She stared at her freckled hands sticking out from white cotton sleeves. Sleeves that ended well above her wrists…sleeves she did not recognize. Yet another realization skittered up the back of her neck. She licked her lips and swallowed. “What am I wearing? Is this Nora’s?”

His gaze was unfaltering. “Yes.”

The cotton shift turned to poison ivy, toxic and itchy, crawling like spiders over her skin. Squirming, she yanked one cuff and tried to wrench her arm from the narrow sleeve. Her ribs throbbed, and her breath quickened. “Where are my clothes? I should go home.”

Big hands settled on her shoulders. “You will not leave this bed until I say so. If you hadn’t wakened easily, I would have taken you to the hospital. You’re injured, Tessa. Quiet down now and rest.”

Ignoring the pop of stitches, she twisted in his grasp. “But Nora—”

“Nora and Rebecca are away, remember? Be still.”

With a jerk, she broke free, bumping her head against the wooden headboard. A hot poker of pain blurred her vision, and she let out a cry. Hugging herself around the middle, she took a deep breath and held it.

“Forget the nightgown. It doesn’t matter.” He opened his arms. “Please stay.”

She couldn’t have taken off the garment if she wanted to. Her head hurt too much. She untwined her fingers from the fabric, and her muscles unknotted. With a sigh, she relaxed into his embrace, blocking out everything but the reassuring beat of his heart. Exhaustion dulled her thoughts and pulled at her eyelids. Surrender seemed inevitable. First, though—first, she had something to say. She forced a quick inhalation. “Jonas?”

“Hmm.”

His murmured response fluttered the curls at her ear. “I’m sorry for everything I said…and for what I did. I never meant to hurt anyone.”

“I know.” He tightened his arms around her. “I’m sorry for walking away in anger.”

She nuzzled into his shirt. It smelled faintly of biscuits. “Then it rained and rained.”

“I’ve never seen the bridge wash out so quickly.”

“Thank you for finding me.” Ever so gently, he rested his chin atop her head. His chest rose and fell in a rhythm as comforting as a lullaby. A volley of chipmunk chatter came from the yard, but inside, the house was silent. “Are we really, truly alone?”

“Yes.”

The single word vibrated deep in his chest, tickling her cheek. “Can I stay a while?”

“As long as you like.”

The farm was theirs. She snuggled closer. “I can help with chores. I’m very good at weeding.”

“I know.”

“Once I get out of this nightgown, I’ll…” Hold on. How she get into this nightgown? She stiffened and inched away. “You changed my clothes,” she said on an exhale.

Beneath tanned skin, his neck pinkened. “Not all of them.”

“Most of them!” Scootching onto her backside, she clutched at the collar of Nora’s nightdress. “How?”