Free The Stepmother: An Everland Ever After Tale by Caroline Lee Page B

still putting up with her? How come he hadn’t thought anything of trekking back here with her after their adventure in town? Why was this—this cooking breakfast for him, and helping him clean after—beginning to feel normal?
    By noon, Zelle had fallen apart three more times, over silly things. Meri knew that two-and-a-half-year-olds were liable to throw tantrums over the littlest things, but this was getting ridiculous. So, after a heavy meal and a nap, she woke the little girl up and began to dress her in her jacket and mittens.
    “What are you doing?” Jack was in the corner, doing a sort of vigorous callisthenic exercise. He did it twice a day, in between studying his books, and Meri hadn’t asked about it yet. She supposed, though, that a man who didn’t farm or ranch or produce anything—because he had enough money to buy all of his supplies in town—would need some sort of exercise to stay healthy. And probably to keep from getting too antsy, being indoors all the time.
    Which was exactly what his daughter’s problem was. “I’m taking Zelle outside to play.”
    “’Side?” The little girl was hopping around while Meri knelt to put on her boots. Zelle’s excitement was palpable.
    “You’re—” a break, while Jack finished his exercise and rolled to his feet, “ playing outside?”
    “Yes.” Finished with Zelle, Meri hurried to pull on her own winter wear before the little girl tried to rush outside all by herself. “We’re all sick of being cooped up inside here.” She saw his look of surprise when he glanced around the room. Did he not realize how odd it was, to stay inside all day, in this small cabin? “So we’re going outside for some fun.”
    “Fun?”
    He was beginning to sound like a parrot. “Yes!” she snapped, and then settled her bonnet into place. When she opened the door, the draft made the fire in the hearth flicker, but it was a crisp, clear February afternoon out there, and she was going to enjoy it. “When you’ve gotten over your surprise, do put on your coat and come join us.”
    He did. Meri was still trying to coax Zelle into touching the snow with her gloved hands, when Jack pushed his way out of the door. The snow around the front of the house was tamped down, but they’d moved towards the side, where there was still plenty to play in. Zelle seemed hesitant, her little pink tongue pushed between her lips and her pigtails—were they longer already?—peeking out from under her bonnet. Meri chuckled at her hesitation, and decided to show her how it was done.
    Scooping up a handful of the snow, she showed the girl how to pack it lightly. Jack’s hands were deep in his pockets, and the snowball splatted against his chest. He looked down in confusion as his daughter erupted in giggles, and immediately started to make her own snowball. Meri helped the girl, and soon the poor man was being bombarded with snow—balled and loose. But he just looked confused. Like he didn’t know what to do.
    Floundering in the knee-deep snow, Meri moved to him, still laughing. He was trying to brush himself off, and looked ridiculous doing it. Just before reaching him, she stumbled, and he caught her around her upper arms to steady her. She sucked in a breath of the cold air, and met his lovely blue eyes. “Come play with us.” It was all she could think to say.
    “I don’t know how.”
    The confession, humble and heartbreaking, tugged at Meri. She smiled, thinking how much she admired his honestly. “I’ll show you.” Taking his arm, pulling him towards his daughter, showing them all how to plop down in the snow and push it together to form walls and people. Showing them how the snow exploded into poofs when they threw it into the air, or at the side of the house. Showing them how to laugh and enjoy the outdoors, even when in the winter.
    She’d played in the snow with neighbors and friends often enough as a child. This was the first time in a long while that she’d allowed