All I Ever Wanted by Francis Ray Page A

mention of them in the newspaper. Catherine Stewart-Grayson was nationally known. Once her name was attached to the story, Naomi didn’t have a doubt the story would be picked up by other media outlets.
    The possibility of her ex or someone he knew seeing the article was too great a risk. He’d be enraged to see they were happy and doing well without him. She’d said as much to Catherine after the introductions.
    “Look at Kayla,” Catherine had said quietly from beside her.
    Naomi had followed the direction of her friend’s patient gaze. Kayla, a proud smile on her face, was talking to the reporter about the book and the little girl’s courage not to fear the wolf.
    “Animals are our friends,” Kayla said. “They’re afraid of us because sometimes we don’t treat them as we should or because they aren’t used to people. You aren’t supposed to play with animals you don’t know, but this time it was okay because the wolf didn’t growl or try to hurt her.”
    The woman reporter, hunched down with a mike in her hand, smiled. “Did you learn not to play with animals from the book?”
    “Dr. Richard,” Kayla told her. “He’s a veterinarian. Sometimes he lets me help feed and take care of the animals at his clinic. I’m going to be a veterinarian, too, when I grow up.”
    The reporter straightened, the mike from her tape recorder moving to Catherine. “I’d say you picked the perfect little girl for your book.”
    “I couldn’t agree more.” Catherine held out her hand and Kayla grasped it without hesitation. “Not only is she courageous, she’s kind and has a generous heart.”
    The reporter held the mike out to Naomi. “As her mother, what do you think of all the attention your daughter is receiving?”
    Naomi could feel all the people standing around the hallway looking at her. Help came from Catherine’s reassuring hand on her arm, and oddly Richard’s comment long ago about her being a good mother.
    “Kayla is the gift I never expected. I treasure her as any parent would.” She’d placed her hand on Kayla’s head. “I’m proud to be her mother.”
    Luke applauded; others joined in. By the time the applause had quieted, he was by Catherine’s side. “Ms. Franklin,” he said to the reporter. “I’m sorry to rush you, but we’re going to have to cut this short. Cath has another engagement. I think a group photo in front of the artwork would be perfect.”
    Naomi was so relieved that the attention had shifted from her that she almost didn’t see the mesmerizing effect Luke had on the reporter. For a moment, she didn’t seem to be able to take her eyes off him. True, he was handsome, with broad shoulders and a muscular build, but those were the very attributes that made Naomi wary. His hands could easily inflict pain. Richard was lean and trim; his fingers narrow and gentle. Her mind jerked away from that line of thought.
    “What a wonderful idea, Luke.” Catherine motioned for the principal. “If you have signed permission slips from parents for photographs, I think it would be a good idea to have her classmates. Kayla is the star of the book, but each child is just as important.”
    “We certainly do,” Principal Crenshaw quickly answered. “I include the form with each enrollment just in case opportunities like these come up. Ironically, Kayla is the only one without her permission slip signed. But since her mother is here, that shouldn’t be a problem.”
    Naomi hadn’t signed for this very reason, but one look at her daughter’s face and she knew saying no was impossible. “It won’t be a problem.”
    “Ms. Franklin?” Catherine asked, her grin all teeth.
    The oblivious reporter finally stopped drooling over Luke. She didn’t even have the grace to look embarrassed. “They’re not part of the story.”
    “I beg to differ,” Catherine said. “In the story, Kayla was trying to find her way back to her family and friends. Her classmates or the other staff members