Ice and Fire novel Chapter 485

When Jean was done watering the gardens she saw Cherry coming towards her, she hastily said, "Cherry, why aren't you reading up in the study? Why'd you come out here? Go back in and get your coat on! It's freezing out here! You need to take care or you'll catch your death of cold."

"Jean, don't fret so. I'm all right. It's too stuffy inside, so, I came out here, for a breath of fresh air, " replied Cherry as she walked over to Jean.

Jean smiled and said, "Alright, you can help me water the flowers, if you like. I have nothing to do every day, so I tend the gardens to help kill time."

"Well, now I'm here with you!"

While Mond drove, Joe watched the passing scenery out the window, glancing at Mond from time to time.

"What's wrong? Did you wanna talk about something?" Mond asked when he noticed the peculiar look Joe gave him.

"Oh, you saw that?" Joe asked, a little embarrassed that Mond noticed the look he shot him.

"So? Spill it, what's on your mind?" asked Mond as he looked at road ahead.

"Can I ask you some questions, Uncle Mond?" Looking over at Mond's profile, Joe thought he was very handsome, with an aura of mystery. Anyone could see his expression, but not his thoughts.

"Well, since you've started, why don't you keep asking?" Mond replied.

Joe thought Mond's tone was somewhat cold, but he went on asking, "Why are you so kind to my Mommy?" And why don't you and my Daddy get along? Is it because of...a thing?"

Joe's innocent way of asking penetrating questions shocked Mond. He glanced over at Joe confused and then pulled over to the side of the road and parked.

Looking at Joe with a look of surprise, Mond asked, "What do you think you know?"

"Don't look so surprised, Uncle Mond. Maybe, I know everything I should know, " replied Joe. He wasn't really sure if what he guessed and found out through investigating was true, but, he decided not to pretend too much confidence in front of Mond, because he thought Mond wasn't ordinary, instead, Joe felt Mond could read his behavior, as well as his mind. There seemed to be a lot of secrets surrounding Mond, which made him unfathomable.

How could this young child know so much about adult business? Mond wondered, giving Joe an incredulous look. He wasn't sure Jackson and Cherry truly knew their angelic son.

"Uncle Mond, you think I'm an incredible boy, don't you? You must be thinking, this five-year-old boy shouldn't know so much about you, right?" Joe paused for a second and went on, "It's because I want to protect my Mommy. I love my parents, and I won't allow anyone to hurt them."