Israel Boone crept slowly closer to the edge of the river bank. He glanced back over his shoulder at his sister, hoping that she wasn't looking his way. She was bent low, picking another flower.
Girls! He shook his head, and moved just close enough to dip his toe in the cool creek water.
"Israel Boone!" His sister's voice startled him.
"I was just gonna . . ."
"You get all wet and Ma'll be mad!" Jemima said staring him down, with one hand on her hip.
"Ah! Mima!" Israel whined.
"Keeping a boy out of a creek, is like asking the sun not to shine." Jemima turned her head to find a strange man standing beside her. She stepped back startled. "Oh, I am sorry. I didn't mean to startle you. My name is Mr. Rufus Bennedict. I am an old friend of your father's."
"You know Pa?" Israel asked looking up into the strange man's face.
"We met long ago." He said.
"He never mentioned you." Jemima said.
"Well, it was long ago. We fought in the French Wars."
"He doesn't talk about that much." Israel said looking up at him.
"Well your Pa was a fierce fighter. He was ruthless." He looked off at the horizon. "Is he back from his trip yet?" The man asked.
"No." Israel said. "We expect him any day now. He's been gone eleven days, so he should be back before too long. Plus, it looks like a storm's coming. Pa would head home if he knew bad weather was on it's way."
"Israel!" Jemima said.
"What?" He asked his older sister.
"Your sister is probably going to point out to you that it isn't a good idea to tell every detail of your lives to a stranger." Mr. Bennedict said calmly. "And I agree. You are wise, Miss Boone."
Jemima blushed. "Thank you, sir."
"I was just on my way into the fort, might I escort you and your brother?" He asked.
"Yes, please. I'm off to visit my friend Annabelle." She said and turning to her brother said, "Come along, Israel."
Israel trailed behind his sister and Mr. Bennedict, wishing that he could stay behind and play in the creek.
***7***
"Have you met Mr. Bennedict?" Jemima asked her mother as they sat at the table.
"Yes. Why?" Rebecca looked up sharply. There was something she didn't trust about that man. He always seemed to be watching her, or the children. He made her nervous.
"We saw him today." Jemima said. "He has good manners."
"He's boring. Besides, he kind of snuck up on us, so I don't think that's good manners." Israel said. "Ma, can I have more pie?"
"No, Israel. You've had enough. What do you mean he snuck up on you?" She kept her voice casual not wanting to alarm the children.
"He didn't sneak up. We were just daydreaming and so didn't notice him until he spoke." Jemima said.
"He was hiding behind a rock first. I saw him." Israel said.
"What nonsense! You were playing in the creek!" Jemima said angrily.
"Yep, and that's when I saw him. He was crouched behind a rock, watching us. He's strange."
"Watching you?" Jemima looked up sharply at the sound of her mother's voice.
"What ma?"
"Nothing." She said dismissively. "I just don't know him is all, I guess."
"Pa knows him." Israel said.
"What do you mean?" Rebecca asked surprised
"He said he fought in the French Wars with Pa." Jemima said.
"Oh." She rose from the table. "He didn't mention that to me." She stood looking out the window. "Looks like rain is coming. I sure hope your Pa beats this storm home. Israel, you better go out first thing in the morning, and gather lots of firewood. We are nearly out of kindling. We better get it before it gets soaked."
"Ah, Ma!" Israel moaned.
"Can I go with him?" Jemima asked. "I can pick some berries."
"Only if you help!" Israel said stubbornly.
"Israel Boone! What would your Pa say about you asking your sister to do your work! Really! I suppose so Mima. I just hope that storm holds off long enough."
***DB***
Rebecca Boone found herself awake late into the night. She gave up trying to sleep. She never seemed to manage sleeping with one side of the bed, empty and cold. Instead, she went into the front room, and settled down in the rocking chair to read. First, she tried to read the new book that Daniel had brought to her from Salem, but found she couldn't concentrate on any of the words. She was worried, and she couldn't think of a reason why she should be, but she felt anxious all the same.
She put the book back on the shelf, and turning reached for the one book that would sooth her frayed nerves. She lifted the Bible and turned to the book of Psalms, taking comfort in the words written by David so long ago.
"How come I can't read any of it?" Israel said completely surprising her. She hadn't heard him tiptoe down the ladder, or creep quietly closer to her.
"Israel! You frightened me!" She said.
"I'm sorry, Ma. I called to you, but you didn't say nothing."
"Anything." She corrected.
"I don't know any of them words. I thought you said I was a good reader."
"You are. This Bible was my Ma's. It is in Irish."
"Oh." He said yawning. "How come I didn't meet her?"
"She died when I was a girl. Long before you were born." She told him, running her hand through his blond hair.
"Oh. Would she have liked me?" He turned his head to the side in question.
"She would've adored you. She would have baked you piles and piles of sweets."
"I like sweets." He said yawning.
"I am aware." She said. "You should get back in bed, Israel."
"Aren't you sleepy, Ma?"
"I am." She said quietly and pulled Israel up onto her lap.
"Can I sleep with you?" Israel asked. "I promise I won't kick this time."
"Alright. Come on then." She said and holding onto his hand she led him to the bedroom.
"Do you get scared when Pa's not home?" He asked looking up at her, as she pulled the covers back for him.
"Not with you to protect me." She said and he smiled at her as he climbed into the big bed.
She crawled in beside him, knowing full well that he would kick her before the night was over. He always did. He was the squirmiest sleeper the world had ever known, but it didn't bother her. She was happy to not be alone. She set the Bible on the table beside her and blew out the lamp, as Israel snuggled close and rested his blond head on her shoulder.
"Night, Ma."
"Night, son."
She closed her eyes, thinking of of Daniel's deep green eyes, and the feeling of his hand resting at the small of her back. She sighed and turned to her side reminding herself that he would be home in a just a few days.
***DB***
In the far distance, a dark figure stood at the base of a tall pine studying the cabin in the distance. He saw the lamp light flicker, the mother and child silhouted as they crossed the cabin together. He glanced up into the night sky recognizing the coming storm.
He smiled and eagerly awaited the coming dawn.