Gideon caught her.
She buried her face against his chest.
For several seconds, he held her.
Then he whispered, "It's over."
She shook her head.
"No."
He frowned.
"He'll come back."
"Maybe."
She looked up.
"But not for me."
Gideon brushed snow from her hair.
"No."
He kissed her forehead.
"Not for you."
The dogs returned shortly after.
Bear had blood on his fur.
Clara panicked.
"Is he hurt?"
Gideon examined him.
"Not his."
She exhaled.
Ash appeared behind him.
Together, the dogs had chased the second man away from the cabin and down toward the creek.
By morning, the storm had weakened.
The sky was pale.
The mountains appeared again.
Everett was gone.
His companion was gone.
The cabin had a broken window, a damaged door, and bullet holes in the wall.
But it was standing.
So was Clara.
So was Gideon.
They spent the morning repairing what they could.
Clara swept glass.
Gideon replaced boards.
Neither spoke much.
At noon, he stopped.
She looked up.
"What?"
He crossed the room.
He took her hand.
"You're shaking."
"I'm fine."
"No."
"I'm tired."
"That's different."
She smiled faintly.
"You notice everything."
"With you."
She looked down.
"I was afraid you'd think I was weak."
Gideon frowned.
"After last night?"
She nodded.
He lifted her chin.
"You stood in a storm with a gun in your hand."
"I was terrified."
"So was I."
"You?"
"Yes."
"Of Everett?"
"No."
"Then what?"
"Losing you."
Her eyes filled.
She leaned against him.
"I didn't know anyone could make me feel safe."
He wrapped his arms around her.
"I didn't know anyone could make me want to protect something without wanting to own it."
She looked up.
"That's important."
"Yes."
He touched her cheek.
"I learned something."
"What?"
"Love isn't keeping someone where you can see them."
She smiled.
"It's letting them choose to stay."
He nodded.
"Yes."
She kissed him.
This time there was no fear.
No uncertainty.
No past.
Only choice.
That evening, they sat beside the fire.
The broken window had been covered with blankets.
Snow still fell lightly outside.
Bear slept near Clara's feet.
Ash rested beside Gideon's chair.
Clara leaned against his shoulder.
"You never told me why you called the dogs wolves."
"They're half wolf."
She looked at him.