“He’s full of surprises. While I’m here, I want to thank you for the car. Let me know when you need it back.”
Rebecca laughed. “It’s not mine. We don’t have much use for convertibles on a ranch.”
“Don’t you use it for the survivors? I know I’m first, but I’m sure one of the other women might like to find a job, too,” she said, walking toward the house with Rebecca.
“We don’t supply cars. Most of the women who come here don’t have a driver’s license or no longer resemble the person on their ID. It’s not to say we haven’t purchased a couple for women who wanted to attend college, and the other one needed a van for her wheelchair.”
“Oh, I must be mistaken,” she murmured as they entered.
Jameson lay on his stomach while he examined the handmade wooden barn, stocked with farm animals.
“What about this dude? He’s in the pasture by himself. Doesn’t he want to play with his friends?” he asked Megan.
“No. She’s different. They don’t like her. When she comes into the barn, they make fun of her and tug her braids,” Megan said, sadly.
Caroline knelt beside her. “Why do you think they make fun of her? Maybe they like her and want her to join them.”
“No, the boys pull her hair, and the girls think she’s weird,” Megan murmured, placing the sheep far away from the others.
Caroline pushed Jameson out of the way, grabbing another sheep. “Oh no,” she cried. “I’m lost, and nobody will help me find my way back to the barn.”
Megan watched the scene as Caroline made her sheep run in circles.
“Help. I want to play with my friends. Can someone tell me how to get back to the barn?”
Megan leaned down and picked up the banished animal.
“Hello, I’m Megan. I can help you,” she said in a high-pitched voice. “Let’s run this way.”
They ran beside each other until they made it to the barn.
“Here you go. I’ll see you later,” Megan said, making her sheep turn around and run away.
“Hey, wait,” Caroline called. “You’re my new friend. Come meet the others. They’ll think you’re brave for helping me find my way home. Do you like ice cream?”
“I love it,” Megan exclaimed. “Strawberry’s my favorite.”
“Mine, too,” Caroline squealed. “Hey, everyone, Megan likes the same things as us. Let’s show her our barn. Maybe she’ll stay with us and tell us about her ranch.”
Megan led both of the animals into the barn and smiled at Caroline.
“I think she’ll like the barn if she has friends.”
“Oh, I bet she will, too,” Caroline agreed. “Maybe Jameson can take over and show her the barn,” she said, suggesting Jameson take over.
She rose from her spot and returned to Rebecca’s side. “Does Megan go to school?”
“No. We have a teacher who visits and homeschools her. She’s not ready for it,” Rebecca said, watching her daughter.
“She’s lonely. Megan thinks she’s different than other kids and they don’t like her. She needs friends,” Caroline explained. “If you don’t want to enroll her in school, maybe consider joining a homeschooling play group. They go on field trips, have playdates, and give her a circle of peers her age.”
“How did I not know this?” Rebecca said, placing her hand on her chest.
“Because you’re close to her. You play with her. She needs little people. I’m sorry. I’m overstepping,” Caroline cringed.
“No. You’re right,” Rebecca conceded. “I guess I’m scared to let her out of my sight.”
“Homeschool groups love volunteers, and the moms usually drink coffee and chat while the group does a project with whatever they’re focusing on for the week. They have music classes, too,” Caroline encouraged her. “If you find one here, it’ll most likely be small, where she won’t feel overwhelmed.”
