Dreamwalker's Bride - Chapter 324

Chapter 324: Just whittling
Ford watched as Mia tried to process Grandpa’s words. It did seem ridiculous at first blush, but it couldn’t exactly do them a lot of harm to continue to whittle and leave things behind.

At least it passed the time.

“I… I suppose we can camp here for the night,” She finally decided, shaking her head. “I’m going to rest while you do whatever it is you’re doing.”

“Whittling.” Grandpa reminded, as if his granddaughter could have forgotten the term.

“Can I help?” Daniel chimed in.

“Sure, find a few good pieces of dead wood nearby while we set up camp, and we’ll work on it together,” Grandpa encouraged. Anaisa scratched her head.

“I’m still not entirely convinced this isn’t some bizarre dream or enchantment. It seems like a dream I would have. I wish…” She grimaced, but Ford could guess that she wanted her dream-walking husband around to help her figure things out.

“Not a dream,” Grandpa assured her, dismounting and patting his horse. “Just an adventure.”

“A boring adventure,” Daniel complained. “Nothing interesting has happened in almost two weeks.”

Ford disagreed, but he supposed Daniel wasn’t exactly privy to what had happened between Mia and himself almost a week prior. He was glad the child thought things were boring.

It would be far worse if the trip had been exciting for the wrong reasons.

Daniel stayed within sight as he trotted off into the trees to collect pieces of wood. Grandpa joined him while the others set up camp.

“It’s a bizarre plan,” Anaisa shook her head. “I can’t see it accomplishing much.”

“Since when does our family have normal plans?” Seth responded easily.

Mia had lain out her bedroll and crawled into it, her mask of energy falling away to reveal her true exhaustion. Ford’s expression darkened.

As she tried to relax with a heavy sigh, and rolled to her other side, Seth noticed Ford watching her.

For once, Ford didn’t back down from the older man’s stare. Anaisa had begun getting out food to make a meal for everyone, and didn’t seem to notice the silent clash of wills.

“Poor Mia seems worn out,” She whispered. “I wish there was something we could do to help her.”

Ford couldn’t entirely contain an ironic snort. Seth broke off the eye contact first, leaving Ford with a sort of hollow feeling of victory.

It seemed, at least, that Seth was realizing the flaw in his actions, even if he wasn’t willing to change course just yet.

So Mia would continue to suffer.

Ford’s gaze drifted back towards her. Restless despite her exhaustion. His chest ached vaguely, and he cast his eyes back down to his whittling project. He wouldn’t break his promise to Seth.

After a while, Daniel dropped an armload of wood with a triumphant smile.

“There’s more than usual around. Maybe a storm or something threw down extra branches here,” he announced. “Now, where’s a knife?”

“Hold your horses, Daniel,” Grandpa warned. “We also have to take care of the horses and other things before we move on to what you want to do.”

“But Ford’s already whittling,” Daniel complained, pointing.

“For him, it’s work. For you, it’s joy. So you have to work first,” Grandpa explained.

Ford looked down at the blisters beginning to form on his hands. He’d gotten a few splinters, too. What had begun as recreation had indeed turned into labor.

“I can take care of other things,” Ford volunteered, but the old man shook his head.

“Your work is the stuff we can figure they’re sure to like,” Grandpa disagreed. “You should keep at it.”

“You just enjoy making people do what they like least, don’t you Grandpa?” Daniel asked innocently. Seth laughed out loud.

“It’s good for you. Builds character.” Grandpa responded. “Now get to it.”

“Yes, Sir.”

Finishing what he was working on, Ford set it aside and reached for an appropriate piece of wood from the pile while Anaisa sorted out what would be more useful for firewood than carving.

The woman glanced several times at the tossing and turning Mia while she prepared a meal, but Ford tried to keep his eyes on his work. Seth slipped deeper into a foul mood, his posture becoming tense as the day turned to evening.

Grandpa and Daniel began a simple project together, which the boy took over after everyone had dinner.

Seth was the one to wake Mia to offer her food. She stared at him for several moments with a deep sigh and took the plate.

“Thank you,” Was the quiet response he received for the gesture. Nothing more, nothing less.

Mia’s eyes found Ford’s. She must be too tired to avoid looking at him now. Their blue depths cried out for sleep, and he almost relented. He could deal with Seth’s anger later, couldn’t he?

Ford swallowed. It wouldn’t be right… would it?

He held her gaze for several moments, trying to convey an apology. He wished he could help without violating his word. She seemed to soften slightly.

Seth cleared his throat, and Ford cut a glare at the man. Did he care nothing for his daughter’s well being? Couldn’t he see she was suffering? That their whole journey would suffer for it?

Ford went back to his whittling. Fine, if Seth wanted to ignore the problem until Mia confronted him, Ford could keep himself out of the matter.

Or did Mia know it was Seth keeping Ford from helping her? The thought made him wince. He didn’t know exactly how the conversation between Mia and her father had gone after his promises were made. What if he’d been cast in a villainous light?

What if she suspected he’d willingly, even enthusiastically given up his duty as her nighttime guardian?

Gritting his teeth, Ford concentrated on the whittling. The carvings were becoming less and less intricate as he decided to go for quantity over quality. A small pile was forming between himself, Seth, Grandpa, and Daniel.

“How many is enough?” The boy asked with a yawn as evening turned to night.

“Go to sleep,” Anaisa told him. “I’m sure you’ve done plenty.”

“Sleep is a great idea,” Grandpa agreed. “It’s time all of you got some.”

“You know I can’t.”

Ford’s eyebrows shot up at Mia’s words, and he braced for Seth’s reaction.