Maverick Holiday Magic by Teresa Southwick

Author:Teresa Southwick
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mills & Boon Cherish
Published: 2019-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

After school the next day Merry met Wren just outside of her classroom for the walk to the truck. Last night’s excitement at the town Christmas tree lighting and a fairly substantial sugar high at Daisy’s Donuts immediately after made it way past bedtime when the little girl was finally asleep. Merry had expected to collect a tired, cranky and out-of-sorts child that afternoon, but that’s not what happened.

“Merry!” Wren ran over and was practically jumping up and down. Clearly she was excited about something. “You’ll never guess what happened.”

She made an exaggeration of studying the happy little face. “Well, I’m guessing it’s something pretty fantastic judging by that deliriously happy smile.”

“It is. I got a big part in the Christmas play.” She clapped her hands together. “It’s going to be at the community center and my teacher said almost everyone in town comes to watch.”

“Oh, sweetie, that’s wonderful.” She bent down to hug her. “What part did you get?”

“I’m going to play Rudolph’s best friend, Dancer.”

“Awesome.”

“It’s the second-biggest part and there are a lot of lines to learn.” The smile dimmed just a little.

“I can help you with that, sweetie. And you have a really good memory. That’s probably why your teacher picked you. Learning your lines will be a piece of cake. You’ll see.”

“We better go home so I can start.”

“Okay.” When the little girl trustingly slipped her hand into Merry’s, there was a definite tug on Merry’s heart. She hoped she was creating a positive difference in this young life. That would go a long way toward making this hopeless crush on Hunter Crawford mean something.

Hand in hand, they weaved through the crowd of children who’d just been dismissed from class and walked to the lot where Merry’s old truck was parked. She took the pink backpack and set it on the back seat, then lifted Wren up. Without a running board it was next to impossible for six-year-old little legs to breach the distance.

“Hop on into your car seat, sweetie.”

“You always say that.”

“Because I always want you to be safe.”

“You always say that, too.” Wren spontaneously hugged her.

That gave Merry’s heart another delicious tug and she squeezed the small body close for a moment. “I’m very glad to know you listen to what I say.”

“I do.”

“Good.” She pulled away and winked. “Now, make sure you—”

“Buckle yourself in,” Wren finished.

They were both laughing as Merry closed the truck door. She walked around and opened the driver’s side and climbed behind the wheel. “Okay, let’s get you home. Are you hungry?”

“Yes. Can I have peanut butter on crackers and some apple slices? I like the way you cut them up into skinny pieces.”

“Of course. That sounds like a very nutritious snack. And we have everything. I don’t have to stop at the store before we leave town.”

She put her key in the ignition and started the engine, then backed out of her space and headed slowly for the exit onto South Main Street. She made a right turn to go north out of Rust Creek Falls toward the ranch.

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