“For me?” She stood on tiptoe, her eyes as wide as quarters. “Why?”
“Because I wanted to welcome you to Antler Creek,” said Merry Anna.
“I love them.” The words exploded from Zan’s mouth before Merry Anna could hand her the gifts.
Adam laughed. “She hasn’t even given them to you yet.”
Zan spun toward Adam, lifting her hands to her hips. “But she’s going to.”
“Yes, I’m going to.” Merry Anna took the bag with the sheets and blanket in it over to the couch. “First of all, I heard you were sleeping in here, so I got some girlie things for you. We love pretty stuff, right?”
Zan dropped her arms to her side and grinned. “Yes. Totally.”
Merry Anna started taking things out of the bag.
Zan went straight to the ruffles on the edge of the pink-pony blanket. “It’s the most beautiful blanket in the whole world.” She threw her arms around Merry Anna’s neck and then ran to Adam and hugged him too.
Merry Anna stretched the bottom sheet over the cushions and then pulled up the flat sheet and put the ruffly pillowcase on the pillow.
“I have a feeling you’re going to have beautiful cowgirl dreams tonight, Zan.” Adam lifted her in the air. “It looks pretty, doesn’t it?”
“Like a dream cloud.” Her lashes flashed as she looked at everything.
“After you get your sleep shirt on, you can open the other stuff.” He set her on the ground, and she ran into the bathroom.
It took Zan only a minute to come back wearing a Cheyenne Rodeo T-shirt.
Merry Anna had laid the packages on top of the new blanket. Each white-wrapped box was tied with a pretty pink bow.
Zan climbed up on the couch, her little bare feet wiggling to get underneath the covers. “I’m ready! This is like Christmas, only pink.”
Adam and Merry Anna shared a glance. He mouthed, “Thank you.”
Merry Anna gave Zan a nod. “Go ahead. Open them.”
She ripped into the paper, squealing in delight and disbursing hugs after opening each gift. “I’m so excited I might not be able to sleep.”
Adam took everything and set it on the coffee table. “You have to go to sleep. Little girls need lots of dreams.”
She kicked her feet under the blankets. “I’ll try.”
“Prayers?” Adam reminded her.
“Yes sir.” She shut her eyes and folded her hands.
Merry Anna’s heart squeezed at the precious sight of Zan’s sweet hands folded in prayer, tucked under her chin with her eyes closed.
“…and thank You for good people like Adam and Merry Anna, and take care of my mom and help her get well and come home soon. I love You, Jesus. Amen.” She rolled over, hugging the plush goat.
“Is she asleep already?” Merry Anna leaned in to see. Zan’s eyes were still squeezed tight.
Adam shrugged, then nodded toward the kitchen. “Thanks for coming tonight.”
She followed him, clearing the wrapping paper on the way. “That was a great dinner. You two are a good team.”
“It was fun.” He pressed his hands on the island. “That was really nice of you to get all that for her.”
“It has to be confusing for her. I thought the crayons and stuff might make her days a little more fun. I don’t know. I just wanted to do something to help.”
