Chapter Twenty-Six: Choice

FIRST DRAFT



Crystal felt the first stinging drops of rain as she urged her horse towards home. Within moments the earth was drenched with water, and her tears were hidden by rain, her sobs lost in the booming thunder. Beneath her, Duchess trembled; the animal wasn’t used to being outdoors in a storm and she spooked at every cracking thunder. Crystal was having trouble making her go forwards, for every few yards they gained, the mare retreated one, and Crystal was literally choking on tears and frustration.

Finally they caught sight of the plantation and Duchess hurried her pace. The cover of the trees protected them from much of the rain, but when they plowed across open ground towards the stables, water came down in sheets on top of them. The horse bolted into the sanctuary of the stables and Joshua jumped hurried to assist Crystal down.

“You’s all right, Miss Crystal?” he asked, his big brown eyes aghast as he took in the sight of her.

“I’m fine,” Crystal said, her voice shaking. She handed Joshua Duchess’ reins and then rushed from the stable, back into the pouring rain, and up Oak Alley’s back porch steps.

Liza burst outside before Crystal got to the door, her mouth pressed into a hard line, but when she saw Crystal’s puffy red eyes, her face fell and a knowing look came to her face. “Oh baby, I’s sorry.”

I sob caught in Crystal’s throat and she collapsed into her maids waiting arms.

Liza held her tight for a long moment, her low voice soothing in Crystal’s ears. Behind them the wind banged the door open and the coat rack that stood nearby crashed into the side table next to it; the glass flower vase that sat on top of it smashed to the wooden floor, followed by silver candle sticks and the portrait that hung from the wall.

Crystal and Liza pulled apart as Rose came running from the other room and another groan of thunder rattled the earth; as if nature itself was surprised by the loud commotion.

“Good heavens!” Rose cried, her mouth agape as she took in Crystal’s miserable state. “What’s happened?”

Crystal shook her head and pushed passed her sister into the house, her entire body shaking with cold and sobs as she stumbled down the hall. She had one foot on the staircase when the door to the study opened to her right and her father poked his head out.

“Crystal, what on earth is all that racket?” he asked, his eyelids heavy with sleep and his voice raspy. He stared at her in the grey light of the corridor, his eyes slowly taking in her appearance. “And why are you all wet?”

Crystal turned her face away, thankful that the rain had washed away her tears. “I was out riding and got caught in the storm,” she murmured, trying to keep the croaking sound of tears from her voice. “I was just going up to change.”

He nodded and covered his mouth as he yawned. “Very well then.” He stepped back into the study and shut the door with a soft click. Crystal bolted up the stairs as soon as he was out of sight, certain that the cry of misery building inside her would burst through at any moment.

She rushed into her room and had to strongly resist slamming the door behind her, instead she carefully closed it. She clutched the knob so tightly her knuckles turned white, but she couldn’t let go, needing to hold onto something. Pressing her cheek against the painted wood door, she focused all of her mind on the vibrations that ran through the solid oak as thunder shook the house once more. She listened to the sound of the wailing wind, crashing rain, and wild thumping of her heart. A moan of agony erupted from her body and she felt like she was being ripped in half. Her soul cried out its protest inside of her, begging her to return to Joseph. But she couldn’t! They couldn’t be together! She had a responsibility to her family– to Charles, she couldn’t throw that all away.

Brokenly, she sank to her knees and rested her forehead against the doorknob she grasped in both hands. Sobs clawed through her, taking her breath and burning her throat.

When she heard the soft footsteps of her maid getting closer, Crystal quickly turned the lock. Liza jiggled the handle and then knocked lightly but Crystal was in no mood for company. Liza pleaded to be let in but Crystal didn’t answer, and after a few minutes the maid’s retreating feet could be heard disappearing down the hall.

Crystal curled into a fetal position, her back against the door, her entire body shaking violently. The chill from her wet clothes seeped into her bones and she couldn’t control the chattering of her teeth. Her skin begged for release from the drenched gown that clung to her cold body, her face felt icy from the soaked and tangled hair that fell across her cheeks, but she didn’t move. The cold was a much easier pain to focus on than the alternative.

Slowly her sobs subsided and she was left only with the sound of her tears splattering against the cool wood floor, in the back of her mind she could still hear the raging storm, far away from her thoughts it howled as she stared across the room.

Joseph’s handsome face flashed in her mind, his eyes piercing her heart. Come away with me.

Crystal covered her ears to block out the low hypnotic notes of his voice, though she knew it would do no good.

How desperately she wanted to say yes, to get away from this foolish marriage– to be with Joseph. But could she live with herself if she forsook her family? Ruining their good name and humiliating Charles in the process? Could she be so selfish? Yes. If I thought it would last.

The truth of it was that Joseph was right, she was scared. Not of what her family would think or what Charles would do, but of Joseph and what she felt for him. She was vulnerable when it came to him and she was afraid to put her heart in his hands when she couldn’t trust him to take care of it. At least with Charles there was no danger, she would be his wife, and if one day she happened to fall in love with him– which she thought highly unlikely– she would have a claim over him. With Joseph she only had his word. That wasn’t enough to stake her heart on, at least she was telling herself that.

With a cry of rage, she got up from the floor, her stiff, cold limbs protesting the movement as she stalked to the chest at the end of her bed and began digging for the warmest garment she owned. She couldn’t take this anymore! Her head was spinning with arguments and she couldn’t grasp hold of either. Why was it so hard to choose?

Locating a thick wool day dress, she jerked it from the bottom of the chest and shook it out. A sharp knocking sound drew her attention down as a small wooden compass hit the floor. Crystal stilled completely, her eyes fixed on the necklace as an old cackling voice flooded her memory.

Wear it close to your heart and it will help you choose.

She dropped to her knees beside the fallen object and stared as the dial upon it spun uncontrollably.

You’re afraid of your future. . . . I see two paths before you. . . . One littered with tragedy, the other betrayal. . . . Death is on both paths.

Carefully, Crystal lifted the compass, her fingers trembling. Was death really before her? And if so, whose death? Her own? Joseph’s? She’d saved Joseph once already, was her job yet unfinished? Which path was tragedy? Charles’ or Joseph’s? Who would betray her? How could she decide?

Wear it close to your heart and it will help you choose.

Taking a calming breath, she lifted the necklace over her head and let it rest comfortably between her breasts. The dial continued to spin wildly, the whirling arrow making her dizzy.

“Help me choose,” she whispered, closing her eyes.

She waited, her jaw clenched in apprehension, and then peeked down at the compass. It had stopped completely. She lifted it to eye level, her heart skipping a beat as she realized it was pointing straight at her heart.

What did that mean?

Pursing her lips she slowly turned the compass back and forth, but, to her amazement, the arrow refused to be redirected. Frustrated, Crystal let the necklace fall back to her chest and pushed back her wet hair from her face. She rose to her feet and went to the window; water beat against the panes, the wind so furious it swept the rain sideways.

Crystal shivered as a slight breath of air pressed in through the small cracks around the glass and wrapped her arms around herself, though this offered little warmth. Her eyes narrowed as she tried to see passed the blurring rain to the forest beyond, but the swaying trees were nothing but a smudge of black in the distance.

She leaned against the sill for support and caught a glimpse of her reflection in the window. Slowly she touched her face– the contact of her cold fingers making her gasp– and smeared the tears that streamed down her cheeks. Again she lifted the compass to examine it, and, blinking rapidly to clear her vision, realized that the arrow was finally acting as a compass should. It was pointing north, and no matter which way she turned it the stubborn dial would not be swayed to choose another course.

Crystal inhaled deeply and lifted the leather cord from around her neck, raising her eyes, she looked in the direction the small arrow pointed towards and let out a soft laugh as fresh rivers of tears rushed down her face. It was aimed straight at the dancing trees– straight at Joseph.

Suddenly the drowning world before her disappeared and she saw Joseph trekking down the muddy road to New Orleans, his head bent against the stabbing wind and rain. She gasped as he fell to his knees and the vision disappeared, leaving a fierce dread in the pit of her stomach.

“Oh please, no,” she breathed, dropping the compass she spun on her heel and darted for the door. Her hands trembled and shook as she fumbled with the lock, when it finally snicked back in place she threw the door open and rushed down the stairs. She heard her father snoring as she passed the study and was grateful he slept deeply. She did not see Liza as she hurried to the back door, though she noted that the mess in the foyer was swept away. Glancing at the parlor, she saw a fire roared in the hearth, but noticed no one. She strode out the door and ducked into the pouring rain, the wind whipping around her harshly. She lifted her skirts and pushed towards the forest, never hearing Rose shouting her name from the porch steps.



*******



Crystal was not surprised to find the cottage empty. She gazed about the dark room, her body drenched and her legs barely able to hold her weight after stumbling through the woods in her wet skirts, and realized that Joseph had not had the sense to take anything with him.

The blankets and extra clothing were stacked neatly in one corner, and the food she’d brought him earlier still sat upon the floor. He hadn’t even taken the cloak that she’d forgotten on the table. The imbecile! Was he trying to kill himself?

She hastened from the house, fear squeezing her heart, and stopped momentarily on the porch as she considered which way he would have gone. Would he know which direction the road was in? Hoping this was the case, she trudged back into the rain, her skirts and petticoats dragging heavily in the mud. It was as if the grounds of Oak Alley had turned into a shallow lake, she splashed through ankle-deep water and lost her balance more than once as she squelched through the muck.

She was halfway to the road and barely able to lift her feet when she finally spotted him. His head was down, his shoulders hunched, just as she’d seen him in her strange vision. She cried out his name in relief, but her words were torn away by the wind and he plodded on. Crystal hiked up her skirts above her ankles and plowed forward, shrieking his name again, but to no avail.

She was less than a hundred feet away when he stumbled, barely catching himself upon a maple tree trunk. She cried out a warning as a large branch fell from the tree and landed only ten feet from where Joseph stood, he stared at it for a moment before continuing on. Crystal’s limbs burned in protest as she tried to run, the cold rain stinging her face. She could hardly gather breath to shout again. His movements were slower than before, and she was gaining on him quickly when he suddenly dropped to his knees.

Crystal croaked out his name once more, but her voice was hoarse from shouting and didn’t stand a chance of rising over the monstrous wind.

He was attempting to climb to his feet again when Crystal finally collapsed at his side. Her arms snaked around his neck and she pressed herself close against him, her body warming to his touch even in the drowning rain.

“I’m sorry, Joseph,” she gasped, planting kisses on every inch of his face. “I’m so sorry.”

He looked at her for a moment as if he wasn’t sure what he was seeing was real. His green eyes were dark and unreadable under the curtain of wet, black hair that covered his forehead. Then he crushed her to him and she felt his steaming breath as he buried his face in her hair.

“I’d thought I lost you,” he said.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered again, her mouth pressed against his ear. “You were right, I am scared. Scared of this.” She pulled away slightly and looked in his eyes. “Scared of us. But this is what I want. . . .You’re what I want.” Unable to look into his piercing eyes a moment longer, she hid her face in his solid chest, inhaling his familiar musky scent that was now mixed with the smell of rain. “I love you,” she said, unsure if he could hear her above the storm that raged around them but desperate to get the words out of her heart. “I know I’m not supposed to and I know we’ll probably kill each other in the end, but I don’t care. I love you too much to do the right thing. I’m going to do what I want this time.”

Joseph’s arms tightened around her waist and he bent his head close to hers. “I knew you’d come around,” he murmured, nuzzling her neck.

She drew back and kissed him hard. The heat of it spread to her toes, warming her chilled body even as the pelting water and surging wind attacked them from all sides.

There was a resounding crack and a dogwood tree crashed to the forest floor nearby, the tremor reaching them from yards away. Crystal jerked away from Joseph and stared in alarm at the tree that could have killed them had it fallen the other way.

Eyes flashing, she walloped Joseph not so lightly over the head. “You imbecile!” she shouted her earlier thoughts. “Were you trying to get yourself killed, walking to the city in the middle of a hurricane? I aught to ring your neck!” She clambered to her feet and offered Joseph a hand up.

He rubbed his head, a mockingly injured look on his face, and then reached for her hand. The action caused a sharp grimace of pain to cut across his face and he clutched his shoulder as he leaned forward, panting for breath.

“Joseph?” Crystal’s voice rose an octave as she knelt beside him. “What is it? Where does it hurt?” Had she not been so alarmed, she might have laughed at the mother hen tone she had taken.

Joseph shook his head and awkwardly stood up, refusing her attempt to help even as he swayed on his feet. “I’m fine,” he grunted, eyes squinted against the rain.

Crystal lifted his good arm around her shoulder and anchored her own arm around his waist. “Stop being foolish. You’re obviously unwell. We need to get back to the cottage and out of this storm.”

He nodded his consent, but untangled himself from her support.

“Joseph!” she cried in irritation.

“I’m fine,” he said again, his voice rising over the wind. He worked his arm in a circular motion, clenching his teeth in pain.

She opened her mouth to protest but at that very moment there was another loud snapping noise and a branch came crashing swiftly downward until it was finally caught by the larger branches just above their heads.

It was a moment before Crystal’s heart started beating again.

Joseph grabbed her hand and pulled her out from under the tree, his eyes as wide and fearful as hers.

As quickly and cautiously as possible they trekked back to the cottage and, with great relief, stumbled through the doorway. Crystal immediately went to grab the pile of blankets in the corner as Joseph wedged the broken door into place.

The quick plunk, plunk of water dripping from the ceiling and their own bodies, filled the room as Joseph moved to the hearth and started building a fire. Crystal dropped the blankets down next to him and stepped back to ring out her sopping hair and clothing as best she could. Next she removed her boots, which were filled with water, and then– after checking to make sure Joseph wasn’t watching– her stockings. She hung these over the back of the chair before joining him by the fire that was slowly growing in the hearth.

She took up one of the blankets beside her and handed it to Joseph before wrapping one around herself. Stiffly he reached to take off his shoes and his face contorted in pain.

“Let me,” she said and waved him away, removing his boots and socks herself.

“Thanks,” he murmured jabbing a stick farther into the fire distractedly.

Crystal went to the small box of clothing she had brought him and was dismayed to find that the leaky roof was dripping a steady stream of water unto all of the books that were stacked on top. Quickly she moved them out of harms way and dug for her father’s old clothing. She sighed in annoyance when she realized the rain had gotten to these also. Pulling the small pile of clothing out, she found only a pair of trousers at the very bottom were still dry. She shook them out and deposited them in Joseph’s lap. “Here, change into these,” she said sitting back down beside him. “You’ll be warmer.”

He groaned and slowly hobbled to his feet as if she’d ordered him to go back into the rain. Rolling her eyes, she listened as he crossed the room but kept her eyes on the fire, holding her hands up to the flames and feeling the heat slowly begin to thaw her. The fact that she could not get out of her soaking clothes didn’t help this process; the cold fabric stuck to every inch of her skin and wrapped around her freezing legs. It would be hours before she would be even close to dry.

Suppressing a shiver, she tugged her blanket tighter around herself and scooted closer to the hearth.

Joseph rejoined her at the fireside, and wrapped a blanket around his bare chest. Only his hair was wet now; nearly black except for the glints of umber that the fire found in it. Crystal smiled, trying to keep her teeth from chattering as she did so.

“Feeling better?” she asked.

Instead of answering he looked at her with concern. “You’re cold.”

Crystal shrugged, though the movement was concealed by the continuous shiver that raked her body. “A little.”

Joseph slid to her side and pulled her against his chest, enfolding her in his arms. She curled against him, the thrill of his embrace warming her insides, but she continued to tremble.

“You need to get out of these clothes,” he said.

“I’ve nothing else to wear,” she reminded him through chattering teeth.

“So put the blanket around you.”

She laughed softly. “I think not.”

Joseph groaned. “At least take off this heavy thing.” He plucked at her riding habit as if it were a dead rat. “You’re going to catch pneumonia if you stay this wet.”

Crystal bit her quivering lip. “I don’t know–”

“Come on.” He released her from his embrace. “I promise I won’t look. I just want you dry.”

She gave in with a sigh that vibrated from her shaking lips. Quickly she stood, and, making sure Joseph’s gaze was turned away from her, began struggling with the soaked habit. Being unused to undressing herself, it was some minutes before the gown was finally loose enough to pull over her head; the feat made more difficult because of the weighty fabric. Underneath she wore two petticoats, a corset and a thin cotton chemise, which were all equally damp. She removed one of her petticoats in hopes that they would dry faster separate, and found herself feeling very naked.

Once untangled from her dress’s clutches, she quickly draped it over the chair along with her underskirt and again enveloped herself in the thin wool blanket before crawling back into Joseph’s warm, strong arms.

She leaned her head back against his chest and glanced up at him through her dark lashes. “Satisfied?”

He smiled as he pressed his lips against her damp hair. “Yes.”

“Good,” she yawned, snuggling against him. “Because I’m entirely too exhausted to move again, and I quite enjoy using you as a pillow.”

He chuckled. “Is that all I am to you? A pillow?”

She elbowed him lightly. “Don’t be daft,” she said, stifling another yawn. “You’re . . . everything to me.”

“Everything?” Joseph nuzzled the curve of her neck, his nose caressing up to her earlobe and back down to her bare shoulder where he placed a soft kiss on her warming skin.

“Mmm hmm. . . .” She shivered slightly, though this time it had nothing to do with being cold, and he pulled her more snugly against him. His hands slipped under the covers and he rubbed her arms gently to warm them. The contact dispersed heat throughout her body and she had a hard time breathing normally.

“Go to sleep,” he whispered near her ear. “I’ll wake you when the storm ends.”

She shook her head, all weariness evaporated from her body. “I can’t sleep with you touching me like that.”

His hands fell from her arms and started to pull away. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean–”

Turning quickly, she caught hold of him. “No. Stay. . . . I– I want . . . I want you to . . . touch me . . .” Her cheeks flamed and she couldn’t meet his gaze.

He pressed his forehead against hers and sighed. “Don’t tempt me.”

A small smile curved her mouth and she glanced up at him, her face turning a deeper shade of red when she caught his hungry stare. His eyes glowed emerald in the fire light, reminding her of the green flames in her dream. She lowered her gaze and lifted a hand to his bare chest, procuring a sharp intake of breath from Joseph. His skin was still damp, and she could feel his hard muscles as she slid her fingers across his torso, coming to rest on the twisted, maimed scar over his breastplate.

“You’re not wearing a bandage,” she observed, lightly caressing the wound.

His wet hair rubbed against her forehead as he shook his head. “I don’t need one anymore,” he murmured hoarsely.

She licked her dry lips and nodded, her eyes flickering over the smooth plains of his golden skin. Carefully her hand trailed up his shoulder and neck to the firm ridge of his jaw where three day’s worth of beard prickled her soft flesh. He shivered as the tips of her fingers came to rest on his full lips and she felt his warm breath escaping in quick short puffs. She glanced up and met his molten gaze; the look of desire glistening in his eyes sent a shudder rippling through her body. A fervent need erupted in her veins, and the intensity of his stare left her breathless and afraid. She let her hand fall, suddenly feeling uncertain.

He studied her for a long moment before lifting her hand back to his lips and placing a light kiss on each of her fingers. She watched him silently, feeling each small touch like a bolt of lightning shooting straight down to her toes.

A sudden need to taste his mouth on hers engulfed her. She wanted his hands stroking her body, his lips caressing her skin– but she could only say one word as she leaned forward: “Joseph . . .”

********

The following is the full love scene. Feel free to stop here if you are not comfortable with details.

*******

They came together with the same passion as the storm that raged outside. His mouth crushed against hers with ferocity as he pushed her down on the blankets. The heat of his hands firmly caressed her, kindling a roaring fire that ached to be quenched. His lips trailed hot kisses across her jaw, down her neck, and over her collarbone before he urgently caught her mouth again.

She gasped as his hand cupped her breast, stroking through her corset and thin cotton shift. In return she explored his torso, her fingers urgent against his back, pressing into his shoulders. He groaned against her lips and pulled her closer. Crystal suddenly found that her greatest need was to be rid of the layers of clothing that kept her from full contact with Joseph’s hard body.

“Take them off,” she urged, arcing her back so that he could untie the corset.

“Gladly,” he panted.

Reaching around her, he began fumbling with the string, but Crystal quickly grew impatient and slapped his hands away to unloosen it herself. Joseph nimbly pulled it over her head and tossed it aside before reclaiming her lips. He kissed her insistently, as if he would smother without her to breathe air into his lungs. She moaned as he explored her mouth; his tongue slicked across her lips and then darted inside her mouth, caressing with maddening skill.

Gently he massaged her skin through her thin chemise; his hands slid down her sides, kneading her rib cage and stroking across her belly then down to her hips where he stopped and tugged her petticoat up around her thighs. Another moan dragged from her throat as she quivered with pleasure and knotted her fingers in his damp hair.

“Crys,” Joseph groaned, his words muffled against her cheek. “Tell me to stop.” He lifted his head and looked into her eyes; his skin was slick with sweat and his eyes drunk with passion. “Tell me now or I won’t be able to. . . .Please.”

Crystal would have laughed were she not so delirious with desire. Stop? The idea was nonsense, and she quickly abolished it with a long kiss that she put all of her might into. Their breathing ragged, they finally broke for air and Crystal lightly caught Joseph’s face in her hands.

“I don’t want you to stop,” she breathed.

“Good,” he rasped, softly pushing a wet strand of hair from her forehead. “Because I don’t want to either.”

He arrested her mouth again, then retraced the path to her collarbone, his tongue leaving hot wet kisses along her throat. She gasped as he bunched her linen underskirt up around her waist and then pulled it over her head, leaving only her cotton slip.

She trembled at the prospect of what came next, but when he didn’t immediately remove the irritating barrier between them, she reached down to tug it off. Swiftly he caught her wrists in his fists to stop her.

“I’ll do it,” he admonished, a wicked glint flashing in his dark green eyes.

Without waiting for a reply he released her and skimmed his hands down the length of her torso, halting when he reached her hip where he began inching up her chemise, and his fingers finally came in contact with her yearning flesh. She bit her lip to keep from shouting; her whole body throbbed with need and the aching between her thighs was torture.

Slowly his hands burned a path up her body, sliding over her bare hips and the flat plains of her stomach until the shift was lifted over her head. He kissed her once more and she inhaled sharply as his solid chest aligned against her soft naked form. She couldn’t stifle a cry as he cupped her breasts in his hands and dipped his head to take one taught nipple into his mouth. Her fingernails bit into his back and she clutched him tightly against her, gasping as his teeth nipped lightly at her skin.

All too soon he lifted his head and repossessed her mouth. It was a shocking surprise when she suddenly felt his hand slip between her thighs. Her shout was muffled by his devouring kiss but then he released her lips and planted kisses all over her flesh as if he wanted to make sure there was no part of her that went unclaimed.

The pleasure was excruciating and she grasped at his arms, urging him to make the longing end, but he seemed content to take his sweet time. His fingers brushed so lightly against her that she wanted to scream. She throbbed for release and moaned his name in quiet surrender.

For one awful moment Joseph pulled away from her as he swiftly removed the trousers that she’d given him earlier, and then he was back beside her, the hard pulsing heat of his desire pressing against her thigh.

His emerald orbs flickered to her perspiring face and he pressed their foreheads together. “I’ll try not to hurt you,” he whispered.

She nodded, thinking the pain of losing her maidenhead couldn’t possibly be any match for the painful need she was feeling now.

He nudged her thighs apart with one hand and gently locked her left leg around his waist with the other. Cautiously, he rested himself against her, his jaw clenched as if he were fighting for control. Crystal wrapped her arms tightly around Joseph, aching with anticipation.

“Tell me to stop if it hurts,” he said, voice trembling.

“Joseph, please!” she gasped.

A sharp cry escaped her lips as he suddenly thrust into her with a groan. The pain was acute and intense but with the second thrust a wave of pleasure cut through her so pure it was blinding. She cried out again, her back arching off the floor and clutched him with all the strength that was left in her as he penetrated her. A low growl erupted from Joseph’s throat as the wave came again, faster than before and they moved together to catch it. The final stroke of bliss shot through them with two shouts that blended together, and they crashed down from heaven writhing and sweating in each others arms.

They were silent for a long moment, their heavy breathing the only sound. Joseph rested his head against her chest and sighed deeply. Crystal caressed his damp hair, pressing a kiss to the crown of his head. He slipped his arm around her waist and in one fluid motion he lifted her and rolled so that she was tucked in beside him. With his free hand he adjusted the blankets around them. Crystal hid her face in his warm muscled chest and sighed contentedly. The feel us his arms felt so right and safe; she didn’t ever want to leave. Joseph kissed her temple and brushed the tip of his nose along the side of her face as he stroked her bare back lightly. The slow caressing was hypnotic and the exhaustion she’d pushed aside earlier came back with full force.

“Go to sleep,” he whispered near her ear, a soft smile playing on his lips.

Crystal shook her head as her eyes began to droop. “I’ve been gone too long. Someone will come looking for me soon.”

“Just wait till the rain stops, then you can go.”

She yawned against his chest and opened her mouth to reply but her mind was a fog and her body sank into a sweet cloud of sleep before any words could form.

*******

"Chapter Twenty-Seven: Caught"