A silence—not an uncomfortable one—fell between them. The length of a few heartbeats before his gaze drifted back to her, watching long enough for Hulda to feel self-conscious. She ran her tongue over her teeth, fearing something from dinner had gotten trapped there. “You’re beautiful,” he said. Her tongue died in her mouth. Heat filled her cheeks again—if she could have one wish, it would be to blush less!
