“I can’t drive,” Kirk said, not moving.
Looking down at Kirk, “Neither could I until I learned,” Arthur told him.
Slowly, Kirk got out and walked around the buggy and climbed behind the steering wheel, acting like the steering wheel was going to reach out and kill him. Listening to Arthur, Kirk did what he was told. Arthur had Kirk drive around the fields to the office house and then onto the road.
Like all new drivers, Kirk didn’t have the concept of easing the pedals down and they lurched with each press of the pedals. Holding Nicole tight, Arthur told Kirk to drive down to Jack’s farm. He glanced back to see Pat and Jim staring at Kirk in awe.
Turning around, Arthur had Kirk pull through the yard to Jack’s chicken coop. “What are those big barrels on the side?” Pat asked from the backseat.
“Automatic feeders. I filled them a few days back and need to check them,” Arthur answered and held Nicole tight. “You can stop here,” he told Kirk and he slammed the brake down and the buggy skidded to a stop.
Glancing back, Arthur smiled at seeing Jim and Pat holding on tight. The boys climbed out and Arthur showed them how to fill the auto feeders and get the eggs out without ever walking into the chicken coop.
“Your house makes power down here?” Kirk asked, bringing eggs over to the basket as Nicole started complaining.
“No, Jack has solar panels that run this and his water pump,” Arthur explained, grabbing a bottle with powder already inside out of the buggy and pouring water in. Nicole gave a wide grin, hearing the bottle shaking. “Yes, I have your food, baby blue eyes,” Arthur grinned, putting the bottle in her mouth.
“Why don’t you have your chickens like this?” Pat asked. “You don’t have to go inside here.”
Shaking his head, “I want to make sure the animals are okay,” Arthur shrugged. “This seems like cheating. Besides, half of these chickens have died and I’m wondering if they would’ve died had I went inside to check on them.”
They all climbed back in the buggy with Kirk driving and headed back to the house. When they stopped at the gate, Arthur glanced back at Pat. “See that keypad, punch in one, seven, nine, three,” Arthur told him and Pat jumped out. Running over, he punched in the numbers and the gate started swinging open.
“We can close it from the house,” Arthur called out as Nicole finished her bottle.
After Pat climbed back in, Kirk almost stomped the accelerator. “Wait,” Arthur said, moving Nicole to his shoulder and Kirk looked up at him. “Make sure your passengers are ready before you take off.”
Glancing back at his brothers, “Are you guys ready?” Kirk asked with a huge grin.
“Yeah, just don’t stomp so hard,” Jim moaned, holding onto the seat.
“I’m trying,” Kirk groaned and slowly pushed the accelerator and the buggy slowly took off.
“Now, that was a good takeoff,” Arthur said as Nicole let out a loud echoing burp. “Shit, I wish I could do that,” Arthur mumbled.
Pulling up to the patio, Kirk let off the accelerator to slow down and then pressed the brake. The buggy gave a jerk as Kirk did the latter too hard. “Sorry,” Kirk said, looking up at Arthur.
“Hey, you did great,” Arthur laughed, reaching over patting his leg then moved to get out and saw Kong walk from behind the grill. The laugh fell off Arthur’s face. “Kong, I have guns and will use them.”
Kong just looked at Arthur with indifference as the dogs trotted up from behind the buggy. Slowly, Kong turned to the dogs and yawned, showing his teeth. “Booger eater,” Pat gasped. “You see how big his teeth are?”
“Yeah,” Arthur said curtly as he eased out of the buggy, holding Nicole to his chest with his left hand. His right had the AR, just in case. “I’ve seen and trapped smaller full grown bobcats than Kong.”
“Has Kong ever hurt the lambs?” Kirk asked, getting out of the buggy.
Shaking his head, “No, because Kong would’ve died,” Arthur replied, leading the boys inside. He walked into his office and showed them how to close the gate from the computer.
“Okay, time to head out. Empty your backpacks and get back down here,” Arthur told them and the boys just stood rooted to the floor. “What?” Arthur asked.
“Mean people are out there,” Kirk reminded him.
“Guys, Nicole has to have diapers that fit. I’m tired of cleaning her poop off of me and everything near me, every time she goes,” Arthur told them. “I asked if you wanted to stay here and all of you said no. Have you changed your minds?”
All three shook their head rapidly. “No, but it’s scary,” Pat said.
“Guys, if something can get past me, then it will get us here,” Arthur told them. “Guys, if we don’t leave soon, we will be out after dark. I really want to be back by then.”
Like magic, the three boys vanished from where Arthur was talking to them. He turned and caught sight of all three running upstairs at a very impressive pace. Moving Nicole off his shoulder, Arthur smiled to see she was fast asleep.
Putting her in the baby carrier, he moved it into the kitchen and made some sandwiches. The boys came back down and found Arthur packing a cooler. “Need food,” Arthur smiled and then headed back to his office.
Grabbing four radios, Arthur turned to carry them to the boys and found them right behind him. “You know how to use walkie talkies?” he asked and the boys’ eyes widened in wonder. “You will always be close but if not, you can call me.”
The boys grinned as Arthur clipped a radio to
