Trust is a Dangerous Game

Chapter 7 - Bonding

You opened your eyes, the only thing lighting the tent, was a small lantern. It must be dark now. How long had you slept for.

"How are you feeling?"

You glanced across, to see your daddy, sitting on a chair, a book in his hand.

You frowned, not quite understanding why he was here.

"Why are you here?" you asked.

Dutch smiled, "just making sure you're ok, sweetheart. Are you?"

You nodded, and looked at the bandage on your hand, "it's sore, but doesn't hurt as much."

Dutch stood up and walked over to the cot, he sat down on the edge.

"Would you like me to read to you?" he asked.

You frowned again, "I can read," you stated.

He nodded, "I wasn't sure, you didn't have many books at your house."

You sighed. "There was never much money for books, or time."

This time, it was Dutch's turn to frown. Josiah had never said that you and your mother were short of money. He held out his hand,

"Come with me," he suggested.

You swung your legs over the bed, and slipped your feet into your boots. You took his hand, with the uninjured one. His hand was so large, compared to yours, and your mom's. Not that your mom ever really held your hand, not since you were about five.

He smiled down at you. You wondered if things would have been different, if you hadn't run off that morning when you saw him, from the barn. You wondered whether, your mom would still be alive. You swallowed down the lump that was in your throat. Crying was weak. Your mom always told you that, so why did you keep wanting to cry.

Dutch guided you into his tent. You looked around in awe. There was a big animal skin rug on the floor, a large cot, a shelf full of books.

A red headed woman, lay on the cot. She glared at you.

"Dutch, I was trying to sleep!" she moaned.

Dutch rolled his eyes, "well go and sleep somewhere else, Molly. I'm spending some time with my daughter."

The woman stood up and huffed, still glaring at you she walked out of the tent.

You watched her walk away, "I don't think she likes me." you concluded.

Dutch chuckled, "sometimes, sweetheart, I don't think she likes me much, either."

He walked across to the bookshelf, and ran his fingers along the spines of the books, looking for something.

You sat down on the animal skin rug on the floor, and sat cross legged. Running your fingers through the soft fur.

Dutch turned his head, and glanced down at you.

"What on earth are you doing down there, sweetheart," he queried.

You smiled, "its so soft."

Dutch chuckled, "we'll have to see if we cant get one of these for your tent. But really, just sit on the cot."

You stood up, and walked over to the cot, just as Dutch pulled a book from the shelf. He walked over and sat next to you.

"how about you read to me?" he suggested.

"I never read out loud before!" you answered, nervously.

Dutch smiled, and rested his hand on your shoulder, "just give it a try. If you like it, we can take it in turns. Tomorrow night, I'll read to you."