“Then ask the question you mean.”
Matilda's face burned.
“No.”
He waited.
She hated him for waiting.
Finally:
“What if you only came because of my mother?”
“I did.”
There it was.
Honest.
Then:
“But I'm still sitting here because of you.”
Matilda forgot what she intended to say.
Jedodiah looked toward the fire.
“Go sleep.”
“That sounds like another order.”
“It was a suggestion.”
“Work on your tone.”
“Yes, ma'am.”
Matilda stood carefully.
Her knees hurt.
Jedodiah rose automatically.
He did not reach for her.
He simply stood nearby.
Available.
Not assuming.
She noticed.
Then returned to the kitchen bench.
Before lying down, she looked back.
He was watching the fire.
Blue cloth folded in his palm.
For the first time in years, Matilda thought about tomorrow without dread.
Then something struck the back door.
Hard.
She sat up.
Jedodiah stood instantly.
Another impact.
BANG.
A man shouted outside.
“Open up!”
Jedodiah reached the door.
Matilda followed.
“Who?”
“Marshal!”
Jedodiah opened.
Snow exploded inward.
The town marshal stumbled inside with two deputies.
His beard was white with ice.
He held a leather document case against his chest.
“We've got trouble.”
Jedodiah shut the door.
“What?”