He decides to clear out the room in his real name. Curious as to what his ‘wife' bought, he hurries to the fourth-floor room and finds to his relief that no one is waiting inside. He quickly lights a lantern and looks around the room. Her packages are wrapped in brown paper with a note on the outside. They rest on the bed and on the floor is an ornate tea trunk. He opens the lid and finds an authentic tea set.
“Exquisite taste,” he says to himself.
He pops his head outside and finds one the Asian servants cleaning the room next door. For a few silver coins, he arranges for the man to deliver the packages to the room he is sharing with Cassandra.
“Time to get back,” he mutters closing the door behind him.
Cassie is sound asleep when he returns, and she does not move a muscle when he shuts the door softly behind him. He lights the lantern on the wall and replaces the two chairs at the table beside the window. The room is small but clean, and he is hoping after she eats that she will sleep well.
The first sharp knock at the door has Dalton jumping, and he moves swiftly to the door, hoping to let her sleep. He opens the door after checking the peephole and finds the waitress from the hotel restaurant waiting with a tray. He accepts the food with a quiet smile and tips the girl one silver coin. Carefully, he carries the tray to the table. The smell of hot soup permeates the small room and Cassie stirs.
“Dalton?” she asks, sitting up slowly. “I must have fallen asleep. Is everything okay?” Her hair is a mess, and she is too tired to care.
“Everything is fine. Are you hungry?” A blush covers her cheeks as she nods in excitement.
“I’m starved. If you wouldn’t mind, I need to freshen up first,” she says hurrying to the door.
“Wait. I will go with you. Do you have your pistol?” At her nod, they hurry down the hall to the lady’s room. Each floor has a community bath, one for the men and one for the women. She swiftly checks the room and hurries through her business.
Dalton smiles at her when she exits and gestures for her to walk ahead. When she enters the room, the smell of soup and fire almost reminds her of home. A wistful smile crosses her face, and she moves towards the table for two and touches the teapot.
“Tea?” she asks, turning to him. For the first time, she realizes how large he is. He must be about six feet to her five foot six, and he is built. He has days old stubble and firm lips that make a woman imagine. Dreaming is dangerous she's here for one reason and one reason only, safety. He is her ticket to a new life. That's all.
Dalton sees her eyes drop to his mouth and he forces himself not to smile. Even exhausted with bags under her eyes, she is exquisite. “Black, please.” He moves to the chair and lifts the lid off the food. “Mmmm, smells great. I hope soup and bread are okay.” He waits for her to sit before joining her.
“Perfect, I must admit I haven’t eaten since dinner last night. Today didn’t exactly go as I thought,” she laughs and her smile fades when he reaches for her hand to say the blessing.
“I think we have a great deal to be thankful for, don't you?” His eyes stare into hers, and she sees a million unvoiced questions, and she freezes.
“I haven’t said grace in a long time, Dalton.”
“It's a time for new beginnings, Cassie. You just hold on tight, and we will get through it together.” Her cold hand touches his, and the heat from his touch floods her body. She waits for it, the flood of memories and thoughts invading her mind, but it doesn't come. Only the timber of his voice as he speaks. He holds tightly to her trembling hand and begins.
“Father, today we thank you for the miracle of new friends. For finding safety in each other’s company and we ask that you bless our friendship. Guide our steps so that we honor you and help us know that you are always present. Amen.”
Cassie watches him as he prays, and she doesn’t try to stop her tears from falling. “I’d forgotten what is like to not be alone, Dalton. Thank you.” He leans forward and wipes her tears with his free hand.
“You are welcome. Let’s eat.” He reluctantly releases her hand.
They eat in silence for a few minutes until a knock on the door has her jumping.
“Easy. I'm expecting a delivery.” He stands up and steps to the door with a smile.
When he opens it, she gasps in delight. “My trunk! I'd completely forgotten!” Leaping up, she hovers excitedly while he directs them to a corner. The rest of the packages are placed on the bed, and she watches as he pays them a coin each for their trouble. Generous, kind, and good looking. No one is that perfect, she thinks. I had perfection once, she thinks, and her eyes gloss over at the thought of her husband.
The sound of the door closing has Cassie turning away to wipe more tears. “I don’t know what’s come over me today. It’s just a trunk.”
“That is one exquisite trunk, Cassie. The craftsmanship is amazing. You have a good eye for detail.” He says opening the lid. “Do you mind if I look at it? My grandmother would love something like this.”
“Of course not. He had a few others that were smaller, Dalton. Oh! You paid for this, didn’t you?” Embarrassment
