he far edge of the property, beyond the dry creek where buzzards circled low. She sa

inched once-not when she dragged the corpses, not when she saw the blood on her barn door. He'd

ust washed her hands at the pump, wiped he

llowed,

he neck. The mare was agitated, but not panicked. That was Lila's gift

n your feet," she s

have had to b

ing to start apologizing for e

o. But I don't expect you t

she said. "They're al

oment. "You ever think a

time," sh

ed him. "The

because no one else tells me when to come or go." Then she

I think last nigh

next one won't ge

hen winced. "You're dang

st figurin

ose enough for the air between them to shift.

cause I've lost enough pe

arp like before. It softened, stretched-until

tepped back. "I should rest.

s guarded again.

but paused at the

ea

t forge

her voice was softer

ing for it, but his mind refused to quiet. He kept hearing her voic

eli

e, but the kind that settles in your bo

tood at the counter with her sleeves rolled to her elbows, her braid falling over one

t forgot

ver. "You loo

muttered, easin

ront of him. "Eat b

"Didn't know y

good," she said, but the c

or once. Jack caught her watching him now and the

ys out here alone

't flinc

mil

tle stampede. Fiancé left before the war even started.

se. "He must'v

"Careful, Colton. That

, tilting his head

hat cut through the tension like a hot knife. For a moment, she looked you

ghtly. "You know, you

p to his. "Good. I

ed out, but you didn't. You risked your land, your life. You buried f

e asked, her voice ba

ea

between them

e, placing her hand gently on his stitched shoulder

n through h

have

a man stay in this house agai

she pulled away. "You do

e. About anything. Not your past, not what's coming. If I'm g

really looked, and n

aken hold. Something neither of them could name just yet-but bot

cked up, stirring du

n sat inches apart-each pretending not to notice