Page 38 of Daddy's Little Farmer

She looked around and nodded.

“Then let’s get the bone to Tiny.”

“I’d like that.”

She picked up the wrapped bone they laid on the back step and made their way to the grave.

“Tell me if you want more privacy,” he said.

She looked at him. “You can stay there.”

“Then I will. I’ll be waiting for you.”

She sighed, nodded, and walked to the pile of dirt. He watched her dig a hole with her hands and bury the bone with the paper still around it for Tiny. It broke his heart to hear her crying and saying goodbye. The fact that there was nothing he could do about it made him crazy.

She wiped her hands on her jeans as she stood over the grave for several minutes before turning back to him. He opened his arms, and she raced into them, sobbing. He just held her and talked about how everything would be all right, and that Tiny was watching over her. She nodded and wiped her eyes with her shirt.

He wrapped an arm around her. “Are you ready, honey?”

She balked.

“Remember, you can come back here whenever you want.” He watched her relax.

She exhaled. “I won’t forget. Let’s go.”

He led her to the truck and lifted her in. He took his last look around and was amazed at the fact he’d miss the place, too.

He got to the end of the driveway and reached for her hand. “Now, we’re going home, and I know you’ll be happy there.”

“Anywhere you are, I’ll be happy.”

He kissed her knuckles. “I’m going to take very good care of you.”

She rested the side of her head on the seat. “I know. You’ve been so good to me and helped me more than you know.”

“Well, I learned more here than I did my first year in college, so we’re even.”

It felt good to hear her laugh.

They kept up the conversation as they pulled into the small airport road.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“We’re going to fly home.”

“I know, but this isn’t the main airport.”

“We don’t need one. Trust me.”

She nodded and relaxed back in her seat.

They pulled up to the small building and parked. His pilot came out smiling.

“Good morning, Mr. Saunders.”

“Hello, Marcus. I want you to meet Mara. Honey, this guy is going to fly us home.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” she said, holding her hand out.

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