Page 27 of Daddy's Little Farmer

“I can wear the same clothes I had on. They’re still clean enough, and I have work outside still,” she said.

“Let me get you new underwear and socks. I’ll go get them.”

He was back within a minute and helping her get dressed. The fact that she stood and let him do anything told him her mental state was still broken. Rafael changed his wet t-shirt, picked her up, and brought her downstairs.

“I want you to eat, even if it’s a piece of bread and a glass of milk,” he told her.

She nodded and reached for the loaf of bread. He grabbed a few glasses and filled one with water because he still couldn’t bring himself to try Melly’s milk, and a glass of milk for Mara.

Mara picked apart the bread but got a few bites in and drank her whole glass of milk.

“What do you want to do after lunch?” he asked.

“We can check on the animals.”

He nodded. “Okay.” After he put the food away, he reached out a hand which she took immediately.

They walked around for a while and then rested on some hay bales.

“How are you holding up?” he asked.

“I’m fine.”

He snorted, making her look at him.

“What?”

“Tony told me that’s what you say no matter what. It’s something we’ll work on because I need you to be able to tell me if you’re hurting.”

“Why does it matter?” she asked.

“Everything about you matters to me, honey.”

“You’re only going to be here another two days,” she reminded him.

He cradled her hand and studied how delicate it looked in his palm. “That is something I wanted to discuss with you, but I was waiting for the right time. This time is as good as any.”

“What?”

He inhaled. “I want you to come home with me.”

She stared at him for a long time like she hadn’t heard him.

“But … I can’t. I have a house and my animals here.”

“I’ve already taken care of everything. Remember, I told you what I’m doing. You’ll keep the house for as long as you want, but you’ll live with me. I had an area made into a place you can keep the animals, and if you need to take on more, there are acres we can use.”

God, please make her say yes because there was no way he would leave her behind, and getting his things done from the farm would be next to impossible.

Chapter Fourteen

Shock froze her muscles but scrambled her brain.

“You want me to go home with you … like, to live?”

“Yes.”

“In the same house?”

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