He peeked through the bedroom door to find the windowless room was dark. But the faint light from the front room gave him a view of Greta sitting on the bed with her back against the wall and Astrid curled up next to her.

Were they both asleep?

He tiptoed through the cabin until he stood in the doorway.

Sure enough, Greta’s eyes were closed, and her chest rose and fell in slumber. As far as he could tell, Astrid was asleep too.

Best thing was to leave them undisturbed for a spell. If Greta was tuckered out at this time of the day, then she probably wasn’t getting much shut-eye at night.

Her hand rested against Astrid’s hair, her fingers motionless.

Wyatt’s chest squeezed with a strange tenderness. Greta was always putting the needs of everyone else above her own, especially Astrid’s. She deserved to have someone look after her once in a while. Someone like him.

After setting the crate on the floor, he silently crossed to the bed. He’d help take off her shoes and tuck her in next to Astrid. Then maybe he’d sit in the other room and listen for Astrid to stir so he could give Greta a break.

Upon reaching her, he hesitated. He didn’t want to chance waking her.

Her bun was loose, strands having escaped to curl around her chin.

Rather than go for her shoes, his fingers had a mind of their own and stretched toward her chin and the stray hair. He caressed the piece back behind her ear and admired the way her lashes fanned against her cheeks. He wanted to stroke her high cheekbone down to her lips. But he forced himself to straighten.

As he took a step back, a sigh escaped from her lips. “Wyatt?” Her lashes lifted. “You’re home?”

In an instant he found himself right where he’d wanted to be all day, lost in her beautiful silver blue eyes. “Didn’t mean to wake you.”

Her lips curved into a sleepy smile, and she captured his hand, cutting off his breath. “Did you have a good trip?”

“Got you a milking cow.” He could hardly think of anything with her warm hand wrapped in his.

“I like you, Wyatt.” Her voice was still groggy. She’d said those words to him before, and they never failed to stir him. But this time, he wasn’t sure if he was satisfied with just the liking and her sweet way of expressing her appreciation.

He rubbed his thumb over her hand, relishing the rare contact with her.

She tugged his arm. “Sit for a minute and tell me about your trip.”

“Naw, I want you to sleep. We can catch up later.”

“I missed you.” Her words came out like a plea. But in the next instant, she dropped her gaze to Astrid, as if mortified by her declaration.