Millie missed her brother and worried about him, but there was nothing she could do. She had no idea where he was and could only hope that he was safe and on his way home.
“I made stew,” Jace informed her as they headed inside.
Millie knew that what they were doing wasn’t customary. Women didn’t usually go to visit men at their houses. It didn’t matter that nothing about this situation was normal anyway.
The cabin was small but inviting. The moment she stepped inside, she felt at home.
“I’m not much of a decorator,” Jace said as he led her through the living area.
Millie looked around, feeling confused. The place seemed perfectly decorated to her. She wanted to say this to Jace, but she couldn’t.
“I’ll heat the food,” he continued. “It’ll only take a minute. Why don’t you sit down?” He pulled out a chair for her and gestured to it.
Millie sat down, happy to simply watch Jace moving around the kitchen. He was an attractive man but looked particularly handsome at that moment.
Jace hadn’t lied. Within minutes, he had dished up, made coffee, and sat down across from her.
“I hope you like it,” he said. “I don’t cook for people often.”
Thank you,Millie signed, touching her heart. It didn’t feel like enough. There were so many things she wanted to say to Jace. He had suggested that she write to him so that they could communicate better, but it just wasn’t the same. She didn’t want to constantly interrupt him while he was talking to write something down.
All through supper, Jace kept talking, making her laugh and blush. And throughout dinner, she really wanted to talk to him. She almost felt desperate to say something, anything.
When they were done eating, Jace took Millie back home. She didn’t want the night to end. She was having so much fun. She had forgotten what it felt like to be happy, but Jace had reminded her.
“I had a wonderful time,” Jace said as he stepped away from her. “Thank you for the company.” He took another step back.
“Don’t go!” Millie blurted out, the words rolling off her tongue. Her voice sounded strange to her ears.
For a moment, both of them just stood there, stunned.
“You spoke,” Jace said, sounding amazed.
Millie took a deep breath. She really wanted to say something again. “I can speak.”
Jace’s eyes grew big with excitement. “You can speak!”
Millie laughed at his excitement and was amazed when sound came out. “I have so much I want to tell you.”
Jace took a step forward. “And I want to hear it all.”
“Do you want to come in?”
Jace nodded. “Yes, but you might not get me to leave anytime soon.”
Millie was okay with that. If it were up to her, he would never leave. “Come on,” she said, unlocking the door. Her hands felt shaky, and her heart beat erratically. She couldn’t believe that she was talking.
Jace and Millie sat down on the couch in the living room. Although fully clothed, she felt a little exposed. Needing something to hold on to, Millie pulled the blanket she kept on the couch closer, wrapping it over her legs.
“Are you cold?” Jace asked, standing up. “I’ll make a fire.”
She wasn’t exactly cold, but she also wasn’t hot, so she didn’t stop him. Instead, she watched him as she tried to make sense of what was happening.
Once the fire was going, Jace turned to her, looking concerned. “Your throat might get sore from talking. Tea could help.”
“I’ll make some,” Millie offered.
“No, you stay right there,” Jace instructed, stopping her before she could get up. “I’ll make it.”
