“Thank you,” Cate said, her voice cutting through the dark that had managed to swallow them all. They were following their noses home now, the sky barely giving them any light to walk by.

Elise stayed quiet, because what could she say? They all knew what a risk she was taking. But, after a moment, she found a reply. “I do have a favor to ask you in return,” she said.

There was a pause, a beat of silence between them where Elise could hear Cate breathe, as if she were biding her time before answering.

“What kind of favor?”

“I have another soldier hidden in my home, and he needs medical attention too,” Elise said. “Jack can stay, but you need to put as much energy into caring for my soldier as you are this one.”

Cate didn’t hesitate. “I’m no surgeon, but whatever I can do to help him, you can count me in.”

Elise thought of Harry then. He had only been in her home one full night and day now, but there was something about him. He was different to any man she’d ever known, and as much as he’d riled her, she also found herself being drawn to him. She’d felt different getting up that morning knowing he was downstairs, a spark of something she hadn’t felt in a long time making her want to rise rather than stay curled in bed all day.

She gulped. Until he was gone. And then she’d have someone else to mourn. Elise steeled her jaw and forced herself to keep moving. One foot in front of the other. There was a reason she’d closed herself off to anyone other than her sister. What if she lost another person she loved? She’d be broken for life, and it wasn’t something she was ever going to let happen again, not if she could help it.

CHAPTER ELEVEN CATE

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CATE

Cate took a moment, palms flat against the table as she caught her breath. Her head was pounding. It was like her heart had found a direct line to her head and was thumping a loud, roaring beat in there.

“Are you all right?” The soft voice belonging to Adelaide soothed her, as did the warm hand that covered hers. “Is there anything I can get you?”

Cate inhaled, keeping her eyes shut a moment longer before answering. She was scared she was about to pass out, her head woozy and her face feeling flushed.