“You’re not a coward,” Eliza whispered, covering her hand with his.
He looked down, his eyes drawn to where she touched him. His skin was warm beneath her hand, but surprisingly soft. “I’m not?”
“You’re helping me, aren’t you? Nobody else in this godforsaken town would, and do you know why?”
Paul shook his head, his eyes wide. Eliza could see the simple contact was having an unexpected effect on him, and it occurred to her that perhaps he had never been touched so intimately by a woman. They weren’t naked, but the way she held his hand was personal, warm.
“They’re afraid,” she said, “but you’re not. Are you?”
Paul shook his head. “No…well…yes. I am. A little. I don’t want to die, Ma’am.”
“Well, neither do I. So we’ll have to work together. And please, call me Eliza.”
“Eliza,” he tri
