After Tex by Sherryl Woods

just yet. I still have some thinking to do. In the meantime, I’ll pick up a fax machine and a computer for Tex’s office here. I’ll call as soon as I can get everything set up. Now tell me what’s happening there. Everything on schedule?”
    â€œRunning like clockwork,” he assured her. “I shifted the taping schedule on the show till next week. If you can’t make that, we’ll adjust, despite Micah’s dire predictions that it’ll be a disaster. There are enough shows pretaped to hold us for a while. The lead story for the magazine’s been laid out. I can fax you the pages as soon as you say the word.”
    â€œTerrific. I don’t know what I’d do without you. I’ll talk to you later. Tell Micah I’ll check in with her before the end of the day, too.”
    â€œRight.” He hesitated. “By the way, Megan, don’t think I haven’t noticed that it’s practically the middle of the night there. Now that I know your brain does actually function in the morning,” he taunted, “I might start scheduling those a.m. meetings for eight.”
    â€œDon’t even think about it,” she warned, but she was chuckling as she hung up.
    â€œEverything okay at your office, niña? ” Mrs. Gomez asked from behind her.
    Megan turned. “I didn’t hear you come in. I hopeI didn’t wake you with all my commotion in here. I really appreciate you staying over till things settle down.”
    â€œThis is not a problem. I can stay as long as you like. My sister will take care of things at my house. As for waking me, we’re early risers here. You know that. Tess will be down any minute wanting breakfast.”
    â€œAnd then what?” Megan asked, at a loss about what sort of routine the child had.
    The housekeeper regarded her quizzically. “I don’t understand what you are asking.”
    â€œDoes she go to school?”
    â€œWell, of course she does, though I thought it best that she not go this week because of Tex. She will return on Monday and things will settle back to normal.”
    Megan wanted to scream that things would never be entirely normal again. She wanted to ask what could possibly be normal about Tex’s empty office or his empty place at the table. She wanted to ask what was normal about becoming an overnight mother to a child she hadn’t even known existed a few days ago.
    â€œYou will see, niña, ” Mrs. Gomez consoled, as if she had read Megan’s mind.
    Before Megan could argue, Tess wandered into the kitchen, gave Megan a distrustful look and sat down at the far end of the big oak table.
    â€œI thought you’d be gone by now,” she said.
    â€œDid you really?”
    â€œI know what a busy life you have in New York,”she mocked. “You told me so yourself. Go, if you want. We don’t need you here.”
    â€œTess,” Mrs. Gomez scolded, placing a hand on the girl’s shoulder. “Be polite.”
    Tess retreated into scowling silence. Megan didn’t have the strength or the ingenuity just then to try to coax her out of it. Besides, Tess’s distrust was justified. Megan hadn’t done much to prove she intended to stick it out in Wyoming. How could she when she didn’t know herself what decision she would finally reach? Maybe her actions today would help give them both some breathing room, though.
    â€œIf you’ll excuse me,” Megan said, pushing her chair back, “I have to go into town for a few things today. I’m going into Tex’s office to make a list.”
    â€œA trip into town will do you good,” Mrs. Gomez agreed a little too enthusiastically. Then she added slyly, “Why not take Tess along?”
    â€œNo way,” Tess blurted, just as Megan was about to protest as well.
    Mrs. Gomez went on as if their reactions had been more positive. “Tess can show you where things are. There are