"No."
"Did you know he was looking for you?"
"I suspected."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I thought if I told you, you would send me away."
Gideon stared at her.
"Why would I do that?"
"Because I am trouble."
He shook his head.
"No."
She looked confused.
"You are frightened."
"Yes."
"You are carrying something you didn't deserve."
She swallowed.
"And?"
"And you are my wife."
He said it simply.
Not possessively.
Not as a claim.
As a promise.
Clara's eyes filled again.
"I don't want you hurt."
"I know."
"I don't want you to fight him."
"I won't."
She stared at him.
"You won't?"
"Not unless I have to."
The wind slammed against the cabin.
Gideon rose.
"We need to secure the windows."
They moved together.
He checked every latch.
Clara brought extra blankets.
He loaded the rifle.
She checked the oil lamps.
The dogs remained near the door.
They worked silently.
It was strange.
Almost domestic.
Almost peaceful.
Despite the man outside.
When they finished, Gideon returned to the bed.
Clara sat beside him.
He kept the rifle across his knees.
She looked at it.
"Will they come in?"
"Not if the door holds."
"Will it?"
"Yes."
She nodded.
Then she looked at him.
"Are you angry?"
"Yes."
"At me?"
"No."
"At Everett?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
Gideon looked toward the fire.
"Because he frightened you."
Clara was quiet.
"You don't even know me."
"I know enough."
She reached for his hand.
His fingers closed around hers.
"You make everything sound simple."
"It isn't."
"No."
He looked at her.
"You're not a burden."
She smiled sadly.
"You don't know that yet."
"I know."
"How?"
"Because burdens are things people carry because they have no choice."
He squeezed her hand.
"I choose you."
Clara stared at him.
The words struck deeper than she expected.
Outside, the storm raged.
Inside, the fire burned.
She moved closer.
Gideon glanced at her.
"You should sleep."
"So should you."
"I'll stay awake."
"All night?"
"If I need to."
"You can't."
"I've done it before."
She leaned against his shoulder.
"Then I will stay awake with you."
He looked down at her.
"You don't have to."