Owen’s heart raced and his hand trembled as he kept it braced against the wall. His arm tightened as he kept himself upright, leaning closer. Their eyes met, searching the other for unanswered questions. Their noses lightly brushed against each other as they neared and Leah’s palm skimmed over the hand he had planted firmly on the floor. Her eyes fluttered closed and he tilted his head . . .
“Owen!”
Owen jumped, his back hitting something solid, knocking over the sack of potatoes they had been crouched behind. “Blast,” he hissed. His fingers fumbled as he tried picking them up and putting them safely away.
“It’s Rose,” Leah said, bolting to her feet.
“Yes, I figured.”
“Owen?” Rose called out again.
Leah put a hand to her head as she paced in the tight confines. “Goodness, what had we been thinking? They are all looking for us.”
“Well, actually . . .” Owen kicked a loose spud that hadn’t made its way home yet.
Leah stopped her nervous hands. “What?”
“I may have told them that you decided not to play anymore.”
She scowled, leerily looking him over. “Why would you do that?”
Owen waited to listen and see if Rose was nearing, but he didn’t hear any more calls. “I wanted a little time alone with you.”
Suddenly, Rose’s smiling face popped into the doorframe. “I found you!”
Owen jumped yet again, looking back and forth between the two sisters—one watching him with a hesitant interest while the other smiled brightly. He cleared his throat. “Yes, you found me. How did you know I was hiding?”
“Because Jonas went to your room and you weren’t there.” Rose came farther into the larder. “Leah? What are you doing here?”
She glanced at Owen before turning to her sister. “I was hiding.”
“But Owen told us—”
“—why don’t we all go outside for a walk, hm? Get some fresh air?” Owen asked. “I find I could use some fresh air.”
Rose wrinkled her nose. “It is rather muddy outside. I just went out to check.” She looked over to Leah. “But perhaps it is a good idea. Leah seems quite flushed.”
Leah’s eyes widened and she put the back of her hand to her cheek. “It is a rather small room. I’m sure that must be why.”
Rose raised her brow. “It is practically frigid in here.”
“I disagree,” Owen said. “It is a nice, warm temperature. Quite . . . balmy.”
Rose’s scowl deepened. “You are acting strange.”
A smile tugged at his lips and he looked over at Leah. “Yes. I suppose you could say that.”
“Well, I came looking for you because Jonas wanted to go for a ride and had wondered if you wished to go. I’m assuming you will say yes since you just said you could use fresh air.” Rose looked down to the ground.
“Yes, a ride sounds good.” Owen stepped over to Rose, chucking her chin up. “And then we shall have to read a proper Christmas story.”
Her smile immediately returned. “Oh, yes please!”
Owen went to walk from the room, stealing one last glance at Leah. “Until later, then?”
She nodded, a smile softening her lips. “Until later.”
Chapter 16
