9. Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine

Ella

I'm two days into one of the worst colds I've ever had. Abbie is with Dad at a doctor's appointment while I'm barely surviving gallons of mucus and a cough that could wake the dead. I've run out of Rose's miracle soup, which did make me feel better for a while, and I'm at my wits end. I am certainly in no mood for visitors, but the doorbell rings. With no one else home, that means I have to answer. Trudging across the house in my pajamas with a red nose and crazy hair, I open the front door and squeal.

"Silas! What are you doing here?" I try to tame my hair but it's useless.

His dark hair is a little messy, too, just the way I like it, and his eyes twinkle when he holds up a big bowl with a lid. "I brought more soup, like I promised. I wanted to bring it by yesterday, but something came up on the farm, and I had to help, so I'm sorry about that."

"Ugh, I'm such a mess. I look like a crazy person," I say, letting him into the house. "Steer clear or you'll get sick too."

"I'll be fine, and you look beautiful like you always do." He steps inside, glancing around before he relaxes and sets the bowl on the kitchen table.

"My hair is sticking up everywhere, Silas. My nose is red and I sound like the Cryptkeeper." I wave my hands around and head back to my bedroom, only half caring that it's covered in tissues, empty water glasses, and a giant bottle of cough syrup. I climb back into bed and he sits in the chair beside it.

"Your hair is…Okay, it's a mess, but your nose is cute and celebrities pay tons of money to have a voice like that. If you weren't contagious with the plague, I'd kiss you right now." His cheeks turn bright red, but he doesn't take it back.

I can't help how fast my head jerks towards him, but it only gives him better access to my face. He brushes his thumb over my chin then palms my face. I must look terrified, because he purses his lips.

"Don't worry. I'm also not going to kiss you until you want me to. I made big mistakes with you, but I don't wanna do that anymore. You can't trust me, not right now and maybe not for a long time, but you gotta believe I thought about you every single day that I was gone. I needed that time, and it's possible I haven't changed enough, but I have changed some. The parts of me that changed want you back, Ella, and I'm patient enough to wait forever."

My lips part and a soft sigh escapes. I don't know why I believe him, but I do.

"You're right. I'm not ready for that, but you can hug me." I shift a little in the bed to have easier access to him. I want his arms around me again, especially since my whole body aches from whatever virus is ravaging it like it's a cheap amusement park.

He smiles and opens his arms. I lean into him, assuming it will be a nice, friendly church hug, but Silas pulls me into his arms and tucks my head under his chin like he did at the cafe, completely surrounding me in him. He rubs my back and rocks slightly. He starts humming, and it's nice, like a lullaby that eases my aching head enough that I can relax. I close my eyes, my whole body giving in to his pampering touch. In my plagued state, it's better than any kiss we've ever had.

Silas breathes deeply and settles his cheek on the top of my head, rocking slowly with me. I snuggle deeper in his embrace, and he locks his arms tighter in a way that says I have always been his, even if three years have passed since we were this close. Maybe I'm delirious, but I want to be his again, even if it breaks my heart, even if it means I'll want to leave town and never come back when it's all over. Because there's a chance, however small, that it won't end, and I'm crazy enough to put all my money on that bet.

His humming shifts to something even quieter and more soothing as he brushes his fingers over my back. The closeness is soothing, all-encompassing. It's more than emotions running rampant and some worry that once winter break is over, everything will go back to the way it was. This is genuine care. It's support and concern. It's commitment.

I peer up at him, itchy eyes and all, and he smiles down at me. "Get some rest. I'll come back and check on you later. Rose is making a whole other vat of soup for you for when this one is done."

"Your mother's assistant is something else," I whisper. "But don't leave, not yet." I pull my arms close and let him snuggle me tighter.

He studies me, staring down at me with a swarm of emotion, but none of it is frenzied like the summer we shared. It's not rushed like it all might end. It's calm, easy, and settled—three things Silas Thomas has never been before. "Want me to stay until you fall asleep?" he asks.

I hum my response, already fading into unconsciousness.

"Okay, shift around until you're comfortable, and I'll rub your back until you fall asleep."

And he does. He kneads out the knots, eases my discomfort, and eventually slows to a soothing pace that has me asleep before I know it.