“Cam, wake up, sweetheart. Let’s go to bed.”
Cameron startled awake at the sound of Neve’s voice, shocked he’d drifted off by the fire. Thom was slumped across from him, curled on his side with his head pillowed on Marin’s jacket, snoring softly even as Marin shook his shoulder in an attempt to wake him gently. “When…?”
“J.T. rounded us up a little while ago,” Neve said softly as she tugged on his arm. “You were already halfway gone by then, but you were still sitting up, which is more than I can say for Thom. Phelan’s going to make it. I can sleep now.”
“Oh.” The words didn’t quite register until he was halfway to his feet. “Wait, Phelan’s going to make it? We’re sure?” That’s good news. I wonder when that happened.
Hell, I wonder how that happened, since the last I knew, Jac was worried he was going to die on her. What changed? He rubbed his eyes as he straightened fully, blinking blearily at Neve. “Well?”
She choked back a laugh and nodded. “Yeah, we’re sure. I’m not sure what anyone did, before you ask, but he was lucid and talking. He promised he was going to stay put. No more running.” She leaned against him for a moment. “I don’t know about you, but I’ll take that and count it as a major victory.”
“Mmph.” Cameron rubbed his eyes again, agreeing. The next time he had to ride out to anywhere and fight anything would be far too soon for his liking if it happened any time before the weather finally broke. He slid his arm around Neve’s shoulders, glancing across the fire toward Marin and Thom. “Did you want me to kick him?”
“Kick me and you’ll land in the fire,” Thom mumbled, flopping onto his back. “I’m awake. Are we going to bed?”
“Without a doubt,” Marin said with a smile, tugging on Thom’s arm. “All of us, right now.”
“Hopefully not together,” Thom said.
“Not to the same bed, no. I thought that you and Neve could take our bed and I’ll bunk with Cameron.” Marin grinned, winking at Cameron and Neve. Cameron suppressed the urge to chuckle at the absurdity of the thought as Thom swore softly.
“Like hell. You and me, bed, right now.” Thom struggled to his feet and captured his wife around the waist with both hands. Marin laughed and kissed him gently.
“Yes, dear.”
Cameron squeezed Neve gently. “I don’t feel like sharing,” he said quietly. “Not tonight.”
“Good,” Neve said softly. “Neither do I.” She nudged him gently in the direction of their shed.
Cameron smiled, all too happy to accompany her.
