A Handful of Heaven by Kristin Hannah

Author:Kristin Hannah [Hannah, Kristin]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

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soap and swirled his hands in the water until it was a murky gray.

Scooping up the dirty enamel dishes, he tossed them into the washbasin. Grayish water splattered over the basin's curled rim, forming big blotches of darkening black on the tablecloth. He shot Devon a sheepish glance. "Sorry."

She smiled. "What's a little water? You want to wash tonight?"

"I guess."

Grabbing her dishtowel, Devon sidled up to him. Her skirts swayed softly, buffeting her ankles. She stared down at the washbasin, fascinated by the quick, sure movements of his hands as he washed the dishes. A patch of milky soap clung to the tiny black hairs on the back of his hands then slid slowly back into the water.

"You mind taking this plate before my hands prune up?" His voice held a suppressed laughter she hadn't heard before.

She giggled. "Sorry."

They washed the dishes and talked of little things; of their day, of the Yukon, of the madness that made grown men muck for gold so far from their homes. Every so often the sound of their mingled laughter filled the tent. Devon couldn't remember when she'd felt so good. It was as though the simple declaration that he cared for her had freed Stone Man. His icy detachment and surly defenses were gone. He was simply her partner, her friend.

She dried the last cup reluctantly, afraid that the spell would be broken when they stepped apart. She needed a plan to keep them together, and she needed it quickly.

As he hefted the washbasin and carried it to the door, she brushed past him.

"Where you going?"

"The cache," she answered, disappearing into the small canvas-covered enclave.

She barreled back into the tent in less than a minute, a green tin box clutched to her breast.

"What are you up to?"

"You'll see." She hurriedly put water on to boil then set a big cast-iron pot on the stove's red-hot surface. She plopped a dollop of bacon grease into the pot.

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