Maverick by Ashers, LeAnn (read dune TXT) 📕

room. Can I grab some of my toys and things in here until we can get her own?”

“Sure can, honey.” I rub the top of his head and he runs off to his room.

“This is my room? I sleep here?” Anna stands in place looking around, in awe of everything.

“Come here, sweetheart.” I sit down on the bed and pat next to me so I can speak to her.

She does, but I can tell she’s nervous. “Do you want to stay with us? Live with us forever? If you want to go back or find somewhere else…”

She falls to the floor, her face pale. “Please don’t make me go back. I want to stay here. You’re nice to me,” she practically pleads with me.

I look at Maverick. “Can you give us a few minutes?” I ask him.

He walks out of the room, shutting the door behind him. I know what it was like living with them.

They didn’t sexually abuse me. I’m so thankful for that, but they were very mean people and I know without a doubt that they haven’t changed with age.

“You will never have to go back there, ever. I just want you to be happy. You’ve lived your whole life without choices. I want to make sure this is one you want, what you want.”

I help her off the floor back onto the bed with me. “I want to be here with you and Maverick. He saved me. He took me away from that bad man.” Her little voice cracks.

I pull her to me, hugging her for a second. I push her hair out of her face.

“Did anyone hurt you?” I’m afraid to ask, but I need to know.

“My mommy and daddy were mean to me. I got spankings every day, but I hadn’t been with the bad man long. I was taken by him this morning.”

I close my eyes with relief. “I’m sorry your mommy and daddy were mean to you, baby.”

She opens her mouth, her eyes filled with tears, which shatters me.

The door opens and she sees Maverick. She runs over to him at full speed. He picks her up off the ground and she wraps her arms around his neck, holding so tightly.

He walks over and sits on the bed next to me. “What’s the matter, baby girl?” he asks.

“I’m just sad,” she hiccups.

I lean my head on his shoulder. “Are you confused?” I ask. She nods, sniffing. “Are you hungry?” She nods again, wiping her tears. “When’s the last time you ate?” She shrugs her shoulders, pushing her long hair over her shoulder. “Today?”

She shakes her head no. “I had some lunch yesterday from the church.”

Anger burns so deep, but I push it down. I want to scream at the top of my lungs with how the world is so unfair.

“What do you want?” I rub her back gently.

“Can I have mac and cheese? Burger?” Her eyes light up, her little dimples popping through.

“I’ll make you some dinner, sweetheart. I think a bath is in order for you. Are you okay with borrowing some of Ronny’s clothes until we can go shopping for you?” She shrugs her shoulders like it’s no big deal.

Ronny takes that moment to walk into the room. “Ronny, can she borrow some of your clothes?”

He runs out of the room without hesitation. “I’ll be downstairs.” He rubs the top of her head and walks out of the room, her eyes following.

Her bedroom has a bathroom, so I ask, “Do you want to take a bath or a shower?”

“Shower.”

Ronny runs into the room with some of his shower stuff and clothes. “I thought she might need this too.”

“You’re such a sweetheart, Ronny,” I praise.

He blushes hard and backs out of the room. I giggle to myself, feeling not the slightest bit ashamed for embarrassing him.

I set everything out for Anna and start her water. “Do you need help or do you think you got it? Oh, and here is a wash cloth for the body soap here.”

She tugs on the bottom of her shirt, “I think I got it, but I can yell if I need you?” I can tell she is hesitant to ask.

“Of course, honey. I’ll be right outside.” I point to the door and leave her alone, shutting the door.

Ronny is sitting on the floor, scrolling through the channels on her TV. “I’m going to find a good show for her.”

“I think you need to hop into the shower too, mister.” He laughs and sets the remote down. “Be right back.” He runs out of the room but peeks his head back in. “Mom.” He grins, and I hear him running down the hallway.

I sit down onto the bed holding my heart. He just doesn’t know what he has done to me.

I will cherish that moment forever.

I sit and wait on Anna to make sure that she doesn’t need me. Twenty minutes later the door opens and she walks out in Ronny’s Superwoman pajamas. He really put thought into it.

“You look so pretty, honey!” I tell her.

She tugs at the clothes, which are a little big on her but nothing like the clothes she was wearing.

“Thank you.” Her little cheeks redden from my praise.

“I’m here!” Ronny yells and runs into the room, holding his hair products. “Do you want me to braid you hair?” He is so excited.

He has braided my hair more times that I can count. Maverick lets him, too, and I think it’s so cute.

Her mouth opens in surprise. “French braid?” she asks.

He jumps once before setting the stuff onto the floor, sitting down. “Sit in front of me. I got this,” he says with so much confidence.

“I’ll go check on Maverick. I’ll be back.” Ronny doesn’t even pay any mind. He’s currently spraying leave-in conditioner in her hair and combing out the knots.

Maverick is currently plating the burgers and some fries. I know it’s not the healthiest meal, but this girl deserves whatever she wants.

“How is she?”

I lean against the counter. “Ronny is