His throat tightened.
"Merry Christmas."
They remained beside the fire until Jasper gave an impatient bark, apparently offended that nobody was paying attention to him.
Clara laughed.
Gabriel smiled.
Then slowly released her.
For a moment, their hands remained connected.
Neither seemed eager to let go.
But Gabriel stepped back.
Not from rejection.
From caution.
He wanted whatever happened between them to be chosen freely.
Not rushed because Christmas made the house feel softer.
Clara seemed to understand.
She smiled.
Then placed the silver comb carefully inside its wooden box.
That night, she wore it in her hair during supper.
And Gabriel looked at her so often that she finally laughed.
"What?"
He blushed.
"Nothing."
She raised one eyebrow.
"Gabriel."
He smiled.
"It suits you."
Clara lowered her eyes.
Then whispered, "Thank you."
For a moment, happiness settled between them.
Small.
Fragile.
But real.
The storm that changed everything arrived in January.
It began before sunrise.
The sky turned a dull gray.
The wind came from the northwest.
And by midmorning, snow was moving across the ranch so thickly that the barn nearly disappeared behind a white curtain.
Gabriel knew the signs.
He had seen storms like it before.
He ordered the ranch hands to bring vulnerable livestock closer to shelter.
Checked the feed.
Secured the gates.
And instructed Clara to remain inside.
She didn't argue.
The wind was frightening.
The house creaked.
Snow pressed against the doors.
And even Jasper seemed uneasy.
By noon, visibility had worsened.
Gabriel returned briefly for food.
Clara handed him bread and hot coffee.
He looked exhausted.
"How bad?"
He shook his head.
"Worse than I hoped."
She glanced toward the window.
"Will the cattle be all right?"
"Most should be."
He hesitated.
"But I need to check the lower pasture."
Clara's stomach tightened.
"Now?"
He nodded.
"There's a stretch of fence that doesn't hold well in this wind. If it gives, the herd could drift toward the ravine."
She looked frightened.
Gabriel noticed.
He reached toward her hand.
Then stopped.
For a moment, he seemed uncertain.
Clara gently took his fingers.
"Be careful."
He looked toward her.
Then nodded.
"I will."
He pulled on his coat.
Wrapped a scarf around his neck.
And went outside.