Page 28 of Swept for Forever
There was no answer this time, just the weight of her head settling more heavily against my chest.
I adjusted the sleeping bag one last time, brushing my palm lightly against her forehead. It was still too warm, but at least she wasn’t shivering anymore.
She’d landed in my arms by chance.
But keeping her there wasn’t going to be one.
7
DOM
The rain didn’t let up all night, and neither did Lulu’s snoring. Between that and keeping Autumn warm and hydrated, sleep hadn’t been much of an option.
As soon as the rain eased, I slipped out. Autumn needed the tent more than I did. She deserved the space, the rest. Lulu followed with a shake, then gave a big yawn.
I rolled my shoulder, stiff from hours of holding still. Behind the ridge, the sun cut sideways through the mist. No fanfare. Just presence. The kind that made you stop what you were doing.
Standing there, I let the light land on me. Nature had tested us, yet we’d made it through. Not because we were unbreakable, but because we hadn’t let each other break.
I ducked back to the tent and eased the zipper open. Autumn was still asleep, her face looking a little less washed out, the fever no longer stealing all the color from her skin. It was not perfect, but better.
We were getting there.
“All right, Sleeping Beauty.” I nudged her good shoulder. “Up and at ‘em.”
She groaned, burrowing deeper into the sleeping bag. “Five more minutes.”
I unzipped the tent, letting in a gust of air. “You already got five hours. You need a hospital.”
Another groan.
Lulu, ever the enforcer, padded over and gave her a lick across the cheek.
“Ugh, Lulu, why?” Autumn whined, scrubbing at her face.
I smirked. “She’s just helping.”
Autumn pushed herself upright. She took her time, but stayed balanced. That counted.
She blinked blearily at me. “I feel…not horrible.”
“Great. Let’s not push our luck.”
She took a deep breath, nodded, and let me help her up. My top drowned her small frame, hanging like a makeshift dress. The second she was on her feet, she wobbled, and I immediately caught her.
“Okay,” she muttered. “Maybe still kind of horrible.”
“Glad you’re catching up.”
She gave me a look. “I can walk.”
“Oh yeah? Show me.”
She took a step, winced, then took another.
I crossed my arms, waiting for her to be honest.
Finally, she sighed. “Okay. I can…almost walk.”
