A Cowgirl's Secret by Laura Marie Altom Page A

Daisy appreciated her mother’s kindness, the ugly business was an intrinsic part of who she was. Now that those she loved were aware of the reason behind her leaving, she wanted it out of her, and talking about it was the only way to make that happen.
    An hour later, exhausted from the showdown with Henry, Daisy lay stretched out on the living-room sofa, resting her head on her mother’s lap. “I should still be worried about Henry, but all I can think about is howupset Kolt was at the rodeo. I want him to understand I had good reason, but the last thing I want to do is burden him with my trouble.”
    â€œI’m so sorry,” Georgina said, softly stroking Daisy’s hair. “I feel like I’m at the root of all of this. If only I’d paid closer attention to you, instead of to my garden club and parties, none of this ever would’ve happened.”
    There had been a time when Daisy had put the entire blame on her mother’s shoulders, but with each passing year, she’d realized how the whole family had been victims of Henry’s abuse. “Don’t let that guilt settle in. It’s counterproductive. I know. For now, I need to focus on Kolt and Luke. I have to help them make up for the time I stole.”
    â€œAs wonderful a man as Luke is, I suspect Kolt will soon enough grow to love him, and in the process forgive you. But, hon, it’s not going to happen overnight.”
    â€œI know.” Daisy had naively hoped returning to Weed Gulch would create positive changes for her son. He was getting to the age that he needed a man to look up to—not that being with his father wouldn’t have been beneficial to him through all stages of his development, just that now that Kolt was soon to be a teen, Daisy wouldn’t be his ideal choice for discussing guy stuff. Groaning, she rubbed her throbbing forehead. “I thought telling all of you about Henry would be my hardest task. But now, I’m afraid it wasn’t anywhere near as tough as it’s going to be ensuring my son grows up happy and well-adjusted.”
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    â€œY OU CAN TALK TO ME, YOU KNOW .”
    The night of the rodeo, Kolt didn’t even want to lookat his mom, and he sure didn’t want to talk to her. He sat on the end of the bed in his new room. The walls were dark green and he missed his old blue room back in the loft.
    â€œI’m sorry if I embarrassed you this afternoon. Henry’s not a nice man and all I could think about was getting you away from him.”
    â€œHe’s always been nice to me.” What was wrong with his mother? Making up stories about people. Plus, she was always fighting with his dad. Why did he have to be nice to Luke if she wasn’t?
    She sighed. “I know he may have seemed nice, but on the inside, he’s a very bad man. If you ever see him again, run and tell a grown-up as fast as you can.”
    Kolt rolled his eyes. “I wish Uncle Cash and Aunt Wren could be my mom and dad. They’re not crazy. I asked Uncle Cash to take care of me.”
    â€œOh?” She chewed on her fingernails and looked as though she was about to cry. Kolt hated seeing her upset, but lately all she’d done was hurt him. “What did he say about that?”
    â€œHe said, no, because I have a mom and dad. But I know if I help Uncle Cash with chores and stuff, he’ll want to keep me.”
    â€œGet this straight,” his mom said in what he now knew was her crazy voice. “You are mine. You will not live with Uncle Cash and you will stop being upset with me for watching out for you the only way I know how. Have I made mistakes? Do I still? Yes. What parent doesn’t? But I love you.”
    â€œCan I please just go to bed?” Kolt was tired ofhearing her talk. She always said lots of stuff that sounded good, but nothing ever changed.
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    M ONDAY EVENING , through the setting sun’s orange glow, Luke saw the dust cloud