisters at the front entry, where the hallway to the elementary school veered to the left and the hallway to the high school veered to the right, she headed toward the teachers’ lounge on the high school side of the building. She’d planned to arrive early in order to deal with the pile of paperwork on her desk, so even with all the delays she’d made it to work with a few minutes to spare.
    “Coach Jensen.” Carly poked her head in the door of Tj’s office just as she’d sat down at her desk. “You wanted to see me again?”
    “Yes. Come in and take a seat.”
    “Did someone hit you?” Carly frowned as she sat down across from Tj.
    “I tripped over the puppy my sister found last night and hit my face on the dresser.”
    Carly raised one eyebrow in an expression of doubt.
    “I know that sounds like a cover-up—the type of story someone who had been hit in the face would tell—but it really is what happened,” Tj assured her.
    “Maybe some makeup?”
    “Makeup might be a good idea,” Tj acknowledged. She had a feeling this was going to be a very long day. “So about the reason I asked you to stop by…”
    “I don’t suppose you’ve changed your mind about the suspension?” Carly asked hopefully.
    “No, I’m afraid I really can’t do that. I do have a proposal for you, however.”
    “A proposal?”
    “I’ve spoken to Principal Remington and he’s agreed to reevaluate the length of your suspension if you’re willing to make some concessions.”
    Carly frowned but didn’t say anything.
    “Basically, as things stand now, your suspension runs until the end of the soccer season. We still have four weeks in the regular season and then the play-offs. Principal Remington is willing to reevaluate after two weeks if you’ll apologize to both the girl you elbowed and her coach and agree to counseling. You’ll also need to work as a nonparticipating member of the team during those two weeks.”
    Tj could see Carly was about to refuse.
    “Principal Remington is being more than fair. I’d take him up on his offer if you care about your chances for a scholarship.”
    “What kind of counseling?”
    “Mrs. Remington will arrange for you to see a psychologist she knows who specializes in both grief counseling and anger management. Dr. Cowell will meet with you here on campus at no cost to you or your mother.”
    Carly bit her lip as she considered the proposal.
    “I spoke with him after my mom died,” Tj shared. “He’s good at what he does. He’s a kind and caring man. I think you’ll like him.”
    “He helped you? Deal with your mom’s death?”
    Tj nodded. “He worked with my sister Ashley as well. Like you, she tended to work out her anger and grief with her fists. She still lashes out at times, but I think Dr. Cowell really helped her to learn impulse control.”
    Carly appeared to be considering her options. She squirmed around in her chair in a way that indicated that she’d rather be anywhere else, but she didn’t bolt as Tj had half-expected she would.
    “And the work thing?” Carly asked.
    “You’d be my assistant and do whatever I ask you to do. Additionally, you’d attend all practices and games, although you wouldn’t be allowed to suit up until after the suspension is lifted.”
    Carly smiled. “I can be your assistant?”
    “In a menial labor sort of way.”
    “Okay. I agree to Remington’s terms. But how am I supposed to apologize to the girl I elbowed? The team was visiting from Reno.”
    “I’ll arrange for you to make the apology via Skype. I’ll let you know the details once I work them out. We have practice at our regular time this afternoon, so I expect you to head over to my office as soon as your fifth-period class is over.”
    “Okay. I’ll be here.”
    “And Carly…when you meet with Dr. Cowell, give him a chance. I know you don’t think counseling will help, and I can’t guarantee anything, but it