"It's going to be all right, Cassie. We'll be safe here, and the moisture in the cave will keep the dust down. It'll be over before you know it."
He was so sweet, so dependable - so unlike her father. But once her father was like that. For the first time since he left home, she consciously let her mind go back to those fond memories - times when she would snuggle up on her father's lap and fall asleep.
She leaned against Bordeaux. The warmth from his body enveloped her mind in a thin casing of security. Was she in love with Bordeaux? Could she ever truly love any man?
Exhaustion made itself known, and her head nodded. If Bordeaux hadn't caught her, she would have fallen. He lifted her in his arms and she allowed him to carry her deeper into the cave. There he scooped a bed in the sandy floor, away from the moist walls. She curled into a ball and he covered her with his coat. In an hour or so the storm would abate and they could leave. Maybe she could get a little rest while they waited.
Some time latter she woke, shivering. The wind still whistled at the mouth of the cave. How long had it been? Thirty minutes? She lifted her head, peering into the darkness. Where was Bordeaux - and the lamp?
"Chauncey?" she whispered anxiously.
"Over here." His voice reached out to her from only a few feet away.
She crawled toward the sound and snuggled up to his warm body. At the moment, code of conduct took second place to comfort. He was warm and she was cold. That was all there was to it. With that she fell asleep again.
When she woke again, daylight was streaming in through the cave opening. The cave was damp and cool, but she was warm and cozy. Bordeaux lay against her back, one arm around her waist and one leg thrown carelessly over hers.
His breath warmed the back of her neck with long relaxed puffs. He was asleep.
She lay quiet, simply enjoying the feel of him. Was this what it would be like to be married to him - waking every morning to a feeling of security? She ran her fingers along his muscular forearm. His breath suddenly changed to short bursts. He pulled her close and softly kissed her neck.
Her heart lurched and pounded unmercifully. He was awake! Unsure whether to move away from him or verbally fend him off, she did neither. Instead, she allowed him to gently turn her body so that he could gaze into her eyes.