"Otherwise,” Leo added, "I wouldn''t have risked bringing you here." After all, Theresa had chosen this secluded ce precisely because it was isted, a ce where her enemies would never find her.


    Finn offered a faint smile. "And you weren''t afraid we might be those enemies she mentioned?"


    Leo stiffened, his eyes instantly wary. "Are you?"


    "Of course not,” Finn said smoothly. "In fact, Theresa is practically my brother''s wife."


    The tension in Leo''s shoulders eased. But his guard went up again as he turned to Soren. "And you? Who are you?"


    Soren froze. Before he could answer, Evangeline and Theresa, having finallyposed themselves, called out to them.


    "Finn!" Evangeline waved, beckoning them over.


    Theresa''s expression was back to normal, except for the slight redness around her eyes. She showed no signs of fear or anxiety. Seeing this, Leo figured Soren wasn''t a threat and led them toward the house.


    Their clothes were thin, tattered, and filthy. Leo took the men to find clean clothes while Theresa led Evangeline into a room to treat her knee. Fortunately, the wound wasn''t deep, just a nasty scrape. After disinfecting and bandaging it, the worst was


    over.


    Theresa then pulled clean, warm clothes from a wardrobe for her. "This thin dress... I don''t know how you survived thest few days." She looked at the flimsy fabric, the only realyer being the jacket-Finn''s jacket-that Evangeline wore. Thinking of the drastic temperature drops at night, Theresa''s eyes welled up again.


    Evangeline had also thought she wouldn''t make it. But Finn had been there. He''d built fires, and when it got too cold, he''d held her close, their shared body heat the only thing keeping the chill at bay. Now she realized that if she had fallen from that cliff alone, she would have frozen to death, if the fall itself hadn''t killed her.


    She found herself recounting the entire ordeal to Theresa.


    “But I''m so grateful I ended up here," Evangeline finished with a smile.


    How else would she have been reunited with Theresa? In retrospect, all the suffering and despair of the past few days seemed worth it, just to see her friend again and know she was alive.


    Theresa clicked her tongue. "Silly girl. Who in their right mind is happy about nearly getting themselves killed?" she chided gently. "The people who care about you must be worried sick."


    Evangeline knew she was right. Though, the only person who truly cared about her now was probably Glenn.


    At that thought, Evangeline wanted to tell her how desperately Glenn had been searching for her and ask about what had happened all this time. But just as she was about to speak, Leo''s voice came from outside, calling them toe eat.


    Theresa answered him.


    “Let''s get you some food. You must be starving,” she said to Evangeline.


    Evangeline''s stomach rumbled in agreement. They had all the time in the world to talk now that they were together again. She could ask her questionsterter. The two of them


    headed to the kitchen, where a hot


    meal was waiting.


    There was no roast duck or rich tomato soup, but there was a


    Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken, and Grilled Lemon Garlie Salmon. It was


    world away from the wild berries and unseasoned fish they had been surviving on.


    Evangeline swallowed hard as she and Finn entered the room.


    Soren was right behind them, but just as he was about to step inside, an arm shot out, blocking his path.


    Theresa was smiling at him, but her beautiful, almond-shaped eyes held nothing but ice.


    "I''m sorry, Mr. Fawkes. You''re not wee here."