Page 62 of A Simple Life

At the house, I was shocked by how hot it was inside. I was grateful for John’s offer. And, if I was totally honest with myself, excited. The thought of seeing him more made me smile. The idea we’d have some alone time made the butterflies in my stomach dance. He had quickly become important to me. To both of us. Given my history, I should be wary, but I knew with John, it was different. He was different.

Abby raced to her room, and I followed, helping her pick some outfits and the essentials. Then I put a basket on the bed. “Only what fits in here for toys,” I cautioned her.

“Not including Enid and Fluffy, right?” she bargained.

“Right.”

In my room, I grabbed my suitcase and quickly packed. Overalls, T-shirts, a couple of nightshirts went into the bag. My toiletries and underwear. I hesitated, then added a couple of sundresses in case I needed them. I didn’t pack a lot, knowing I could pop back and grab anything I needed.

I peeked in at Abby, who was still working on her toys—the decision of what came obviously very important.

In the kitchen, I grabbed anything from the fridge that might spoil while I was away and added a few things from the freezer and pantry. John might not let me contribute financially, but I could throw in a few groceries.

And cook him some great meals.

The man could eat. I knew he had to burn through calories every day with the physical labor he did. He needed to eat well to keep up his strength. I could at least make sure that happened. Plus, whatever other needs he had physically.

The thought of meeting those needs made me squeeze my thighs together. He excelled at that.

“Momma!” Abby’s voice broke through my raunchy thoughts, and I turned to her.

“All ready?”

“Yep.”

I followed her to her room, trying not to laugh at her toy basket. It was like a Jenga puzzle, each toy stuffed in well and rising high. I didn’t have the heart to scold her or say no. Most of it was her stuffies, and I spied her little blanket she’d had since she was a baby in the bottom.

“Okay, baby. Let’s get this in the car.”

Not long after, we headed down the road toward John’s. I knew he’d be in the fields working, and I planned on getting dinner ready for when he got home.

Maybe we could spend the evening at the swimming hole. I was looking forward to a restful night’s slumber in a cool house.

Plus, of course, whatever John planned on doing to help relax me. I had a feeling I would enjoy it.

At least twice.

If I was lucky, maybe three times.

John surprised me by being there when we arrived. He came out the door, smiling broadly, looking thrilled to see us. He swung Abby up into his arms, holding her as she told him about choosing her toys and how she’d made sure to pack extra swimsuits.

He was patient, listening to her as he carried her and the bags into the house, the effort seemingly nothing to him. I unpacked the food quickly, stashing it in the fridge and freezer, and deciding burgers on the grill tonight would be good.

He came in again, this time Abby beside him, still talking. “Is that right, Pumpkin?” he asked, looking serious. “That’s how hot you were?”

She nodded. “My skin was melting, Farmer John. It was loose and felt funny. I was so glad when Momma arrived and the car was cool. I might have just been a puddle.”

He frowned, throwing me a wink. “I would have tossed you in the freezer and fixed you right up.”

She giggled, following him down the hall. I picked up my bag and traipsed behind them, enjoying listening to the conversation.

“How would you get me up from the ground?”

“A turkey baster,” he said without missing a beat.

“What if you missed part of me?”

“I would have made sure to get every drop,” he assured her.