Three days had passed. Every night, Genesis would set up a small tent for Agatha.
Despite Agatha knowing the two of them would likely be sharing the same bed in the future, she was still grateful Genesis chose to sleep outside.
Still, a hollow pit resides inside her, guilty for letting him sleep all alone in the cold, cold ground despite the presence of a fire pit near them.
"We-we could share the tent, sir," suggested Agatha the first night, eyeing Genesis set up the tent, mesmerized by the movement of his broad bicep.
"Am more comfortable outside," replied Genesis after a long moment of silence, as if he was debating himself whether his answer would be.
"But it'll be da-dark outside, and cold, and animals would be lurking,"
Genesis stopped midway, his gaze lingering to her, his brow meeting, "I'm used to it, it makes one feel more manly, dear,"
All Agatha could do is reply with a nod, his gaze shifting sideways for she could feel him staring.
The truth is, she was afraid of sleeping alone ever since what transpired a few months ago in Cedarburg. A memory she tried so hard to forget.
She knew the company of a man was the last thing she needed but somehow, for whatever reason, Genesis radiated security.
Plus, Agatha was ashamed for using the flap while its owner slept outside, presumably cold.
Eating together by the fire, both their skin illuminated by the fire, Agatha captivated by the color of his skin, so was Genesis but both said nothing regarding it.
Instead, they ate in silence. "Tell me about your home," said Genesis one night, causing Agatha to halt midway, the spoon up in the air.
Composing herself, she let herself have the liberty to look back to her not-so-distant past, "No-not that Cedarburg's my home but as I told you in the letters, I who-worked at this dinner for five years, lived in my employer's washing room,"
Genesis cannot help himself from feeling sorry for her, he knew he lived in a far worse place but for a soft innocent girl like her? He just can't imagine her sleeping every night in the washing room.
All of a sudden, he felt a strong urge to wrap his arms around her, protect her from all evil but quickly shook his head. Funny how he wants to protect her from evil when he himself is evil.
Using a too-good-to-be-true girl for his own agenda. For his pride.
"Were they ever abusive?" He found himself asking, awaiting her reaction which he did find judging from the quick panic that swept through her features which she swiftly schooled.
"The-they treated me like a family, sir," she stuttered, looking downcast, her fingers fidgeting around her lap.
Genesis perfectly knew the answer before she opened her mouth for he, too, is no stranger to abusive employers. He has his scarred body to attest to that.
God knows Genesis wants to ask further regards her experience but decided not to. It's obvious the girl doesn't want to talk about it.
'She'll talk when she's ready,' thought Genesis, eyeing Agatha, his clenching his denim pants, his blood boiling.
A sudden urge to head straight to the train station, purchase a ticket bound to Cedarburg, and beat the hell out of her employers suddenly swept through him.
"Texas would surely be a home to you, Agatha," comforted Genesis, offering a light smile.
All Agatha could ever do is nod and smile, praying how the man before her is saying nothing but the truth.
Later that night, with Genesis all alone outside, his arms as his pillow, gazing up to the endless skies above him, when he heard it.
The soft muffled cries coming inside the tent.
At the sound of it, he found himself rose and was about to open the tent when he realized what in the hell was he doing.
The girl obviously wanted space. If she needed to cry, she would've asked him.
But then, Agatha's a shy little one.
He debated what he should do, standing still, confused, and frustrated.
He must've stood far too long outside her tent, looking like a complete fool when her crying halted.
With that, Genesis, letting out a soft sigh, went back to his spot, his mind drifting to her.
The memory of the sound of her cries came ringing back to him, with every sniff, his heart pounded hard.
That night and for the nights that lie ahead, Genesis did not sleep much, his dark skin masking his eye bags.
And every morning, Agatha would wake up, all cheery and all, as if she did fall asleep crying. A broad smile plastered in that pretty face of hers as she prepared the food, as she washed the dishes, as the two of them took turns in washing by the pond, as they resumed their journey towards the ranch.
That alone earned her respect from Genesis.
"How is wi-winter feel like in your place?" He heard her ask, her gaze straight ahead, lost in her thoughts.
He was lost in the thoughts of the warm feel of her soft skin against dark skin, seeping through his skin.
"Don't you worry about the cold, Agatha. Devon, the friend I told you about, and I already had these massive supplies of logs for the harsh cold days of winter. With all our cattle, we don't go worrying about our next meal, dear,"
He made sure never to suffer again in Winter for his lone struggles during the cold harsh days of Winter filled his childhood. The constant worries about what to eat, the spine-chilling cold, his frozen feet and hands, his tattering teeth.
He just can't experience that anymore. And he won't ever allow Agatha to experience that.
Again.
"I cou-could sew many blankets with all these fabrics, you know," she stated, smiling brightly, fidgeting in her seat, as if hoping to see the bundles of fabrics behind her.
Before he realized what he was about to do, Genesis' hand was already in her thigh, stopping her, resulting in the sudden freeze of both of them.
He could see her cheeks turning red, her eyes wide-opened, mentally cursing himself, he immediately removed his hand from her soft thigh.
'what was I thinking?' scolded Genesis at himself. He perfectly knew he just can't go around groping her like that.
"I meant to say that we already have plenty of blankets back home, there's no need to sacrifice your fabrics for a blanket," he explained, running his slender fingers through his hair in frustration.
"O-okay," replied Agatha, her face still red, her gaze shifting to the scenery around them.
"You don't need to fret over winter, you have my word for that, sweetheart," was the only statement he could say to avoid further awkwardness.
"And I tha-thank you for that, sir,"
Genesis was still bothered at her constant usage of 'sir' in addressing her. He thought she was fine on a first name basis but he guesses he thought wrong.
He simply paid not much attention to it for he knew she'll call him by his name when she feels like it. There's no room for forcing here.
Still, she did not look at him, as if intentionally avoiding his gaze.
For the first time since their journey, Agatha did not sleep, Genesis admittedly missing the presence of her head on his shoulder, the soft sound of her snore.
Agatha seems to have an issue with physical contact, concluded Genesis judging from the way she acted.
She doesn't seem to be the type of woman who is against unmarried men and women touching, after all, she registered as a mail-order bride, even had no objection with spending the rest of her days with a colored man, then not married but still doing married deeds.
Besides, she seems perfectly fine with their skin touching. Perhaps, it was groping she isn't a fan of.
With that, Genesis' sure Agatha suffered physical abuse from her previous employers, he could feel his blood boiling at the thought of that.