Chapter 206

Emmeline was pulled from the wanton spiral of her thoughts by the feeling of Minnie’s hand on her back, gently prompting her forward. “Well, I guess that means it’s just us girls, then,” her friend said with a rueful chuckle, offering her a warm smile. “Shall we?”

Unable to find her voice quite yet, Emmeline simply nodded.

She turned away from the curious gazes of their friends and companions, focusing instead on putting one foot in front of the other as they made their way back towards the top of the hill.

The climb through the deep, pristine drifts of fresh snow was arduous, the chill air burning her lungs with every labored breath. But Emmeline welcomed the physicality of it, the way it forced her to remain grounded in the here and now instead of drifting off into the dangerous currents of her forbidden desires.

By the time they reached the crest of the hill and settled themselves on the bright red sled, she had regained her equilibrium - her control.