Moving On

Chapter 8 Moving on

"No, they have not found us," Polly informed him in the most gentle voice she had. "I know everyone who lives in the area and these folks,

she pointed out the window at them, "I don't know them."

Joe took a slower look at the approaching horses and realized at once that they were travelers. The large wagon just now pulling up into the yard gave that away.

"They are searching for a homestead," Joe replied just as he turned and started collecting items and stuffing them in bags he'd left laying on the shoe stand by the door.

"This could be the home they purchased," he informed her as he continued to collect their belongings.

It didn't take long for the lead horse to stop and a tall gentlemen to alight to the ground.

Joe, held his finger up to his lips telling her to be quiet and he opened the door and stepped outside.

"Now," Polly thought would be a good time to ask for help." She took a few steps towards the door and changed her mind. "Do I really wanna go back?"

Images of the events that had just taken place flashed before her eyes and the idea that she was still, more or less, betrothed to John haunted her in ways that were new; but, no the less unpleasant.

Her family, wasn't really her family. That explained lots of things, she realized. Like why her hair color was so different from everyone in the family. Why her thinking was so much different from them too.

She loved the outdoors. They loved the indoors. She turned away from the door and approached the window so she could see what was happening outside.

"Of course," she heard Joe reply to a question the wagon leader had asked Joe. "We are about to go ourselves so the cabin is totally free." He gestured towards the building with his hand. "As far as we know, he glanced back at the building as if he expected to see her emerge at any moment, "It's owned by no one."

He offered to help the gentlemen unload a few things for the night, but the gentlemen refused saying, "If you need to be on your way helping me will detain you." Joe simply nodded and started back to the front door. His step seemed to increase the closer he came to the building.

The door opened. "They are simply going to stay here for the night and be on their way," he informed her. "I don't think they will go into town."

He picked up another bag as he spoke. "But, it's better for us to be off just in case he changes his mind and informs them of our presents by accident."

Polly picked up another bag she found by the fireplace and started loading it with items that she thought they could use on the trip.

Joe just nodded and continued with his work...

...

Several hours had passed and Polly was feeling tired. Her horse was still full of energy and was keeping good pace with Joe's horse he'd decided to name nightmare because of it's black and white coat. The markings were so wild it did indeed seem to have been born out of a nightmare. Her horse was pure white and it felt like a dream to ride. So, she'd decided to call it Angel.

Joe moved ahead a few more feet and then stopped. The woods ahead of them look dark and scary. The moon was now full in the sky and Joe motioned for her to stop as well.

"It's best we don't go into the woods in the dark night," he told her. "I am unfamiliar with these woods." He climbed down from his horse and started to remove everything from it's back. "The horse needs a break," he informed her and so does Angel."

She climbed down as well and started doing the same. Once the horses were free of baggage Joe disappeared along the edge of the woods gathering firewood for the night. He had told her to remain with the horses.

The night continued. All things remained in their place.

Joe returned carrying an arm full of firewood which he was able to light in few minutes. "Keep an eye on the fire," he told her. "I've got to get a few more bits for the night. "If your hungry the food bags are next to the blue bag near nightmare."

She watched him walk away. He was attractive. She liked his looks, his personality...everything about him. "I wonder if he likes me?" she asked herself.

"I like warm tea," she answered after he'd ask her if she wanted cold or warm tea with her meal.

"He poured her a cup from a pot he'd placed over the fire. The twinkling flames reflected in his eyes making them dance with sparkling colors. She felt hypnotized.

"We will need to leave early in the morning," he informed her. "So, we'd best bed down now." He pointed at the two bedrolls he'd already taken away from the supplies and placed them near the fire.

"I can use either so you choose the one you like." He nodded and smiled.

"I like the red one," she informed him and moved to it near the fire.

"Will you be warm enough?" he asked. "It does get cold," he informed her as he started to undo the read bedroll.

Polly decided not to reply. She wondered how it might feel to be wrapped up in his arms beside a fire in the dark in the woods. "Perhaps," she told herself it was better not to know.

She wrapped herself up in the blanket and moved in closer to the fire. The sparkling flames looked like the fireworks she'd seen every year in July. But, they were not that warm. She shivered and wanted to move in closer.

"Polly!" Joe almost shouted. "You're far to close to the fire!" He moved over to her side and pulled her back just before her blanket fell into the flames.

"I'm cold," she told him. "Yes," I realize this," he moved back to his side picked up his bedroom and returned to her side.

"Damn, I'm not get any sleep tonight," he told himself. He laid his blanket down atop hers and patted a space in front of him which was closer to the fire. "lay down and get warm," he held the blankets open and waited for her to join him.