The sweet little girl looked like a miniature Miss Texas when she was done—blond, fresh, and beautiful. Her lips were bright magenta. The eye shadow and mascara made her blue eyes sparkle. Merry Anna ran her hands through Zan’s fine hair. The waves wrapped around her fingers as she smoothed the tangles without pulling.
“Do you know how to braid?” Zan asked. “My mom used to braid my hair.”
Her heart skipped. “I sure do. Would you like me to braid your hair?”
“Yes, please. I’d like that a lot.”
Merry Anna worked a french braid in the back and finished it off with a ponytail holder. Small curls fell across Zan’s forehead and cheeks. “You look beautiful,” Merry Anna said.
“Thank you.” The little Miss Texas hugged Merry Anna’s neck tightly. “You’re the nicest lady ever.”
“It’s about your bedtime. Let’s wash that makeup off your face and get you ready for bed. Okay?”
Zan enjoyed taking off the makeup as much as wearing it. She loved the sudsy cleanser.
“Ready for bed now?” Merry Anna dabbed a soft towel to dry Zan’s skin.
“Yes.” Zan took Merry Anna’s hand, and they walked back into the living room. She crawled up onto the couch. Merry Anna was sorry that Adam hadn’t gotten the bedroom ready yet. He’d made it sound like a simple project.Guess he was toobusy running off doing his own thing to fix up the room. He probably figured if he waited long enough, I’d offer to do it.
Still, Merry Anna wasn’t going to take it out on Zan. She tucked her in and they said prayers, ending with Zan’s sweet amen.
Merry Anna sat down on the couch, draping her hand over Zan’s feet. She didn’t even bother to turn the television on. She waited for Zan’s breathing to level, signaling she was already asleep.
Then Merry Anna closed her eyes.
The sound of Adam’s diesel truck woke her. She sat up just as he walked through the door.
“Hey,” he whispered. “Thanks.”
She stood. “She’s fast asleep.” She nodded to Zan as she picked up her tote bag of things.
“What did you want to talk about?”
She was so tired and frankly didn’t know where to begin. “People in this town think you’re using me as a babysitter for Zan. At first, I thought they just didn’t see the Adam that I know and let them think what they want. But you duped me into sitting with Zan tonight so you could rodeo? Really? That’s a whole different level of bull.” Her jaw clamped shut. The more she said, the madder it made her.
“Wait, it’s not what you think.”
“Isn’t it? You didn’t tell me you were rushing off to get to Archdale.”
“No,” he said, “you’re right. I didn’t tell you where I was going.”
“I’m not an idiot.” The words caught in her throat. “I may have been blind to some things, may have let myself get a little too close too fast, but I won’t make that mistake again. I’m exhausted. I’m going home. I’m beat.”
He followed her to the door. “Get some rest. I can explain, and I will.”
She walked out, and he followed behind her. “How about I get the horses ready in the morning. We can all go for a ride. We can talk then.”
She wasn’t going to allow herself to get sucked into this any further.
“How’s that sound?” he asked again.
“Like you have more energy than I do right now.” She waved and walked home, promising herself she’d do what she could for Zan but that’s where it would stop. Adam had flat out told her in the beginning he didn’t have time for a relationship. What had made her think anything had changed? She’d let herself get swept away by a kiss that had clearly meant more to her than him.
She crawled into bed, exhausted and a little sad despite her efforts to look at the whole situation from another perspective.
On this journey, help me resist judgment and find kindness and understanding for others.
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