On Lone Star Trail by Amanda Cabot

credit, TJ did not laugh, although the corners of his mouth twitched upward. “Figures.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?” Did he think makeup was the only topic she could discuss?
    â€œNo need to be defensive. Boys want to hear about adventures because they’re trying to appear brave. Girls want to be beautiful. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
    As a gust of wind sent ripples across the lake and threatened to knock Gillian’s hat off, she tightened the cord. “I feel sorry for the girls, especially Brianna.”
    â€œThe brunette who dresses like a hooker?”
    Gillian winced. “Unfortunately, that’s an accurate description.” Even by current standards, Brianna’s clothes were extreme. Extremely short, extremely tight, extremely revealing. “She’s being raised by a single mom who works at night. As far as I can tell, the mom isn’t much of a role model.”
    Brianna had confided that she’d never met her father and that her mother dropped out of high school when she became pregnant. Though Gillian’s parents had married fairly young so that Dad would be exempt from the Vietnam-era draft, by all accounts, they’d had a happy marriage, and George claimed they were good parents.
    â€œUnfortunately, that’s an all too common story.” TJ stared at the lake for a few seconds. “What surprises me about Brianna isthat she hangs out with Todd. They’re one of the oddest couples I’ve seen, and believe me, I’ve seen my share of odd couples.”
    Gillian had to agree. There’d been girls like Brianna and boys like Todd at her school, but they’d tended to ignore each other. “I can’t figure it out other than that Brianna’s brighter than she wants people to believe. Maybe Todd sees that, or maybe he’s just happy that a pretty girl is interested in him.”
    Shifting his weight, TJ leaned toward Gillian. “I’ve taught teenagers for almost a decade, and I still don’t understand what makes them tick.”
    Though she didn’t understand the reason, because at least from her perspective the man was brilliant with the Firefly Valley teens, Gillian heard a note of insecurity in TJ’s voice and decided to combat it. “Now you’re the one who’s selling yourself short. The kids love your stories. You’re reaching them, TJ. I know you are.”
    â€œI hope so.”

10
    S o, what do you think, Gillian?”
    What Gillian thought was that the RV needed a good cleaning. Dirty clothes were strewn everywhere. The counters were lined with dishes bearing the caked-on remains of at least a week’s meals. Crumpled movie magazines littered every other horizontal surface. No doubt about it: Brianna’s home was well on its way to becoming a secondary landfill.
    â€œDid I do it right?” the girl asked, staring into the bathroom mirror. She wanted Gillian’s opinion of her makeup, not the cleanliness or lack thereof of her temporary home.
    â€œIt’s very nice.” Gillian leaned closer. After her discussion of makeup techniques, Gillian had offered to help the girls shop for cosmetics. Brianna and two of her friends had accepted the offer, but only Brianna had invited Gillian to her home to preview the results before the nightly campfire.
    â€œThe taupe shadow is just what you needed. It highlights your eyes.” Not to mention that it was more flattering than the bright purple Brianna had previously caked onto her eyelids.
    â€œYou really like it?”
    â€œYes.”
    Brianna tipped her head from one side to the other, considering her reflection. “My mom doesn’t like it. If she had her way, I wouldn’t wear any makeup at all. She doesn’t want boys to look at me. Especially not Todd.” Brianna turned to face Gillian. “You know what, Gillian? I think Todd would like me even if I didn’t wear makeup.”
    That was