Page 100 of Johnathan

“Hey, wait, Dad. I want that twenty bucks!” Jackson laughed as he walked in after their dad.

The Boone clan was back outside, sitting around the campfire once again. Dinner had been calm, mostly because John was busy mulling over his anger at his dad’s apprehension.

“Katy, come over here.” He waved at his daughter who was busy rolling down the small hill in their backyard for the millionth time. “Oh, by the way, Mom, no more sugar for her this late at night. She’s going to be a nightmare to put to bed.”

“Sorry,” she laughed. “You know Grammy loves to spoil her. She could always spend the night here if you wanted.”

“Nel, they probably want to all spend Abby’s first official night there together.” Grace winked at John.

“Oh my goodness, of course! That will be so special. I think I forgot today was such a big day because you just fit in so perfectly, Abby.”

He watched Abby smile, the sweetest blush dusting her cheeks in the shadows of the fire. Katy finally made her way over to them and leaned her head against his leg.

“Daddy! Did you see the moon?”

“Yes. And look at all the stars. Abby wants to make a wish on one. Can you show her how to do it?”

“Otay!” Katy ran over to Abby, climbing onto her lap and curling into her arms. “Abby, you have to pick a star.”

“Okay, let’s see…” Abby looked up into the night sky and John smiled at how easily she played along with every whimsical thing his daughter did. “Oh, that one. The one right next to the moon.”

“That’s a pretty one.”

“I agree. Okay, so now that I’ve picked out my star what do I do?”

“You hasta close your eyesreallytight, cover your mouth, and whisper the wish. Watch me.”

Katy closed her eyes and brought her hand up to her mouth. John was too far away to hear what she was saying, but from the look on Abby’s face and the way her eyes sparkled in the light of the fire, it had been something sweet.

“Now I’s all done. I squeeze the wish and frow it at my star!”

Katy hurled her wish into the night sky and nearly toppled out of Abby’s lap. Luckily, she wrapped her arms around Katy and they both stayed in the chair. “Now, you do it.”

“Okay, here I go.” Abby scrunched up her face and John laughed as Katy inspected to make sure her eyes were really closed. She must have whispered her wish because the next thing he knew, she was throwing her arm up towards the night sky. “Be free, wish. I hope you come true.”

“Alright, ladybug. Give everyone hugs and kisses. It’s time to go home.”

Thirty

“Ibrushded my teef, Dad,” Katy called from the hallway.

“Good job, Katy. Go in and get your jammies on.”

“Otay.”

John turned back to the box he was helping Abby unpack. She was busy squirreling away some clothes in his dresser, and he was having a hard time taking his eyes off of her. Was it weird that he hated the idea of her not needing to borrow things from him anymore? He resolved, at home, he’d make sure she only wore his clothes.

“Don’t even think about it, John.”

“What?” he asked innocently.

“I see the wheels turning over there. Do not touch my clothes. If they go missing and I have to spend all my time in your clothes, you’re going to be in big trouble.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” he laughed. “Well, at least I’d leave your lacy things alone.”

“Mhm. You are trouble.”

“Wait, I thought you loved my shirts?”

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