“Smart, too.” She pushed her chair back and stood. “It’s water based, so it peels right off.” She demonstrated with her own fingers then pointed toward the counter. “And yes, we saved you some cookies.”
He crossed to the small island and grabbed a couple.
“All right, folks.”
Cookie in hand, Mick turned to see Cranston standing in the doorway between the kitchen and mudroom.
“I’m going to turn the water back on. If there are no leaks, you should be good to go.”
“Excellent.” Christa looked at Mick. “Now I get to learn drywall repair.”
By the time Ronnie pulled away, the sun was drifting low in the western sky and Mick’s stomach was ready for something more than cookies.
He watched Christa as she cleared off the table. “So where would you like to go eat?”
“Honestly—” she wadded up the waxed paper she’d laid out to protect the wood finish while they did their nails “—I’m not really in the mood to go anywhere.”
Disappointment settled in his gut, surprising him.
“However—” Christa tucked the paper in the trash before facing him again “—if you don’t mind frozen pizza, we could eat here.”
The offer lifted his spirits. He enjoyed Christa’s company. Her outlook on life, her values were very similar to his, which had him thinking that maybe they weren’t so different after all. And that made frozen pizza too good to resist.
Chapter Eight
Christa pulled her SUV up to Mick’s house Friday evening, eager to show Sadie her completed room. She’d taken a long lunch today so she could finish the project. With the painting out of the way, it hadn’t taken long to style the wall shelves she’d had Mick put up, rearrange the furniture and add some fun wall art along with the new bedding. The space was now colorful, inviting and, most of all, designed specifically for Sadie.
The only downside was that it meant she no longer had a reason to come down to Mick’s place and hang out with him and Sadie. It had felt rather strange being there earlier with both of them gone. Almost as if she was invading their turf by introducing items she was certain Mick never dreamed of having in his house. He’d be okay, though, because she wasn’t changing things for his benefit, but for Sadie’s.
Christa enjoyed watching the two of them together. She never would have guessed that the tough cowboy she’d always encountered could be turned inside out by one little girl. But he was so sweet with Sadie. As if he was meant to be a father.
Christa released a sigh. What would she do now that Sadie’s room was complete?
Start pestering her real estate agent, for one thing. She couldn’t believe there was still no word on the Gebhardt building. Perhaps Christa should try to contact the leasing agent directly. Maybe that would get the ball rolling.
Determining that was a decision for another day, she got out of her vehicle then opened the back door. “There you go, Dixie.”
The dog hopped out and started exploring, nose to the ground.
Christa waited, taking in the picturesque setting. With the large trees and the pond, she could see why Mick liked living here. She could just imagine sitting at the water’s edge, watching Sadie splash around with Dixie.
Her heart skidded to a stop. Once Mick found his footing as a parent, he’d have no need for Christa anymore. That was, assuming the court case came out in his favor.
She sucked in a breath. Father God, please let Sadie remain with Mick. He’s trying so hard and he loves her so much.
“Come on, Dix.” Turning, she continued onto the porch and knocked on the door. A moment later, a haggard Mick swung it open.
“Boy, am I glad you’re here.”
She could hear Sadie crying. Make that screaming.
She stepped inside. “What’s going on?” Her gaze shifted to the living room where Sadie lay on the floor throwing one doozy of a tantrum.
“I wish I knew. Ever since I picked her up from school, all she’s done is argue. Whatever I ask her to do, she says no. I even told her she was going to get to see her new room tonight, but she had to wait until you got here. So she threw herself on the floor and has been kicking and screaming ever since.”
“That doesn’t sound like Sadie.”
“I know.” Mick dragged a hand through his light brown hair. “I’m ’bout at my wit’s end. She won’t talk to me. And whenever I try to talk to her, she screams louder.”
Another screech rent the air.
Something was amiss. And Christa hadn’t had enough experience with kids to know how to handle this. Still, she had to give it a try.
She moved tentatively toward the girl and crouched to her level. “Sadie? Hey—” she brushed the child’s shoulder-length hair out of her reddened face “—what’s going on?”
Sadie jerked away and continued to scream and sob.
Standing, Christa glanced at Mick, who looked every bit as helpless as she felt. “Did something happen at school?”
“Not that I’m aware of.”
Christa looked down at the child, hating to see her so upset. There had to be a reason for an outburst like this. And the only way they were going to find out was for Sadie to tell them. But how could they get her to do that?
A few tumultuous moments passed before Christa decided to join Sadie on the floor. And despite the protests, she pulled the thrashing child into her lap. “Come on, Sadie. Talk to me. What’s the problem?” Despite the child’s continued kicking, Christa drew her closer. “Don’t you want to see your new room?”
“No! I don’t want a new room!”
Willing herself to remain calm, Christa breathed deep and kept her voice even. “Okay, what do you want then?”
“I want my mommy and daddy!”
Christa’s gaze collided with Mick’s, her insides churning with grief—for Sadie and the little girl Christa had been. Tears sprang to her eyes as she recalled that night when her emotions had come to a head and she’d fallen apart on her father. The ache in her little heart had been more than she could take. She couldn’t remember what had set her off, only that she’d lost it and there’d been nothing her father could do to console her. She’d been too young to understand what was going on; she only knew that she’d wanted her mother. And she was certain that’s what Sadie was enduring right now.
In that moment, Christa understood just how helpless her father had felt. But that hadn’t stopped him from trying to console her. And she would do the same for Sadie.
Ignoring the girl’s continued flailing, Christa hugged her tight and smoothed a hand over her tangled hair. “I know you do, baby. I know you miss them.” She whispered in Sadie’s ear, “Your mommy and daddy loved you so much. I know you don’t understand why they had to go away.”
The kicking began to subside and the tension in Sadie’s body started to ease.
“I know you miss them terribly,” Christa continued, determined to ride out this storm with the precious child in her arms.
After a moment, Sadie turned into Christa’s chest, her body shaking with each hiccup as Christa cradled her. Through tears, she peered up at her. “Why did they leave me?”
“They didn’t want to, baby.” If only there was an answer suitable for a five-year-old. “Just like my mommy didn’t want to leave me. But sometimes things just happen.” Tears spilled onto her cheeks.
Sadie reached up and caught one on her finger.
Christa sniffed and tried to keep herself from falling completely apart. “And your Uncle Mickey loves you so very much.”
He joined them on the floor then, his own face wet with tears, and Christa could feel the heat radiating from him as he drew close.
His shoulder touched hers as his calloused hand tenderly stroked Sadie’s hair. “I miss your mama and daddy, too, Sadie.” His voice cracked. “Your mama was my best fr
iend.”
Sadie sat up in Christa’s lap and twisted to look at her uncle. With a sniff, she said, “She was?”
“Would I lie to you?”
Sadie thought for a moment before shaking her head.
“And I promised your mama and daddy that I would take care of you. So I really need you to talk to me when something is bothering you. It’s okay to cry and get upset, but it would sure help me if I knew why you were doing it. Even if I can’t make it better.”
Christa smoothed a hand over Sadie’s back. “Do you think you can do that, Sadie? Tell your Uncle Mickey when you’re feeling sad or mad?”
The child was still for a moment before she reached for Mick.
Christa’s heart split wide open when he pulled his niece close, hugging her for all she was worth, while tears streamed down his face. Oh, how she prayed the Sandersons wouldn’t tear them apart. She couldn’t bear what it might do to these two precious souls.
The three of them sat there, silently working through their grief, until Dixie sidled over and sat down beside Mick, as though she was waiting for Sadie.
“Dixie.” Sadie pulled away and smiled at the dog. Then she placed a tiny hand on each of her uncle’s cheeks. “I love you, Uncle Mickey.”
“I love you, too, princess.” He kissed her cheek.
Sadie looped an arm around Dixie’s neck and turned to Christa. “I’m ready to see my new room now.”
Laughing through her tears, Christa said, “We can do that. But first, I think we need a round of tissues.”
* * *
Mick wasn’t about to break his arm trying to pat himself on the back, but peering at his watch as he stood on his front porch Sunday afternoon, he realized that he’d almost made it through his first somewhat normal weekend alone with Sadie. And as far as he was concerned, that was something to celebrate.
They’d spent Saturday morning putting out hay. At each of the five pastures, he’d eyeball the herd, make sure every cow and bull were accounted for, that none were having any issues, and then double-check the mamas with babies, as well as those that would be calving soon.
After church today, they’d grabbed lunch at Bubbas and ate in the truck as they made the rounds again. Sadie had been the first to spot a new calf, which she had to name, just like all the others. Unlike yesterday, though, she’d fallen asleep on the way back to the house. So he’d carried her to the couch, then settled into his recliner for a catnap of his own.
Now it was closing in on three o’clock. Meaning they still had plenty of time to do something fun. It would be a shame to waste such a beautiful, spring-like day.
“Sadie, how would you like to go horseback riding?”
Surprise lit her face as she hopped out of the porch’s lone rocker. “I would love, love, love it!”
He’d picked up a helmet for her at the farm supply this week, anticipating such a ride. She’d only been talking about it since they returned from the funeral. And this was the perfect day to be out and about and to start building some memories. Just in case—
No, he was not going to let thoughts of the Sandersons ruin this day.
“You’ll have to ride with me, though.”
“Okay.” She nearly bounced right out of her pink boots.
“All right, let’s call Drifter in.”
Sadie cupped her hands around her mouth and yelled for the horse, while Mick simply curled in his lips and let go a whistle.
A few minutes later, the sorrel mare wandered in from the pasture.
Sadie smiled up at him. “She heareded me.”
“She sure did.” No sense in bursting the kid’s bubble by telling her Drifter knew his whistle. Because slowly but surely, Sadie was easing into country life. Mick had been pleased to see that Christa hadn’t forgotten that when she decorated Sadie’s room. The horseshoe lamp and cowhide-looking pillow were a nod to his way of life. He appreciated that.
Naturally, Sadie had fallen in love with the space. Mick knew she would. And anything that made Sadie happy made him happy.
Christa had a knack for making Sadie happy. Rubbing his chin, he pondered his beautiful neighbor. Now that Sadie’s room was complete, she had no reason to visit them anymore. And though he’d never admit it to anyone but himself, he missed having her around. Because whenever she was there, things seemed different. Better. Even when things got bad, like they had Friday night.
In all the chaos of this past month, Mick had never truly grieved his sister and the man who’d been like a brother to him. But the other night, the wall he’d built around his heart had come crumbling down as he watched Sadie struggle with her new reality. And while it wasn’t exactly manly to cry in front of a woman—a pretty one at that—it felt right for Christa to be there. She understood what he and Sadie were going through. And he couldn’t help feeling as though God had placed her in their lives to help them work through this difficult time. Something Mick would be forever thankful for.
After saddling Drifter and briefly explaining the process to Sadie, he retrieved the helmet he’d stowed in the barn. “You’ll need to wear this while we’re riding.”
“I like the pink.” Taking the helmet from him, she studied it for a moment. “Oh, and it has a unicorn on it. I like that.” She looked up at him. “How come I don’t have a hat like you?”
“Because you’re still growing, so we have to protect that pretty little head of yours.” Besides, if Jen were here, she’d give him a good tongue-lashing if he let Sadie ride without a helmet.
Thankfully, Sadie didn’t argue, and in no time they were atop Drifter and headed up the drive with Sadie’s little body tucked in front of his.
“We need to go to Miss Christa’s so she can see me on a horse.”
“Do we now?” He couldn’t seem to stop the smile that tugged at his lips. “I reckon we can do that.”
When they emerged from the woods, Christa’s farmhouse was bathed in sunlight. The windows were open, and a gentle breeze billowed the sheer white curtains inside.
The horse whinnied as they neared the drive.
“Sounds like Drifter is as eager to see Miss Christa as you are.” Not that Mick wasn’t looking forward to it, too.
The woman in question appeared at the dining room window. “What are you doing?”
“I’m riding a horse.” Pride filled Sadie’s voice.
“You sure are. Give me a second. I want to take your picture.”
Mick guided Drifter alongside the fence.
“Right there is good.”
He looked up to see Christa tiptoeing across the cattle guard, her faithful furry companion by her side. She wore a pair of denim overalls over a gray T-shirt, and her chin-length brown hair was slightly mussed, making him wonder what she’d been doing before they arrived.
“Hold on.” He angled the horse just so. “How’s that?”
“Perfect. Now smile.” Using her phone, she took several pictures then stared at the screen. “These are great.” She looked their way. “I’ll have to frame a couple of them.”
Frame? As in display, like in her house or office? And why did that make him sit a little taller in the saddle?
“I’ll text them to you so you can have them, too.” She slid her phone into her pocket.
“Miss Christa, can I play on your swing?” Sadie pointed to the simple board-and-rope swing that dangled from the sprawling live oak in the front yard.
“You sure can.” She stepped closer, holding out her arms as Mick passed Sadie down. “I like your helmet.” She stood Sadie on the ground as Mick dismounted.
“Uncle Mickey gotted it for me.” She hugged Dixie then turned to leave.
Mick snagged her arm. “Hold up a second.” He stooped so he was at her level. “Always walk in front of a horse—” he pointed “—not behind.”
“How come?”
“So you don’t get kicked.”
Her eyes widened.
“No matter how nice a horse may be, if they see something behind them, they’re apt to kick. It’s how they protect themselves.”
“Ooh...” She eyed Drifter. “But they don’t kick in the front?”
“Nope.”
She smiled then. “Okay.” She skipped around the front end of the horse and continued across the cattle guard to the swing.
“That was good.” Christa stepped closer. “Teaching her about horses, the helmet.”
“I’m just glad I remembered. Sometimes I forget that she didn’t grow up on a ranch like Jen and I did.”
“You’ll just have to act as though everything is new. That is, until the day she looks up at you and says, ‘I know, Uncle Mickey.’”
“Let’s hope that day doesn’t come anytime soon.” He glanced at the cattle in the winter-brown pasture behind her house. “What have you been up to?”
“Drywall repair.”
Lifting a brow, he met her gaze. “All by yourself?”
“All by myself.”
“How’s it going?”
“Surprisingly, not too bad. Though there’s definitely a learning curve to applying that joint compound.”
“No doubt.” He took a step closer, staring at the top of her head. “However, that does explain something.”
She looked up at him as he drew closer. “What?”
“Just hold still.” The sweet aroma of her shampoo—apple, maybe—enveloped him as he cupped her chin with one hand while pinching the small white blob that had affixed itself to the top of her head with the other. Her hair was soft, and the fragrance radiating from her had him entertaining notions he had no business entertaining. Like the fact that she was close enough to kiss. And what would she do if he did?
Clearing his throat, he took a step back, revealing the joint compound. “Were you saving this for later?”
Her hands immediately went to her hair. “How did that get there?”
“I have no idea.”
She smiled then and poked a thumb toward the house. “Would you like to see my patch job?”
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