*****
DEBORAH SAT BESIDEAaron’s bed, her knitting needles clicking softly as she worked on another pair of socks for the winter. She looked up when she felt a gentle squeeze on her hand.
"Deborah," Aaron whispered.
She set aside her knitting, her heart leaping. "Aaron?"
"Your hands..." He tried to sit up, his gaze focusing on the half-finished socks in her lap. "You've been busy."
"Rest now," she said, easing him back onto his pillow with a soft touch. "I had good company."
"Outsiders?" His brow knitted together, concern flickering across his features.
"Taken care of," she assured him. "You needn't worry."
A slow smile spread across his rugged face, and he reached out to stroke her cheek with a roughened fingertip. "Proud of you," he murmured.
"Thank you," Deborah replied, her voice barely above a whisper as a blush crept into her cheeks.
They lingered in the quiet comfort of the room, the only sounds the distant bustle of the hospital and the rustle of starched sheets as Aaron shifted. His fever had broken. The clarity in his eyes told her that the worst was over.
*****
AARON LEANED ON DEBORAHas they made their way across the porch, his recovery still a work in progress. The other ranch hands were there to greet them, their grins wide and teasing.
"Look at this," Pete said. "The Gentle Giant laid low. Reckon we'll have to pick up the slack."
"Only until I'm back on my feet," Aaron shot back, a mock frown on his face. "Then you'll be eating my dust again."
"Sure, boss," Jim agreed, nudging Tom. "Let's leave him to rest. We've got a ranch to run."
"Go on then," Deborah said with a laugh. "We'll manage."
As the men ambled off toward the barn, Aaron turned to Deborah, his expression softening. "Seems like they missed me."
"Missed giving you a hard time, more like," she teased, helping him settle into a chair on the porch.
"Maybe so," he said, gazing out at the sprawling fields with a contented sigh. "But it's good to be home."
"Very good," she agreed, taking a seat next to him, her hand finding his once more. They watched in companionable silence as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with strokes of pink and orange.
"Tomorrow's another day," Aaron said, hope threading through his words.
"Another day," Deborah said, her heart full. "You have no idea what it means to me that we’ll have another day together."
He smiled. “I’m home now. I’m just going to keep getting better.”
*****
AARON STRETCHED HISarms, feeling strength surge back into his muscles. He watched Deborah through the kitchen window, her figure silhouetted against the morning light. Today, he would rejoin his men, and it filled him with a sense of purpose.
"Morning, Deb," Aaron called as he stepped into the warm kitchen. "Smells like heaven in here."
"Good morning," Deborah replied, her voice lacking its usual warmth. She kept her back to him, fussing over the stove. “Charlotte had to go help her daughter today, so it’s just us.”
"Something wrong?" Aaron asked, frowning at the tension in her shoulders.
"Nothing," she answered too quickly, offering him a weak smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Eat up. You'll need your strength."
