It was nearly noon when he stopped the wagon and gently shook awoke Heath.
"Heath wake up. It's time for lunch." he whispered.
"I's sorry. I didn't mean to fell asleep, I ruined your shirt."
"Heath I don't care. I didn't say anything when you fell asleep so don't worry. I reckon you are hungry, after all you are growing boy. I remember when I was you age."
"I ain't hungry..." but his lie was covered by his stomach rumbling " I have some apple pie Aunt Hannah made for me, it's more than enough, you can have some of it." He quickly added.
"Excellent we can have some dessert for lunch and dinner. I know Hannah is an excellent cook. Sadly I'm not as good as her, for lunch we gonna eat some cold meat and biscuits, but for tonight's dinner I can assure you my stew is not that bad." Said Keller while he was climbing down from the wagon, he didn't see the look of total surprise in Heath's face.
Heath was dumbstruck, this was one of the nicest thing an adult has ever done for him. All he received from his uncle were leftovers and he had never eaten with his relatives at their table. He usually ate in the kitchen near his pallet. He was so shocked that he remained frozen sitting on the wagon.
"What are you doing up there? Come down and stretch your legs...if you need to go...go that way far from the creek."
Heath was flushing and went towards some bushes nearby, he always kept the wagon in the line of his sight. He had seldom gone in the woods near Strawberry and Uncle Matt always told him horrific stories about wild animals and little boys who get lost in the forest.
When he arrived near the wagon he found Mr. Keller sitting on a log, and in front of him two plates filled with cold meat and some biscuits.
"Take one." He simply said.
"But it's too much." He quietly replied.
"I take no buts, you are growing boy and you need to eat, you are skin and bones."
He placed the tin plate on his lap and started to eat, at first stowing as much food as in his mouth, afraid that Walter would change his mind.
"Slow down boy, you will get sick if you eat that fast." It was clear that the boy was starving, he preferred not to ask Heath when he had his last meal, he feared the answer. After the meal they shared half of the pie.
"Heath I've never tasted your aunt's cuisine and I regret it. I've never eaten such a good pie and I must thank you for sharing with me."
They quickly washed their plates in the creek and they climbed on the wagon.
"Heath the next mile of the road is quite flat and easy; would you like to hold the reins?"
"Really? I've never done it! Are you sure? I can do it wrong."
"Yep. I'm glad to teach you how to drive a wagon."
Heath's reply was a lopsided smile that reached his eyes. He was so happy he has never drove a wagon and Walter Keller was spending time teaching him. For the next mile Heath was helped driving the wagon and in some short distance Walter had left the reins only in Heath's little hands.
When they reached some rough terrain, Walter paid attention to the road.
Meanwhile Heath looked around with awe, the forest around him wasn't as scary as he thought. He could hear birds singing from the evergreen and now and then he was able to spot in the meadows some deer and elk, maybe his uncle was wrong about wild animals eating little boys.
They stopped around four, there was plenty of light but Walter didn't want to take any risk. He stopped the wagon in a meadow near a small lake and started to set up for the dinner.
"Heath can you go to the lake and take some water, please?" He said while handling a bucket.
"Yes, sir."
He patted Heath's back and he could feel Heath winched in pain under his hand.
"When you come back I want to see your back."
When he saw Heath coming back from the lake struggling as he handled the bucket with his left hand, he wanted to slap himself he had completely forgotten Heath's broken arm. He ran to the struggling boy and he took the bucket from Heath's left hand, the little boy looked at him in totally disbelief.
"Sorry Heath, I've completely forgotten your busted arm."
"Tha..thank you," stammered Heath, he couldn't believe that he was helping him. The little boy followed the man and observed him while he was preparing the dinner.
"Can I help you?"
"I've almost done, sit down and relax. I've put the meat in the pot it will take awhile to cook."
After adding some vegetables in the pot, Walter stirred the stew for a few moments and turned around in Heath's direction
"Okay, take off you coat and shirt I wanna see your back, I know it's hurting you."
Heath knew that he couldn't do anything to avoid it so he awkwardly removed his coat and his shirt while facing Walter and let them fall on the ground.
"Turn around, please."
He slowly turned around and dropped his head on his chest in shame. He could easily hear Mr. Keller muttering some obscene words through his teeth. For several seconds nothing happened, then he felt a finger softly tracing the pattern of his scars he turned around and stared at Walter, he was silently crying. Walter tried to compose himself and dried his drops with the sleeve of his coat.
"I think maybe it's better I put some liniment on them. It will sting a bit but they won't get worse, but first I need to clean them."
He proceeded with his work, Heath stayed still all the time. He slowly and softly removed the grime and the dried blood with a piece of cloth and then he proceeded with applying a hefty dose of liniment. He knew it would sting a lot, but it was the only way he knew to cure those kind of wounds.
"I'm finished, you can dress, I'm going to wash my hands, please check the stew "
Dinner was almost done, Heath couldn't still believe what Walter have done for him, someone beside his aunts had cared for him, another brick of the wall of lies his uncle had told him crumbled and he started to see a little light in the darkness.
While he washed his hands Walter thought about Heath's scarred back and he started to formulate a plan. 'If the person that is supposed to care for Heath doesn't want him I can take the boy as my own. I already planned to sell the company, I will do it sooner. I can buy that small spread I saw some time ago and raise the boy,' he thought.
When he was back to the camp he took out of the fire the pot and gave an hefty portion of the stew to Heath.
"Eat! You need it to regain your strength."
"Thanks you, sir."
They slowly ate in silence and after eating the last part of the pie they washed the dishes and cleaned up themselves a little bit.
"It's time to hit the sack, spread your blankets near the fire, it's gonna be cold tonight."
"Goodnight Mr. Keller and thanks for everything."
"Don't mention, goodnight and sweet dreams."
Heath slept like a log and he was gently awakened the next morning by a smiling Walter.
"Good morning sleepyhead. I've got some beans, bacon and coffee. Go and wash your face."
After eating their breakfast, they climbed on the wagon and continued their trip to Stockton.
"Are we there yet?" asked Heath.
"No. I reckon we will arrive tomorrow at noon. Whom are you going to give the letter?"
"I cain't say I promised."
"I wanted only to help you"
"Sorry but my aunts made me promised not to tell anyone"
"I understand but if things don't go well, look out for me next month, I will help you. I'm planning to sell the company pretty soon and buy a small spread near Lodi, you could come and live with me...you could be my son."
Heath looked at Walter open mouthed, maybe he hadn't heard right.
"You know every man would be proud to call you son."
"But...but I'm only a.."
"No You aren't only...you are a little brave boy that I would be honored to call son. So if he doesn't treat you right look out for me..it's a promise." He spit on his hand and showed in Heath's direction, he slowly mimicked Walter's gesture and they shook hands.
"It's a promise and I've never broken one."
"Thanks." Was all Heath managed to say still unsure of the possible outcome.
The road now was well traveled and Walter spent the day showing Heath the different types of trees they encountered, and they played on who spotted more animals. During the day Walter was happy to hear Heath laugh a couple of times.
After dinner he showed Heath the different stars that shone on the clear night sky.
'Dear Lord I know I'm a sinner and I don't go to Your house but please do something for this little boy. He had suffered enough in his short life,' silently prayed Walter just before falling asleep.
The next day, they slowly rode through a very busy road, Heath had never seen so many wagons, buggies and horses together and scooted near Walter seeking protection.
"Don't worry Stockton it's a fairly big town. It's not much different from Strawberry only more people and noises."
"Are we there yet?" asked Heath after awhile.
"See that board? The letters on it' they spell Stockton."