Cora heard the sincerity in Shane’s words
and cut off the sarcastic reply she was about to
give. “That little girl will be fine.” She said
laying a gentle hand on Shane’s arm. “I’m
sure it’s just a bug. Nothing to worry about.
She probably got it from one of her school
mates. Now shew, I’ve got work and so do
you.”
Shane smiled and hurried out the door. He
loved Cora like a mother and he was being
honest when he told her he couldn’t do it
without her. Being a single father and running
a ranch would be impossible without help. At
eight, Meg didn’t need as much supervision as
she had in the beginning, but on days like today
Cora was a life saver. He was still going to
worry about his little girl. He knew Megan was
in good hands, but he was going to head back
and check on her around lunch time, anyway.
While the men took a break, he could reassure
himself it was just a bug, like Cora said. Shane
pulled himself onto his favorite horse and
headed across the field.
Chapter Two
Melissa barely stopped herself from
moaning as Jeremy bounced on the bed. If he
pushed any harder on the edge, she might
topple to the ground.
“Mom, wake up!” He insisted.
Smiling, she pulled him into her arms and
rubbed his head with her knuckles. Jeremy
squirmed and tried to get away. Melissa finally
released him and sat up. “I’m up now you
little monster,” She said lovingly. “What’s so
important you had to deprive me of sleep?”
“Can I go outside?”
He begged.
“Pleeeese? I waited for a whole hour before I
woke you up.”
Melissa laughed. Jeremy had a whole new
world to explore and he was anxious to get
started. “Breakfast first, then you help me
unload the car. After that, you can go check out
the backyard.” She’d need to inspect the old
tree house. If the porch steps were going, the
tree house might be a complete loss. She hoped
it was salvageable. As a child the tree house
had been her sanctuary. She’d spent hours,
days sometimes, with her best friend Sarah
plotting world domination in their special
clubhouse. She wanted Jeremy to have just as
many adventures as she had while he was still
young.
“There was a real football in my room.
Not a kid’s toy, but a real football. Can I
have it mom? Can I really play with the
football?” Jeremy asked, hope shining in his
eyes.
“I bet your grandparents left that there
just for you.” She smiled, thinking of her
parents as they headed for the kitchen.
“And there’s an X-Box in my room, too. Is
that for me?” He asked hopefully.
Melissa hadn’t seen the X-box. Her
parents had gone overboard. She loved them
dearly, but they needed to be spending their
money on their new house, not on spoiling their
grandson. “It is, but it’s a privilege, not a
right.” She warned.
“Yeah, I know. I have to do my work and
be good in school and then I can play with the
good
stuff.” He parroted, losing some of his
excitement.
Melissa couldn’t dampen his spirit already.
“Should I make pancakes?”
She asked,
smiling.
Jer loved pancakes.
“Do we have syrup?” He said, regaining
his enthusiasm.
“Grandma always has syrup.” Melissa
said confidently.
“And scrambled eggs?” Jeremy said,
hoping he wasn’t pushing it.
“Of course.” Melissa said, grateful the
light had returned to Jeremy’s eyes.
****
Hours later, Melissa watched as Jeremy
climbed in and out of the tree house. She was
surprised that it was in such good shape. She
knew she shouldn’t be. Her father was
thorough and he’d been a good carpenter.
That’s what made the condition of the house
so depressing. It signified just how sick her
dad had been the last couple years. But Jake
Peters had built that tree house to last. Melissa
knew he had grandchildren and maybe even