His expression softened as he watched her, something tender coming into his eyes. "Not that," he said softly. "That, I... I confess, I don't know what to do with, though you're right, there's no point in denying it if you're going to insist on being so... bold."

It was hard to tell whether that was a blush, or just the chafing of the cold air.

"I meant your whole not leaving without me thing. Did you..." He went back over what he'd said, what she'd said, and now he was definitely blushing. Oh. Chagrined, he abruptly turned to the fish and bent to retrieve it, gruffly stating, "Better get this somewhere out of the elements."