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“Can you hold me? Please?” Nell patted the empty side of the bed. “The bed’s big enough for both of us. There’s two pillows, and you’d be more comfortable here than on the couch.”

Her face remained stoic, but internally, she preened. She’d shared her idea. Now, all Maklr had to do was agree to it.

“Nell,” Maklr groaned.

“I’ll sleep under the sheet,” she said.

Maklr sighed. “Would it help?”

“I wouldn’t have asked otherwise.”

Maklr sat on the edge of the bed, his body stiff. “Are you sure?” he asked again.

“Yes.”

Maklr lay back as close to the edge of the bed as possible, his head on the pillow. “Goodnight.”

Nell slid under the covers to Maklr’s side. “Hold me?” She hated how pathetic her voice sounded to her ears. “Nell.”

“Please. Don’t make me beg.”

Maklr rolled over facing her.

Nell snuggled against the thin sheet pressing against his chest. She inhaled deeply, comforted by Maklr’s unique scent. Her arm snaked over the sheet and under his arm, pulled his body closer to hers, and shut her eyes. “Goodnight.”

Chapter 11

Maklr

“Whatshouldwedotoday?” Nell asked when she exited the bedroom. Instead of shutting the door like she usually did, she left it open. She moved her plushcatoninto the center of the bed. “Now it can protect both of us.”

“I don’t know. Do you have any ideas?” Maklr asked. “There’s one thing I’d like to try, if you’re up for it.”

Maklr raised his white eyebrows. “Oh?”

“You’ll see. I dreamed of it last night.”

Maklr smiled. “About that,” he began.

“No. Don’t say we shouldn’t have. Thank you. You kept the nightmares away, and you inspired my idea for today.”

Maklr raised his white eyebrows. “Oh?”

“You’ll see,” she said. “It’s a surprise.”

Maklr smiled. “I like that you’re trying new things.”

Nell smiled. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I figured, since I’m here, why not?” She left the cabin and headed down the path. “Come on.”

“This isn’t towards the waterfall or lake area,” Maklr said.

Nell shook her head. “Nope. Not there.” She marched forward, determined to be one of the first at her destination.

They passed a lake with small robotic water conveyances, human-style rowboats and kayaks available to rent.

“Here?” Maklr headed to the little kiosk.

“Keep going.” Nell trudged on.