The Plantation Maid

Chapter Thirteen

I'm woken up by a hand, caressing my cheek. I slowly open my eyes and see Jayden's face in front of me. I quickly sit up and rub my eyes.

I didn't know I fell asleep.

"I'm sorry, I must have drifted off." I apologize.

"Izzy, what did I tell you about saying sorry?" He smiles.

"Sorry." I realize I just said again, so I cover my face with my hands.

I hear his laughter, that I'm addicted to. I think about the reason why I'm out here, then remember Bill.

"How's your dad?" I still remember what Bill told me about him being adopted, but it's still his dad.

"He's okay for now. He admitted to not taking his medication like he should have. There's gonna be a nurse here to make sure he takes it. He's resting right now."

I relax knowing he's okay. "That's great that's he's okay. I've been worried."

He nods. I can tell he's thinking about his father. Since he's still squatting down, I pat the spot beside me on the swing. He sees it and stands up. He sits down and drapes along the top of the swing behind me.

"The doctor says he need to be in bed rest for the next two days. He wants to make sure the medicine works properly." He informs me about it. "So that means I'm going to be in charge until he's able to move around on his feet again."

That makes my heart feel proud. "I'll be right there next to ya." I lay my hand on his knee.

His eyes flicker to my hand. "Thank you Isabelle." He looks back up to my face. "I'm sorry if I scared you earlier."

"It's okay. I didn't know what was going on, but now I do. I'm not mad at you about it."

He covers his hand over mine, then we intertwine our fingers.

I'm witnessing the change in him, that I doubted a long time ago. I can see he's trying to become a better son and as a person. He's not the same rude guy I used to bump into. Whenever he's with me, he's fun laid back a little more. Those days of threatening me are over.

I promise him I will be here, right beside him for the next two days.

And I'm proving my promise.

That afternoon, he managed to order more hay bails for the farm, call to confirm the Boy Scouts arrival in four days, but they had to reschedule for the next week.

We both go visit his dad together, which Bill is delighted to see me. He tells me not to worry about anything, and just take these days off. But I politely and honestly decline.

"We got this dad." Jayden says proudly.

That done some remodeling in my heart.

The following day, were in the office. I'm on the laptop checking emails and Jayden is organizing files in the computer.

We work in a comfortable silence. Every now and then, I look up to him, and just watch. He catches me and smiles every time, and it makes me blush.

The phone rings so he answers it. I continue checking emails until I hear him mention the Boy Scouts cancellation this coming weekend.

"Yes. We have this weekend empty since they canceled." He pauses and listens. "I can, but it's a really short notice," he listens again. "I understand." Another pause. "If you would like to do it, we can try our best to make it happen." What? "How many quest will there be?"

What the heck is he planning for this weekend? That's four days away. What can be planned that quick? My curiosity rises.

He looks over at me while listening to the person on the phone.