You sure have enough energy to fix up her shop, a little voice whispers in the back of my mind.
But this is a one-time thing. I’m not going to make a habit out of it.
“Okay,” Taylor is saying when I come back in from hosing out my brush outside. “I’ll order two of each and we can read them and decide.”
“No way,” Meg says.
“I mean, only if you want to,” Taylor says quickly. “I’m not trying to add more homework to your day.”
“Oh, I want to,” Meg tells her excitedly.
“What’s all this?” I ask.
“Taffy at the library says that the kids at the new school in town really like a few book series,” Taylor explains. “I was thinking I’d order a couple of copies and Meg and I can decide if we think other kids would like them too.”
“It’ll be like a book club,” Meg says excitedly.
“I guess it will,” Taylor agrees, looking pleased.
I don’t even know what to say. I’m happy that they have this. And at the same time, I don’t want Taylor fussing over my daughter just because I’m the landlord, or because she feels sorry for her not having a mom around or something.
“Dad, there’s someone at the lot,” Meg tells me, looking out the window.
“We’d better run,” I say to Taylor.
“Do I have to?” Meg asks.
“We should get out of Taylor’s way,” I say as I head for the door.
“She’s not in the way,” Taylor says. “Is it okay if Iborrow her for a little longer? There’s one more set of books I wanted to show her.”
“Sure,” I say, opening the door and heading out into the brisk breeze, trying not to take Meg’s cheer personally.
After all, I guess I’d rather be curled up inside with Taylor Greer than out in my desolate tree lot too.
6
ROAN
Ihead up the tree-lined driveway to the farm the next afternoon with Meg beside me. I told Mom we’d bring groceries, and the back of the truck is full of them.
Sure, I’m leaving the lot closed during the late afternoon. But my parents have sacrificed for me all my life. So when Mom says she needs something Ijump.
“It’s nice to come home before dark,” Meg observes with a little smile, her eyes on the fields of evergreens that line the hills.
That stings, but she’s right. Normally, she’s with me until I close up the lot, and that means we’re not home until after dark. I know it isn’t always the most fun way for a young girl to spend her time.
“Did you want to just hang out here tonight?” I ask her. Mom and Dad say they’re always happy to watchher. I don’t want to take advantage, but if Meg wants a break…
“No. We’re helping Taylor at the bookshop,” she reminds me excitedly. “She said I could help her organize the books.”
“Right,” I say, nodding.
I’m kind of looking forward to it too. Any excuse to spend time with Taylor sounds good to me, which probably means I’m letting my imagination get the better of me.
I shake my head at my own nonsense.
“What’s wrong?” Meg asks.
