Page 70 of A Simple Life

“Oh. Okay. I like being a farmer too, then. I really like horses too, but this tractor is cool. Can I steer again?”

“Yep.” I placed her little hands on the big wheel, covering them with mine, and let her “steer” the tractor.

“Farmer John?”

“Yeah?”

“Are you Momma’s serious boyfriend now?”

“Yes, I am.”

“How come?”

“Because I think your momma is incredible. I think you are too. I like spending time with you.”

“My dad didn’t.”

“Your dad is an idiot.” Then I realized what I said and tried to backtrack. “Um, I mean, your dad…”

“…is an asshole,” she finished. “That’s what Momma says. But I can’t say that to people.” She glanced up. “But you’re not people, right? You’re Momma’s. And mine. I like you, Farmer John. You’re big and strong, and you wouldn’t let me be gone.”

“Gone?” I asked, slowing down the tractor. I had a feeling I was going to need to concentrate.

“I heard Dad tell Momma once, if she wasn’t careful, one day I’d be gone, and she’d never find me. That made Momma cry. I kicked him, and he called me a brat and slammed the door so hard the wreath fell off, and the heart Momma had on it broke. That made her cry harder.”

I shut my eyes before I spoke. No wonder Quinn was always on edge, and it explained Abby’s trouble sleeping in new places. I tilted up Abby’s chin. “Listen to me, Pumpkin, okay?”

She nodded.

“Nothing bad is ever going to happen to you. You will never be ‘gone’ from your momma. I won’t let that happen. No one will ever take you away. You are safe here. It’s my job to protect you now. Both of you.”

“What is pro-protect?”

I turned her to look at the field. “You see that big covering in the corner? It’s so hot there, I cover the plants to protect them from the sun so they’re safe. They can grow and be the happiest plants because the sun can’t hurt them.”

“So, you’re the cover?”

“Yes.”

“What happens if you’re not there?”

God, this kid was smart.

“I have little covers everywhere. If they thought you were in danger, they would let me know and protect you and your momma until I got there.”

“Can I see them?”

“You can see them, but you won’t know they’re a cover. It’s better that way.”

“Like fairies?”

I chuckled. “Sort of.”

She sighed. “I like that.”

“So you don’t have to worry anymore.”

She turned, flinging her little arms around my neck. “I love you, Farmer John.”