Chapter 83. Grateful

William did so without a trace of annoyance. Doris pulled the covers up over herself again before the chill tore her apart just like her fever did. It felt like a shock in her body to have it change so rapidly from one extreme to the next.

She lifted the blankets to her chin and watched as he lit the fire again. When he sat down next to her bed, she hesitated. "You don't have to stay with me if you want to go get some rest yourself. I'll be fine for a few hours."

"Did I say I wanted to leave?"

"No, but-"

"Don't question my actions." He snapped. She clamped her lips shut. As harsh as he sounded, it was almost sweet of him. If he heard her think that, he'd probably throw her out in the snow just to prove he wasn't.

Still... a small part of her trusted him more than she wanted to admit. It felt like a betrayal to herself, this entire time she knew she didn't want to trust him or get close to him in case he snapped but-his actions spoke louder than any c