Page 49 of Daddy's Little Farmer

Mara was headed down the steps when Landry stopped her.

“Miss Mara, your Daddy called and said the meeting was going longer than expected, so go ahead and eat without him.”

“Oh.” She felt deflated, and tears stung her eyes.

“He’ll be home soon, dear. Don’t be sad.”

She nodded.

“Laundry, may I ask you a question and get a true answer?”

The butler walked to her and clasped his hands behind his back. “I can with one hundred percent certainty tell you I will never lie to you.”

“Good. Do you think I make Daddy happy?”

“Oh, dear, I’ve never seen him this happy, and I’ve been in the family since he was a child. Don’t ever think that you’re not loved.”

“Is there anything else I can do to improve myself, like etiquette classes, book groups, things like that?”

He looked thoughtful for a moment and then shook his head. “I’m trying to think of anything he would change about you, and there isn’t one.”

She smiled and ran and put her arms around him. “Thank you for being my friend.”

The man stiffened because he wasn’t used to hugs or touching. She felt him pat her back.

“It’s an honor to be your friend,” Landry said. “Now, you better go get your dinner before Ms. B starts yelling.”

Mara giggled. “Okay. Thank you.” She walked into the dining room and saw the placemat on her chair while the rest of the table was bare. She didn’t want to eat in there without Rafael. She walked into the kitchen and stood off to the side out of the way.

“What do you need, child?” Ms. B asked.

“Can I sit somewhere else besides the dining room? It makes me feel lonely.”

Ms. B came to her and wrapped an arm around her waist. “You can sit wherever you want, but if you want company, you can sit at the island, watch us, and eat.”

Mara laughed the whole time she was in the kitchen. She liked watching the hustle and bustle of all the maids and the cook.

She got ready and went to bed alone. It was past midnight when she felt Rafael slide in behind her and wrap his arm around her. She felt him kiss the back of her head, and he was asleep a moment later.

Why did she still feel lonely with him in bed with her? She hoped she was doing the right thing tomorrow. It could make or break her.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Mara was pacing in front of the front door, waiting impatiently for her friends. She’d gone back and forth about her decision to go to the office party Rafael would be at.

The doorbell rang, and since she was closer, she got to it before Landry did. Larkin was the first one through, followed by Brylee and Aleena. They all had their arms full of packages.

“Oh, dear,” Landry said when he got to the door. “What is all of this, Miss Mara?”

“My friends came over to play dress-up. That’s okay, isn’t it?” Mara said.

“Well, I suppose. Does your Daddy know?” Landry asked.

“He likes it when I spend time with my friends.”

“That is true. Go on up to your room. Is there anything I can get for you?”

The girls shook their heads.

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