Bombs blasted mid air, soldiers screamed and the sound of death filled each breathe of air around them, Alice wanted to scream.
Her back ached from her position, but she was smart enough to know that laying this low on the canoe was the only thing keeping them alive. That and the men who swam next to the canoe, pulling them safely through the water.
She wanted to see her father. She wanted to be safe in his arms and have all this death and fear just melt away.
Water splashed into the canoe and the freezing water caused Alice's hand to slip, it slides until another hand causes its halt.
Alice's eyes shot sideways as that hand, slowly, carefully, beautifully entwined their fingers. She stared at the thick fingers, strength seemly passing from them to her. She bent her fingers to ensure the unbreakable bond between them. The dark thumb caresses the tender flesh between her thumb and finger, and for a moment, Alice was in heaven.
The fear that only her father could vanishes was gone. The bombs and death that surrounded them were a million miles away and only Uncas was with her in that moment.