Page 108 of Blindly Yours

Soon.I tuck them carefully away, but I don’t think I’ll be able to hold them in much longer.

The audience suddenly hushes and I blink toward the front of the room as the first small actor steps up onto the stage.

“Once upon a time, there was a girl called Jackie. She lived in a small cottage with her mother. Jackie and her mother were very poor. All they had was a cow…”

The play is short and sweet, and Kara is indeed the perfect cloud. She floats gracefully across the stage while Jackie climbs the beanstalk on her big adventure.

When it’s over, Kara comes skipping toward us with a big grin. “Did you like it, Dad?”

“I loved it!” I hug her tightly. “You did so well!”

She lets go and then throws her arms around Rose too. “I’m so glad you came!”

“Of course!” Rose beams. “I wouldn’t have missed it.”

“Didyoulike it?” Kara steps back with her hands on her hips.

Rose nods enthusiastically. “It was so good! I can tell you all worked really hard on it. Your dad said you painted the set?”

Kara grins. “Me and Owen painted it together.”

I raise a brow. “The Owen you’re going to ma—”

“Shh, Dad!” Kara lifts her finger to her lips. “Be cool. He’s coming this way. I don’t want you to embarrass him.”

“Right, sorry.” I lift my hands in apology.

A young blonde boy dressed as a farmer comes running up to Kara and grabs her hand. “Mrs. Evans wants us all to sign our names on the poster, come on!”

“Hang on.” Kara tugs back. “Owen, this is my dad.”

Owen reluctantly drops his shoulders and peers up at me with a distracted smile. “Hi, Mr. Hale.”

I outstretch my hand, appreciating the formality. “It’s nice to meet you, Owen.”

He gives it a quick shake and then turns his eyes to Rose.

“This is our friend, Rose,” Kara explains. “She came all the way from the city to watch our play.”

Rose takes his hand too. “You were the best farmer up there.” She gestures to the stage.

When Owen grins, he reveals an empty space where his new front tooth is just starting to come in. He nods bashfully and says with a lisp, “Thanks.”

“Kara says the two of you met at recess?” I ask as casually as I can.

“Yep, Dad.” Kara quickly takes Owen’s hand again and pulls him away from us. “I’ve gotta go. Be right back.”

When they’ve disappeared into the crowd, I glance at Rose. “Did I embarrass her?”

Rose chuckles and tucks her program into her purse. “No, but Kara made that quick escape to ensure youdidn’t.”

I shake my head and sigh. “She’s growing up too fast. I don’t know how I’m going to get her through high school. I know absolutely nothing about raising a teenage girl.”

“You’re doing just fine.” Rose laughs again. “Besides, you may have help by then.” She gives me the quickest knowing glance before she turns toward the refreshment table at the rear of the room.

I can’t help but grin as I follow her with a lightened step.

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