The Somerset Girls by Lori Foster

Author:Lori Foster
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HQN Books
Published: 2020-03-27T19:20:31+00:00

* * *

It was late, and still Sadie didn’t sleep. Tash had finished reading to her over an hour ago, but from the desk where he caught up with work, he heard her rustling around, tossing and turning. The muted glow of the night-light in her room sent her shadow out the open door, so when he saw her sit up in bed, he saved his file and pushed back his chair.

Pausing in the doorway, he saw her arranging a pile of stuffed animals into the bed with her. Usually she picked one and slept with it. Sleeping with ten meant something was wrong.

He took a step into the room, drawing her attention. “What’s up, honey? Can’t sleep?”

Eyes downcast with guilt, she said, “Sorry.”

“Hey.” Tash moved into the room. “You don’t need to apologize.” Sitting on the side of the bed, he tucked in a pink elephant so worn in places, it was a wonder his stuffing didn’t fall out. Tash remembered getting the prize at a local carnival when she was four.

It both saddened and pleased him that she still liked it.

When Sadie didn’t say anything else, he filled the silence. “So. I was trying to work but I keep thinking about Autumn. I wouldn’t be able to sleep right now, either.”

“Really?”

“Really. I like Autumn, so when she’s upset, it bothers me.”

Sadie nodded. “Me, too.”

“When you’re upset, it bothers me even more. Can you tell me what’s wrong?”

Clutching the elephant, she rested back in her bed but turned to face him. “She’s going to make the cow okay, huh?”

“I’m sure she’ll do absolutely everything she can...” Like a tsunami of sorrow, the similarities suddenly hit him, and he faltered. Yes, she’d been used by the mother who should have nurtured her, the mother who’d lied to punish him...and had hurt Sadie in the process.

Clearing his throat, Tash finished with, “She’ll make the cow feel loved and appreciated.”

Eyes downcast again, Sadie asked with innocent deception, “Why would anyone hurt a cow?”

Grief and anger twisted in his guts, but hopefully he hid it. “I think it’s more that the cow was neglected.” Because his daughter was incredibly smart, and now seemed introspective, Tash chose his words carefully. “The cow wasn’t protected or cared for the way it should have been.”

“I bet the cow was sad.”

Tash ruined her nice display of stuffed animals by lifting her out from under her blankets and up to his lap. Hugging her protectively, he said, “The cow will talk to Autumn and that’ll help.”

She gave a little laugh and looked up at him. “Cows don’t talk.”

But little girls should. “What do you mean, they don’t talk?” He put on his best face of affront.

“Cows moo.”

“Ah, I guess you’re right. Too bad, because talking about problems always helps. But you know, just because animals don’t say things the way we do, they still communicate. They relate to us through trust. They accept the love given them, and have faith that no one will ever hurt them again.” Please have that faith.

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