W
ind rattled barren limbs of black walnut and birch trees as a light snow tumbled and floated, appearing to be suspended in mid-air before kissing down on the forest floor.
Tess wore a red plaid winter jacket that Cap had purchased at Dottie’s Closet over in Wyalusing. She refused at first but finally accepted after insisting that Cap let her pay him back. The coat was nothing fancy, but it was made of wool and went past her waist and had a thick collar to help block the wind.
They’d been hiking in the woods for about twenty minutes. Across frozen creeks and through thickets of p***y willow and blackberry briars that snagged at their jackets and tugged at their hair.
Cap gazed at Tess, and she gave him an inquiring look. “Just a little farther. I promise.”
She raised her eyebrows.
