Page 91 of Johnathan

“Not today, Katy. Maybe tomorrow if you’re still not feeling better.” John called from his kitchen.

“Oh, do you like to see the doctor?” Abby asked.

“Yeah! He gives me dicdors.”

“Oh, stickers?” she laughed. “That’s fun.”

“Yeah. But daddy lets me watch princess movies until my tummy is all better. You watch too?”

“I’d love to. I love princesses.”

“Me too.”

Abby set her bag on the floor. “I brought you something special to help you feel better.”

“You did?”

“Yep. When I was little, and had a tummy ache, my mom would let me snuggle with someone really special, and my tummy ache always went right away.”

“Who?”

Abby pulled the well-loved stuffed bunny from her bag. “This is Buttercup. She was hugged by my grammy and my mom, and they gave her special healing powers. Would you like to hold on to her for me?”

“Yes! I love Buttercup! She’s so cute!”

“She is. But if she tries to get you to feed her some chocolate, don’t listen! She’ll be up dancing and running around all night if we let her have any. She’s on a strict carrots-only diet.”

“Otay, Ms. Abby.” Her little giggles faded as she snuggled down on the couch, the bunny tucked safely in her arms.

“That was sweet of you.” John sat on the couch next to her, letting her stay close to Katy as he draped his arm around her back.

“I stopped by the ranch the other day and grabbed some of my old toys. I thought it might be fun to share them with Katy. When you said she was sick, I knew I needed to bring Buttercup. I don’t believe a lot in the woo-woo stuff my mom does, but I know Buttercup is magic.”

“I’m sure she is, sweetheart. Just look, she’s going to be out like a light in no time.”

Abby looked at Katy, who’s heavy eyelids were drifting shut as she rubbed the bunny’s floppy ear.

“That’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen.”

“Yes, it is.” Her head spun to see John staring right at her.

“Why don’t you go grab a shower? Or lay down for a bit.”

John groaned. He’d been falling asleep on the couch for the last ten minutes. “I can’t do that to you.”

“I’m here to help, and I’m right where I want to be.” She smiled, kissing the top of Katy’s head. His daughter had slowly snuggled down, so she was tucked right into Abby’s side. He was pretty sure it was the cutest thing he’d ever seen. “I’m okay sitting here with her. If I can slide out and keep her asleep, I’ll finish the laundry and start on dinner.”

“You don’t need to do that.”

“I kind of like the idea that I’m a part of this team, John. Let me live in the fantasy a bit, okay?”

He bent over Katy so she couldn’t tip her head up and kissed Abby.

“I’ve had some fantasies of my own…”

Abby giggled.

“Go,” she whispered. “Before little ears wake up and start asking you questions you’re not ready to answer.”

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