Silver Creek epiphany

he spotted her, gathering moss, as she should've been doing. silently, grayson wonders of her travels outside of rosings. where had she gone? what had happened? he wondered if he should press her -- or if it would only damage their relationship to pry. women were such dainty creatures -- even addison, who was among the most stern and hardy women he'd ever met. grayson modeled those he met after her -- how could each woman be more like her? he wondered. 

"addison," he called out to her, approaching with lengthy strides, "how are you settling back in?" he offered her an affectionate nudge to the shoulder, his pale gaze searching to grab her own.