Lost and Found

Chapter Eleven

After two more days of heavy snowfall, it looked as though the storm had finally spent itself. The sudden silence startled Lillian awake with a jolt as she realized the wind no longer howled through the windowpane.

The nightmares hadn't troubled her since talking with Sawyer, allowing her the first restful sleep she'd been able to enjoy in a long time. She glanced out the window and found the sky painted with the orange-pink glow of pre-dawn.

Pushing her covers aside, she sat up and adjusted her sling, looking forward to when she'd no longer have to wear it.

When the sound of Sawyer waking and getting dressed reached her ears, she stood, stretched, and made her way into the kitchen. Lillian hummed a tune while she started making hotcakes when a large hand settled on her shoulder, and warm lips brushed her cheek.

"Mornin'," Sawyer murmured sleepily, covering a yawn.

"Oh, gracious," She gasped, spinning around. She pressed one trembling hand over her rapidly beating heart and the other over her cheek, burning with delicious heat where his lips had touched. Her heart in her throat, she gave a shaky laugh, "You startled me."

"Smells good, Lily." He winked, grabbing his coat off the hook by the door and placing his hat firmly on his head, "Just gonna go milk Patsy, then I'll be back to eat."

She nodded, turning back to her hotcakes, trying to pretend that receiving a kiss from him was completely normal. Frantically, she decided to ignore the tingling that remained where his lips had been.

By the time she heard him stomping the snow from his boots on the porch, she had the bacon on the table. He opened the door and stepped inside, taking off his coat.

"Breakfast is ready," she smiled in greeting.

Breathing deeply of the fragrant aroma filling the room, Sawyer pulled out his chair, sat down with a sigh, and placed two hotcakes on his plate. "I figure, the break in the weather means we're bound to have a visit from Abigail and Doc today."

Was that disappointment she heard in his voice? Their eyes briefly met before she focused on spooning eggs onto her plate.

Her hands trembled so badly she was lucky they didn't spill on the table. Would it make her a terrible person if she didn't want Abigail or Doc Brennan to arrive?

"Charlie should be arriving any day as well, I imagine," he said as he cut his food and loaded his fork.

"Oh?" She took a bite and sighed from the pleasant taste that filled her mouth.

"I think you'll like her. She's like me, but prettier," Sawyer teased.

Lillian giggled, nearly choking on her mouthful of eggs. Sawyer winked and grinned at her and ate another healthy mouthful of his food.

Breakfast passed in pleasant conversation until they had both finished eating, and Sawyer stood to leave, pressing a kiss to her forehead before hurrying to the door. "Thank you for breakfast. I'll see you later, honey."

He walked to the barn, glancing back at the house to find Lillian watching him through the kitchen window. His steps slowed, wanting to spend more time with her now that the barrier had been broken down between them. But if he and the men didn't get the work done quickly, he ran the chance of losing part of his herd.

Yesterday, they'd found two calves had died in the storm and knew there would likely be a few more he and the men would find when they went out today.

With the snowstorm no longer making their work twice as hard, they'd be able to take care of several issues they hadn't resolved yet, which hopefully would mean he would get to spend time with Lillian; he just needed to be patient.