“I’m sorry.” She slowed.
Zan’s face was pink from running alongside.
He tricked me. Why didn’t I ask for specifics? I’m just too nice. Everyone in town is already speculating that he’s using me. And here I practically rolled out the welcome mat for him to do it.
But then she looked at the little girl clutching her hand.It’s not her fault. She hasn’t had the best start in life. She’s not the one using me.She wouldn’t let her irritation with Adam affect how she treated Zan.
“We’re going to have the best time,” she said to Zan.
“I’m so excited!”
They picked up the makeup kit and a few other things from her house and then walked down to Adam’s. Shorty greeted them at the gate.
Zan hit her knees and hugged the little dog. “He loves me so much. It makes my heart have the hiccups.”
“That’s a lot of love.” Merry Anna gave the dog a little scratch on the ears, then walked up the steps and went in the house. “Why don’t you bring Shorty inside. I bet he’s ready for food.”
“I am too. I only had half of my sandwich at lunchtime today.”
“Well, I’m sure there’s plenty in here to eat. Let’s see what we can find.”
She let Zan feed Shorty while she sliced an apple and cheese. “This should hold you over until I can heat up the meat loaf. Go wash your hands.”
Zan washed up, then wiggled into the chair at the table and began nibbling. Merry Anna hadn’t noticed until now that Zan was covered in dirt, probably from crawling around that old warehouse all day.
“I think you’re going to need a bath.”
“I’m a mess. When I washed my hands, it made mud.”
Merry Anna laughed, finally able to relax a little. She sat with Zan while she finished her snack, and then she ran the water in the tub for her.
“I’ll be right in the kitchen. Just call for me if you need help.” She had no idea how much assistance a five-year-old was supposed to need, but this little girl didn’t seem to require much help with anything.I should be so lucky to be as smart as she is.
Merry Anna was going to have a very different chat withAdam than she’d originally planned. She didn’t even know if she would explain Kevin or not at this point. How could Adam do this?Here I’ve been all say-yes-to-new opportunities, and look where it got me.
A bitter taste hung in the back of her throat.
Anger kept her from crying, because she’d almost believed she had a fairy tale with Adam and Zan.
29
Merry Anna checked to seeif Zan needed help getting out of the tub.
“No ma’am. I’m almost dry.”
A few moments later, she heard a cheerful “Ta-da!” Dressed in a white nightgown with little blue flowers on it, Zan came out of the bathroom and twirled. “This is new. Isn’t it pretty?”
“It is, but you looked pretty cute in those rodeo T-shirts you used to sleep in too.”
Zan pulled the edges of the nightgown out to the side. “I like this way better.”
“Me too. Come on, let’s fix you up all pretty. I brought my supplies with me.” Merry Anna spread her makeup across the vanity, an array of eye shadow, blush, mascara, and eyeliner, alongside expensive creams and makeup remover, which they’d no doubt be needing later. Then she took a leather cup from the bag and began setting each of the makeup brushes in it like a bouquet.
Zan gasped, touching each of the colorful jars and compacts. “What are these for?” She waved a fluffy makeup brush in the air.
“To make your makeup look flawless.” She took the brush from her hand and moved it softly across Zan’s nose andcheeks. She remembered how special those moments were with Mom in front of her big lighted makeup mirror. There wasn’t anything frilly here in Adam’s house, but hopefully it would be just as special. She swept the brush over Zan’s eyes.
Zan giggled every time Merry Anna used the soft big brushes on her face with nothing on them at all.
