Holly relaxes against me and winds her arms around my waist. This result right here makes almost getting hit in the head with a wooden fish worth it.

“I’m such a ninny.”

I rub reassuring circles on her back. “A ninny who’s able to defend herself. So, there’s that.”

She gives my side a pinch, but I just chuckle again.

“You okay now? Think you can sleep?” I hate myself for the reasonable suggestion of her going back to bed. Getting to hold her, having her feel safer in my arms, eases a tension in my gut I didn’t know was there.

To my relief, Holly shakes her head against my chest. I tilt my chin down, so I can see her face. The angle is too steep for my glasses, and they slide down my nose, almost falling off my face. Before I can reach to correct them, Holly lifts a hand and gently pushes them back into place while giving me a rueful smile.

“I’m too wound up to sleep. Could we put another movie on?”

She steps out of my hold, and the chilly cabin air stings in her place. I stoked the fire before carrying Holly to bed, so now, the room is a good ten degrees colder than earlier.

“Or … I’m sorry. You don’t have to stay up with me. You should sleep. I’ll keep the volume low.” She rubs her arms for warmth.

“No way. I’m up now, too. What are we watching?”

She grins and then chews on her lip. She casts her eyes down at her socked feet. “You pick since I’m the reason we’re up past three in the morning in the first place. Be right back.” With shuffling movements, she retreats to her bedroom.

While she’s gone, I scan the movie selection even though I pretty much have it memorized. My grandfather loved cop and heist movies. But he also had a softer side. I slide a dusty VHS off the shelf and pop out the previous one in the player.

“So, what’s it gonna be?” Holly’s back, wrapped in the blanket from her bed, settling on the couch. She looks adorable, engulfed in the large quilt, her short brown hair mussed, an embarrassed flush lingering on her cheeks.

“You’ll see. I figured we’d take a break from the action movies.”

Holly pretends to pout, sticking out her bottom lip.

I want to bite it.

Then, surprising me in the most enticing way, she opens her arms, unwrapping the blanket from herself. “Get in here before we both freeze.”

With an invite like that, I don’t hesitate. Taking a chance, I wrap my arms around her waist and lean back on the armrest, pulling her with me. She squeaks in surprise but doesn’t resist.

Once I’m reclined on the couch, Holly rests mostly on top of me, the quilt fully covering us both. I keep my arms loose for her to escape if she wants to. After a second of stiffness, she relaxes, snuggling in closer and laying her head on my chest.