Page 13 of More Than a Helping Hand

Me:Yes, ma’am.

Is it bad that she can already read my mind?

CHAPTER5

PRIMROSE

I’m pouring my second cup of coffee when Bailey comes up the hall, dragging her new cactus-print blanket with her. “Is DeeDee here yet?”

“Not yet. He won’t be here for another thirty minutes probably.” I open my arms, and she snuggles into my lap.

For the last year, this has been part of every Saturday that she’s home and I don’t have to work. And I’ll miss the day she doesn’t want to cuddle in the morning.

“Did you tell him that I don’t like sprinkles?”

I nod. “I told him.”

“Okay, good.” She’s quiet for a few minutes, then tilts her head up to look at me. “When I first saw him, I was a little bit scared.” She lifts one arm high above her head. “Because he’s big. But then I was brave and talked to him, and he was really nice.”

“He is very nice.” I’m thankful for this bit of explanation.

She slides out of my lap. “I want to watch a show. And I think because he’s big, he can protect me from scary things. Like horses.”

“Maybe he can.” I sure haven’t been able to insulate her from painful realities.

She looks back at me from where she’s plopped down on the floor. “But you aren’t big, and you protect me.”

“I try, sweetheart.”

“DeeDee calls me Munchkin. I like that.” She springs off the floor and runs to the front window. “He’s not here yet.”

For the next thirty minutes, she runs back and forth between the TV and the front window. And I’m not sure which of us is more eager for Anderson to arrive. I keep telling myself I’m not interested in anything romantic with him, but the attraction is there. And I did give him my number.

Right now, I’m glad he’s around because of Bailey. Talking to him was a huge step for her. He seems to make her happy. And my sweet girl deserves all the happiness after the way my ex stormed out, then had the audacity to die before he could apologize to her. To us.

I have no reason to believe he would’ve apologized, but the little lie that he ran out of time before he could keeps me sane.

When a knock sounds, we both jump up.

“I’ll get it.” I motion for her to hang back, then open the door.

Anderson grins. “Who wants donuts?” He lifts the box in his right hand.

I’m curious about the gift bag in his left. At least he listened about not bringing flowers.

Bailey is eyeing the bag too. “What’s in there?”

After setting the donut box aside, he squats down in front of her, and my heart melts a tiny bit. “Well, one of my buddies on the ranch has a wife who works at a nursery. So I asked her about cactus plants.”

Bailey’s eyes widen as she inhales, the anticipation coming off her like heat waves off a hot engine. “Is that a…?” She steps closer to him.

“Two. They aren’t quite as big as Fred. But these were the biggest they had.” He hands her the bag. “Be careful.”

She peers into the bag, then carefully reaches in and lifts out a plant. “Look, Mommy. It’s greenandred.” After putting it on the table, she takes out the other one, which is a smaller version of Fred. She sets it beside the other one, then throws her arms around Anderson. “Thank you!”

He stands with her clinging to him. “I’m glad you like them, Munchkin. And I’m sorry about Fred.”

“He might be okay. He’s only a little broken.” She points at the ground. “I want down now.”

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