Chapter 16
Nick awoke again just as the sky was beginning to lighten. He was accustomed to sleeping in four-hour shifts, so he wasn’t surprised or alarmed. He did a quick inventory of his surroundings, also out of habit. The fire had died down to coals and a chill wind whistled through gaps in the window frame, but he was still warm, lying on his side … with his arms around Harriet.
She was also on her side, snuggled up against him, her head tucked under his chin. She clutched his shirt with one fist, her other palm flattened against his chest. Push, pull. Perhaps he wasn’t the only one who was conflicted.
He felt her warm breath against his neck, her cold nose brushing his Adam’s apple when he swallowed. The faint scent of lemon wafted up from her.
In just a few hours, he could have h
