Clara opened her eyes.
For a moment, she understood.
He wasn't asking because he felt entitled to kiss his wife.
He was asking because he wanted to know whether she wanted it too.
She smiled through tears.
Then leaned toward him.
Their lips met softly.
The kiss was brief.
Almost shy.
But when Gabriel drew back, he looked stunned.
Clara smiled.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then he gave a quiet laugh.
"What?"
She brushed a loose curl away from her face.
"You look surprised."
Gabriel smiled.
"I am."
She laughed.
He took her hand again.
Then said something that made her heart ache.
"I don't know what kind of husband I'm going to be."
Clara looked toward him.
He continued.
"But I'd like the chance to become a better one."
Tears filled her eyes.
She leaned closer.
Then whispered, "So would I."
Gabriel rested his forehead against hers.
For several seconds, they remained that way.
Not pretending the past had disappeared.
Not promising a perfect future.
Simply choosing to keep trying.
And for the first time since the day he discovered her pregnancy, Gabriel Morrow allowed himself to believe their marriage might survive.
The spring thaw had not yet begun when Edmund Vale arrived at the ranch.
It was the second week of February.
Snow lay deep along the fence lines.
The main road had frozen into uneven ridges, and the wind carried loose powder across the open pasture.
Gabriel was in the barn inspecting a lame gelding when Jasper began barking.
At first, he assumed someone from a neighboring ranch had come to ask for help.
Then he heard carriage wheels.
Not the familiar creak of a farm wagon.
Something lighter.
More expensive.
He stepped outside.
A dark carriage approached the house, drawn by two well-kept horses.
The driver wore a heavy coat.
Beside him sat another man carrying a leather case.
Gabriel frowned.
Visitors rarely arrived without warning in winter.
He walked toward the gate.
The carriage stopped.
A man stepped down.
He was tall, handsome in a carefully maintained way, with neatly parted brown hair, a trimmed mustache, and a dark wool overcoat that looked far too expensive for ranch work.
He glanced around with obvious distaste.
Then adjusted his gloves.
Gabriel knew immediately.
He didn't need an introduction.
The man's expression carried the same confidence Clara described when she spoke of Edmund Vale.
The stranger approached.
"Mr. Morrow?"
Gabriel remained beside the gate.
"Who's asking?"
The man smiled thinly.
"Edmund Vale."
Gabriel felt his entire body become still.
For several seconds, neither moved.
Then Gabriel looked toward the carriage.
"And your companion?"
"My attorney."
Gabriel's jaw tightened.
Edmund smiled politely.
"I believe we have a matter to discuss."
Gabriel glanced toward the house.
Clara was inside.
She had been preparing lunch.
He didn't know whether she'd heard the carriage.