chapter 21

Abbie The sound of boots being pulled on jolts me awake. Blinking a few times, I try to shake off the haze of sleep, the warmth of the blanket wrapped around me making it hard to summon the energy to move. I rub my eyes, glancing toward the door where Gannon is crouched, tightening the laces of his boots. “Get dressed, love,” he says without looking up, his voice low but carrying that firm, steady tone I’ve come to associate with him. “I want to take you somewhere.” I sit up slowly, still half-asleep and unsure of what he means. “Where are we going?” My voice is hoarse, and I clear my throat. “You’ll see. Just get dressed. It’s worth the hike, I promise,” he says with a small smile, finally lifting his gaze to meet mine. I hesitate for a moment, still trying to process the fact that it’s morning and he’s already up and ready to go. But something in his expression—something warm and reassuring—makes me nod. I slip out of bed, the cold floor beneath my feet making me shiver, and quickly