Rebecca Boone pushed her hair out of her eyes. It was dark. She was in bed, but still fully clothed. She tried to remember, but felt confused; like she'd been ill. Sitting up, it came flooding back. She rose and crossed into the main room of their cabin. He was standing in front of the fire, pacing. He looked terrible. Seeing her, he turned and forced a smile across his face. "Sweetheart, you should rest. I'll take you to the fort in the morning." She crossed to him and he enfolded her in his arms. "I can't sleep," she said softly, looking up into his face. "Oh, did, I do that?" She asked touching a small bruise under his left eye. "Dan, I'm sorry."
"I must've walked into a tree branch on the trail. Don't fret." He lied to her.
She had not believed him when he'd told her. She'd argued with him, and then had become furiously angry, swinging her fists wildly. She was enraged that after all this time, she would lose her sister yet again. Enraged that he would speak these words to her, destroying all hope of ever being reunited with Susannah. He had simply accepted her anger, and her fists. Eventually, she had collapsed into his arms sobbing. He'd carried her inside then. That was all she could remember.
"Where are the children?" She asked suddenly.
"They are at the fort. Grace is watching over them." She crossed the room and he watched her pace.
"You must be starving. When's the last time you even ate? I'll fix you something." She ran her hand through her disheveled hair.
"Now, hon," he said crossing to her and taking her hand. He lead her over to the settee. "Don't fret, none. I ate some while you slept."
She sat still, starring into the fire silently. Finally, she spoke, "You are sure? I mean really sure?" He knelt in front of her taking her hands in his. "From a distance," he struggled for words as the memory of her alabaster skin and red hair flashed before his eyes. He cleared his throat and began again, "From a distance, I thought it was you." Her blue eyes filled with tears, although only one ran down her cheek.
"Everyone said we looked like twins." She said softly. She spoke no more after that. He sat down beside her then,one arm around her protectively. Eventually, sleep overwhelmed her and she slept there on the settee, her head resting gently in his lap. Dawn found him still awake, silently watching over her, and stroking her soft, red curls.