The widow studied his face.
Then smiled faintly.
“Oh.”
Harlon frowned.
“What?”
She shook her head.
“Nothing.”
But her smile widened.
And when she left with Felix wrapped safely in the sleigh, she looked toward Amily with something almost like affection.
“Take care of that stubborn mountain man, dear.”
Amily laughed softly.
“I'll try.”
Ruth grinned.
“Good luck.”
The sleigh disappeared down the lower trail.
Harlon returned to the cabin.
He found Amily standing beside the table with the silver key in her palm.
For a moment, he simply watched her.
Then she looked up.
“Why are you staring?”
He blinked.
“Wasn't.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“Harlon.”
He smiled.
“Maybe a little.”
Her cheeks warmed.
“Am I wearing something incorrectly?”
“No.”
“Is my hair coming loose?”
“No.”
She folded her arms.
“Then what?”
Harlon stepped closer.
His expression softened.
“I was thinking you're a remarkable woman.”
Amily stared.
For several seconds, she couldn't speak.
Then she whispered, “You really shouldn't say things like that when I'm about to ride through dangerous mountains.”
He frowned.
“Why?”
“Because it makes it rather difficult to remember how to breathe.”
Harlon went still.
Then a slow smile spread across his face.
For one suspended moment, they looked at each other.
The cabin seemed very quiet.
Amily became aware of how close he stood.
The warmth of his body.
The faint scent of cedar smoke on his coat.
The way his gray eyes softened when he looked at her.
She wanted to reach for him.
Wanted to stand on her toes and kiss the bearded face that had begun appearing in her dreams.
But there were armed men in the valley.
An old house about to be destroyed.
And an inheritance she barely understood.
So she took a slow breath.
“We should go.”
Harlon looked toward the door.
“Yes.”
Then he offered his hand.
“Together?”
Amily placed her fingers in his.
“Together.”
They left shortly after sunrise.
Harlon had prepared the broader of his two horses with a comfortable saddle suited to Amily's needs, adjusted carefully for safe riding. He had also packed blankets, provisions, rope, lanterns, and copies of the essential papers.
Amily insisted on carrying her mother's silver key herself.
Harlon didn't argue.
The original records from the strongbox were secured separately.