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apart when he lost her. But now, with the place like this, I can see how they lived. What life must have been like for them. I've been thinking about her so much lately. I don't know why. Maybe it's being in these woods again." She looked at him, and Chris saw the tears threatening in her eyes. "I can almost feel her, Chris," she whispered. "Can't you?" |
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D.J. with tears on her eyelashes did funny things to Chris's insides. He swallowed against the thickness in his own throat and crossed the room toward her. With no encouragement on his part, she came into his arms, wrapping her uninjured limb around his neck, and leaned her head on his shoulder. He held her close. When he heard the water drip from their bodies onto the floor Chris pulled back. |
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"We've got to get out of this wet stuff before we freeze." |
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She nodded and stepped away. "Start the wood stove. I'll get some towels." |
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"Do you think we should have a fire? What about the smoke?" |
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"We'll warm up the house and then put the fire out. Rich and his buddies are warm and toasty in the cabin. They won't come out again until first light." |
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Chris nodded and did as she'd asked. By the time she returned, her hair toweled dry and her body wrapped in a blanket, he had an admirable fire glowing in the wood stove. |
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D.J. handed him a blanket and a towel, then sat on the couch in front of the stove, her back to him, and stared into the flames. |
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"I was born here, you know." |
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