Page 53 of A Fowl Match

That thought stings as I think about the trauma she experienced at such a young age. Losing her parents in an accident changed her whole world. I want her to stay every night so that she never has to dread sleep again. So that she never has to wake up alone. Or experience another night of restless sleep.

“You should stay here every night then.”

“I wouldn’t complain.” Her smile puts me at ease. I have a feeling she will be staying here from now on forever. If I have any say in it.

“Come eat. I made us dippy eggs.” Her eyes glow in excitement. I love the way they light up. It takes everything in me not to pull her into my arms and carry her back to bed so that we can spend the day in bliss. But she needs to eat something. And I do too—I’m starving.

We eat in comfortable silence as the sunrise peaks through the windows, reflecting across the table. Dark hues of magenta and orange backfill the sky. The colors are so mesmerizing, but they are dull in comparison to her. We’ve only known each other a little over two months, but it feels as if we’ve known each other much longer. I think we’re soulmates.

“Can I pick you up for lunch today?” I ask.

“Yes.” Her eyes light. “What do you have planned?”

“I can’t tell you, it’s a surprise.”

“You know I hate surprises.”

“It’s a good one I promise.”

“Okay,” She says hesitantly. “Do I need to change?”

“No, your overalls are perfect.”

Chapter 38

Violet

Dustinpickedmeupat eleven, I was waiting eagerly in front of the NSSG. He was all smiles while we chatted in the car ride to the farm. When we first met, I thought he couldn't smile. Now it’s all he ever does. My jokes are landing, his eyes crinkle with each one. I’m so wildly happy in his presence.

He opens the sliding barn door with a swift tug. The tractors and machines are all parked inside. “We can take the side-by-side.” He says, motioning towards the vehicle. He opens a fridge to our left and pulls out a picnic basket. I look at the tractors and I get the sudden urge to ask.

“Can you teach me how to drive a tractor?” I have no clue where this is coming from. But it looks fun. I’d want to have a go at it.

“Yeah, why not? Want to learn now? We can take the bigger one there.” He points in the direction of the big green one. “It’s automatic.”

“I was thinking something more on the lines of that one.” I point to the one in the back, It’s covered in a layer of dust. It’s bright red and the smallest one in the barn.

“The farmall cub?”

“I think so, the smallest one.”

He chuckles, “that one is a manual. It’s harder to drive.”

Does he think I can’t handle the challenge?

Now that he said it, there's no way I’m backing down from the challenge. I want to learn how to drive that one.

“I can handle it.”

“Okay, I think you can too. Just take it easy on the clutch, please. My grandpa would have my ass if we blew it out again. I did it one too many times growing up. It was his first tractor, he’s sentimental about it.”

“We don’t have to take it out. I didn’t know that.”

“No we should for old times sake. Bertha needs to see some pastures again.”

“You named it?” I laugh.

“Yes, when I was five. It stuck.”

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