He massaged her abdomen for a long time, and only then did the pain gradually recede.
His embrace was warm, and Jasmine Yale fell into a deep sleep once again.
Sylvan Cheney had, by then, lost all desire to sleep. Holding her, he simply lay down beside her.
She was very thin, he could easily embrace her in his arms.
He kissed her hair, the coolness of his lips grazing her earlobe, her cheek.
The night was deep, and the snow filled the sky.
The next day, the weather in Landon was still freezing, the snow had been falling relentlessly all night.
Everywhere was covered in a blanket of white, as far as the eye could see, there was nothing but white.
Jasmine Yale stirred.
The first thing she felt when she woke up was Sylvan Cheney's firm chest.
She realized that he had placed her small feet in his embrace to keep warm. Upon waking up, her body felt warm all over.
"Awake?" Sylvan Cheney's voice was hoarse.
"Mm," Jasmine Yale lowered her eyelashes.
"Still hurts?"
