“No horses,” Kit replied. “Not anymore, anyway.”
Elise perked from where she’d been scrubbing at a stain in the table linen. It was a large table for such a small house, like they were used to having company.
I peered into the kitchen and found it well-used, stocked with pots and pans that had seen better days. There was something homey about it all. We’d never had much growing up, mostly bartering for whatever we had. I appreciated a simple life and a full dinner table; missed it more than I’d realized.
“You’re on foot?” Elise asked. “How far do you have to go?”
Kit glanced over his shoulder at the window that faced the road outside. At midday, it was overcast and cold, and the temperatures were bound to plummet overnight. With the snow already on the road, it would be slow going.
“It’s a day or so from here.” A frown twisted his lips as he turned back to poke at his soup. “And yes, we’re on foot.”
I sighed and dipped my bread again.
“Well, you shouldn’t start out now,” Margot protested. “The day’s half through, and your husband looks like he’d sooner sleep in his meal than eat it.”
I smiled faintly at being called Kit’s husband for a second time. I remembered the feeling of his hands on me in the bath. Taking care, like he had done all along.
He could be my husband; I could be his.
“That’s where this is headed, isn’t it?”
I hoped so. I hoped so hard it made my heart ache.
Elise thumped her palm on the table, calling everyone’s attention. “You should stay here. We’ll fix an early breakfast so you can get on your way and make good progress before nightfall tomorrow.”
Kit raised his hands in protest. “We couldn’t impose. You’ve already done so much.”
“And we can do a bit more,” Elise quipped. “Consider it our pleasure.”
“Where would we sleep?” I wondered aloud.
I’d seen the single bedroom, and while Kit and I often dozed on our sofa at home, I wasn’t sure what our hostesses had in mind.
Standing from her chair, Margot headed into the adjoining living area. “We can make a pallet in here, on the rug.” She motioned to it as she approached. “It’s clean, I swear. Just swept this morning.”
Elise chuckled while I stared at the rug in question, laid out directly in front of the glowing fireplace. I would sooner sleep in the barn with the animals than in reach of those flames, but I swallowed my protest as Kit nodded his concession.
“That would be wonderful. Thank you.”
It was a flurry to get the blankets and pillows brought out and spread on the floor. I did little more than watch while my stew went cold, having given up on my absent appetite.
Once they had everything in place, Kit took my hand and led me to our makeshift bed. I felt a bit conspicuous with the women looking on, but I was more tired than embarrassed, at least until Kit urged me down so close to the blazing fireplace. The searing warmth on my skin stoked fresh panic, and I jerked away, tethered by his hold on my wrist.
“Warm and safe,” he said. “That’s all, sweetheart. The fire keeps you warm, and I keep you safe.”
I tensed, trying to ignore Elise and Margot’s quizzical looks and focus instead on Kit’s tender expression.
“Canyoukeep me warm?” I whispered.
Kit nodded, then repeated, “And safe.”
I laid down, stiffly at first but settling rapidly as Kit curled up against me. He put his back to the fire, and I put my back to him.
Tucked in, warm, and safe.
15
Kit
