The Farmers Daughter

Chapter 7: Funny feelings

[ Edith's POV ]
-
I leave the house, my head feeling fuzzy. I was present in our conversation but at the same time it was like a blur. Get a grip on yourself, Edith. Don't fall so easily for a guy who's a bad influence.
I'll try to steer him onto the right path and if he needs someone to talk to then I guess I can listen, but we're not becoming close. I don't even think being 'friends' would be a wise idea.

"Edith!" Dad calls as he walks out of the barn towards me. By the look on his face he was not pleased that I went after Dallas. "I told you to stay away from that boy unless I'm around to supervise him."

"Nothing happened." I mutter and walk into the barn to grab two lead lines for the horses. "I talked, he was frustrated, I invited him to youth group and now here I am."

"I don't want you two becoming buddies. One wrong move and he could ruin you." He wheels the wheelbarrow in after me.

I turn around and wait for him to say more but he doesn't. "I'm not a little girl anymore, dad. I think I can handle myself just fine without you hovering over me. I don't want to become buddy buddy with him and the idea of inviting him to youth group was not mine so don't go blaming me for it."

"I'm just trying to protect you, Edith. As a parent it's my job to teach you right from wrong and to keep you away from things that could possibly hurt you." He brings the wheelbarrow into an empty stall and grabs a pitch fork.

"You always think you know what's best for me." I snorted as Chip rubs up against my leg. Chip is our twelve year old Collie who's blind in one eye; he stays down at the barn, keeps the chickens in line, and keeps the horses company. "Let's go Chip."
I pat my leg and walk back out of the barn to the four wheeler. I lift Chip up onto the back of the four wheeler and climb onto the seat, he always goes with me to get the horses.

"Don't do anything stupid, Edith. Listen to what I'm telling you." Dad calls out to me.

"Do you ever remember saying 'Be that kind soul that makes everybody feel like a somebody' after every sermon you would preach in church? You stopped doing that after mom died but I still remember it clearly." I turn slightly in the seat so I could glance back at him. "Well I'm taking that advice and I promise to be careful around him so you don't have to worry about that."

"Edith." He warns.

"I'll be like a mentor for him. I think that God has put Dallas in our lives so I can share the word and to show him that there's a better way to live." I was beaming at this point. It's like God was taking over my body and speaking through me. "God sent him to us, dad. I can't pass this opportunity up and I'm starting to see that now."

He rubs his hand over his mouth and looks defeated. "Just like your mother.. what am I going to do with you child?"

My smile was so big that my eyes crinkled up. "You're going to love me with all your heart."

"I'm supposed to be preaching to you but here you are pouring your little heart out and doing better than I ever could." His heart warmed for his daughter because she reminded him of his deceased wife.

"It's simply because you raised me up in the way of Christ. You taught me everything I need to know and now I have an opportunity to pass it on to someone else, that is... if he's willing to give God a chance."

"God will help you if you ask Him. But like I said.. be careful. Dallas could end up having a greater impact on you than you have on him." His protective dad side was showing and I hated to admit that he kinda had a point.

"My name is Edith Thompson, daughter of the one true King. God gives me enough common sense." I give him my famous loving smile.

"I hope you remember this conversation just in case anything goes wrong." He points his finger directly at me before getting back to work.