Page 46 of A Rancher's Heart

When Sasha agreed, Tamara stepped around the room, double-checking to make sure every bit of the room was clear before coming back to Sasha’s side. “I think we’re good. Maybe something fell over outside. Do you want me to leave a light on?”

Sasha shook her head.

It was like pulling the last bit of toothpaste from the tube. “Do you want me to sit with you for a while?” Tamara asked, wondering if that was pushing it.

Only to her surprise, the response was a definite yes, so she moved to the side of the room and settled in the chair near the head of the bed. “Did you have a fun evening with your daddy and Emma?”

Sasha nodded but didn’t answer. It was strange to have her silent the way Emma usually was.

“I met some nice people tonight,” Tamara told her, working the distraction angle. “You probably know them. Tansy and Rose Fields, and Brooke the mechanic.”

“I like Tansy.” Finally, a solid, Sasha-like statement. “We did a field trip to Buns and Roses once, and she taught us how to make cinnamon buns.”

“Well, you’re going to have to help me with that recipe because I like cinnamon buns.”

“Daddy loves cinnamon buns, but we never got to have them becauseshesaid they had too many empty calories.”

Tamara hesitated. She had a pretty good idea who Sasha was talking about, but she didn’t want to jump to any conclusions.

“Then I’ll ask and we’ll make sure we have the right recipe. I know Tansy would give it to us.”

Sasha was eyeing her with great intensity.

“What?”

“When are you going to leave?”

The question didn’t sound nearly as belligerent as it had a week ago. Less of an order, and more…concerned. “Don’t have plans to leave anytime soon,” Tamara said. “I don’t know that I can promise that I’ll always work here, but I like Heart Falls, and I like taking care of you guys.”

“Sheleft,” Sasha pointed out.

This time Tamara didn’t have to ask who the nefariousshewas. “I’m sorry.”

That was about all she could say.

For a little girl, Sasha was capable of the most adultlike expressions. “She wasn’t very nice,” she declared. “And she didn’t like us.”

God, Tamara thought, horrified any child would talk about their mother in that way, even though she knew there were times it was justified.

“I’m sorry,” she repeated, not wanting to get into a discussion about the absent Wendy.

“I’mgladshe’s gone. She was mean to Emma. Emma’s glad she’s gone too, and I’m not just saying that. Iknowbecause Emma told me.”

Tamara couldn’t take anymore. “Sasha, I’m very sorry that your mom wasn’t nice, but I don’t want to talk about her with you.”

“Because you think I’m too little.”

A rush of anger struck so hard Tamara nearly shook, and her fury probably snuck out in her voice. “Yes. Because grownups aren’t supposed to use bad words when little people are around, and the idea someone was mean to you and Emma makes me want to trackherdown and nail her to the floor until she learns to be nicer. I don’t like very much of what I’ve heard about your mom, but it’s not my place to say bad things, especially to you.”

Sasha blinked.

Tamara held her tongue. Too bad she hadn’t managed it thirty seconds earlier.

They sat in silence for a bit then Sasha settled back on her pillow. Eyelids slowly closing before they popped open, forced there by one determined little girl. “Emma won’t go in your room because it washers.”

“Well, it’s mine now. You’re welcome to visit me, although I’d appreciate if you knock first. Maybe if you visit, Emma will as well.”

A decidedly un-childish snort escaped. “Doubt it.”