Looking past them at the window beside the door found darkness settling in. Night had fallen, and it comforted me to know that Kit’s concern didn't stop at me being out alone after dark. He had the same consideration for Rosie.
As much as his offer appealed to me, it didn't seem to have the same effect on her.
“I think I need some time alone,” Rosie said. The tabby kitten poked its head out of the basket, and she pushed it back down before walking briskly out of the house.
After closing the door behind her, Kit stood and stared at the floor. “Made a fine mess of that, didn’t I?” he muttered.
I was thinking the same thing about myself.
“Sorry for ruining your evening.” He looked at me. “I should’ve left when she asked.”
Moving forward, I came within arm’s reach of him, craving the closeness we’d shared before. I felt bad about unintentionally misleading Rosie, but worse that Kit blamed himself for what was clearly the fault of my own ignorance.
“It’s your house, Kit. I wanted you here.” My confidence flagged, but it felt too important not to add, “I wanted you here the whole time.”
“It'sourhouse,” he corrected. “You’ve as much right to it as I have.”
His certainty stalled me, and I fumbled to reply. “It’s your family home?—”
“You’remy family, Pen.” He took my hand, then gave it a squeeze. “The nearest thing I have, anyway.”
My heart fluttered. I stepped into him, chestto chest, then nose to nose as he bent in to finish our interrupted kiss. His hand splayed on the small of my back, and I curved my body against him. My eyes closed as I savored the moment.
So much had happened so quickly. I could hardly believe that Kit had teased about courting me, and how badly I wanted that. But Rosie leaving hurt and angry put a damper on my mood. It stung to realize my only close friend in this place might not want to be my friend anymore.
How was I supposed to know about women’s intentions or their interest in me? It made my heart hurt, and I missed Sayla more than ever. It was months still till spring planting, when Kit and I had promised we would come back. There were five more Oaths to endure between then and now, and it would be much harder with things with Merrick growing worse at every occasion and Rosie upset with me.
The brown bag containing the pastry I saved to share lay on the coffee table. I didn’t have much appetite for it now.
Kit drew me in once more and kissed my temple. “You said you’ve loved me for some time,” he mused. His breath was warm against my skin. “How long is that, exactly?”
I leaned back and pinned him with a frown. “I didn’t mark the day.”
He chuckled, resting his arm around my waist like it belonged there. I pressed against him again, breathing in the scent that had become such a comfort.
“It just was,” I mumbled, more to myself than him, “like it always had been. I don’t know. Maybe Ihaveloved you the whole time.”
He’d scorned Cait and Edgar for their hasty love affair,but he didn’t deride me now. He just held me close and kissed my head again.
I thought he’d decided to let the topic lie until he asked in a quiet voice, “Why me?”
“Hmm?” I pulled away, needing to see his face. He looked distant, as though lost in thought. When he blinked, his eyes refocused, and he fixed them on me. Sad, somehow.
I cupped my hand to his cheek. His stubble scrubbed my palm. “Whynotyou?” I asked.
He blinked again, long lashes fluttering over dark, soulful eyes. I wondered what he was thinking. About Levitt, perhaps, following him out of town, then going no further. About the years he’d been alone in his house in Forstford, or before that in this once-barren cottage. I wondered if he felt like I had, that he might grow old and die having never been loved. If he’d asked this same question of himself when he saw others happily together.
Guiding him gently, I drew him in for one more kiss. This one was sweet and tender as though anything more would disturb such a moment.
“I love you, Kit,” I said, as sure as I’d ever been of anything. “I think I’ll love you forever.”
His lips pressed a firm line, holding back words or feeling, I didn’t know. Then, he crushed into me and held me as tightly as I often wanted to cling to him. I knew already that he loved me, but I felt certain then that heneededme too. Maybe he even needed me to defend him, or his honor, or his tender heart, just not in the way I’d been trying to. But he was worth protecting, more fragile than I knew, and maybe more like me than I’d realized.
24
Penny
It had been days since I’d spoken to Rosie. I saw her at the bakery stand the morning after Kit and I told her the truth about our relationship. I even stopped by to tell her the pecan pastries were delicious and she should offer them for sale, but she found ways to busy herself when I came near. I didn’t dare go by her house because I worried what her father might have to say. If he’d considered what Rosie had, that I might be a suitor, I doubted he would take kindly to me calling now.
