She stood a step away and a little behind, letting herself admire the strength and intense handsomeness of the picture he formed. Yet it wasn’t just attraction that made her heart yearn so. It was longing and respect and the desire to reach out and touch him. In truth, she couldn’t put into words the emotions clogging inside her, other than to say she’d never known how rich and deep love could feel.
She moved alongside him. The others had lined up along the peak on the other side of Gulliver, and the view before them might well occupy a quarter hour at least.
Damien glanced over at her, and the warmth in his smile covered most of the exhaustion lining his face. He reached out and tucked his arm around her shoulders, pulling her into his side. She slipped into a place so comfortable, so natural, she let her eyes drift shut just to relish it for a moment.
When she opened them, she rested her head against hisshoulder. From this perspective, the landscape around them took on a new look, as though she saw the expanse of snowy mountains through unsullied eyes. No longer was this sight the same boulder-strewn slopes that she’d seen her entire life.
The majesty of mountain upon mountain, spreading as far as her gaze could reach . . . the glory of it all surged through her. She’d heard of places without these peaks, flat and covered with endless grass. Perhaps that landscape held its own appeal, but her heart came alive as she soaked in the world around her. God had loved her enough to plant her among grandeur only He could imagine and create.
She squeezed her eyes shut as the depth of that love filled her, stinging with its power. Thank you, Lord.The words were so paltry, but she meant them with everything inside her. His plan for her life, even down to the place she grew up, was far more perfect than anything she could orchestrate.
As though he felt the richness of her emotions, Damien pulled her a little closer, and she nestled deeper into his side.
Far too soon, her father’s voice drifted from the other side of the mule. “That group of boulders would make a good place to camp for the night. If we tie up some furs, we’ll have a nice windbreak.”
The rocks her father pointed to were only thirty strides down the slope. She wouldn’t have thought it wise to camp so near the peak, but he was right. They would be able to block most of the wind. A glance at the darkening sky showed they had only another hour or two before dusk settled.
Not even Damien argued to push past the place, and within an hour they were settled into a cozy camp. They’d stretched furs to cover most of the gaps between the boulders, creating a space large enough for even Gulliver to inhabit.
When the fire grew hot enough, it didn’t take long for her to warm the stew she’d prepared that morning. But the group took even less time scraping the pot clean. Even the shorter trek had created hungry bellies, and she allowed herself a moment to watch the way her preparations satisfied and delighted. Perhapsdelightedwas too strong a word for a simple campfire stew, but each expression around the circle had brightened by the time they finished the meal. She would never tire of bringing pleasure to those she loved.
Evan was the first to break the lull that fell during the meal. “I’ll gather more wood to carry us through the night. I saw some fallen branches around the slope there.” He pointed toward the west.
“I can help carry them.” Brielle gave her husband the gentle smile reserved only for him. No doubt the two craved a quiet moment alone as much as they felt the need for more firewood.
That thought no longer brought a yearning for her own love like that. No longer ached the way it had weeks ago. The man who sat beside her now satisfied the longing that had grown more with each of these last years.
Damien sat with his back against one of the boulders, and though darkness hadn’t yet settled over them, his eyes had drifted nearly shut. Now that his belly was full, he needed to sleep as long as he could manage.
She rose quietly and moved to where he’d piled his packs. It didn’t take long to find the furs he normally used for bedding, and she carried them over to crouch beside him.
He lifted his eyelids, but they still looked impossibly heavy. “I’m sorry. I should be helping.”
Exhaustion must be clouding his mind. “There’s nothingleft to do. Lie down.” She used a voice stern enough that he wouldn’t argue, though his compliance might have more to do with exhaustion. He simply took the covers and attempted to spread them over himself. He was too weary to even accomplish that, so she made sure they were tucked around his feet so no cold could creep in.
When she was satisfied he would stay warm through the night, she turned toward the fire and the dishes waiting for her. She’d already filled the pot with snow, which had melted into wash water. As she reached to gather the plates, her father shifted across from the fire. His scrutinizing gaze showed he’d been watching her for a while. Watching her ministrations with Damien, no doubt.
Heat crept up her neck, though she had nothing to be embarrassed about. She met his gaze with as natural a smile as she could muster. “Would you like me to warm some water for tea?” Papa always enjoyed a cup before bed.
He shook his head, the intensity of his gaze softening a little. “I have all I need.” His gaze lifted into the distance, and he didn’t appear as though he planned to say anything else.
She turned her attention back to cleaning up from the meal. But as she worked, she sent regular glances toward her father, and it didn’t surprise her that his focus settled on Damien’s sleeping form. She sent her own gaze that direction, just to see what her father saw. Damien’s shoulders rose and fell in steady rhythm, only his closed eyelids visible among his fur coverings. Even in sleep, she could watch him for hours.
“What are his plans after he and his animal are recovered?”
She didn’t turn to her father. Not yet. Not when her eyes might give away too much of her thoughts. In truth, she didn’t know exactly what Damien’s plans were. She knewwhat shewantedthem to be. She’d let herself hope, and even entertained the possibility that he wanted to explore what more could grow between them.
But all she really knew was that he’d agreed to help with the project she hadn’t yet fully told him about. At least, she’d not shown him the chalice. She’d not enlisted her father’s assistance yet either. Not even confessed and asked his forgiveness. She would do that when they were back home. When no one was around to interrupt or overhear the conversation. Even now, she could hear the voices of her sister and brother-in-law coming their way.
She turned to meet her father’s gaze. “There’s something I need his help with in Laurent. I’d appreciate your assistance, too. If you’d be willing.”
His brows shot high. “I’m always happy to help. Will you tell what this something is?”
A shot of fear slipped through her. She would have to overcome that anxiety, and soon.
“There it is.”
It took everything Damien had left to keep one foot in front of the other, but at the excitement in Charlotte’s voice, he forced the effort to lift his gaze and take in the secret village of Laurent.
