It must have been the birds that woke me. It was barely dawn, and every tree in the woods was filled with every kind of bird, singing every kind of birdsong. The noise was amazing, a wild cacophony. I didn’t know so many birds were left in the world.
I became aware next of the scent of lavender and the unfamiliar feel of the pillowcase under my cheek. The angle of the light seemed odd. It took a moment to remember that I was at Ambrose’s cabin. I was on my side facing away from Bob. He was spooned around me, pressed up close, one arm circled under my breasts. My breath caught in my throat, then went out in a long sigh. This actually felt pretty good. I relaxed into him. My heart accelerate when he kissed the back of my neck.
“I think I fell asleep,” he murmured. “I remember taking off my shoes but nothing after that.”
I twisted my neck to peek at him over my shoulder. “You definitely fell asleep,” I told him.
“If this is a dream, don’t wake me up.” He snuggled his whiskery chin against my neck.
“You must have been worn out. You slept like a stone.”
“Being kidnapped is a wearing business.”
“I've always said that.”
“But I think I've recovered. A good night’s sleep is a wonderful thing.”
“Very restorative,” I agreed, and felt myself blush. I turned my face away and moved toward the side of the bed to get up.
“Louisa, come back,” he said gently.
I hesitated, then turned onto my back and looked at him. I felt my hair standing up in tufts, and the silk nightgown bunched up under my hips. It wasn’t possible that I knew this person well enough to be where I was, yet here indeed I was. But as soon as I raised my eyes to look into his, my fears and hesitations all evaporated. The image of Roger that lived in my head could not be overlaid on this man; no points matched. My arms went around Bob as I continued turning into his embrace.
Some women can talk about what happens in the privacy of their bed. I've known a few, and listened with amazement at the things they would tell. I could no more be that way than I could fly like the birds still singing outside our window.
And yet…
When we were done, I felt I could fly up into the sky like one of the robins or wrens that had wakened me with their songs.