The Borrowed Groom. Judy Christenberry

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СКАЧАТЬ Two

      Rob told Terri the news the next morning over breakfast.

      His daughter launched herself at him, wrapping her hands around his neck. “Oh, Daddy, thank you!”

      Emotion rocked his heart. She seldom called him “Daddy” anymore, not since she thought she was growing up. “Listen to me, little girl,” he began sternly. “This is a job. I’m not letting this woman adopt you. Understand?”

      Terri continued to beam at him, as if he hadn’t spoken. “Of course not, Dad. When do I go?”

      “She said come to lunch. But you’re to be back here at four, and you do your chores in the morning before you go.”

      “Yes, Dad.” Her dutiful response was still accompanied by a huge smile.

      Did that mean he’d done the right thing? Sometimes, as a parent, he felt lost. Before his father died, he’d at least had someone to discuss his decisions with.

      The three of them, his father, him and Terri, had lived on the family ranch in south Texas. It had been home, even if it wasn’t highly successful. His father had been reluctant to change anything.

      When his father died, the taxes on the ranch, already cash-poor, had made it impossible to keep. He’d had to sell out to a neighbor.

      Unable to bear watching someone else implement the changes he’d wanted to make, he’d decided it was time for him and his daughter to move on.

      He’d put away the money left over from the sale and promised himself he’d own his own place again…someday.

      He’d worried that the move, after just losing her grandfather, had been too hard on Terri. He’d worried that she wouldn’t make new friends. He’d worried about her having to start a new school. He’d worried about her being alone all day while he worked.

      Now he had that last problem solved.

      So, instead, he worried all day about his daughter.

      Melissa’s suddenly conceived plan of having Terri help her was a brilliant success. Jessica and Mary Ann followed the older girl around like little puppies. Terri was affectionate and caring.

      Her father had done a good job of raising her, Melissa decided. She was sweet, gentle and agreeable.

      “Where’s your mother?” Melissa asked over an afternoon snack.

      Terri seemed unconcerned about the question. “She left when I was a baby. Dad says she wanted to be a big movie star.”

      “Oh, I’m sorry,” Melissa quickly apologized.

      “It’s okay. Me and Dad and Grandpa did fine.”

      “Our mama left us,” Jessica whispered, as if she feared her words would shock everyone.

      For the first time, Terri seemed upset. Not about her own abandonment, but about Jessica and Mary Ann’s. She looked at Melissa, as the younger girls did.

      “We know, Jessica, and we’re sorry, but we’re lucky, too.” Melissa smiled as all three girls stared at her, perplexed.

      “How?” Terri asked.

      “Because we get to be together. I never would’ve met Jessica and Mary Ann if they hadn’t been left behind. And you wouldn’t be here with us, either.”

      Melissa turned the situation into a celebration that the little girls joined in. Terri sent her a congratulatory smile, as if she understood, and they all toasted their togetherness with a lifting of their milk glasses.

      After Terri left, promptly at four, Melissa stood watching the young girl walk to her house and thought again of the gruff man from last night.

      He might not be friendly to her, but he loved his daughter. In spite of not wanting Terri to spend time with her, Rob Hanson had agreed because it was best for Terri. So, for what it was worth, Rob Hanson received Melissa Kennedy’s stamp of approval.

      As if he’d care.

      She giggled at the thought. She could just picture the look of disgust on his face if she told him. He wouldn’t be impressed.

      It didn’t matter. Unlike Jessica and Mary Ann’s parents, Rob Hanson hadn’t abandoned his daughter, even though she’d only been a baby when his wife had left them. Admiration filled her. He’d cared for his daughter when another man might’ve given up. And he’d done an excellent job.

      She didn’t care if he didn’t want her opinion. She intended to tell him the next time she saw him what a good parent he was.

      Rob didn’t get home until almost seven. He was tired, hungry, and worried. As he stepped onto the porch, the door swung open and Terri’s happy face greeted him.

      “Dad!” She offered him a kiss on the cheek, a fairly unusual occurrence, which reflected her mood. Then she protested, “Eew! You smell.”

      He cocked one brow. “No more than normal. Give me five minutes and I’ll clean up.”

      After a quick shower and clean clothes, he returned to the kitchen, surprised by the delicious smells. For a twelve-year-old, Terri did a good job of throwing something together for dinner. But her efforts didn’t involve much actual cooking.

      He watched as she carefully removed a casserole of some kind from the oven and placed it on the table. “You cooked?” he asked abruptly.

      She beamed at him. “Melissa taught me. We made this casserole together.”

      Before he could comment, she put a pan of rolls in the oven. Then she opened the refrigerator and withdrew a tossed salad.

      He took a long drink from the iced tea she’d already placed on the table. Suddenly he noticed a complete place setting of utensils. Usually, she only put out a fork for each of them.

      “How come we’re getting all fancied up suddenly?” he growled.

      His heart sank as Terri stared at him, dismay in her gaze. “Don’t you like it? Everything’s so nice at Melissa’s, I thought I’d try to do better here.”

      He took the napkin from beside his plate and spread it in his lap. “Sure I like it, baby,” he agreed heartily, hoping to erase that look from her face. “And the food smells great.”

      She forgave his momentary criticism and soon they were eating. He’d worked hard all day, with only a brief break for a packed lunch. He was starving.

      But he had to eat his meal with a constant stream of praises for Melissa Kennedy. Terri had had a wonderful day, it appeared. His worry had been for nothing.

      Now he was really worried.

      He knew he was right when Terri brought out half a chocolate cake.

      “You baked half a cake?” he teased.

      “No, silly. Melissa said she was glad to have someone to share a cake with. It would СКАЧАТЬ