The Debutante's Secret by Peggy McKenzie

Author:Peggy McKenzie [McKenzie, Peggy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Columbine Publishing Company
Published: 2020-09-01T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

Roxanne spent the rest of the afternoon in the main room of the ranch house searching through the catalog of dress patterns she had borrowed from Regina. Alex had told her she was welcome to use the sewing machine in the spare bedroom, and she thought a lesson in sewing would be a good way to teach Grace about measurements.

She flipped the pages for something simple to sew all the while her head floated in the clouds as her fingertips traced the path that Alex's mouth had left on her lips. She had been surprised when he pulled her against him and took her mouth against his. But she found she didn’t mind at all. In fact, she had been more than willing to kiss the handsome cowboy.

“Roxanne? Are we going to use your pastels again before supper?” Grace's voice pulled her from her daydreams.

“Um, no sweetheart, I think today we shall spend an hour or so down by the river under the willow trees and practice your reading. Would you like that?” Roxanne pulled Grace to her and took the brush from the little girl’s hand. “Now, turn around and let me fix this rat’s nest.”

She turned Grace around and undid this morning's messy braids.

“I would rather use your pastels, but I like to read too,” Grace answered over her shoulder. “What kind of book shall we read?”

“How about a fairy tale?” Roxanne asked and pulled the brush carefully through Grace's tangled curls.

She watched Grace’s face in the mirror as the little girl pondered her question. Soon, Roxanne was finished and turned her charge around. “There. All set.” She patted the little girl’s bangs in place.

Grace surprised her by throwing her arms around Roxanne’s neck and giving her a heartfelt hug. Delighted by the display of affection, she hugged Grace back. Tears stung as she thought of all the little girl had been through during her young life. She had guessed there were problems, but having her suspicions verified by Alex made it real and even more upsetting.

“Grace, darling. Are you alright? Is there anything I can do? Sometimes, it helps just to have someone listen to you. And I come from a long line of very good listeners you know?”

“You do?” Grace stepped back and searched Roxanne's face.

“I do. I have a twin sister and sometimes we can even talk without saying a word. And my mother has always been a very good listener. Probably one of the best.” Roxanne offered the little girl bits and pieces of her life in hopes of putting her at ease enough to confide in her.

“You and your sister talk to each other without words? How do you do that?” Roxanne could see the confusion in Grace's face.

“Well, we are identical twins and people say that twins have a special connection that allows them to understand one another without speaking a single word. I know my sister and I have that ability. We are able to convey messages by just looking at each other.

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