Page 60 of What Remains True
Adam fist-pumped when Squatch answered with a groaning yes.
“I need a huge favor. It’s a long story, but can you ask your wife if she can keep an eye on a five-year-old girl while I ride tonight?”
“Better to just spring it on her. She won’t say no to you. She’ll come unglued if I ask her.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah. She’ll be there. What’s one more?”
“I owe you, man. Big-time.” He ended the call and let out a breath. “Okay, I’ve got this.” Zan had spread out on the floor next to Shorty, explaining each page of a magazine to the dog, who looked bored. Adam watched as Zan made up stories for each picture. She had a good imagination.
“Let’s see what kind of pretty shirts you have in your pink cowgirl bag, because guess what we’re going to do tonight?”
“See Mommy?”
That pierced his heart. “No, she can’t have visitors yet. But as soon as she can, we will go see her. We’re gonna go to the rodeo.”
“The real rodeo?”
“Yes!”
Her lips bunched. “I don’t have my hat. It’s in the car.”
“How about I get you a new one. They sell them right there. They might even have a pink one for little girls.”
“Really?”
“Really. Let’s get you dressed, and then I’ll get all my stuff together. I have to work.”
“You work at the rodeo?”
“Mm-hmm.”
She didn’t ask any other questions about it. The tiny clothes in the duffel bag looked as if they were made for a doll, but they fit Zan fine. Dressed in a ruffly white shirt with pink snaps, jeans, and her pink boots, she was ready.
Zan stretched her hand out, a brush clenched in her tiny fist. “Can you make my hair pretty? I love braids.”
“I’m afraid that’s above my pay grade.”
“What’s pay grade?”
“It means I’m a boy and my mom never taught me how to do braids. Come here. Let me see what I can do.” He brushed the tangles from her hair and pulled it back over her shoulders. “It will look perfect like this when we get you that hat.”
“Okay.”
Thank goodness for hats. When they got to the arena, he was relieved to see the vendor already opening shop, and there was a whole stack of pink felt cowboy hats right on the counter. “I’m going to need one of those for the little lady.”
“Hey, Adam. Isn’t she a pretty thing?” the vendor said, smiling.
“Thank you,” Zan said. Then she touched her finger to the glass case. “Is that you?” She looked up at him wide-eyed.
Sure enough, there was a line of stickers with his face on them. “Pro Bull Rider” arched around his mug. It was stillweird to think kids wanted to walk around with his image on their binders and book bags.
The vendor pulled a sticker out of the case. “Sure is him. Here, I’ll stick this on your hat.”
She clapped her hands and jumped with excitement.
“Thanks, man.” Adam took the hat and pushed it down on Zan’s head.
