Tad and Dixie walked hand and hand all the way back to the house, quietly in case Shoe happened to make an appearance. But once they reached the driveway, Tad tensed up. Dixie was his friend but what about the other people she said lived with her. Would they like him or try and send him away? Worse would they try and find Ray?
Picking up on his worry Dixie turned to him with a smile.
"It'll be fine, Tad. If I'm friends with ya my momma will be too. And so will Della. She's only a baby but she likes the same stuff as me."
"Smart baby.", Tad chuckled.
"And then there's Daddy. He may not be home yet though.", she sighed, but saw worry flash in Tad's eyes and hers went worried too.
"Tad what's wrong?"
"I..I don't wanna meet your dad, I..I don't want to!"
Confused at Tad's reaction, Dixie didn't hear Will yell for her to come inside. Leading Bess to step out on the porch.
"Dixie Cooney!"
"Momma!", Dixie grinned. Dropping Tad's hand she ran over to the porch, but stopped at the look on her mother's face.
"Am I in trouble?"
"Only if you don't get over here for a hug right now!", Bess demanded, pulling her daughter into her arms.
"Oh sunshine, what am I gonna do with you."
"Squeeze the stuffing outta me?", Dixie squeaked in Bess' too tight embrace.
"Quite possibly."
Looking over Dixie's shoulder, Bess spotted an unfamiliar, but frightened looking little boy.
"So, who's your friend, huh?", she asked. Pulling back before Dixie turned and waved Tad over.
"This is Tad, Momma."
"H..Hi, m.. ma'am.", Tad stammered. The blond lady seemed nice but he couldn't be too sure, and he stayed put in his spot off the porch.
Sensing his fear, Bess kept her distance but gave him a reassuring smile. "Hello Tad."
"I found Tad in the woods. Thought he was Shoe at first."
"Well now that seems awful silly. He doesn't much look like a rabbit does he?", teased Bess, getting a smile from Tad.
"You're silly, Momma."
"Yeah well where you think you get it from? Now, I bet you two must be starving, running around in the woods all day."
"Yeah! Did ya make my fav'rite?"
"Why don't ya go on inside and check, baby."
"Okay! C'mon, Tad! Hurry up!"
After Dixie ran inside, Bess turned to Tad who was still afraid to take a step. Leading her to sit down on the porch in front of him.
"Why are you sitting down, ma'am? Aren't ya gonna go inside?"
"Nope, not until my all my guests do."
"I'm..I'm your guest?"
"Well you're Dixie's guest, aren't ya?"
"Uh huh."
"Well, with my little girl any of her guests become the whole house's guests. Ask every animal she's ever brought home!"
At this Tad lightly laughed and moved closer to the porch, which Bess took as her cue to stand and open the door.
"C'mon, just a little farther, ya think you can make it?", she teased.
"C'MON TAD!", Dixie yelled across the house, leading Bess to cover her ears.
"Well I think I have to now don't I.", Tad shyly smiled, and followed Bess inside.