"I have a friend. I need you to look after her. Or promise not to hurt her." Thomas swallowed. His stomach dropped as soon as the words came out of his mouth. He didn't want to push the Cowboy God, but he had to make sure she'd be safe.
"I can't protect her or provide for her like I should. Friends protect and provide for friends, don't they?" He paused to make sure that he was doing the right thing. "You can. You should. It's what you do."
He knew on some level he should have stopped there, perhaps stopped a few thoughts before. "I will promise not to take her away from you. You stay away from my friend; I'll stay away from yours."