Sheâd given Julie the cold shoulder yesterday and they werenât speaking today. Antonia wondered at their friendship, because Julie was outgoing and generous, compassionate andkindâ¦all the things Maggie wasnât. Probably the child saw qualities in Julie that she didnât have and liked her for them. But what in the world did Julie see in Maggie?
Chapter Four
P owell Long came home from his cattle-buying trip worn out from the long hours on the plane and the hectic pace of visiting three ranches in three states in less than a week. He could have purchased his stud cattle after watching a video, and he sometimes did if he knew the seller, but he was looking over new territory for his stock additions, and he wanted to inspect the cattle in person before he made the acquisition. It was a good thing he had, because one of the ranches had forwarded a video that must have been of someone elseâs cattle. When he toured the ranch, he found the stock were underfed, and some were lacking even the basic requirements for good breeding bulls.
Still, it had been a profitable trip. Heâd saved severalthousand dollars on seed bulls simply by going to visit the ranchers in person. Now he was home again and he didnât want to be. His house, like his life, was full of painful memories. Here was where Sally had lived, where her daughter still lived. He couldnât look at Maggie without seeing her mother. He bought the child expensive toys, whatever her heart desired. But he couldnât give her love. He didnât think he had it in him to love the product of such a painful marriage. Sally had cost him the thing heâd loved most in all the world. Sheâd cost him Antonia.
Maggie was sitting alone in the living room with a book. She looked up when he entered the room with eyes that avoided his almost at once.
âDid you bring me something?â she asked dully. He always did. It was just one more way of making her feel that she was important to him, but she knew better. He didnât even know what she liked, or he wouldnât bring her silly stuffed toys and dolls. She liked to read, but he hadnât noticed. She also liked nature films and natural history. He never brought her those sort of things. He didnât even know who she was.
âI brought you a new Barbie,â he said. âItâs in my suitcase.â
âThanks,â she said.
Never a smile. Never laughter. She was a little old woman in a childâs body, and looking at her made him feel guilty.
âWhereâs Mrs. Bates?â he asked uncomfortably.
âIn the kitchen cooking,â she said.
âHowâs school?â
She closed the book. âWe got a new teacher last week. She doesnât like me,â she said. âSheâs mean to me.â
His eyebrows lifted. âWhy?â
She shrugged, her thin shoulders rising and falling restlessly. âI donât know. She likes everybody else. She glares at me all the time. She gave me a zero on my test, and sheâs going to give me another zero on my homework. She says Iâm going to fail fourth grade.â
He was shocked. Maggie had always made good grades. One thing she did seem to have was a keen intelligence, even if her perpetual frown and introverted nature made her enemies. She had no close friends, except for Julie. Heâd left Maggie with Julieâs family, in fact, last week. They were always willing to keep her while he was out of town.
He glowered at her. âWhy are you here instead of at Julieâs house?â he demanded suddenly.
âI told them you were coming home and I wanted to be here, because you always bring me something,â she said.
âOh.â
She didnât add that Julieâs friendship with the detestable Miss Hayes had caused friction, or that theyâd had a terrible argument just this morning, precipitating Maggieâs return home. FortunatelyMrs. Bates was
Chapter Four
P owell Long came home from his cattle-buying trip worn out from the long hours on the plane and the hectic pace of visiting three ranches in three states in less than a week. He could have purchased his stud cattle after watching a video, and he sometimes did if he knew the seller, but he was looking over new territory for his stock additions, and he wanted to inspect the cattle in person before he made the acquisition. It was a good thing he had, because one of the ranches had forwarded a video that must have been of someone elseâs cattle. When he toured the ranch, he found the stock were underfed, and some were lacking even the basic requirements for good breeding bulls.
Still, it had been a profitable trip. Heâd saved severalthousand dollars on seed bulls simply by going to visit the ranchers in person. Now he was home again and he didnât want to be. His house, like his life, was full of painful memories. Here was where Sally had lived, where her daughter still lived. He couldnât look at Maggie without seeing her mother. He bought the child expensive toys, whatever her heart desired. But he couldnât give her love. He didnât think he had it in him to love the product of such a painful marriage. Sally had cost him the thing heâd loved most in all the world. Sheâd cost him Antonia.
Maggie was sitting alone in the living room with a book. She looked up when he entered the room with eyes that avoided his almost at once.
âDid you bring me something?â she asked dully. He always did. It was just one more way of making her feel that she was important to him, but she knew better. He didnât even know what she liked, or he wouldnât bring her silly stuffed toys and dolls. She liked to read, but he hadnât noticed. She also liked nature films and natural history. He never brought her those sort of things. He didnât even know who she was.
âI brought you a new Barbie,â he said. âItâs in my suitcase.â
âThanks,â she said.
Never a smile. Never laughter. She was a little old woman in a childâs body, and looking at her made him feel guilty.
âWhereâs Mrs. Bates?â he asked uncomfortably.
âIn the kitchen cooking,â she said.
âHowâs school?â
She closed the book. âWe got a new teacher last week. She doesnât like me,â she said. âSheâs mean to me.â
His eyebrows lifted. âWhy?â
She shrugged, her thin shoulders rising and falling restlessly. âI donât know. She likes everybody else. She glares at me all the time. She gave me a zero on my test, and sheâs going to give me another zero on my homework. She says Iâm going to fail fourth grade.â
He was shocked. Maggie had always made good grades. One thing she did seem to have was a keen intelligence, even if her perpetual frown and introverted nature made her enemies. She had no close friends, except for Julie. Heâd left Maggie with Julieâs family, in fact, last week. They were always willing to keep her while he was out of town.
He glowered at her. âWhy are you here instead of at Julieâs house?â he demanded suddenly.
âI told them you were coming home and I wanted to be here, because you always bring me something,â she said.
âOh.â
She didnât add that Julieâs friendship with the detestable Miss Hayes had caused friction, or that theyâd had a terrible argument just this morning, precipitating Maggieâs return home. FortunatelyMrs. Bates was
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