Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 435

Camila Davis stared at him, frozen with surprise.

It was Dennis Williams. He actually came…

Dennis spotted her too.

The mountain trail was slick from the rain, mud covering the winding path, but Dennis walked with steady determination. All the way here, worry gnawed at him—what if Camila ran into trouble out here?

As she lifted her gaze, he finally saw her huddled inside an old wooden cabin.

She was curled up in the corner, looking small and drenched. Her hair and clothes clung to her face, and she looked more than a little worse for wear.

He took one look and knew she was freezing; her lips were already tinged purple.

Dennis’s heart squeezed. He hurried his pace, crossing the distance in a flash.

“Are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?” His voice was low, rough with concern.

Camila finally snapped out of her daze. She shook her head. “I’m fine. I was heading back and got caught in the downpour. Couldn’t make it down, but I found this old hunting shack and ducked in. I’m just soaked, that’s all.”

Dennis finally let out a breath of relief. “That’s good.”

Camila stood, stamping her feet to get some feeling back into her stiff, cold body.

She started to ask, “By the way, did you find Sarah—”

She didn’t get to finish. A violent sneeze interrupted her, and she shivered hard.

Dennis noticed the broken window, rain and wind howling in. He moved closer, shielding her instantly.

He said, “Larry found her. She took the other trail, but she’s totally fine, not a scratch.”

He eyed Camila’s dripping clothes. “You’d better take your jacket off.”

It was still chilly up in the hills, and Camila’s heavy coat, soaked through, offered zero warmth.

She realized keeping it on would probably just make her sick. She slipped it off obediently.

The next moment, something warm and heavy settled around her shoulders.

Dennis’s own jacket.

He’d already shrugged it off and draped it over her without a second thought.

Camila froze, then panicked, trying to give it back. “No, really—you’ll get cold too! I’m already wet, don’t worry about me—”

“Put it on.” Dennis’s tone was sharp, brooking no argument.

“I’m not cold. I’ve been through worse. This is nothing.” He gave her a look that brooked no argument. “But you—your lips are purple. If you keep this up, you’ll get sick before we even get off the mountain.”

Camila fell silent, a little shocked. She’d known Dennis for ages, but he’d never spoken to her so forcefully before.

But she didn’t mind. In fact, something warm filled her chest.

Camila felt mortified. “Sorry! I didn’t mean to—”

Thank God Dennis had steady footing, or she’d have taken them both down.

He turned, gazing at her with unreadable eyes. Her face looked so small and vulnerable, a little messy, a little pitiful.

His expression softened. “Give me your hand.”

Camila blinked, confused, but held it out. Her fingers were ghostly white with cold.

She was still wondering why, when Dennis gently wrapped his warm hand around hers.

Just as he’d thought—her hand was icy, like holding a handful of snow.

He frowned, squeezing her palm. “I’ll hold your hand. It’ll help you keep steady—and keep you from falling again. Hope you don’t mind.”

Camila definitely didn’t mind. He could have just left her to manage on her own.

Warmth spread from his hand up her arm, making her cheeks flush even hotter and her heart skip.

Oh God, am I coming down with a fever?

Her mind was fuzzy, but her feet moved with Dennis leading her.

The way down wasn’t easy, but Camila didn’t slip again. Every time she wobbled, Dennis gently steadied her, his calm presence making her feel safe all the way home.