Instead, they talked about ordinary things.
Books.
Food.
Weather.
Horses.
The difficulty of finding decent coffee so far from town.
She discovered he liked her laughter.
He often looked up when she laughed, as though the sound surprised him.
She discovered he was an excellent carpenter.
He had built most of the cabin's furniture himself.
When she asked why the large armchair was so carefully reinforced, he shrugged.
"I build things to last."
She ran one hand along the oak.
"You certainly do."
He smiled faintly.
She also discovered that he was terribly lonely.
He tried to hide it.
But the signs were everywhere.
One plate beside the stove.
One cup near the chair.
One pair of boots by the door.
A single wool coat hanging from the wall.
The cabin contained enough space for several people.
Yet everything suggested a man who had spent years expecting nobody to remain.
On the third evening, she prepared supper.
He had returned from checking the horses.
When he entered, the cabin smelled of roasted meat, onions, and fresh biscuits.
He stopped in the doorway.
Then inhaled slowly.
"What is that?"
She smiled.
"Dinner."
He stared toward the stove.
"I thought we were having beans."
"We were."
He looked confused.
She laughed.
"I found a few other ingredients."
He approached the table.
The meal was simple but beautifully prepared.
He stared at the biscuits.
Then at her.
"You made these?"
She nodded.
He sat.
Took one bite.
Then closed his eyes.
She watched anxiously.
"Well?"
He swallowed.
Then looked at her with such sincerity that her cheeks warmed.
"Ma'am, if I knew food could taste like this, I'd have learned to cook twenty years ago."
She laughed.
He smiled.
For the first time, the terrible scar seemed less frightening.
The woman saw the handsome face beneath it.
The strong jaw.
The intelligent eyes.
The kindness he kept hidden behind an intimidating appearance.
Something changed between them that evening.
Neither spoke about it.
But both felt it.
When the storm cleared, the teamster returned with help.
The mountain man arranged transportation back to the settlement.
Before she left, she turned toward him.
"Will I see you again?"
He hesitated.
Then nodded.
"Probably."
She smiled.
"That's not a very romantic answer."
His expression changed.
He looked almost startled.
Then, unexpectedly, he laughed.
"No, ma'am. I suppose it isn't."
She stepped closer.
"Then perhaps you'd like to try again."