“He’ll set aside his own needs and safety to keep trying to help his son.”

“Yes.”

She hadn’t had the chance to speak to Uriah for more than a few minutes, but she’d gotten the same impression—that Uriah was so concerned about his son he wasn’t willing to send him away again. When Tobias expressed his fears, Uriah minimized them, which was partly why Tobias was feeling so helpless in his concern. “How long have you known Uriah?” she asked.

“Since I moved here five months ago.”

“You seem close, even though you haven’t been in town all that long.”

“We’ve played hours and hours of chess and done a lot of things around the orchard. You get to know someone pretty fast when you spend that much time with him.”

“True.” She adjusted the comforter. “Tobias?”

He seemed distracted. “What?”

“Would it be easier for you to get through the night if you took me home? It’s been generous of you to offer me your friendship, but I don’t want to become a nuisance.”

He turned around and leaned against the counter, which meant she was once again confronted with his bare chest. “Do you want to go home?”

She should want to leave. But, strangely enough, she didn’t, despite the disruption Carl had caused. “No. I like being here, with you. You make me feel… I don’t know. It’s hard to explain. Good, I guess. You make me feel good.”

He didn’t thank her or return the compliment, but he didn’t need to. She could tell that he liked her, too, just by the expression on his face.

The silence stretched for so long that her heart started to thump in her chest. Was his pulse racing, too? She couldn’t help admiring how attractive he was; she’d have to be blind not to see it.

She cleared her throat. “I think it’s because you don’t have any expectations,” she said, elaborating just to fill the room with sound and ease the tension. “You take what comes, don’t try to force anything or examine people too closely. I like that. It’s…liberating for those around you, if that makes sense.”

“I’ve learned not to expect too much,” he said, but before she could question him on what, specifically, he was referring to, he added, “Go into my bedroom and get some sleep. Morning will be here before you know it.”

“What will you do?” she asked.

“I’ll hang out here, maybe watch some TV.”

She sat up, pulling the bedding with her. “Let’s watch together.”

“There’s no need for you to stay up.”

“I’ve got the whole week to myself. I’m not worried about getting enough sleep. We can always take a nap later, if we want to.”

He hesitated. “Are you seriously planning to stay all week?”