Page 23 of Burning Escape

“My wife would skin me alive if she found out I put a young couple like you on the floor. She won’t hear of it, and neither will I.” Hiram pointed to the loft area above the living room couch. “If you don’t mind, Abigail and Belinda can sleep up there in the kids’ room. I can make a pallet on the floor with them. Then you two can have your privacy.”

“Looks like it’s all settled, then.” Amos clapped Hiram on the shoulder and left.

What were they supposed to say?

Fatigue and pain were getting the better of Orion. It made for a good excuse to suggest he and Tori turn in early. After awkward goodnights, he and Tori slipped into the bedroom.

She sank onto the bed and carefully stretched out her foot. She closed her eyes tight, pain etched into her features.

“How’s the swelling?” Orion laid out one of the quilts on the floor. Thankfully, a rug would provide some cushion and warmth. The chill in the room had him wishing for a roaring fire in the stove out there.

“It’s actually going down. I mean, it hurts, but it’s already getting better staying off it today and having it wrapped.”

“Hopefully we can convince them tomorrow to let us go to that homestead and call the team.” He fluffed the pillow and laid it on the floor next to the quilt he’d found.

“Ry, come on. We’re adults. We can both sleep on the bed. I promise I won’t make any moves on you.” Humor tinted her voice. It was nice to hear her sounding more like herself finally.

“Nah, I’ll be fine down here. Besides, I bet you’re a bed hog. I’d probably end up down here anyway.” No need to let her know that it wasn’t her restraint that he questioned.

It was evening, but the sun still shone in the window, lighting the room. Orion moved the thick curtains over the opening, darkening the room instantly.

Tori’s light gasp stilled him.

“You okay?” he asked her.

“Yeah, I guess I didn’t realize how dark it would get in here.” Her chuckle fell flat.

Without asking, Orion cracked the curtains so a sliver of light showed. He’d prefer it pitch black, but something told him Tori would rest easier this way.

“Thanks,” she whispered.

“No problem. Sweet dreams, Tori. Don’t worry. We’ll get out of here soon.”

“G’night, Ry.”

He must’ve fallen asleep in a flash, because he awakened suddenly, a strange sound rousing him. A whimper came from the bed.

“Tori?” he whispered. He sat up, but she didn’t respond.

The room was completely dark now, which meant it had to be between midnight and four a.m. He was about to lie back down when Tori cried out.

Orion jumped up, barely making out her silhouette as she sat in the middle of the bed.

“Hey, you’re okay.” He moved to sit next to her. She crawled into his arms and nestled there, shivering. He pulled the blankets and tucked them around her. Orion could feel her rapid heartbeat. What was going on?

He smoothed the hair off her forehead and leaned against the headboard. He didn’t know what had freaked her out, but he whispered into the darkness, “Tori, it’s all right. I’m here.”

“It’s all right. Everything’s fine.” Her shaky voice repeated his words a few times until her breathing slowed to a normal rhythm. Eventually, her death grip on his shirt loosened, and she sat up on her own.

Orion found her hand and gently stroked her long fingers, hoping his presence would bring her a sense of calm. “You okay?”

“I am now.” She squeezed his hand. “Sorry to wake you.”

“What’s the use of having a fake husband if he can’t be useful once in a while?”

She released a breathy chuckle. “Right. But I don’t think you signed up for this. To help me fight my demons.”

“Actually, I think that’s what fake husbands are best at. At least, the ones that are friends too.”

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