Chapter 4
Chad smiled. “I’m sure. So, you won’t tell her will you? You’ll keep our little secret about the books?”
“Okay,” Sally said lightly. She slipped off the log, hugged Chad, and skipped off toward the house.
He turned back to chopping. Sally was right. There was no way he could leave her and their mother. Not for a long time anyway. He’d just have to be content to dream and read his dime novels.
* * * *
That night after everyone had gone to bed and the house was quiet, Chad lay awake reading in the glow of a candle set on his bed table. As he read about the exploits of Rex Ryan, he came to a part of the story where Rex, having been traveling in the desert for several days, came upon a grove of trees. There he found a clear, spring-fed pool. Being hot and dusty from his long ride, Rex stripped off his clothes and dove into the cold water.