Spring came with no Ciarán. Not even a wild Highlander came through the stones to threaten her lonely existence. Teaching her kindergarteners was a sort of relief. At least at school she was free from fruitless introspection. Mac busied herself with the routines of work. There was no shortage of ways for a kindergarten teacher to stay occupied. Someone drew her attention each moment. No matter what went on in her personal life, when the first student walked into her room, her mind was fully engaged in instruction, shoe-tying, dispute resolution, safe-keeping, picked scab and nosebleed care, and the myriad of other functions she provided throughout the school day until her small charges were safely aboard their school buses and on their way home.
On the way back inside from escorting her c
