Chapter 8

"It's called bundling." He ignored her attempt to interrupt. "A good old American custom. We'll have Minny down the middle as the bundling board, and we'll both bes comfortable. If the storm gets worse, you'll be able to hold my hand without getting out of bed."

"I'm not afraid of storms."

"How do you know I was talking about you? I might very well be terrified of storms."

"You're comforting Minny."

"No, no, no. She is comforting me!"

"Not bundling is un-American."

"You get the cot."

"How about trading? Every other night?"

"No." But the sound was soft, fir her mind was swamped at image of sharing a bed with this man.

It had been too long.

"I can't believe you're this hard-hearted. You have such....." He raised up, interrupting his coaxing.

"Shhh!"

She waited, listening. A tornado? Finally she whispered, "What is it?"

Minny wasn't, alarmed. she wasn't listening, so it wasn't a mouse or anything awful. Georgia took a breath to speak.

"She." He took her hand and beld her still. Then he g