he who hesitates is toast

In the daylight, the little hill and the meadow beyond it look real and solid, far from the dream she remembers. She strolls with him up the gentle incline, then lets go of his arm when they reach the top.

Settling herself down in the grass, she pats the spot next to her and smiles at him, much as she had that first night, when he decided to trust her. "Take a load off, Sergeant."