Bold Beauty by Dandi Daley Mackall Page B

how things would turn out—with the Howards or the debate. But I knew I wasn’t in it alone.
    I couldn’t wait to tell Lizzy how sorry I was for shutting her out and lying to her about everything. But she’d already left on a lizard hunt. I showered, dressed, and ran outside to find Dad.
    He was speed-rocking in his latest invention, but the little fan at the top barely turned.
    â€œDad!” I shouted.
    The rocking slowed, then stopped. Sweat trickled down his neck.
    â€œDad, I’m sorry about last night. And the other nights. I should have told you about the hedge. I just didn’t want to admit I lost my confidence.”
    â€œI know.” He looked straight into my eyes, and I could almost feel his forgiveness.
    â€œLast night I—”
    But Dad interrupted. “Isn’t this rocker-powered chair a hoot, Winnie?”
    â€œWhat?” Even now, Dad couldn’t stop talking about his inventions?
    â€œI’ve been rocking with all my power, not even getting a tiny wind to help cool me off.” He leaned back in the chair, his legs crossed at the ankles. “Now will you look at this?” He closed his eyes. “God sends me a perfect breeze without even trying.”
    â€œDad, will you listen a—?” I shut my mouth. God sends the breeze without even trying?
    â€œThat’s it! Dad, you’re a genius!” My dad had just given me the missing piece to my confidence puzzle. And I was sure he had no idea that I needed it! Maybe I couldn’t lick that hedge, but God could!
    Weird that admitting I couldn’t jump that hedge without God’s help should make me feel more self-confident than I’d ever felt in my whole life, but it did.
    I kissed Dad’s forehead and took off for Pat’s Pets on the back bike. I let myself in with the key Pat leaves in the flowerpot in case we have to man the help line after hours. I wanted to e-mail Hawk before she got home from Paris. They were flying in today. She’d been honest with me about being afraid to talk to her parents, and all I’d done was try to give her fake confidence.
    As I waited for the computer to boot, I prayed that Hawk would check her e-mail on the plane. Then I typed:
    Hawk!
    URGENT! Truth is, I haven’t been doing well with Bold Beauty. I fell off trying to get her over the high-jump hedge. Until last night, I’d faked it, pretending I still had my old confidence. But I don’t, Hawk. So don’t feel so bad about being scared to talk to your parents.
    I tried to think how to say the rest. Hawk and I had never talked about God. She didn’t go to church. Our friendship was fragile enough without having her think I’d turned into a Jesus freak on her. On the other hand, how could I stop being honest now?
    I finished my note:
    I don’t know what you think about God and Jesus, Hawk. And I don’t know as much about God as Lizzy and Pat and Barker do. But I do know that’s where I’m going to get my confidence. My mom used to say that when we come to the end of ourselves, we come to the beginning of God. That’s where I am with Beauty, Hawk. Hope you’re reading this.
    â€”Winnie
    â€œI reckon that’s about the best answer I’ve ever read on the help line.”
    I twirled around to see Pat Haven, still dressed in a flannel nightgown, her hair looking like she’d just survived an electrical shock.
    â€œPat! I’m sorry about everything. I should have told you. I fell off Bold Beauty. I haven’t gotten her over that hedge even once.”
    â€œWell, duh. You think I’m dumber than a duck, no offense? Love those little creatures. I figured you’d tell me when you got around to it.”
    I stood up and hugged her. “Pat, pray for me. The Howards are coming for Bold Beauty. I want the chance to face that hedge knowing what I know now.”
    â€œThen scoot!” Pat nearly shoved me out the