Page 58 of A Rancher's Heart
Chapter Thirteen
Tamara pulled her borrowed truck into the parking spot outside the community center, taking a deep breath before offering the girls a smile. “Okay. Who’s ready for a birthday party?”
“Us, us, us,” Sasha declared loudly enough for a dozen little girls as they escaped the cab, tumbling out like clowns from a stunt car at the circus.
Brightly wrapped packages in hand, they led the way with so much enthusiasm Tamara caught herself grinning. Oh, for youthful resilience. Any tears from earlier disappointments were gone, and their anxiety and distrust was easing day by day.
Or at least moment by moment. Sasha hadn’t completely let up her guard, but she was too excited to stay on point one hundred percent of the time. Emma was…Emma. Quietly watching and assessing, and so far, she seemed to be weighing in favour of Tamara.
Tamara, on the other hand, was nearly as confused and conflicted as she’d been the first week, and no simple solution would make her particular issues go away.
Caleb Stone was driving her mad.
He also made her mad, for far different reasons. He was a faulty furnace. Damn intriguing—steaming, blisteringly attractive, and she’d sternly warned herself that whatever animal magnetism she imagined between them was all in her mind because if it were real, the house might spontaneously go up in flames.
Yet for every time she thought she caught him undressing her with his gaze, he’d just as often turned as chilly as a January cold snap.
It was like living with the physical embodiment of the Chinook wind. Unseasonably hot followed by icy blasts.
But the worst thing about him? He was a truly shitty fighter. Seriously—she loved a good debate, and wrestling down details to figure out what was important was part of the fun in her books. Didn’t matter if it was something big, like the chores, or something small like favourite meals, she wanted to discuss it.
Anytime they came head to head on an issue, though, Caleb had the same response. He’d walk away, leaving her talking to an empty room.
“Damn annoying,” she muttered.
He’d probably figured out how much she hated it and was now doing it on purpose. A fight she won because the other person refused to…well,fight…was a hollow victory.
Enough dillydallying. Today was not about the maddening man, although she had to admit he’d arranged a very nice temporary vehicle for her to drive while Brooke worked on her truck. The repair parts had taken longer than expected to arrive—typical small town trouble—and Tamara would have hated to be stuck without a vehicle the entire time.
Tamara caught up with the girls in time to guide them toward the table where other gifts had been placed. Children were running wild around and over the play equipment scattered in the open space of the gym.
This kind of birthday party she could approve of. Nothing over the top—no rented bouncy house or one-upmanship. She walked forward with a slightly more optimistic spirit, even though Kelli’s warning lingered.
Some of the moms gathered near the snack table extended smiles, one face more familiar than the rest. The day she’d gone into Emma’s class to help, Hanna had been there as well. Tamara had enjoyed working alongside the quiet woman.
Hanna waved happily. “Good to see you again.”
Tamara returned her greeting with an enthusiastic smile, slipping into the empty chair beside her. A quick round of hellos and introductions followed before the conversations reverted to child wrangling and coordinating the partygoers for small bursts of games.
Over the next hour Tamara kept a close eye on Sasha and Emma, making sure they minded their manners but had a good time. Sasha stayed near her sister, which didn’t surprise Tamara much.
Once the birthday cake and presents had been dispensed with, the kids were back to unorganized fun until the party time was over. Tamara caught Sasha all but mesmerized by one of the games the bigger girls had started on their own. She snuck over, catching hold of Sasha’s shoulder for a moment as she knelt to speak privately to them.
“I thought I’d take Emma to the colouring table. If you’re okay on your own for a bit.”
Sasha glanced at her sister before shaking her head. “I don’t mind staying with Emma.”
This time it was Emma who made it clear she had other ideas. She leaned in and whispered something to Sasha.
Sasha frowned. “You sure?”
The little girl nodded then slipped her fingers into Tamara’s.
Still Sasha hesitated, glancing at Tamara with a warning expression. She waited as if ready to return to her position as guard dog the next moment.
Emma rolled her eyes and propped her free hand on her hips.
It was the final nudge Sasha needed. She nodded, joining the crowd of jumping and bumping older girls.
