Anna Mae leaned in and studied her lip, squinting her eyes and hissing between her teeth. “It looks like it smarts something awful, but I’d say it’s in no need of a stitching.”
Birdie let out a breath she hadn’t realized she had been holding, in relief.
Rem nodded in agreement. “Good.” He looked at Anna Mae. “Fetch me your brush please.” He continued to dab at Birdie’s lip.
Anna Mae did as he asked and returned before Birdie could figure out the reason. Rem reached out his hand and took the brush from his ma and then stood completely and walked behind where Birdie sat. Just as gently as he had been with her feet and her injuries, Rem scooped her tangled hair into his hand and started brushing through the matted mess. Her heart skipped and tears threatened to form. Why were they being so nice?
As he stroked over and over, taking time on the large tangles, he said, “Ma, do you mind grabbing some quilts and a pillow out of the chest? I’ll make up a bed out here in front of the fire, and Birdie can take my bed.”
Birdie quickly turned her head, stopping him from brushing. “Oh no! I can sleep on the floor! I can’t take your bed.” The idea of doing such a thing sent a rush of panic through her.
He placed his finger on her cheek and forced her head to face forward, continuing to brush the tangles away. “Don’t argue.”
She didn’t want to go against his word, in fear of what he would do with that brush if she did, but she also didn’t want to put out the only grown man who had ever shown any kindness to her. She swallowed hard before saying, “But, Rem—”
“Birdie,” he interrupted firmly. “There’s something you better get to know about me right fast. When my mind is set, then it is set.” Once he brushed the last tangle, he ran his palm over the back of her head then weaved his fingers through, sending a shiver down her spine. “Enough talk, let’s get you to bed.”
He reached for her hand and helped her stand. Never releasing his grip, he led her to the furthest room. She looked down and noticed how his large hand engulfed her much smaller one. She had an odd sense of security as she padded barefoot toward the room. Approaching the bed, he turned down the covers with his free hand.
He turned and looked at her. “Do you want me to get one of Ma’s nightdresses?”
She shook her head. “No, please. I’m fine in this dress. It’s nicer than anything I’ve worn. I’ll be fine. Please.” She didn’t want to sound like she was begging, but she didn’t want to ask anymore from Anna Mae or from Rem for that matter. Her shame weighed heavy on her shoulders.
Rem took a moment to think on that, and then thankfully for Birdie, nodded. “All right. Just for tonight.” He then reached for her arms gently and helped her into bed, pulling the blankets up to her chin as her head hit the pillow. “Goodnight, Birdie. You’re safe here. Allow those sweet dreams to come.”
He leaned down and softly kissed her forehead. The first kiss Birdie had ever received. She looked up and smiled as their eyes connected. “Thank you, Rem. I’ve never known such kindness.” Rem didn’t pull away, and his lips were so close to hers that she could almost taste his breath.
“That’s a mighty shame,” he whispered, his lips still so close to hers.
As if under a spell, Birdie raised her head just enough so that their lips touched in the softest of kiss. He didn’t move back or resist, but quite the opposite. He pressed his lips harder to hers and conquered her mouth with his—fully kissing her as a man would a woman. When his tongue danced with hers, Birdie let out a gasp, breaking the spell they were in.
Rem pulled away and smiled, but he said nothing more. He tucked the blankets around her one last time and made his way to leave.
When the door closed behind him, Birdie allowed the tears to fall. She wasn’t sure why she was crying. She wasn’t sad. She wasn’t hurt. In fact, she was laying in a real bed for the first time in her life with a full belly. She was safe. Rem said so, so it must be true. And she just had the first kiss of her life. Then why was she crying?
Turning to her side and curling her knees up to her chest, she looked out the window at the falling snow. What would have happened if Rem didn’t find her tonight? She had fled from her father so fast, she didn’t grab anything to help keep her warm. And what would have happened if Rem wasn’t kind enough to take her home with him? She would have died.