Dreamwalker's Bride - Chapter 354

Chapter 354: Born ready
Ford stared at Mia, impressed by the ingenuity of using the hot water to create a source of warmth for him.

“Thank you,” He chattered, reaching out to pull the warm canteen into his bedroll.

“You’re welcome.” She smiled softly. Ford glanced over to where Seth continued to busy himself with the horses.

“He doesn’t seem to hate me so much anymore,” Ford lowered his voice below what he hoped the man could hear.

“You’re growing on him,” Mia’s smile broadened a little. “You have a talent for that, I think.”

“Do I?” He’d never been told such a thing, but Mia nodded as if it were obvious.

“Sure. You save the life of anyone’s daughter enough times and they’re bound to like you eventually,” She teased.

“Is that all it takes?” His sarcasm wasn’t mean spirited, and she chuckled.

“That’s all,” She confirmed. “Easy, right?”

“Sure,” He shivered again and snuggled deeper into his blankets. “Piece of cake. Mind if I take the second or third watch tonight?”

He was so tired. The draining of magic truly did have a physical effect on him.

“Go ahead and sleep,” Mia nodded, “only…”

“What is it?” He forced his drooping eyes open a little wider so he could look up at her.

“Would you mind… that is, I’m going to be using my magic a lot tonight to look for danger and keep tabs on the monsters, now that I know they’re there, and I wanted to ask…”

She seemed self-conscious over the question, but there could really only be one reason why she would sit so close to him while taking her turn on watch.

Ford yawned, and snaked one hand out from his warming cocoon, fingers spread in invitation.

“Goodnight, Ford,” She whispered as she slipped her hand into his.

“Goodnight, Mia,” He whispered back. “Wake me… when it’s my turn.”

He couldn’t stay awake long enough for her answer, but felt her slender fingers squeeze his own gently. It was soothing, comforting.

Ford’s last thought as he drifted off was, no wonder she liked to sleep while holding his hand. It made him feel that much safer than he had before, no matter what lay beyond the confines of his blankets.

His eyes popped open just before first light, rested. Fully rested. When was the last time he’d had a night without taking watch? He couldn’t remember!

Guilt swept over him at the laziness, but on a logical level he fully understood. They needed his magic, badly, to get the most vulnerable members of the family across today. There was no risking it not being fully replenished.

This rapid set of thoughts barely preceded the realization that Mia still held his hand, and she hadn’t stayed awake all night.

She lay next to him, asleep, with a blanket draped over her, one hand tucked into his. Ford’s eyes widened and he sat slowly up, withdrawing from the physical contact with a bit of panic in his heart.

“Don’t tell her I let that happen,” Seth’s voice from behind Ford made him jump.

“Sir, I didn’t—” He began.

“No, I know you didn’t,” Seth held up a hand. “I woke up for my shift and she was drooping over so badly that I let her lay down right there and fall asleep. Made sure she’d be warm enough, didn’t want to move her. You both needed good rest.”

Ford was gobsmacked. “Ah…”

“But like I said, don’t tell her I let it happen. This isn’t a regular thing. These were extenuating circumstances.”

“I see,” Ford swallowed. He had strongly mixed feelings about Seth’s apparent withdrawal of disapproval of him, combined with the fact that the man had sat watch while letting his daughter hold Ford’s hand.

He was glad for the lack of hostility, but a bit of trepidation about being watched while he slept so near to the woman he—

What did he feel, exactly?

Ford stood and began packing up his bedroll, then stretched and prepared for the day’s tasks.

“I’ll head over to the others and get ready to bring Grandpa’s horse over first,” He said quietly, wanting Mia to sleep as long as possible. “Any message you want me to relay?”

“If they haven’t thought of it already, put all the supplies from the packhorse onto Grandpa’s. We don’t have to decide yet about whether to set the horse loose or not, but just in case, we’ll want those things. Otherwise… just make sure they’re all ok.”

Both men cast their eyes across the pool, where the other trio of humans was preparing for the day.

“Maybe we’ll get lucky and that thing likes to sleep in,” Ford murmured to himself. “I’ll be… right back.”

The journey across the water he’d now made enough times that Ford knew exactly where to set his feet, how quickly to move, how to watch for the monster’s coming. Alone, he never seemed to attract its attention.

It would be on the way back that the danger began.

When he reached the other side, it seemed that Grandpa had already had the same thoughts as his son. The old man’s horse was packed up with all the supplies attached to the saddle, the younger, spare horse stripped of all but its halter.

“You up for this, Ford?” Grandpa’s first words were not of greeting, but of business. It showed how seriously the man took the situation.

“Yes, Sir.” Ford answered with a smile. “I was born ready.”

Daniel tilted his head. “You weren’t born with magic, so you couldn’t have been ready then.”

“It’s an expression,” Ford made a face at the boy. “It means yes.”

“It’s not a very good expression,” The child complained. “Babies aren’t ready for much of anything when they’re born. They can’t even walk or talk. How would you have done something like this?”

“Nevermind,” Ford sighed, then glanced at Anaisa. “Are all kids like this?”

“Just the best ones,” She winked at her son. “Curious and literal.”

“Hm,” Ford responded after a moment. “At any rate, yes. I am ready.”