Miles Rourke was standing near the steps, laughing with another man.
Gabriel's jaw tightened.
Then he looked back at Clara.
"You didn't embarrass me."
She stared.
He continued.
"Miles embarrassed himself."
Her eyes filled again.
"But everyone knows."
Gabriel took a breath.
"Some people will talk."
Clara looked down.
He continued.
"I can't stop every fool in Wyoming from opening his mouth."
Despite herself, she laughed through tears.
Gabriel smiled faintly.
"But I can decide whether their opinions matter more than how I treat my wife."
Clara looked toward him.
For a moment, she couldn't speak.
Then whispered, "And how do you want to treat me?"
The question caught him off guard.
He studied her face.
Then answered quietly.
"Better than I did the night I found out."
Her lips trembled.
For several seconds, they stood beside the wagon.
Then Gabriel offered his hand.
Clara took it.
He helped her onto the seat.
And they drove home through the cold afternoon, neither pretending that the road ahead would be easy.
The first snow arrived two weeks later.
It began as fine white flakes drifting across the pasture.
By evening, the roofs were covered.
The fence rails disappeared beneath a thin layer of white.
And the horses stood close together near the stable doors.
Clara watched from the kitchen window.
She had never seen the plains transformed so quickly.
The world seemed larger and quieter beneath the snow.
Gabriel entered carrying an armful of firewood.
He stamped his boots.
Then looked toward her.
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
Clara nodded.
"Yes."
He set the wood beside the stove.
"Won't seem quite so beautiful after three months of it."
She smiled.
"I'll remember that."
Gabriel studied her.
Then noticed she was shivering.
He frowned.
"You're cold."
"A little."
He looked toward the fire.
Then toward her shawl.
"That isn't thick enough."
Clara shrugged.
"It was warm enough in Missouri."
Gabriel shook his head.
"Missouri doesn't know what Wyoming calls cold."
She laughed.
He went upstairs.
Returned with a heavy wool blanket.
Then draped it gently around her shoulders.
Clara looked up.
For a moment, their faces were close.
Gabriel's hands rested briefly against the fabric near her collar.
Then he stepped back.
She swallowed.
"Thank you."
He nodded.
"Of course."
Neither moved immediately.
The snow continued falling outside.
For a moment, Clara looked at him with an expression he couldn't understand.
Then she whispered, "Gabriel."