Kit didn’t bother to protest Eli carrying her out of the house as she had nothing to say, though she was shocked he wasn’t giving her the tongue lashing she deserved. She’d purposely deceived him, making him think she was going back down the hallway instead of up the stairs. He had every right to yell at her.

Once she was safe outside, he set her down. Turning her to look him in the eyes, he placed a hand on each shoulder and said, “Don’t ever do that again.”

Though she wasn’t used to anyone telling her what to do, save her mother, Kit hung her head. “I’m sorry,” she...