A haunted smile fell over Fenn’s face. “It’s true. I’m sure my grandmother had a hand in our chance to couple. I’m just lucky we were able to conceive.” He glanced at Tressa. “It wasn’t until our last night together that your mother became pregnant with you. The day before she was to choose another ribbon, three months to the day of our last time together, it was confirmed that she was pregnant.” He let out a deep sigh. “I just wish she would have lived long enough to see you smile the first time.”
“I’m sorry, Papa.” Tressa tasted the sweet word on her lips for the first time. She reached over and patted his arm. “Granna always told me how hard it was for you after she died. It was as if a part of you died too.”
“Yes, well, luckily the two of you haven’t known heartbreak like that,” he said.
Bastian gripped Tressa tighter. All was made right now.
“Lucky us,” Bastian echoed. “Now all we have to do is find a cure for the plague in Hutton’s Bridge.”
“That’s right.” Tressa pushed her hair behind her ears. “We need to find someone with healing knowledge. We’ll find someone in the town to come with us into the fog.”
“It’s a death wish.” Fenn wiped his hands on his trousers and stood. He stalked around the fire. “You can’t go back. Everyone saw Bastian. I saw enough to recognize who he was. It’s not safe.”
“Then I guess we’re going to die.” Tressa ground the dirt with a toe. “We have to get medicine for Hutton’s Bridge. We couldn’t save Connor. We have to save the rest of them. Are you with me?” She looked at Bastian, her eyes wide.
He wanted grab her head, pull her close, and kiss her. “Of course.”
She gave his a tug. “Good, then. Let’s get cleaned up. We can get started on a plan tomorrow morning. Today, we rest.”
Bastian stood up, stumbling a bit as he trailed after her. She was just as fearless as she’d always been. Fighting for their village now, even when the stakes were high. It was what he wanted, too. As always, they wanted the same thing.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Tressa emerged from the cottage into the dark of night, too energized to sleep. Bastian had tired out quickly, snoring only moments after they’d finished making love. Tressa had lain in the dark, eyes wide and thoughts whirling in her mind.
She sat on the log, stirring the remnants of the fire. The ash rustled and surrounded Tressa in a smoky embrace. She shivered in the cool night air.
“Cold?”
She turned and squinted into the darkness. Her father approached, holding out a wool blanket.
“Thanks.” Tressa wrapped it around her shoulders. The grey fibers scratched at her neck. It smelled of the forest – pine needles, damp grass, and decomposition.
“I’m worried about Bastian going into town with you.” Fenn sat on the log next to his daughter. “Too many will recognize him.”
Tressa nodded. “I thought the same. But he’d never agree to waiting here while I went alone.”
Fenn stretched out his legs. His blue breeches made his legs almost invisible in the dark. He took a deep breath. “I have medicine here. The kind that might save the others in Hutton’s Bridge.”
The embers provided little light. The look of shock on her face went unseen. “Why didn’t you say anything earlier?”
“No one else knows. I wanted it safe, just in case.” He ran a hand through his hair. “It’s not that I don’t trust the others. It’s complicated. You don’t know what it’s been like here. We’re together, but only Jayne and I are committed to the lifestyle. The others might take the medicine in the night, trade it for goods.”
“Where are the others?” Her father had mentioned them more than once, but she’d seen no one other than him or Jayne.
“Out. Collecting food, supplies, that sort of thing. It’s rare for all of us to be here at once. The medicine is something I stole not long ago. I probably shouldn’t keep it hidden, but something deep inside told me to.”
Tressa nodded. “You’re only trying to do what’s right. Just like Granna always did. Even when it wasn’t the popular choice, she made the right one.”
“I knew you’d understand.” Fenn took Tressa’s hands in his. “You’ve grown up to be a wise and beautiful young woman. I’m proud of you.”
A flutter in Tressa’s chest startled her. His approval meant more to her than she thought it would. She’d never missed him because she had Granna. How could she miss someone she’d never known? Yet, here she was, absorbing his attention like a dry sponge.