Page 12 of A Rugged Beauty
"There's a good chance we know each other," he said the words easily. "We must've been traveling together if we both got swept away at the same time."
Traveling together.
Her hands trembled and she couldn't quite hold his gaze, but she raised her chin. "Then do you think... do you think we're married?"
She hadn’t been able to think of anything else since he’d blurted out the idea about a family Bible.
Something flitted across his expression, so quickly she couldn't read it in the fading light.
“It’d be a blessing to be married to someone as beautiful and resourceful as you.” For a stark second, it seemed as if the words had surprised him. They certainly had surprised her.
And then he ducked his head and kept working with the shelter. He cleared his throat. “It seems likely we should be. To be so far from any town, on our own..."
She'd had the thought more than once during the afternoon. If only she could remember!
He moved a step toward her and she couldn't keep her gaze from jumping up to clash with his dark eyes. He stopped. Sighed. Knocked his hat off with one hand while he ran the other over his closely-cropped hair.
"Whatever we are to each other, you're safe with me."
Shehadhurt him with her distrust.
"I believe you." The words slipped from her tongue before she'd really thought them through, but she meant them. The realization of how deeply she meant them came after they were spoken.
Something that might be relief flickered through his eyes. "You need help with that?"
She shook her head.
"I figure two more loads and your shelter will be the best it can be for tonight."
The air felt different between them with his statement and her acceptance.
She worked with the pointed stick once more, this time keeping her excitement in check until she had a big, bright, glowing spark that ate away at the bark-fluff.
She carried it in cupped hands to the little patch of twigs and more fluff and within moments, a tiny flame flared to life.
Whatever knowledge was hiding behind the blank darkness of her memory, it prodded her to slowly feed bigger and bigger sticks until she had a merry fire crackling just as the man stood from where he'd knelt as he layered evergreen branches over the back of the shelter.
"Good work," he praised.
She sat back on her heels as warmth from the fire licked her face and neck.
When the man came close and stretched out his hand in offer, she took it. He steadied her as she stood. The clasp of his hand over hers was warm and calloused. She raised her eyes to meet his gaze and for a breathless moment, she stood close enough to embrace him.
He was the one who stepped back. He dropped her hand and for a moment, she missed his warm touch.
"If you want, I can bring some boughs for the ground inside."
She glanced at the space inside the shelter. "Thank you, H."
Surprise flitted across his expression.
She shifted her feet. "I hope it's all right?—"
He nodded. "It works. But what should I call you?"
She reached for a name. Anything. But her mind was all darkness and shadows. She shrugged, wrapping her arms around her middle as the helpless, panicky feeling returned.
"Brown-Eyes will have to do for now," he murmured.
