Have Mercy by Christina Lee

Author:Christina Lee [Lee, Christina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Christina Lee
Published: 2020-08-27T23:00:00+00:00

16

Kerry

When I walked into the kitchen Sunday afternoon, after corralling Phoebe and Hamlet away from our crops again, I was pleasantly surprised to see Ainsley and Julian sitting together at the table. Ainsley didn’t normally seek Julian out, but ever since he’d helped her in the stables a few days ago, she had taken to him more easily. That night she’d told me that Julian was scared of loud noises too—I figured it was something they’d discussed before I’d walked in—and damn if my heart didn’t cram in my throat hearing that.

I’d felt guilty that day because I couldn’t get to her in time and I knew she was anxious about the thunder and lightning. But I also knew she was with Dr. Barnes, who would keep her safe while I sought shelter from the storm. I’d been out repairing one of the fences between our property and the ranch. My brothers still hadn’t gotten to it, so I took it upon myself to fix it before their cattle ended up mixed in with ours in the pasture.

Still, I’d rushed over as soon as I could because I knew how nervous Ainsley got when the weather was bad and we weren’t around. And stepping inside and seeing Julian there with Ainsley and Dr. Barnes left me feeling all sort of things I couldn’t put my finger on right then. He was grooming Mercy, and it was… I didn’t know how else to describe it except to say it was beautiful. How careful he was with him, and sort of uncertain. I had a sneaking suspicion Dr. Barnes knew Julian needed that time with the horse and had come up with a plan that included helping both Ainsley and him.

She used to ask us to help Ainsley with little tasks at the beginning of her work with our daughter, to help her feel more comfortable. But it also felt like we were working together toward a common goal, bringing us closer as a family in the process.

“What are you up to?” I asked Ainsley and Julian, looking down at the newspaper Sienna had no doubt spread across the table so that Ainsley could play with a new makeup set she’d received from Sienna’s mother. Ainsley loved playing with her dolls and plastic ponies too, so the glittery set was just an added bonus, if a bit messy.

“A tutorial, apparently.” Julian smirked, watching her dab some color on the dolls and horses with a small brush. And given how rosy Sienna’s cheeks looked as she poured them glasses of iced tea at the counter, Ainsley had worked her makeup magic on her mother as well.

I helped dole out the iced tea, then poured myself some for good measure.

“Want me to paint your nails?” Ainsley asked Julian, reaching for a six-pack of colors that came with the set.

I could see Sienna stiffen in my side view. “Honey, I’m sure Julian doesn’t want to—”

“Sure,” he replied, and Sienna’s eyes widened a fraction. But he

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