Harlan looked at her.
Josephine smiled.
“I’m buying myself back.”
His expression changed instantly.
“No.”
She blinked.
“No?”
“No.”
“Harlan.”
“You were never bought.”
“My father accepted—”
“I know.”
“Then let me finish this.”
Harlan stepped off the porch.
He pushed her hand gently back toward her.
“You don’t owe me twenty dollars.”
“This isn’t about owing.”
“Then keep it.”
Josephine stared.
He continued.
“You want to erase the price they put on you?”
“Yes.”
“Then don’t pay it twice.”
The words struck deep.
Josephine looked at the money.
Slowly, she closed her fingers.
“What should I do with the horses?”
Harlan glanced toward them.
“They’re good horses.”
“That is not helpful.”
“Keep them.”
“For what?”
“Whatever you want.”
Josephine laughed.
Of course.
Whatever she wanted.
She looked at the cabin.
The same doorway where months earlier she had stood soaked, terrified, and convinced she had been sold.
“Is my room still there?”
Harlan became very still.
“Yes.”
“You didn’t turn it into storage?”
“No.”
“You expected me back?”
“I hoped.”
Josephine stepped closer.
“Hope sounds dangerously close to expectation.”
“They’re different.”
She smiled.
“I know.”
Harlan looked at her carefully.
“Are you staying?”
Josephine walked past him.
He turned.
She entered the cabin.
Almost nothing had changed.
The rocking chair.
The stove.
The table.
The drying rack.
Josephine stopped near the place where her corset had burned.
Harlan remained near the doorway.
Giving her space even now.
Josephine looked toward the hallway.
“My room?”
“Same place.”
She walked down the hall.
The door stood open.
Inside was a narrow bed.
A quilt.
A small table.
A vase containing fresh mountain flowers.
Josephine turned.
“Flowers?”
Harlan looked almost embarrassed.
“They were growing.”
“Yes, Harlan. Flowers often do that.”
His ears reddened.
Josephine smiled.
She crossed the room toward him.
“I have another question.”
“Ask.”
“If I stay here…”
Harlan waited.
“Do I have to stay in this room?”
His expression changed.
Josephine stepped closer.
“Careful.”
His voice deepened.
“Josephine.”
“What?”
“If you’re teasing me…”
“I am.”
He exhaled.
She placed both hands on his chest.
“But I’m not only teasing.”
Harlan remained motionless.