Boy On A Farm

Part 6

The field stretched out before Ruth as she worked on fertilizing the field. The old tractor bounced over the field making Ruth wince as she was bounced out of her seat. Ruth slowed down slightly as she cussed the out load. Ruth disliked working in this field because of how rough it was.

Ruth spotted Ian's jeep as she turned the tractor to start another pass. Ruth wondered what Ian was doing at the field. He had said that he had things to do around the farm today and would not bug her. Ruth frowned as Philip climbed from the jeep. Ruth slowed to a stop and put the tractor in park before she opened the door to shout at Philip.

"What are you doing here?"

Philip frowned before he hopped onto the ladder so that he could stick his head in the door. "I thought you would like some company."

Ruth smiled. "I would love some company, but this tractor is hardly built for two."

Philip motioned to the half a seat beside Ruth. "I can sit there."

Ruth shrugged. "You are going to get a sore ass."

Philip laughed as he took a seat and closed the door behind him. The noise level dropped slightly as Ruth shifted the tractor back into drive and continued on her current pass of the field. Philip watched Ruth as she drove. Ruth was acutely aware of Philip watching her, but she kept her attention on the field in front of her and periodic looks in the side mirrors at the sprayer behind her.

"Why do you have such an old tractor?'

Ruth looked over to find Philip staring at the steering wheel that had duck tape on it. "I can easily afford a new one, but this belonged to my grandparents and my parents. I could not bear to part with it after the accident. Every time that I'm in the tractor, I feel a little closer to them. Some days, I can even still smell the tobacco that my grandpa used to smoke as he farmed."

"Can you tell me how to operate the tractor?"

"I will be glad too."

Ruth spent the rest of the time spraying the field telling Philip all about what she was doing. Philip listened closely and asked questions from time to time about something. Philip paid close attention when Ruth ran out of fertilizer and had to go and get some more. Lunch time came and went and even then Ruth continued telling Philip about farming.

There was still so much Ruth could tell Philip about farming, but it was time to stop for the day. Ruth shut the tractor off and tucked the key into the spot beneath the chair where her grandfather had always kept the key. Philip already had the door open and was the steps. Ruth followed slowly. Her breath caught in her throat as Philip's hands settled on her waist as he helped Ruth down the steps.

"Thank you."

All Philip did was smile as he let go of Ruth. Ruth rubbed at her back as she made her way over the bumpy field towards her run down truck. Philip walked easily beside her as if he was in no pain at all. Ruth's whole body hurt like it always did. Philip spoke as they reached their vehicles.

"Have you tried massages?"

Ruth gave him an inquisitive look. "When I am not busy farming, I try to get a massage. I haven't had one in months. I also try to go to the chiropractor, but that is hit or miss too."

"Louis knows how to readjust bones. Our uncle is a chiropractor and Louis learned how to do readjustments."

Ruth paused at the door of her truck. "I will have to hit him up then."

Philip brushed a piece of hair behind Ruth's ear. "I have been told that I am good at giving massages. I can give you one if you'd like."

Ruth couldn't help the blush that stained her cheeks. She fiddled with her door handle as she answered Philip. "I would like that."

Philip nodded as he reached past Ruth and opened the door for her. "Ian is grilling steaks for supper."

Ruth's stomach let out a sudden growl at Philip's change of topic. "I love it when Ian grills," Ruth said as she climbed into her truck.

"So do I," Philip said as he closed Ruth's door.

Ruth bit her lip as she watched Philip walk over to Ian's jeep. Her eyes studied Philip's ass as he climbed into the jeep. Ruth shook her head as she started her truck. Philip followed Ruth as she drove out of the field.

Ruth rolled down her driver's side window as headed towards town. Ruth was parched and she knew that she could not wait till she reached the farm to get something to drink. Ruth planned on stopped at one of the convenient stores in town before she headed home. Ian always liked to drink when he was grilling so Ruth figured that she could grab a 12 pack or two. Ruth would ask Philip before she bought any. Knowing Ian, he probably already bought a 30 pack, but Ruth knew that Ian could drink. Philip and Louis were new to her so Ruth had no idea how they drink. Ruth's Mother's motto had always been 'better safe than sorry.' Ruth had agreed with her mother and now she used her Mother's motto as her own.

"I miss you so much Mama," Ruth said aloud as the wind dried her tears.