Incognito: Character Interview with Teresa Gallagher

Teresa Gallagher did not expect to become an old maid school teacher at the great age of thirty-six, but she does teach and is single. She also didn’t expect a gorgeous stranger to slip into her university writing class. The man claims a historical name as his own and an interest in writing. She has high school students who lie better.

Marcus Aronson specializes in small colleges with problems. His company usually gobbles up the college, lays off people and takes over administration. Jefferson is his latest project. He slips into a classroom to check out if a favorite professor might be the embezzler. What he finds instead is a passionate woman hiding behind a button up exterior. Someone needs to release Teresa from her inhibitions and that someone would be him. There were rules about mixing business and pleasure. Rules he intended to break.

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Character Interview With Teresa Gallagher

Welcome, today we are speaking with Teresa Gallagher, the heroine in Incognito by Morgan K Wyatt.

Tell us a little about yourself.

There’s not too much to tell. I was born in Jefferson. My brother and his family live here. I teach at the local high school and an evening class at Jefferson College

News is there are some unusual happenings at Jefferson College. Care to elaborate?

(She looks startled.) Uhm, I guess it depends on what you consider unusual. They just installed an energy drink machine in the commons. I don’t think that’s what you’re hinting at. There are rumors that Jefferson College is hemorrhaging money, which might explain the exotic stranger who showed up in my writing class

A stranger sounds interesting. What can you tell me about him?

 (Her eyes take on a far off look and she smiles.) He certainly isn’t from around here. Loretta and Orleana, two single teachers at the high school, know every single man within the thirty-mile radius. They’d definitely mention Marcus with his gorgeous skin tone and confident swagger. If only to tell me they had dibs on him. One night, he shows up in my writing class, gives me a fake name, slouches down in a desk and proceeds to watch me. I could feel his eyes on me even when my back was turned.

I can understand why that would upset you. Did you say anything to him about his behavior?

I didn’t say it upset me. I said I could feel his eyes like fingers touching me.  After class, I did try to talk to him about his assignment, but it seemed like he was trying to flirt with me. I must be mistaken the effect of too many romance novels. (She laughs covering her mouth with her hand.)

What are you going to do to discourage this type of inappropriate behavior?

Do? (She gestures to her pulled back hair and conservative clothing.) Look at me I’ve already done it. At the advanced age of thirty-six, I do not look like any man’s idea of a hot time.

I would have to disagree. You are a beautiful woman. I happen to know there is a certain man who has his eyes on you.

You know someone. Really? I hope it isn’t that dentist in Frankfort. Who thinks he’s the reincarnation of James Dean. I never gave him my real name so he couldn’t follow up for a second date. Could you tell me who it is? Lately, I think I have better odds of death by stampeding ferrets than meeting an interesting man.

What about the new guy in your evening class?

Now, you’re just being cruel. He has no interest in me. Just a city boy out to fluster the teacher, that’s all. (She pushes her shoulders back and her chin goes up. ) He will have no effect on me. None, not at all. I don’t even notice him in my classroom, in the back row, next to the wall with windows.

It sounds like you’re unaware of old what’s his name.

It’s Marcus Anton. There’s a fake name if I ever heard one. I don’t even hear him walk in the room despite the fact he’s wearing motorcycle boots. At first, I thought another one who thinks he’s James Dean, but somehow the boots suit him. Just like his longish curls complement his cheekbones. As I said before I never even notice him.

It sounds like you noticed a great deal for a woman not noticing him. What would you do if he asked you out?

It wouldn’t matter Jefferson College faculty is not allowed to fraternize with students. (She cocks her head and a sly look crosses her face.) Technically, he isn’t a student because he is only auditing the class. (Her look returns to the no nonsense teacher look. She folds her hands primly in her lap.) I don’t have to worry he won’t ask.

Incognito coming soon to Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Bookstrand, Smashwords and Secret Cravings Publishing.