to weep with the sweetness of it, of the way it felt so necessary, when she hadn’t known how desperately she’d needed it. And the other part of her marveled that this man knew to provide her with it. When had he last been comforted, if he even remembered it? And if he didn’t, was this an instinctive act? The same way he’d figured out—quite adeptly—how to pleasure her body?
She squeezed him back, giving him—she hoped—the same thing he was giving her.
After another minute she pulled back, tilting her head and looking up at him. “Thank you.”
He nodded, releasing her, and she felt the loss of his body heat—the way he’d felt so strong and solid against her—immediately.
“Do you think I can ever be normal?” She turned her head and saw that he was squinting off into the distance, in the direction of Helena Springs. Civilization.
“Of course you can be normal, Jak. You already are normal. It would be an adjustment to live among people, to . . . adapt to society, but I don’t think it would take you long.”
He looked at her, his expression full of vulnerability. He could school his expression if he wanted to, but lord, when he didn’t attempt to, he was such an open book, each thought skating so transparently across his handsome features. “You believe in me.”
“Yes.” She squeezed his hand. “I believe in you.”
“I believe in you too.”
She laughed and he smiled, as though the sound brought him joy. Truly though, his words made her feel powerful. He had both internal and external scars to contend with, and she did too. But they would both adjust, both overcome, both thrive. In that moment she believed it with every fiber of her being.
Jak’s smile faded and she saw worry in his eyes. “I don’t know where to start.”
“I’ll help you.” Her mind spun. He’d need an ID first. She’d bet Agent Gallagher would be able to help with that. He’d need . . . She cut off her cluttered thoughts. He’d need help, guidance, yes, and she’d have to consider how big a role she should play in that, but in any case, she could point him in the right direction. She had faith that he could take it from there. She’d meant it when she’d said she believed in him. “I’ll help you help yourself. You can do anything once you know where to start.”
That same worry and vulnerability appeared in his expression.
Harper stopped, bending and retrieving a long twig on top of the crust of snow. She formed it into a circle and then gestured for Jak to bend. He did, a look of curiosity on his face, his gaze intent. Their breath mingled, chemistry sizzled the way it simply did whenever they were close that way, and she placed the makeshift crown upon his head. “There,” she said, a slight hitch in her voice. “I, Harper Ward, appoint you King of your Own Destiny from this day forward. May you rule your subject with dignity, kindness, and . . . patience.”
He stood to his full height and then removed the crown from his head, placing it on hers. “And I, Jak, appoint you Queen of your Own Destiny from this day forward. Be good to your subject.” He smiled a bit bashfully and Harper laughed as he placed the “crown” upon her head.
She took his hand in hers again, and they walked through the snowy forest hand in hand. She had no idea what would be in their future. In his. In hers. But she’d never felt so . . . embraced. And in that moment, with the white of winter surrounding them, she didn’t feel the cold. Because neither Harper nor Jak were alone to face whatever came next.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Mark lifted the ornate gold knocker and rapped at the massive carved door, glancing back at the security gate he’d driven through, the name of the estate spelled out in scrolled letters above: Thornland. The door opened and a man in a butler’s uniform stood before him. He inclined his head. “Sir, please enter. Mr. Fairbanks is waiting for you in the parlor.”
Mark stepped inside, feeling as though he’d just entered a game of Clue, and Miss Scarlet was going to glide down the grand, curved staircase at any moment with a candlestick.
The butler led the way, extending his arm toward another grand door that Mark guessed led to the parlor where the owner of this estate and the many