The Wolf and the Lamb

Dewberry Creek

Charles came back a while later and Dutch soon started to push us out. I was bandaged up, and being able to walk I moved toward my horse. "No, you ride on the wagon" John said firmly. I looked at him, his expression serious, "No, I can ride" I replied turning back to my horse. I reached up and tried to lift myself on, failing once more. "Clearly you can't" John replied coldly, as he pointed towards the wagon. I shot him a glare myself, "Sean!" I called. The small Irishman came running, "Can you give me a hand please?" I asked. Sean shot John a look before helping me onto my horse. 

Sean smiled and said a few words before running back off to finish helping Miss Grimshaw. John looked up at me before climbing onto his own horse. 

We brought up the rear as I knew I couldn't ride fast. "You don't have to stay back here" I told John watching the wagons in front of us. He didn't say anything. I sighed and sped up slightly. John did the same to stay in line with me, I shot him a glare, "If you're not going to talk to me then go up to wherever you want" I spat. "I never asked for you to stay back here." The words felt like poison as I said them. 

He looked over to me, "Why'd you have to go and keep gettin shot" he asked, his tone seemed annoyed but there was an underlying worry. "I didn't ask to get shot" I responded. I was angry, this was the same loop he had been playing since I got back.  "You're so stubborn Edith" He replied, quieter now. "I'm getting tired of this game Marston" I replied, keeping my eyes forward. I wanted to see his reaction, but I knew I shouldn't. 

"What game?" he answered, his tone had lightened now. "This one, I thought it was over with when we talked back some days ago!" I stated getting upset. He didn't respond for a minute, "I'm sorry, I just don't... don't act the way I want to" he said. I looked at him now, his head facing the trail. "I guess I'm just worried bout you is all" his voice was quiet, I could barely hear him over the horses. I felt a small smile appear on my face. 

The rest of the ride he didn't talk, he seemed to be brooding, thinking about something. Arthur met us at the small plateau. He helped me off my horse and everyone was soon sent to work. As I went to help Dutch called me over. 

"Edith" he greeted, "Hello Dutch" I replied. He smiled and placed his hand on my head. "How are you feelin?" he asked. I laughed lightly, "Just dandy Dutch." He removed his hand, "You know, I'm startin to think you get shot to get out of work" he joked. "Well, I'll have you know I was just about to help unload when you called for me" I responded matter-of-factly.  "Well I guess I won't keep you, as long as you can find something to do that won't hurt you any farther" Dutch answered. He was the closest thing to a father I had. 

I smiled, "Thank you" and I ran off to join the gang as they unpacked. 

After a few days everyone started to really settle into the new camp. The day after we had arrived in the new camp John had come to talk to me. He talks to me often, finding anytime that he can. 

I sat on the dock, the wood was slightly broken, but it still was moderately sturdy. As I sat, I looked out into the water, the sky reflecting off of it. "Mind if I join ya?" a voice asked. I turned and smiled as Hosea walked towards me. "Of course" I said motioning for him to sit down. He lowered himself down and smiled, "As an old man, I really shouldn't sit myself down where I might struggle to get up" he said. I laughed. 

He lightly touched the bandages on my shoulder, "How do you feel?" I looked at the white fabric, "I'm okay. Charles gave me something to help make if feel a bit better" I replied. Hosea nodded and looked out into the water. He took a deep breath and sighed, "You know, I haven't heard Abigail yellin in a while, you know anything about that?" he asked. I shook my head, "Truthfully, I ain't even noticed" I responded. He looked at me and his expression showed he didn't believe me. "She's been stayin with the other girls now, John's got his own tent now." I couldn't help but smile, "Good, he deserves some quiet" I replied stifling a laugh. "Edith, what have you got with this boy?" Hosea asked. I looked back at the camp, "I don't quite know. It's a confusing mess I guess" I answered honestly. 

Hosea returned his gaze to the water, "Do you think you're sweet on him?" he asked. I looked at my hands in my lap, "I don't know..." my voice getting quiet. He touched one of my hands, and I looked out at the water, "Just somethin about it, ya'know? When he talks to me, takes care of me like he's been doin, I just feel happy. I get all fluttery and sometimes I even get flustered, then when he's cold or distant I-I.. Well I don't quite know. I feel upset, like something is tearin at me." I said. Hosea nodded and stayed quiet for a bit. Then he got up and offered a hand to help me up as well. He intertwined in into the crook of his arm and gently patted my hand as he sighed, "Edith, sometimes feelings can be strange, but here, in this case, I think you both might have the same problem" he softly laughed and left me standing at the edge of the dock.