Page 33 of What Remains True
“It’s my birthday. How about I spend it the way I like just this once?” She’d never really spoken so strongly to her father before, but this was worth fighting for.
“Leave her alone,” her mom chimed in. “This is not the time for you to tell her what to do.”
At least Mom was kind of on her side today, although Merry Anna knew full well that her mom was also on Kevin’s side. If her mom had her way, Merry Anna would not only come back to work but also go back to Kevin.That’ll never happen.
Merry Anna glanced over at the clock. “Thank you forcalling this morning. I’m meeting someone for coffee, so I’m going to need to run.”Two lies in one conversation? This is not good.
“You have a great day,” her mom said.
“Call us and let’s talk about you coming back before people think they don’t need you around,” Dad added.
“Thank you.” She hung up quickly before they could squeeze in any other orders.
Exhausting.Every time she talked to them, it was like that.
She walked back into the bathroom and put some sunscreen on, then got dressed. She still had a few minutes before she needed to leave, so she walked out on the back porch and watered her plants. They were growing so well. She felt good about that.
She actually felt good about a lot of things lately.
She locked the back door and then went out the front. Just as she stepped outside, she saw Adam standing at the bottom of the steps. His smile was easy. He lifted his chin, his eyes squinting in the sun. “Good morning.”
“How long have you been there?”
“I’m an early bird.” He had both horses tied up out front.
Adam’s skin was as tan as the hide of the horse he was standing next to.
“Chips was anxious to wish you a happy birthday,” he said.
“Isn’thesweet?” She walked down the steps, clomping in the boots that were about a half size too big but doable. She walked straight over to Chips and gave his nose a rub, hoping Adam was wishing he’d admitted to being the one who wanted to come over.
“I don’t have any tortilla chips in my house,” Merry Anna said sweetly to the horse, “else I’d give you the whole bag.”
“No worries. I packed some in the saddlebag so you could treat him to some later.”
“Thank you. Am I riding Chips?”
“You sure are.”
“You and me, buddy,” she said.
“Come over on the stoop. I’ve got some spurs for you.”
“Spurs? I’m not going to need those. I’d never spur Chips.” She pressed her hand against the horse’s neck. “That would be mean.”
“You won’t hurt him, but you do need the spurs just to keep him going. Sometimes he has a mind of his own and wants to meander or take a shortcut.”
“I don’t like the sound of this.”
“It’ll be fine.” Adam sat down on the step. “Prop your foot up here.”
She put her right foot up on his knee, and he put the spur on her boot and buckled the leather strap.
“Other foot, please.”
She switched feet, and he made short work of getting that one in place. “You’re all set. I’ll help you up on him.”
She took a deep breath. Her stomach swirled, and her mouth had gone dry.Is this a good idea? What if I fall? Spending the day in the emergency room would not be a good birthday at all.
