The calamity Janes by Sherryl Woods

here?”
    Caitlyn nodded, then threw her arms around Emma’s neck. “I love it here,” she said enthusiastically. “There’s horses and cows and kids my age. And Pete’s birthday is coming, and Uncle Matt says there’s gonna be cake and ice cream and everything. And Grandpa’s promised me that I’ll be able to ride my pony all by myself really, really soon.”
    Emma grinned. “Well, we definitely wouldn’t want to miss any of that, would we?”
    “No way,” Caitlyn said. “And then Jessie’s birthday is a month from now. And then pretty soon after that school starts. Jessie says the teacher for second grade is really, really nice. We could be in the same class. Wouldn’t that be the best?”
    “Whoa, baby. I didn’t say we were going to stay forever, just until I can wrap up some of the business I have here. After that we’ll just come back and forth when I need to be in court.”
    Caitlyn’s face fell. “But, Mommy, I want to live here. I really, really want to.” Her lower lip trembled, and tears spilled down her cheeks. “I hate Denver. I don’t ever want to go back. Not ever!”
    With that she turned and ran into the house, letting the screen door slam and leaving Emma staring after her. This was a turn of events she definitely hadn’t counted on. With every day that passed, Caitlyn was clearly going to become more and more attached to the family and friends she had here. Tearing her away was going to break her heart.
    “What’s wrong with Caitlyn?” her mother asked, stepping onto the porch. “She just ran through the house sobbing. And now she’s clinging to your father’s neck as if she’ll never let go.”
    “She’s gotten the idea that we’re going to stay here forever. When I told her that we weren’t, she got upset.”
    “Then maybe you should consider doing what she wants,” her mother said.
    Emma was appalled by the suggestion for any number of reasons. “Give in to a six-year-old? She doesn’t know what’s best for her.”
    “Oh, really?” Her mother sat down beside her, her expression somber. “Maybe she does, Emma. Maybe even a six-year-old can see that here she has family, that she has room to run and play, that her mother gets home at a decent hour and has time to spend with her. Maybe she’s aware that her mother’s not really happy in Denver, either, that she’s been using her work as a way to hide out from her feelings.”
    Emma bristled at the criticism. “I work hard to make a good life for us.”
    “To make money, you mean.”
    “Are you suggesting that money’s not important?”
    “Of course not, but there are things that are more important. I’ve just named a few of them. Can you honestly tell me that you’re happy?”
    Emma sighed. “Mom, I’m doing the best I can.”
    “Are you really?” Millie challenged. “Best for whom? You?”
    “Both of us,” she insisted.
    “Obviously Caitlyn doesn’t see it that way.”
    “She’s six, dammit.”
    Her mother frowned at the language. “You know better,” she chided gently.
    “Sorry.”
    “I doubt that.” Millie kissed Emma’s cheek. “Just think about what I’ve said. You’ve evaded my question about whether you’re truly happy. Think about that. Think about what your daughter’s said. Just because she’s a little girl doesn’t mean you can dismiss what she wants so easily.”
    “I’ll think about it, Mom. I promise. Right now, though, I’m going to saddle up a horse and go for a ride.”
    “Good. There was a time when that soothed you, put things back into perspective. Maybe it will again.”
    “Maybe,” Emma agreed, though she didn’t hold out much hope for it.
    With the sun beating down on her shoulders, she rode up into the foothills of the Snowy Range, letting the horse set the leisurely pace. Whenever troubling thoughts began to creep in, she shoved them aside. Keeping her mind blank was harder than she’d expected, especially when her mother had just given her so much