Cowboy's Kiss by Kimberly Llewellyn

Author:Kimberly Llewellyn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: ePublishing Works!
Published: 2015-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

Jackie finished hanging the last of Amanda's dresses and shirts in the little girl's closet. She inspected the array of cheery clothing before her, proud to have cleared out the clutter in such a short time. Her busywork also helped her to clear her head about Tanner.

Twenty-four hours. That's how long Jackie had gone without really seeing him. Yet not a minute went by that he wasn't in her thoughts. Even during the night, she did nothing but toss and turn until daybreak, just in time to hear that alarm clock of a rooster mouth off. She silently wondered if rooster tasted anything like chicken.

"I've never worn these before, didn't even know I had them," Amanda said, breaking Jackie's thoughts. She stood in the middle of her bedroom, modeling her green shorts and flowered shirt.

"I found them in the back of one of your drawers."

"You sure do know how to dress nice, Miss Taylor."

"Thanks." Jackie watched the little girl slip into a pair of flip flops, when an idea struck her. "Say, why don't we do a little shopping tomorrow after school? For fun. Have a girl's day out." For some reason, the thought of shopping for cowgirl boots and western wear appealed to her.

Amanda's eyes brightened. "Maybe we can get new outfits for the dance!"

Jackie's heart sank. She'd almost forgotten about that darned dance. The one where Tanner would be in another woman's arms. "Oh, dear. You know, I'm so busy with writing my book, I might not be able to go to the dance." Not if it meant sitting alone all night watching Tanner get on with his life just as she had instructed him to.

"Oh, but you have to come." Amanda plopped onto her bed. "You see, I—I..." She lowered her gaze and twirled her freshly braided hair now decorated with yellow-ribboned bows.

"What is it?" Jackie sat beside her and instinctively wrapped her arm around the girl's shoulder.

"I kind of told my friends that you might marry my dad."

"You what? Why did you tell them that?" Jackie asked, utterly astonished.

Amanda shrugged. "It just sort of came out. Anyway, they don't believe anything about you or that you even exist. They think I made everything up about you being the etiquette lady and stuff. If you don't come, they'll really think I made it up."

"But Amanda, you did make it up."

"Only the marrying part."

Which just so happened to be the biggest, most crucial, potentially troublesome part! The thought of such a thing was dizzying. Jackie tried to think of something to say that would make sense to an eight-year-old. "Amanda, your dad's going to the dance with Anna. You shouldn't tell your friends that your dad and I are getting married when he's dating another woman."

"I thought about that. At least, after I said it."

"Amanda, you have to tell your friends the truth."

"You mean that I thought wrong?"

"Exactly."

Amanda slumped her shoulders. "But they'll think I lied about everything." She paused. "Unless you come to the dance. Please come?" She laid her head against Jackie and waited for an answer.

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