I wake to the sun peeking through the cracks in the barn, realizing I’d slept longer than I had intended. Anders is awake next to me, but he’s made no effort to move. Instead, he holds me tight like he never wants to let me go.
I’d stay with him here forever, except I need to earn the gift for him. He didn’t want to marry me because he couldn’t give me a gift, so this is important to him. I lean my head up to place a kiss on his cheek, wiggling out of his arms.
He sighs sadly but releases me, letting me do what I need to. I dress quickly and climb down, not bothering to bring the bread I had kept, for I know the widows will feed me. Even yesterday, they did. They were so kind to me, and I realize they must have known I was with her when she passed. I had no reason to be so upset-
