“You’re a very large man.”
“I’ve been informed.”
Despite everything, Josephine laughed.
It surprised both of them.
Harlan’s beard shifted with the faintest smile.
The horse moved.
They disappeared into the storm.
For nearly two hours, they rode through pine forest.
Josephine gradually became aware of Harlan’s warmth behind her.
The movement of his chest.
The careful way he kept his arms from pressing against her body more than necessary.
She had been called enormous herself.
Too much woman.
Too wide.
Too heavy.
Yet beside Harlan, Josephine felt strangely small.
Not diminished.
Protected.
The distinction mattered.
They reached an abandoned trapper’s shack near midnight.
Harlan checked the interior before allowing her inside.
One room.
One broken table.
A narrow cot.
A cold stove.
Harlan built a fire.
Josephine removed his coat but kept the wool shift.
He spread a bedroll on the floor.
“You take the cot.”
Josephine stared.
“You always sleep on floors?”
“When necessary.”
“We’re married.”
Harlan looked at her.
“That doesn’t make the cot bigger.”
“You know what I mean.”
“Yes.”
He turned toward the fire.
Josephine’s heart began beating faster.
“Harlan.”
He glanced back.
“Are you attracted to me?”
The question escaped before she could stop it.
His face became absolutely still.
Josephine felt heat rush into her cheeks.
“I shouldn’t have asked.”
“You can ask.”
“Then answer.”
Harlan stood slowly.
The small shack suddenly felt smaller.
He looked at her for a long time.
Josephine forced herself not to shrink.
Not to pull the shift tighter.
Not to apologize for existing.
“Yes.”
One word.
It hit her harder than flattery would have.
Josephine swallowed.
“You don’t sound pleased about it.”
“I’m trying to be careful.”
“Why?”
“Because you were frightened of me six hours ago.”
“I’m still frightened.”
“I know.”
“Not in the same way.”
Harlan’s eyes darkened slightly.
Josephine felt the shift in him.
Not movement.
Restraint.
He stayed where he was.
“What way now?”
She looked down.
“I don’t know.”
Harlan waited.
Josephine had never spoken to a man this way.
She had never been allowed to imagine desire without shame attached to it.
She looked back up.
“When you stood near me in the cabin…”
Harlan said nothing.
“My heart was racing.”
“It was a dangerous evening.”
“That wasn’t the only reason.”
His jaw tightened.
Josephine took one step toward him.
“Do you want to kiss me?”
Harlan’s voice lowered.
“Yes.”
She took another step.
He did not.
Josephine stopped less than an arm’s length away.
“Why aren’t you?”
“Because wanting isn’t permission.”
The words moved through her like heat.
She stared at him.
“What if I gave permission?”
Harlan’s eyes remained fixed on hers.
“Then I’d ask if you were sure.”
Josephine’s lips parted.