Unspoken

Chapter 40 The long and winding road

Zachary smiled and waved Milena towards a chair. "No need for that, lass," he said, "I may be a little stiff, but I can still pour tea for my guests. Besides, I need the exercise." He placed four cups on the table and slowly sat himself down on a chair.

"My wife belonged to the traveling people," he said while looking at Milena, "she loved me, but I know she missed her family. It must be hard for you too."

Milena sighed and looked down. She didn't want to hurt Emily's feelings, who was still next to her.

Emily smiled at her kindly. "It's alright, Leah," she said, "we are your family now. We love you." She placed a hand on Milena's arm.

Milena answered her smile with a weak one of her own and patted Emily's hand.

Zachary watched the two girls with a warm smile. It was clear the two girls cared about each other and it made him happy. When he and his wife first tried to find a place to live , people had not been welcoming. Most of them had been hostile. They had been lucky to find Joseph and Hannah, who had been nothing but kind to them, a proof that there were still good people in the world.

"You are fortunate," he told Milena, "that the Blackwood family took you in."

Milena nodded. She knew she had been lucky. She wondered how it would have been if it had been Jackson Caldwell that had found her instead. Or one of the villagers that attacked her family. A shiver ran down her spine.

"Of course we took you in," Emily said, "you were injured and you needed help. We would never leave you by yourself. We are so happy that you're living with us, Leah. And Daniel especially." She smiled mischievously. "You would make a lovely couple."

Milena bit her lip and looked down at her hands sadly. She knew Daniel had feelings for her and she knew Amelia and Emily both would like to see the two of them together, but she wasn't sure she could give them what they wanted. What would become of her then? Where would she go? Could she still stay here?

Zachary noted Milena's sadness and carefully tried to steer the conversation in another direction. "I should thank you, Miss Emily, for being such a good friend to my son."

"Da," Harun protested embarrassed.

Emily blushed and looked at him shyly. "I am glad he is my friend," she said softly, "I never had many friends."

"Then it is their loss," Zachary said gently, "you shouldn't feel sad about it. You need to cherish the friends you do have. They are what matters."

"Yes, you are right," Emily took a deep breath and smiled. "And I have good friends." She looked at Milena who smiled back at her warmly and at Harun, who was grinning widely. She thought of Jane, who was always kind to everyone. Yes, she couldn't

wish for better friends.

***

"Are you alright?" Petsha glanced at Daria. She was sitting next to him on the front of the wagon and had been awfully quiet. Now, her face had turned a shade paler.
Petsha wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "Speak, love. What is it that is on your mind?"

Daria sighed. "I am frightened," she admitted.

"Why are you frightened?" Petsha asked in a comforting tone.

"We are back," Daria whispered, "people hurt us here. What if they will hurt us again? Who else do we have to lose?"

"We will not lose anyone, ves'tacha. We will bring someone home." Petsha kissed her temple affectionately and urged the horse to pick up speed.