Free Friday's Child by Kylie Brant Page B

Kate’s eye and shrugged. “What are you going to name her, honey? Have you thought of that yet?”
    Chloe nodded vigorously. “I’m going to name her Rosy. ’Cuz she’s the beautifullest horse in the world, and Miss Rose is the beautifullest teacher.”
    Kate choked on the piece of cake she was swallowing. Michael roared with laughter. Even Trask’s normally gloomy expression lightened a fraction.
    Michael said, “Miss Rose might not want to be the namesake to a horse, sweetheart. Maybe you should think of another name.”
    Chloe’s brow wrinkled. “What’s a namesake?”
    â€œIt means when you name something after someone else. And Miss Rose doesn’t mind a bit,” said Kate. She smiled and added, “I think you should name your pony anything you want.”
    The matter settled, Kate rose and went to the counter, reaching for the package she had set there. Offering it to Chloe, she said, “Maybe you can use this to decorate your bedroom.”
    Chloe ripped the paper with little fanfare and let out a scream of delight. “It’s one of mine, Daddy, look.”
    Michael looked at the drawing that Kate had had professionally matted and framed. “It’s wonderful. Now you have something to hang in your bedroom. It’s lots better than a clown head, isn’t it?”
    Chloe went over and hugged Kate. “Thank you, Miss Rose. Do you want to see where I’m going to hang it?” She led Kate through the house and up the stairs to her room. Michael followed them.
    â€œWhat do you think, Miss Rose?” asked Chloe as she surveyed her bedroom from her teacher’s side. The bed and dresser were the only furniture in it. Toys, Rollerblades, a skateboard, various articles of clothing and scraps of paper littered the floor.
    â€œWell…” Kate tried to come up with a tactful response.
    â€œYou have lots of space.”
    â€œI need to do something,” Chloe said woefully. “But I hafta have help, and Daddy’s hopeless. ”
    â€œHey!”
    Ignoring her father’s objection at her description, she turned her face guilelessly up to her teacher’s. “Could you help me, Miss Rose?”
    Kate looked down into Chloe’s hopeful eyes and swallowed hard. “Oh, honey, I don’t think so.”
    â€œWhy not?” Chloe wanted to know. “Don’t you have a bedroom?”
    Kate slid a glance to Michael, who seemed to be enjoying the exchange hugely.
    â€œWell…yes, of course.”
    â€œIs it pretty?”
    Damning her fair skin for the blush she knew was staining her cheeks, she tried to focus her concentration on Chloe and ignore her father. She smiled weakly. “Yes, it’s…pretty.”
    â€œDaddy doesn’t know how to make a bedroom pretty,” Chloe confided in a loud whisper. “His bedroom is worse than mine. It only has a bed in it. Do you want to see it?”
    â€œNo!” Kate said quickly. She tried for a smile. “No, that’s okay.”
    â€œIt’s a really, really big bed,” Chloe told her earnestly.
    â€œLots bigger than mine. But you’re not supposed to jump on it, not ever.”
    Having heard more than enough about Michael’s bedroom, Kate bent down and took the little girl’s hands in hers. “You know what, Chloe? If your dad doesn’t mind, maybe I can give you a little help. How would you like it if I took you to pick out some new curtains and a bedspread?”
    â€œYay!” Chloe catapulted into Kate’s arms and squeezed tightly. “Thank you, Miss Rose.” She leaned back to peer up at her teacher. “Can we pick out paint for the walls, too?”
    Kate felt her heart contract at the little girl’s excitement. Memories of the cheerless cramped space she’d shared with two siblings sneaked into her mind and lingered. Smoothing Chloe’s hair back with a gentle hand,