Page 74 of A Simple Life

“Momma!”

“I missed you. Did you have a good time?”

Abby nodded. “We watched a movie and had popcorn and chips. And we made the pizza and got to put on whatever we wanted!”

“Let me guess,” I mused. “Hot peppers and anchovies?”

Abby wrinkled her nose. “No. Pepperoni and cheese with mushrooms and some bacon.”

“That’s my girl.”

“Are we going to the farm?”

“Nope,” I said. “I have a little surprise planned.”

Quinn buckled Abby in the back, and I held open her door, helping her scramble into the seat. It amused me to watch. She was so petite compared to me. I bent and kissed her.

She cupped my face. “A surprise?”

I winked. “Yep.”

We drove out of town for about thirty minutes and headed up a dirt road I knew well, pulling up to a large homestead. A group of men stood outside, and Abby stared at them as I swung her out of the back, perching her on my hip.

“Farmer John, are those cowboys?”

“Yep. This, Pumpkin, is a real ranch.”

“With horses?”

“Yep. And you get to ride one today.”

Her squeal was loud. “What about you and Momma?”

“Um, I think I’ll just watch,” Quinn said, sounding nervous.

I glanced her way. “Your choice, but you can ride with me if you want.”

“Oh, um…”

“Please, Momma?”

“Okay. Maybe,” she mumbled.

Laughing, I introduced her and Abby to my friend who owned the horse ranch. “Brent, this is Quinn. And this munchkin is Abby.”

He greeted them, tipping his hat. He indicated the group with him. “My sons, Luke and Mike. My right hands, Joe and Taylor.”

I shook their hands, and Abby and Quinn said hello. A woman came outside, wiping her hands on a dish towel. “And this is my wife, Sadie.”

I leaned down and kissed her cheek. “Sadie. You’re looking beautiful as always.”

She waved me off. “Hush, you.”

“We’re gonna ride a horse,” Abby told her.

“Yes, I heard. Then I have some cake and lemonade for after.” She glanced at Quinn. “Are you joining them or coming inside?”

“Momma is coming,” Abby said firmly.