The wealthy man swallowed.
Several of his companions moved away from the counter.
The woman stared at the newcomer.
She had heard stories about him.
Everyone in the settlement had.
They called him the mountain wolf.
Some claimed he killed men who crossed his land.
Others insisted he lived with the ghosts of people he'd buried.
A few said he hadn't spoken to a woman in years.
Now he stood in front of her, enormous and frightening, demanding that a stranger return the boardinghouse ledger.
The wealthy traveler tried to recover his dignity.
"This doesn't concern you."
The mountain man looked at him.
"You're frightening the widow's guests."
The traveler scoffed.
"Do you know who I am?"
The giant's expression didn't change.
"No."
The man lifted his chin.
"Then perhaps you should."
The mountain man glanced toward the open door.
"Perhaps you should find somewhere else to sleep."
Several guests exchanged nervous looks.
The wealthy traveler reddened.
He stepped forward and gave the mountain man a hard shove against the chest.
Or tried to.
The enormous man barely moved.
Instead, he looked down at the hand pressed against his coat.
Then slowly lifted his eyes.
The traveler stepped backward.
Without another word, he returned the ledger to the counter.
The mountain man nodded toward the door.
The group left.
Only after they disappeared did the woman realize she had been holding her breath.
The giant looked toward the widow.
"Are you all right?"
She nodded.
"Thank you."
He glanced toward the woman in blue.
Their eyes met.
For one brief instant, something changed in his expression.
Not surprise at her body.
Not disgust.
A kind of startled tenderness.
Then he looked away.
"I brought the flour you ordered."
The widow smiled.
"Good man."
He carried two heavy sacks inside.
Placed them beside the kitchen.
Then prepared to leave.
The woman stepped forward.
"Sir?"
He stopped.
She smiled.
"Thank you for helping."
His gaze moved toward her face.
"Didn't like the way he spoke to you."
She felt her cheeks warm.
"I'm accustomed to worse."
His jaw tightened.
"You shouldn't have to be."
She stared.
Then smiled.
"That's kind of you."
He looked almost uncomfortable.
"Just true."
He turned toward the door.
The woman watched him go.
She didn't know that the giant with the scarred face would eventually become her husband.