"Oh come on darlin, we just want to talk," a man said in a drunken voice. His words slurring together.
"Yeah, come back over here. I just wanna look at that pretty face, it's been so long since my eyes have laid on a creature like you," the other man said in the same drunken voice.
Thomas' legs beat the dirt path as he tore through the forest towards her. The trees and branches were whipping against his arms as he ran but he didn't even notice. His heart was pumping so rapidly he could hear the echo of it in his ears.
"Stay away from me!" Sophie shrieked, her voice was trembling.
Thomas rounded the corner to find two drunken men leering up at Sophie who had perched herself in a tree. One of them clumsily leapt up at her grabbing hold of her ankle. She thrashed and kicked at him trying to break his hold.
"Let me go let me go!" she demanded.
Thomas lunged at him, knocking him to the ground. He reeked of whiskey and it wasn't much of a fight. He jumped up as the second man took an exaggerated swing at him that he easily dodged. He sent a fist into the man's jaw knocking him to the ground.
"Hey hey!" The man on the ground protested. "We were told this one didn't have a husband. Who the hell are you?"
Thomas reached down and pulled them both up by the collar, ignoring the question. They tripped and stumbled over themselves and cursing. He shoved them in the direction of the dock.
"Get out of here!" he screamed at them. "I don't want to see your faces again!" He demanded. The two men stumbled and ran down the path mumbling and bumbling into each other. Thomas swore under his breath as he watched them run away like a couple of children. Thomas steadied his breathing and took a moment to calm the adrenaline pumping through his veins before he looked up at Sophie who was still cowering in the tree.
"Sophie," he said softly. "Are you okay?"
Her eyes were wide with fear and surprise. She nodded slowly like she wasn't sure if she was or not. Thomas reached his arms up to her, offering to help her down. She gingerly shifted herself down the tree branch until he could take hold of her hips. He lifted her easily out of the tree. She placed her shaky hands on his shoulders as he pulled her against him. Her whole body was trembling.
"It's okay it's okay," he said soothingly. "You're okay now."
A small sob escaped her lips and tears started falling down her cheeks. Instead of placing her safely on the ground in front of him he pulled her into his chest embracing her. She melted into him tucking her face into his neck and began to cry. He stroked her hair and back and let her cry. He let her release all her fear and emotions and didn't pull her back until her breathing calmed and her tears slowed.
"I'm so glad you came," she said shakily. "I was so scared."
"You're okay now," he soothed. He didn't want to think about what would happen if he hadn't found her. Sure, they were drunk, but Sophie was no match for two full grown men and it was clear what they wanted.
"Thank you for coming," she said, her voice cracking.
"I was so worried when I couldn't find you," he admitted.
They held each other for several more minutes. Neither of them spoke, but it was clear what they were both thinking. A new feeling coursed through the two of them and between their clinging frames. They were much more important to each other then either of them could admit.
After their heart rates had slowed and her tears had almost dried, they walked slowly down the path back to the cart hand in hand as if holding hands were completely natural and normal behavior for them. The path wound around the jagged edges of the river and meandered slowly back to the dock. Sophie had never held hands with a man before but she didn't have her wits about her enough to recognize the peculiarity of the situation. She clung on to him for dear life. She thought she would collapse to the ground without his steading presence.
"I just wanted to walk by the river," she offered in explanation, her voice still shaky.
"Yes, I know. I mean I guessed as much," he said kindly, patting her hand.
"I didn't hear them following me but I saw them when I was at the well." Her tears were making her hiccup adorably.
"It's okay, I understand. You don't have to explain it." He understood. He could imagine all too well what happened and what was going on in those imbecile's minds. He shook the thoughts out of his mind, it was too painful to think what would have happened if he didn't find her.
"Do me a favor and stay close to me as long as the ship is in town."
She nodded quickly in agreement. She was quite compliant. He didn't like seeing her so shaken and complacent. She was normally so happy and agreeable. He couldn't stand seeing her so frightened.
She still clutched onto his arm when they reached the doc, she didn't care who looked on at them. So he continued to hold her as they walked. He sat her back on the wagon and looked her over thoroughly. She had a few scratches on her face and hands. Probably from climbing the tree.
"Are you injured?" he asked quietly.
"No," she shook her head though she was examining her damaged hands. He took her small hands in his and crouched in front of her so he could look directly in her face.
"Did they harm you?" he asked gravely.
"No," she shook her head. "They grabbed me," she swallowed hard, fresh tears welling up in her eyes. He didn't press her for where they grabbed her and he let her continue. "But then I ran and I got into the tree. So I am unharmed."
"Thank the Lord for that," he said and pressed his lips against her cold shaky hands.
Her stomach did a curious flip as he did, as she watched his soft warm lips kiss her hand. She liked the feel of his lips and she had the sudden urge to press her own lips against his. She wondered what that sensation would feel like.
He lifted one of his hands to her face and gently stroked her cheek with his thumb. His eyes searched hers and they held each other's gaze for a long intimate moment.
"Don't ever do that to me again Sophie Collins," he ordered tenderly placing his forehead against hers. "I don't think I could live without these beautiful eyes."