“Possible.”
She looked at him.
“You’re not jealous.”
“Should I be?”
“I don’t know.”
Jonah smiled faintly.
“I dislike him.”
Ruth almost laughed.
“Why?”
“He hurt you.”
“You never met him.”
“Still dislike him.”
“That sounds suspiciously like jealousy.”
“Maybe a little.”
The admission warmed her.
Then his face became serious.
“But whether he loved you isn’t something I need rewritten for my benefit.”
Ruth stared.
“He may have.”
Jonah continued.
“And still failed you.”
That was the most accurate thing anyone had ever said about Edwin.
Tears unexpectedly filled her eyes.
Jonah noticed.
His body shifted forward.
Then stopped.
“Ruth.”
She wiped her face angrily.
“I hate crying.”
“Why?”
“Because everyone acts as if it proves something.”
“What?”
“Weakness.”
Jonah looked genuinely confused.
“Water proves rain. Tears prove nothing.”
She laughed through them.
He smiled.
Ruth looked at him.
“Come here.”
Jonah went still.
She repeated softly, “Come here.”
He rose.
Crossed the space.
Stopped in front of her.
Ruth reached out.
Touched the blanket.
Then his forearm.
Then looked up.
“I’m not asking you to solve anything.”
“I know.”
“I just don’t want to be alone for five minutes.”
Jonah knelt in front of her chair.
He did not embrace her.
He waited.
Ruth leaned forward.
Her arms went around his shoulders.
Only then did Jonah hold her.
Carefully.
One arm around her waist.
One across her back.
Ruth pressed her face against his neck.
His skin was warm.
He smelled of clean soap, cedar smoke, and the outdoors.
She stayed there longer than five minutes.
Neither counted.
Eventually Ruth pulled back.
Their faces were very close.
Jonah’s eyes dropped toward her lips.
Then away.
She noticed.
“You’re doing it again.”
“What?”
“Pretending.”
His brow furrowed.
“About what?”
“That this is practical.”
Jonah’s breath changed.
“Ruth.”
“If I asked you to kiss me…”
He became absolutely still.
She felt suddenly shy.
“Would you?”
His voice lowered.
“Yes.”
“Immediately?”
“No.”
She blinked.
“Why not?”
“I’d ask if you were sure.”
A smile touched her lips.
“And if I said yes?”
“I’d probably ask again.”
“That seems inefficient.”
“Marriage has made me cautious.”
“Marriage made you sleep in a barn.”
“Exactly.”
Ruth laughed softly.
Then her expression changed.
“I’m sure.”
Jonah stared.
“You haven’t asked yet.”
“May I kiss you?”
“Yes.”
He waited.
Ruth raised an eyebrow.
“Jonah.”
“Are you certain?”