“But I don't believe children are a debt you owe me.”
Emily stared.
“And if I never give you one?”
“Then you never give me one.”
“You make it sound simple.”
“It isn't simple.”
Daniel shook his head.
“It might hurt.”
“I won't lie.”
“If we try someday and it doesn't happen, I might grieve.”
“So might you.”
Emily’s eyes lowered.
“But grieving something together is different from blaming you for it.”
Silence.
Daniel continued.
“And there are other ways to make a family.”
Emily looked at him.
“What ways?”
He shrugged.
“Half this valley is full of children who need somebody yelling at them to close gates.”
She laughed.
“Daniel.”
“I’m serious.”
“My cousin Sarah has six.”
“She'd probably sell us two.”
“Daniel!”
He laughed.
Emily hit his arm weakly.
The blanket slipped.
She caught it.
Their eyes met.
The humor disappeared gradually.
Something warmer replaced it.
Daniel’s voice lowered.
“Are you still afraid of me?”
Emily thought.
“No.”
“Of tonight?”
“A little.”
“Then nothing happens tonight that makes that worse.”
She looked at his shirt.
Then at the bed.
“Daniel.”
“Yes?”
“I don't want you in the chair.”
His heartbeat changed.
He kept his face neutral.
“All right.”
“You can sleep here.”
He looked toward the bed.
“Sleep.”
She raised one eyebrow.
“Yes.”
“Good clarification.”
She almost smiled.
Daniel stood.
“I’ll put out the lamp.”
Emily grabbed his hand.
He stopped.
“Stay a moment.”
He sat beside her.
Not touching until she moved.
Then Emily leaned into him.
Slowly.
Her head rested against his chest.
Daniel put one arm around her shoulders.
The blanket separated most of them.
He did not care.
He lowered his cheek against her hair.
The tiny flowers smelled faintly sweet.
Emily whispered:
“I’m sorry.”
“No.”
“I should have trusted you.”
“Trust isn't something you owe me either.”
She looked up.
“Do you practice saying things like that?”
“No.”
“You’re suspiciously good at it.”
“I have been thinking about marrying you for two years.”
“You had time.”
“Exactly.”
She smiled.
Then her expression turned serious.
“Daniel?”
“Yes?”
“If I ask you to kiss me, will you think it means I’m promising anything after?”
His chest tightened.
“No.”
“You're sure?”
“Yes.”
Emily studied him.
Then whispered:
“Kiss me.”
He did.
Slowly.
The first touch of his lips was gentle enough that she could change her mind before it truly began.
She did not.
Her fingers curled into the front of his shirt.
Daniel deepened the kiss slightly.