She let him pull her up, and he enfolded her into his arms, tucking her head against his chest.
“I may still be hurt that you didn’t tell me, but please don’t ever doubt that I’m a man of my word.” He closed his eyes as her arms wrapped around his back. “Let me think about what you’ve asked of me.”
She leaned back to look up at him. His hands rose to cup the sides of her face.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“From now on, please tell me about the things that worry you. All right?”
She nodded, then looked down. “I didn’t expect you to react so kindly.”
He’d surprised himself too. He ran his thumb over her cheek. Why he felt the urge to kiss her right at that moment, he didn’t understand. Maybe it was the way she looked at him when she raised her eyes to his, entirely trusting. Or maybe it was the outpouring of emotion. Perhaps it was simply that she needed him. No one had ever needed him the way she did.
Her lips parted ever so slightly. Was she thinking about the same thing?
“Hale?” she whispered, and he nearly fell apart right then. In less than a second, he could pull her toward him, he could press his mouth to hers, he could put an end to the ache he’d carried since that chaste kiss in the church at their wedding.
“We ought to get some sleep.” She gave him a timid smile before slowly stepping away.
His hands fell, and the blood rushed against his ears. He nodded, feeling as if he’d just woken up.
Without a word, he stepped into the hallway where he closed the door and leaned against it.
He didn’t know what to think about the tale she’d spun. All he could think was that it was a good thing he believed thatshebelieved every word she said, because clearly he was starting to lose every bit of sense he had when it came to Isabella Darby.
He only hoped he wouldn’t come to regret it.
Chapter Twelve
IZZY WAS HANGING THEclean bedsheets out to dry on a warm, sunny day when Edie stopped by with an armful of plants.
“What is this?” she asked as Edie handed her one of them. It was a tiny wisp of green planted in a chipped teacup.
“Sage,” Edie replied. “The one you asked for. I also brought you a couple of plants that make good teas.”
Izzy listened as Edie explained each one and what it did. “This is so kind of you, both for bringing them to me and sharing what you know.”
“This is the sort of knowledge that’s meant to be shared,” Edie said with a friendly smile. “Here.” She reached out for the sage and set it on the back step with the other two plants.
“Do you need any help hanging those?” Edie brushed her hands together and nodded at the basket filled with bedsheets.
“If you have the time,” Izzy replied. Ever since telling Hale about her family the night before, she’d felt lighter. Even though there was still a possibility Edie’s husband could somehow identify her as being the missing Sutcliffe, it was remote. After all, they were miles upon miles away from Wyoming, and she was no longer dressing in her brother’s outgrown clothing.
They worked in silence for a few minutes, and Izzy enjoyed Edie’s comfortable companionship. That’s how you knew you truly got along with someone, she thought. When you could be together without speaking and feel entirely at ease. There wassomething about Edie that made Izzy feel that way, as if she’d known her since childhood.
