Page 121 of Forever After All

Could she just run up and hug him? Squeeze him a little? That would be fun.

She stepped on a branch, and Linc’s chin lifted. His attention locked on her, stopping her in her tracks.

Oh, that look was not good.

Or it was very good. Confusion was her friend tonight.

He took long strides toward her, pinning her with his gaze.

She blinked, and he was in front of her, holding her waist and caressing her cheek.

Just like in the dream.

Jess lifted her chin to look up at him. The forest shadows were splashed across his face, but his eyes were bright–focused on her and unwavering.

“Are you okay?” he asked, deep and hushed in the cold breeze.

“I’m okay. Still stumbling around a little,” she managed to croak out.

She hadn’t gotten used to being in Linc’s arms. Would she ever?

“You need to drink. A lot,” he said, just as he turned away from her, leaving a chill with more bite than the Wyoming night.

He ducked into the tent and emerged with the canteen. “Drink. Please.”

She took it from him without a fight. Her bones were thirsty, and she’d made it through a few gulps before Linc rested his hand on her wrist.

“Not so fast.” He gently tugged her toward the tent. “You need to eat.”

“I can’t eat. I’m not hungry.”

“You should be starving. You didn’t eat all day.” He rummaged through a pack they always carried on the pack rides. Finally, he pulled something out. “Crackers?”

Jess plucked them from his hand and sat on the ground beside the tent. “Yes. I’ll take that.” She ripped open the paper and closed her eyes as the crunching swamped all of her other senses.

Then Linc was by her side again, handing her something else. “Take these.”

More medicine. When would this stupid fever give up? “Thanks.” She swallowed them, washing them down with water and more crackers.

Linc crouched beside her and trailed his fingers over her face. Her eyes drifted closed, and she rested her heavy head against his hand.

“You’re so good to me,” she whispered.

She heard the words as they left her mouth, as if they hadn’t stopped to ask for permission before escaping.

Linc huffed, and his warm breath puffed in a cloud between them. “I don’t think I’m doing enough good. Tell me what I can do. How can I help you feel better?”

She reached up and slid her hand over his, marveling at the ease with which they touched. “You stayed with me?”

“Of course.”

She looked at the tent they’d slept in. They’d been side-by-side, just like the night in the barn, but she’d missed it this time.

“Stay with me. Again?” she said. Hoping she’d correctly formed that as a question instead of a command.

Linc nodded once and rose to his feet. He opened the tent flaps and moved to the side, allowing her to go in first.

Jess kicked off her boots and climbed into the tent. It was about ten degrees warmer inside, but the temperature rose even higher when Linc ducked in behind her.

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