Page 15 of An Angel for the Cowboy
"It sounds magical."
"We'll make our own magic here." I squeeze her hand. "New traditions for a new family."
I realize I’m already thinking of Mel as my daughter. That scares me almost as much as my feelings for Chance. Because if this doesn't work out, I'll lose both of them. And I don't know if I'll survive that.
One evening, after we've rolled dozens of tamales, Mel gets quiet. We're sitting at the kitchen table, our hands dusted with flour, and I can see something weighing on her. The way she chews her lip, the furrow between her brows are signs I've learned to read.
"What's wrong, sweetheart?"
"I’m sorry for pretending to be Dad on the matchmaking website." Her voice is small. "I’m usually honest. I’m also good at helping with chores."
My heart breaks for her. I wash my hands and take her hand in mine. "Your mom leaving wasn't your fault. Do you hear me? Sometimes adults make choices that hurt people, but that's on them, not you."
"I found the note Mom left Dad when she skipped town." Her voice cracks. "It said having a baby ruined their marriage and that she felt suffocated on the ranch."
I stop myself from swearing. This is why Mel has been desperate to find someone for her father, to make up for what she thinks she caused.
"Having a baby is hard, but parents love their kids. Sometimes a parent finds it hard to care for their child because of illness, or they need to grow up more so can’t cope with being a mom or dad."
Mel is quiet for a moment.
"What if you and Dad get together and then you realize having a teenager around is too hard?"
I pull her into a tight hug. "Where would I find such a smart, funny and brave daughter? I liked you from the moment I saw your picture. Same with your dad and the ranch. You and your dad will find it hard to kick me out of your lives.
Mel chuckles.
I share something I've told no one. "When my parents became missionaries, part of me thought maybe if I'd been a better daughter, they wouldn't have felt the need to leave. I was twenty-two, legally an adult, yet I felt abandoned."
Mel pulls back to look at me. "I don’t think they left because of you."
"It took me a while to understand they loved me, but there was something they needed to do. Your mom knew your dad andGranny would take good care of you. See how you turned out kind and courageous? You gave your dad and me a chance to be together. I’m grateful to you."
She stares at me as if she’s trying to gauge if I’m being honest. Then she hugs me. I hold her tight and pray I said enough to ease her pain. Only time and love will erase it.
I don't hear Chance come in until I glance up and see him standing in the doorway. His face is full of gratitude, love, and something that looks like wonder.
Mel pulls herself back and spots her dad. She freezes, then walks over to him and gives him a quick hug before heading upstairs.
Chance moves into the kitchen and pulls me into his arms without a word.
"The past couple of weeks, you've brought life back to Mel and me.”
"She just needed to know she was loved and wanted." I touch his face. "Same as you."
He kisses me, slow, deep and achingly tender.
6
Anita
Sunlightstreamsthroughmywindow on Christmas Eve. I get up early and finish the last of the Christmas preparations. The house already smells like cinnamon and pine from yesterday's baking, but I brew coffee with a stick of cinnamon, warming pan dulce in the oven. Making the house smell like home.
I’m going to show Chance that Christmas doesn't have to be a reminder of abandonment by making new, happy memories.
Mel comes downstairs in her pajamas.
"It's Christmas Eve! Can we make cookies? And maybe watch a Christmas movie?"
