Too much. Not a woman. Her jaw tightened. She pushed herself upright. Enough.
If she stayed in that bed, the past would crawl in beside her. She pulled on her boots, stepped into the hallway. The floor creaked under her weight. Always that sound. Always announcing her.
The house was dim. Only a faint glow from the kitchen. She followed it. Calder stood at the table. A lamp lit his face from below, casting hard shadows across his jaw.
He didn't turn when she entered, but he knew she was there. "You should sleep," he said. His voice low. Not unkind. "I could say the same," she answered.
A pause. Then he nodded once. "Fair. " She stepped closer. The room smelled faintly of cold coffee and wood smoke. The kind of smell that settled into a place that had been lived in, then left too quiet.
"I will rise early," she said. "I can begin work. " He looked up at that. "Finally, tomorrow is the wedding," he said. Simple, direct. "After that, there will be work.
Not before. Not yet. " Ingrid hesitated. ""Then I would rather work. "" The truth slipped out. Bare, honest. Calder studied her. Longer this time.
Not just looking. Seeing. "Why? " he asked. She swallowed. Because if she stopped moving, she would think.
Because if she thought, she would feel. Because if she felt, she might break. "I am better when I am useful," she said. The words hung there. Heavy.
He leaned back slightly. Something in his expression shifted. Not pity. Not quite. Recognition.
"I did not bring you here just to work yourself into the ground," he said. She almost laughed. "Almost, but that is why you sent for me," she replied. ""You needed someone strong. "" He didn't deny it. Didn't soften it. Yes, the honesty hit harder than any insult.
Ingrid nodded once, accepting it. "I will not fail you," she said. Her voice steady now. Firm, not small, not shrinking. Something in Calder's shoulders loosened, just a fraction.
"Good," he said, but this time it sounded different. Not a command, more like agreement. The silence returned, but it wasn't the same as before. Less sharp, less heavy. He reached for the coffee pot, poured another cup, then paused.