The sentence silenced her.
Graham almost regretted it.
Then Lila touched his cheek.
“I matter?”
“Yes.”
He did not hide.
She smiled slowly.
“Then lock the door.”
His eyebrows rose.
“Lila.”
“You heard me.”
Graham did.
The stew burned.
Neither cared.
Morning found them in the same bed.
Lila awake first.
Graham slept on his side, one arm across the blanket between them.
Not holding her.
Even asleep, he had left space.
She watched him.
When his eyes opened, he immediately registered where she was.
Something uncertain crossed his face.
Lila smiled.
“If you're about to become honorable and regretful, I may throw you out.”
Graham blinked.
“Good morning.”
“Answer.”
“No regret.”
“Good.”
He looked at her.
“You?”
Lila thought.
“No.”
His shoulders relaxed.
Then her expression became mischievous.
“Your coffee remains terrible.”
“There it is.”
“What?”
“The punishment.”
She laughed.
Graham reached for her.
Lila moved closer willingly.
Outside, Juniper Bend woke slowly.
Inside, they began something neither pretended was simple.
Lila still wanted to teach.
That did not vanish because she wanted Graham.
Graham still did not know what to do with the house.
That did not vanish because Lila had stayed.
So they talked.
Actually talked.
It turned out romance required an absurd amount of conversation when neither person wished to repeat old mistakes.
“What happens if Glenwood writes?”
Graham asked.
Lila sat at the kitchen table with bread dough on her hands.
“I consider it.”
“And if you want it?”
“I take it.”
His jaw tightened.
Lila saw.
“You hate that.”
“Yes.”
“Thank you for honesty.”
Graham leaned back.
“I also understand it.”
“Better.”
“What if teaching means leaving here?”
“Then we decide what that means.”
“Together?”
Lila smiled.
“Together if we're still together.”
The qualification hurt.
Also healthy.
Graham nodded.
“What about the ranch?”
He had returned north briefly to Morrow Creek to settle work with Silas.
Silas offered him partnership.
Not just employment.
Real stake.
Something Graham would once have accepted instantly.
Now he hesitated.
He told Lila.
“What do you want?”
she asked.
Graham frowned.
“You aren't going to tell me?”
“No.”
“My mother would.”
“I am aware.”
“That's cruel.”
“Efficient.”
Graham laughed.
Then became serious.
“I want horses.”
“Morrow Creek has horses.”
“So does half the West.”
“You want Silas's trust.”
“Yes.”
“You want the work you were supposed to have six years ago.”
“No.”
He surprised himself.
Lila looked curious.
Graham continued.
“I wanted that job because it meant leaving.”
“Now leaving isn't the point.”
“What is?”
“Choosing.”