“Yes?”
“There are things I need to say, but I’m not sure how to.”
“Take your time.”
“I’ve loved many people in my life. Every one of them was a member of my family or friends so close they might as well have been. But I’ve never been in love with anyone.”
I had to bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from interrupting her.
“But I am now, with you, and I can’t sleep next to you tonight without telling you.”
I’d had every intention of saying it first, but she beat me to it. I was glad she had.
I cupped her cheek. “I love you, Katarina.”
“I love you too, Bishop.”
I leaned forward and kissed her.
“Come to bed, kitten.”
When we made love that night, it felt different. Maybe like Polina, it was because we were both less restless, more at peace.
Our souls knew, and we’d both stopped second-guessing.
17
BEACON
“Hey,” Blackjack said when I rolled over to face him. “How’d you sleep?”
“Better. I’m trying not to overthink what will happen today.”
He kissed my forehead and got up first. I pulled the quilt over my shoulders, knowing I wouldn’t go back to sleep but shutting my eyes anyway.
“Coffee’s ready,” Bishop said a few minutes later.
I crawled out, put on his flannel shirt and a pair of socks, then padded out to the kitchen.
“Breakfast here or at the main camp today?” he asked.
“It will make Anna happy if she can feed us.”
“Zero six thirty. We better get moving.”
We showered, dressed, and were on our way out the door fifteen minutes later.
Anna wasat the stove like she always was in the morning.
“There you are,” she said without turning. “Sit.”
Bishop pulled out a chair. I went over and kissed her cheek.
“Where’s Babushka?”
“Not down yet.”
“That’s unusual.”
