The bed had been made up, but Tam had fallen sleep on top. Several blankets were folded on the small cabinet, so he shook one out, folded it in half for more warmth, and laid it over Tamsyn, brushing her hair with light tenderness.
He needed something to eat, he realized. Surely if horse food had been provided, there was also food for people. He moved to the simple kitchen area and found cheese and ham and bread, along with good French wine to wash it down.
The food steadied him, but maybe he should have skipped the wine because after he drank a glass, he was ready to lie down on the flagstone floor and go to sleep. He couldn’t remember when he’d been so tired.
Of course there was much he couldn’t remember.
His gaze went to the bed where Tamsyn still slept. It was the only bed and wide enough for two. Though his mind produced intoxicating images of sharing a bed with her, he wasn’t sure if they were memories or imagination.
Was he Tamsyn’s husband or her brother? She said she was his sister, and surely she knew best since her mind was operating normally.
She was almost invisible under the folded blanket. Would she mind if he joined her on the bed? Perhaps, but he needed rather desperately to be close to her. Not in a romantic way, as much as he wanted that. He just needed to be near her healing presence.
He stripped off his boots and coat and shirt and realized that he must smell like a goat. And a horse. Tam would have brought his carry bag and he recalled that it included fresh clothing. The cottage was small so it didn’t take long to locate the bag. He stripped off the garments he’d been wearing for days, then took advantage of the kitchen water pump to give himself a quick wash. He refused to let himself think how good a hot bath would feel. He really needed a shave, but he’d leave that for tomorrow.
Cleaner and even more ready to drop in his tracks, he dragged on a pair of drawers and his one clean shirt. Both were loose, which his body appreciated after wearing the same clothing for days on end.
He eyed the bed again. He desperately needed a good night’s sleep, and the bed would be far more comfortable than the cold stone floor.
Decision made, he banked the fire for the night, then pulled a blanket from the pile and folded it in half, then spread a third blanket over both of them.
He lay down as far from Tamsyn as the bed allowed. Tomorrow would be a complicated day as Tam healed his mind, he found out what had been happening, and they laid plans for escaping home to England.
But for now, he slept in peace.
CHAPTER21
Tamsyn moved gradually toward wakefulness, mostly still asleep and wanting to stay that way. She couldn’t remember ever being so relaxed and happy. It was because Cade was free. In a matter of days, they’d be home. She felt so warm and safe.
Surprisingly warm, in fact. Uneasily, she opened her eyes a sliver and saw Cade at very close range. His arm was draped over her waist, holding her close.
She stiffened, wondering what to do. She didn’t want to wake him when he needed sleep to help recover. Plus, blast it, his embrace felt so warm andgood.
But this waswrong! They’d always been casually affectionate in a brotherly and sisterly way. Now the fact that Bastien had convinced Cade they were married changed everything. Wondering if they would ever be easy together again, she slowly disentangled herself so she could get up.
His deep blue eyes opened and they stared at each other, both frozen. She was sharply aware of his physicality. His strength, his maleness, and the dangerous look created by his flourishing whiskers.
He broke the moment with a sharp inhalation and jerked away from her. “I’m sorry! I meant to stay on the other side of the bed.”
She gave him a crooked smile. “On a cool night, a warm body feels good.”
He swung off the bed, muttering a curse under his breath. “How long will it take you to clear the mind block? I hate being lost in my own head!”
She could only imagine how dreadful that must feel. “The process takes time and a lot of energy. We need to have breakfast first.”
“I want to know how you managed all this.” His gesture included the cottage.
“Do you remember that Rhys gave each of us a coded list of gifted people in Northern France?”
His brow furrowed unhappily. “I don’t remember that.”
“You will soon,” she said confidently, hoping that would be true. Minds were complicated and unique. “While I fix breakfast, could you take care of Zeus and bring in more fuel for the fire?”
Her request steadied him. “Of course.” When she moved into the kitchen, her gaze firmly away from him, she heard him dressing. She swung a kettle of water over the fire to heat for tea, then did a simple washup and undid her braid so she could finger comb her hair loose over her shoulders. A nice pot of tea would make everything feel more normal.
She sighed.Normalwould mean arriving safely home in London with most of her family nearby, not being solely responsible for the safety and mental health of her dearest friend.
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