Their conversation was broken by the appearance of Cord, balancing a small wooden crate upon his shoulders. The hound followed close at heel. Lucas recognized the crate as some of his supplies from the raft.
The boy nodded at Duvall, ignoring Lucas completely.
“I got what I could find. The river swallowed the rest. What I got, I cached by the split oak. I will bring it when I can.”
“Good boy,” Duvall replied.
Lucas was unsure if Duvall spoke to the boy or the dog. Duvall clapped his hand lightly upon the boy’s left shoulder. “Take it up to the cabin. Lucas and I will bring the rest.”
The boy nodded and turned on his way. Lucas returned the nod, although it hadn’t been directed at him, discomforted by the boy’s bold gaze. His flesh trembled at the memory of the boy’s sleeping touch.
“
