different
woman than the frantic mother who had dropped him off. And to her delight, Bo
looked better, too.
He bolted out the
classroom door, his face bright with an excited smile. “Guess what, Mom? I
learned to tie my shoes today.” He knelt in the crowded hall and proceeded to
untie his shoe. “Watch. First I make two bunny ears then I cross ‘em. Next I
have to tuck one under the other.” Bo fumbled the last step, and his mouth
turned down at the corners.
“Here, honey, let
me help.” Trish bent down.
He pushed her
hand out of the way. “No, Mom. I can do it myself.” He started the process
again, his expression a combination of concentration and determination. His
words rang in her ears. I can do it myself. He finished with a lopsided
bow, and then sent a triumphant grin.
Suddenly, the
path ahead came into focus for the first time in months, so clear she could see
a fork in the road. One road led to dependence on her family. The second road
would be rough, and one she’d have to travel on her own. It might even mean
leaving Miller’s Creek, but it was better than feeling inept. She stood, her
spine ramrod straight, her shoulders squared.
Yes, she could do
it herself. And she would.
Chapter 10
T rish stared at her
father, unsure how to respond. “We’re doing okay.”
Dad pinned her
with his eagle-eyes, making her feel like a twelve-year-old who’d been caught
smoking behind the barn. “You’re hiding something.”
She faced the
pine cabinets and sink and scraped food into the garbage disposal, the grating
noise adding to her shredded spirit. Would he ever treat her like an adult?
After she loaded the breakfast dishes in the dishwasher, she slammed the door
and twisted the knob. The motor whirred, and water trickled.
“Look, you’re
over here all the time cooking my meals and cleaning the house. At least let me
pay you for your time.” His throaty words held barely-contained emotion.
It was true. She
cooked his breakfast and supper, cleaned his house, and washed his clothes.
Even if he could pay her enough to meet the mortgage each month it would help. No! She refused to take the easy way out. These things she did for him because she loved
him, not for a handout. It wasn’t like it was any big deal, especially since
her house was a quick walk away. “It’s a little tough right now, Dad, but we’re
going to be okay. Andy’s already paid me half of what he owes me. I should get
the rest today.”
“And then what?
Have any more jobs lined up?”
She turned toward
him, lips pressed, and shook her head. “Only the possible position in Austin.”
The news
apparently cut into him, because his forehead furrowed, and he flinched. “Are
you actually considering that move?”
She steeled her
resolve with a quick breath. “I might not have a choice.”
Dad lumbered from
his seat and placed his large hands on her shoulders. “You can’t do that to
Little Bo.”
“I’m not doing it to him. I’m doing it for him. There’s a huge difference.”
“You know all of
us are willing to help.”
“Of course.” She
pulled away from his grasp and wiped crumbs from the counter and deposited them
in the trash. “But I also know I’m a big girl and can do it myself.” Okay, now
she was regressing. A minute ago she felt like a twelve-year-old, now she
sounded like she was five.
“That’s nothing
but stubborn pride talking, Patricia Diane!”
His angry words
slapped her in the face. It had been years since he’d used her full name.
A weary sigh
escaped him. “Remember the verse I showed you the other day?”
“The one about
trusting the Lord?”
Dad nodded.
“Don’t depend on your own strength when you can depend on God.”
“I am depending on God.” Her anger spiraled upward, increasing the volume of her
words. “I just don’t want to depend on your charity.” The words came out more
forceful than she’d intended, and her father grew stone quiet.
Finally he
woman than the frantic mother who had dropped him off. And to her delight, Bo
looked better, too.
He bolted out the
classroom door, his face bright with an excited smile. “Guess what, Mom? I
learned to tie my shoes today.” He knelt in the crowded hall and proceeded to
untie his shoe. “Watch. First I make two bunny ears then I cross ‘em. Next I
have to tuck one under the other.” Bo fumbled the last step, and his mouth
turned down at the corners.
“Here, honey, let
me help.” Trish bent down.
He pushed her
hand out of the way. “No, Mom. I can do it myself.” He started the process
again, his expression a combination of concentration and determination. His
words rang in her ears. I can do it myself. He finished with a lopsided
bow, and then sent a triumphant grin.
Suddenly, the
path ahead came into focus for the first time in months, so clear she could see
a fork in the road. One road led to dependence on her family. The second road
would be rough, and one she’d have to travel on her own. It might even mean
leaving Miller’s Creek, but it was better than feeling inept. She stood, her
spine ramrod straight, her shoulders squared.
Yes, she could do
it herself. And she would.
Chapter 10
T rish stared at her
father, unsure how to respond. “We’re doing okay.”
Dad pinned her
with his eagle-eyes, making her feel like a twelve-year-old who’d been caught
smoking behind the barn. “You’re hiding something.”
She faced the
pine cabinets and sink and scraped food into the garbage disposal, the grating
noise adding to her shredded spirit. Would he ever treat her like an adult?
After she loaded the breakfast dishes in the dishwasher, she slammed the door
and twisted the knob. The motor whirred, and water trickled.
“Look, you’re
over here all the time cooking my meals and cleaning the house. At least let me
pay you for your time.” His throaty words held barely-contained emotion.
It was true. She
cooked his breakfast and supper, cleaned his house, and washed his clothes.
Even if he could pay her enough to meet the mortgage each month it would help. No! She refused to take the easy way out. These things she did for him because she loved
him, not for a handout. It wasn’t like it was any big deal, especially since
her house was a quick walk away. “It’s a little tough right now, Dad, but we’re
going to be okay. Andy’s already paid me half of what he owes me. I should get
the rest today.”
“And then what?
Have any more jobs lined up?”
She turned toward
him, lips pressed, and shook her head. “Only the possible position in Austin.”
The news
apparently cut into him, because his forehead furrowed, and he flinched. “Are
you actually considering that move?”
She steeled her
resolve with a quick breath. “I might not have a choice.”
Dad lumbered from
his seat and placed his large hands on her shoulders. “You can’t do that to
Little Bo.”
“I’m not doing it to him. I’m doing it for him. There’s a huge difference.”
“You know all of
us are willing to help.”
“Of course.” She
pulled away from his grasp and wiped crumbs from the counter and deposited them
in the trash. “But I also know I’m a big girl and can do it myself.” Okay, now
she was regressing. A minute ago she felt like a twelve-year-old, now she
sounded like she was five.
“That’s nothing
but stubborn pride talking, Patricia Diane!”
His angry words
slapped her in the face. It had been years since he’d used her full name.
A weary sigh
escaped him. “Remember the verse I showed you the other day?”
“The one about
trusting the Lord?”
Dad nodded.
“Don’t depend on your own strength when you can depend on God.”
“I am depending on God.” Her anger spiraled upward, increasing the volume of her
words. “I just don’t want to depend on your charity.” The words came out more
forceful than she’d intended, and her father grew stone quiet.
Finally he
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