Chloe’s pov
I stood on the narrow front porch of our stone cottage, my dark wool shawl wrapped tight around my shoulders. The air smelled of damp pine needles, honeysuckle, and fresh mountain rain. Inside, Lisa was sleeping peacefully by the warm embers of the hearth, but I couldn't rest.
I kept my gaze fixed on the southern trail winding up the misty valley.
A soft clatter of iron shoes against stone echoed through the quiet street.
Two horses emerged from the thick white mist, riding hard at a steady, cautious gallop. At the lead was Ted, his broad shoulders hunched against the freezing wind, his hand resting flat over his sword hilt.
Riding right beside him, wrapped in a dark woolen travel mantle with her hood pulled low, was Jill.
My breath caught in my throat. Relief washed over
