But it remained part of their home.
The woman approached as closely as she comfortably could.
She reached toward the old wood.
Her fingers traced the familiar grain.
Then she looked at him.
“You remembered.”
He smiled.
“Of course.”
She began crying.
He moved closer.
“Darling.”
She looked up.
He took her hands.
“I've got something else.”
Her expression changed.
“What?”
He reached into his pocket.
For a moment, he seemed unusually nervous.
The woman noticed.
Her heart began pounding.
He withdrew a small silver ring.
It was simple, carefully fashioned and sized for her hand, with a tiny engraved mountain flower along one side.
She stared.
The rancher's voice trembled.
“I've spent most of my life believing I needed to be strong enough to carry every burden alone.”
She looked up at him.
He continued.
“Then you opened your door to me four winters ago.”
Her eyes filled.
“You kept me alive when I couldn't save myself.”
He swallowed.
“And when I found you again, you taught me something harder.”
She whispered, “What?”
He smiled through tears.
“That surviving isn't the same as living.”
The woman covered her mouth.
He continued.
“I know our life won't always be easy. There'll be storms. Hard work. Days when my hand aches and days when you need more help than you wish you did.”
Her tears spilled freely.
He took a breath.
“But I don't want an easy life without you.”
He lowered himself carefully onto one knee.
The woman stared.
Her hands trembled.
He looked up.
“I want the life we can build together.”
For a moment, he couldn't speak.
Then he asked quietly, “Will you marry me?”
The woman began crying so hard that she had to cover her face.
He waited.
His heart pounded.
For the first time in decades, the enormous rancher looked genuinely frightened.
Then she lowered her hands.
Her green eyes shone.
“Yes.”
He stared.
She laughed through tears.
“Yes, you foolish man.”
A broken laugh escaped him.
He stood carefully.
Then gently slipped the silver ring onto her finger.
It fit.
She looked down at it.
Then up at him.
“Did you make this?”
He nodded.
“Had some help with the finer work.”
She smiled.
“It's beautiful.”
He took her hand.
“So are you.”
She blushed.
He leaned closer.
Then kissed her.
Outside, the first light snow of the season began drifting across the mountains.
Inside, the new house glowed with firelight.
The woman rested her hand against his chest.