“Morning. How’d you and Astrid sleep?”

“Very well.” She kept her focus on the ground. “Astrid’s still asleep.”

“Good.” He shifted and waited for her to continue to the river. But she seemed completely frozen in place. After another heartbeat, he decided to try to break the awkward moment.

“Hope the mountain sickness ain’t too bad for either of you.”

“I’m feeling well enough.”

Wyatt had been woozy and tired his first few days in the higher elevation. The sickness had lasted a day or two before he felt like new. “Want some help fetching the water?”

He’d already informed her last night after he carried the last of her bags inside the cabin that the river water was as clean and fresh as any well.

“I didn’t realize you were here.” She finally moved but only to spin around. “I’ll come back after you’ve finished your grooming and dressing.”

“No, don’t go.”

She paused.

“I don’t mind none.” He waved at the river. “The river’s big enough for the both of us.”

“If you’re sure.”

“I’m sure.”

Her golden brown hair wasn’t tied up in a knot as it had been yesterday. Instead, she wore it loose, and it shimmered around her shoulders and down her arms, almost all the way to her waist. It looked fine and soft and silkier than a chestnut’s mane.

Averting her gaze, she hiked the final distance but veered downstream from him. He reached for the trousers he’d tossed over a rock and began to put them on. He’d wait to bathe till another morning.

When she peeked at him sideways, he had one leg in and was tugging up the second. Her gaze darted back to the bucket she was dipping in the river. Although the faint light of dawn left her in the shadows, he guessed pink was infusing her cheeks as it had last night when he’d mentioned staying in the barn with Judd.

Was she embarrassed to see him in his underclothes?

He jerked his trousers up the rest of the way and then grabbed his shirt. He supposed he’d gotten so used to living among men, he’d forgotten the niceties a proper woman expected.

He was buttoning his shirt by the time she finished filling the second bucket. As she stood, he could almost feel her relief that he was dressed. “I’m sorry for disturbing you.”

“It’s alright.” He grabbed a boot and stuffed his foot inside without putting on his sock. Losing his balance, he hopped awkwardly.

She diverted her attention, giving him a view of her profile and the shy smile playing at her lips.