He looked away, his profile stark against the light from the window. “I’m not sure I know how.”
She squeezed his hand. “You start by trusting. By taking small steps, one at a time. Like you did today, letting me come with you, even though it scared you.”
His gaze swung back to hers, surprise flicking in those blue depths. “I wasn’t…”
A small smile tugged at her lips. “I could see it in your eyes. The hesitation, the way you nearly said no. But you took a chance, even if it was just to stop my pestering.” She let the grin out a little. “And look what happened. We faced down a cougar together. We made a pretty good team, don’t you think?”
Something softened in his expression. “We did. You…surprised me out there. The way you charged back swinging that branch.”
She huffed a laugh. “I couldn’t leave you to face that beast alone. I had to do something.”
“You might well have saved my life.” Enoch’s voice came low. His hand turned under hers, his fingers curling around her palm. “Thank you, Mandie. Truly.”
Her heart swelled at his words, at the rare openness in his gaze. She loved this side he so rarely showed—the man beneath the stoic exterior, the one who felt deeply and cared fiercely, even if he tried to hide it.
She wanted to see more of that man. To know him, in all his strengths and vulnerabilities.
But it would take time. Patience.
He’d built his walls high and thick, and it would take more than one conversation, one near-death experience, to breach them fully.
For now, this was enough. This small step forward, this moment of connection.
She smiled at him, letting her fingers twine with his. “You’re welcome. I’m just glad we both made it back in one piece.”
“More or less.” Enoch glanced at his bandaged arm with a wry twist of his lips.
Mandie chuckled. “Nothing a little time and care won’t mend.”
She could only pray the same could be said for his heart. Given time, care, and God’s grace, surely even the deepest hurts could heal.
She gave his hand a final squeeze, then pulled back. As much as she wanted to linger in this moment, she had work she should attend to.
She stood, smoothing her damp, muddy skirt. “I should change out of these wet things.”
Enoch nodded, his gaze following her as she rose. “I should do the same.” He glanced down at his bare chest, and he seemed to come back to himself.
He pushed to his feet and followed her out of the kitchen, then down the hall toward their separate rooms.
The fire poppedin the hearth as Enoch stared into the flames, his bandaged arm stiff at his side. The house had finally quieted, and he was fairly certain Mandie lay asleep in her chamber.
But his body still couldn’t rest.
Footsteps sounded from the kitchen, and James ambled into the room, a piece of cornbread in his hand. His younger brother sank into the chair opposite him, then studied him as he chewed. That glint in his eye made Enoch’s neck itch.
At last, James swallowed and spoke. “I heard you and Mandie in the kitchen. Sounds like the two of you are getting along.”
Enoch tightened his jaw. He didn’t want to say it, but the words came anyway. “I almost lost her today.”
James stayed quiet a moment as he chewed. But then he swallowed, and his tone came out matter-of-fact. “She’s safe. You chased the cat off.”
“This time.” Enoch snapped the words, then forced his tone to soften. “But what if I can’t next time? What if—” He stopped. He didn’t need to say the words for his brother to know his meaning.
James leaned forward. “You’re falling for her, aren’t you?” Enoch wasn’t about to answer that, but of course James pressed on. “And it terrifies you because you’ve lost too much already.”
Enoch’s hands balled into fists. “I can’t do it again, James. Losing Charlotte…it broke me. And then Will. If I let her in and she’s taken too…”
James raised his brows. “You think keeping her at arm’s length will hurt less? You’re already past that point.”
