Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 68594 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 343(@200wpm)___ 274(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68594 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 343(@200wpm)___ 274(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
“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.
“Okay.” She sighed in apparent happiness, knowing that if she did indeed melt, Farmer John would save her.
“Now, since you were at melting level, I think we need to go have a swim. Make sure your insides are cool.”
Her eyes widened with delight, and she opened her bag, her suit right on top. “I’ll go change!”
She ran down the hall to the bathroom, closing the door with a little too much excitement. I looked at John. “Sorry you invited us yet?”
He crossed the room, yanking me to his chest. “Nope. Can’t have my girls melting.”
I chuckled. “You are so good with her. You listen and never talk down to her.”
“She’s smart. Funny. I love how she thinks. Why would I talk down to her?”
“Some people do.”
“Like your ex?” he asked, narrowing his eyes. “He was an asshole, so I’m not surprised. I talk to her the way I’ve always talked to Cody. They’re kids, not idiots. They have thoughts and ideas.” He grinned. “Maybe not the most accurate ideas, but they deserve to be listened to, nonetheless.”
Unable to stop myself, I pulled his head down and kissed him. He grunted in pleasure, tugging me closer and kissing me back. He tasted of coffee and mint. Smelled like grass, sunshine, and summer. I liked how he held me. Tight. Close. Preston always held himself back, as if worried about getting wrinkles in his clothing. He never hugged Abby unless we were out and he felt it was warranted for the moment, and even then, he was awkward. His wardrobe was always more important than expressing any feelings. Good ones, at least.
Abby raced down the hall, and we broke apart, both breathing heavily.
“What was that for?” John asked.
“Being you. Treating my daughter as if she matters.”
He drifted his knuckles down my cheek. “You both matter, Quinn. Very much.”
Then he bent and lifted Abby. “Let’s go to the swimming hole!”
“You too, Momma?”
I nodded, fighting down the emotion John’s simple words had evoked in me. My voice felt thick in my throat. “I’ll just get my suit. I’ll be down in a minute.”
“What about you, Farmer John?” she asked.
“I got mine on already. I was prepared.” He winked at me, his voice tender. “Take your time, darlin’. We’ll be fine.”
I heard their laughter down the hall and outside, and I drew in a long inhale. I was still getting used to this John. Open, sweet, funny.
But I was more than happy to get to know him a lot better.
Abby fell asleep, her hamburger half eaten, clutched in her hand. She had been talking and laughing, then got quiet for a minute, her head sinking to her chest.
John watched her, smiling tenderly. “I think we wore her out.”
I reached over, plucking the burger from her hand and wiping her mouth. “Between melting all night and day, plus the swimming and the games you had her playing? I’m not surprised.”
“What should we do?”
“Leave her for a few moments. She might wake up,” I said, stroking her damp hair fondly. “If not, I’ll carry her to bed, and she can have a good breakfast when she wakes up.”