Russell's Return Read Online Free PDF

moment he didn’t see her
deep hidden sadness anymore.
    “Thank you, thank you so much. It was
just important for me to let you know what was going on. Now maybe I can relax
at work.” Russell smiled and for the first time in a long time, it felt
genuine. He stood up to shake Emily’s hand again and didn’t want to let go. Her
hand was so soft and so warm. That realization made him drop it immediately.
    “You’re quite welcome. Let me show you
out. If I have any questions I’ll give you a call.” Russell smiled a truly
genuine smile.
    They walked side by side out to the
reception area and said a quick goodbye. But before Russell could get
completely out the door he heard Emily call out to him.
    “Mr. Harper, have you ever had Miranda’s
thyroid checked?”
    Russell sighed. “Yes, so many times I
can’t count.  Every new pediatrician had it done right before they told us
that Miranda was just a very spoiled child.”
    Emily shook her head like she was
disgusted at the prospect of a pediatrician being so uncaring.
    Russell had turned to go when she spoke
to him again.
    “I have another question.”
    “Yes.” He didn’t turn back.
    “How long has Miranda been like this?”
    Russell didn’t even hesitate, this was
something he didn’t have to think about. “As long as I can remember.  She
was two weeks old when she had her first night terror and cried for six hours
straight. She isn’t a spoiled child, Miss Zane.” He still had his back to her.
    “I never said she was, Mr. Harper.”
    Russell nodded and walked out of the
office. The one hundred percent pure Wyoming view in front of him actually
calmed him instantly. He imagined being up on that mountain, on one of the
trails he’d frequented as a kid, enjoying the late summer air. If he didn’t
have to take over the job from his mom today, that is exactly where he would be
headed. Russell climbed into his SUV and went to his first day of work feeling
somehow refreshed.

 
    **********
     
    “Mary,” Emily spoke to the principal’s
secretary.
    “Yes Emily?”
    “Please see if we can have Miranda
Harper’s records from her previous school expressed to us.  I need to be
the first to see them when they arrive.”
    “Sure thing,” Mary replied.
     
    *********
     
    “Daddy, Daddy, you were right, school
was great. My teacher Mrs. Platski is so nice. And guess
what, I got to see Miss Zane again. Only I call her Miss Emily now.  She
wants me to go to her office once a week and learn how to be friends with other
kids. Can I?  Can I please? I have the permission slip in my backpack.”
    “Okay whoa, calm down Miranda. You’re
talking way too fast. I can barely understand you.” He wasn’t reprimanding
though, he was actually smiling and saying a prayer of thanks at the same time.
He’d worried all day about her and cringed every time the phone rang.
    “I’m so glad you had a good day
darling. We’ll have to celebrate with some donuts from Uncle Logan’s store for
breakfast tomorrow. But for now, why don’t you head home with Grandma and help
her with dinner and do your homework.  I’ll be home in a couple of hours.”
Russell could not believe his luck, just when he finally stopped thinking about
the intriguing Miss Zane, Miranda brought her up again. So much for getting
some work done before the end of the work day.
    “Okay Daddy, but we’re stopping to get
my library card first,” she squealed, skipping out of the room.
    Evelyn had been standing by quietly
smiling at her son and granddaughter.
    “Thanks for bringing her by Ma. I feel
so much better.”
    “Not a problem, son. I know you worried
about her all day. I saw you jump every time a phone call came in.”
    Russell smiled sheepishly and shooed her
out the door with a motion of his hand. He was back to work by the time his mom
closed the door behind herself. But his mind wandered occasionally to a pair of
calming, sad green eyes.
     
    *********
     
    One good thing about being