Adam took Zan’s hand. “Miss Ginger and I went to high school together. She makes the best Christmas cookies in the whole world.”
“I like cookies.”
“Don’t we all. I hope we’ll see you soon, honey. Adam, you holler if you need any pointers.” Ginger gave him a wink. “You’ll be fine. Can’t be harder than riding a bull.”
The landing might be softer, but he knew what to expect from a bull. He didn’t have a clue about a five-year-old. If anyone had experience in this town, it was Ginger. Between her own children and the ones who gathered at their house, she always had a tribe underfoot.
He and Zan left. He had planned to ask Merry Anna to watch Zan so he could ride tomorrow night, but after all thatwith Maizey, he felt like he needed to prove to himself he wasn’t using Merry Anna.
It was convenient, sure, but he wasn’t dangling empty promises, was he?
He’d all but decided to call Ginger the next day to see if she could watch Zan. It would be the best thing to do. It would alleviate some of the rumors, and it would be good for Zan to get to know some of the other kids from Antler Creek.
It was bath night, and he and Zan had a routine, finally. He put a towel in the bottom of the tub so she wouldn’t slip, then filled it with just a few inches of warm water and then tons of bubbles. She’d soak until she was pruney.
She changed into her sleep shirt and crawled onto the couch. “I’m so sleepy tonight.”
“We’ve been busy. I’m going to try to do better to be sure you get into bed earlier. I’m sorry you’re so tired.”
“It’s okay.” She yawned, then folded her hands under her chin and started her prayers. She fell asleep before the amen.
Adam picked up where she left off. “…angels watch her through the night and wake her by the morning light. Amen.” He kissed her on the forehead.
My little girl.
23
Adam let Shorty climb ontothe couch with Zan, and he walked back to his bedroom. Next week he planned to clear out everything in the spare bedroom to turn it into something girlie for her. Merry Anna had offered to help.
Maizey’s comment floated through his mind.Love?
He had more changes than he could handle already. Love was not in the cards. Best he knew, he hadn’t ever been in love, except with the sport of rodeo. That was the only thing he’d ever felt he couldn’t live without.
Maizey had said more than a mouthful, and he was kind of ticked about it.
She was right about one thing, though. He wasn’t going to be able to risk his neck with Zan in his life.
He closed his eyes, wishing the answer would come to him. Did he really have to give up everything he loved to be a father? Some of the top riders had kids.
He named them off in his head.
The difference was, those guys had wives. They weren’t single fathers raising a child. They had a partner to help shoulder the burden and care for things when they were hurt.
He grabbed his phone from the nightstand and texted Doc.
ADAM:Hey, Doc. Question for ya.
DOC:Shoot.
ADAM:You really think you could get me on the medical sports team?
DOC:I do. Let’s talk.
ADAM:Okay. See you tomorrow night.
DOC:
He let out a heavy sigh, then scrolled through the rest of the rodeo schedule for the year. It was July, but there were still so many rides to the finals.
