“You can't possibly intend to stay here forever.”
She looked at him.
“I do.”
He scoffed.
“You're not even married.”
Silence.
Lara felt her cheeks warm.
Elias glanced toward her.
Then looked back at Thomas.
“That part is none of your concern.”
Thomas laughed.
“You actually intend to marry her?”
Elias's expression became completely still.
“Yes.”
Lara turned sharply.
Her breath caught.
Thomas stared.
Then laughed.
“You cannot be serious.”
Elias looked directly at him.
“I've never been more serious.”
Thomas pointed toward his sister.
“Look at her.”
The words struck Lara like an old familiar blow.
But before she could lower her head, Elias stepped beside her.
“I am.”
His voice was calm.
“I look at her every morning.”
Thomas's laughter stopped.
“I see the woman who saved my men from hunger.”
Elias took Lara's hand.
“The woman who keeps this ranch running.”
He looked toward Thomas.
“The woman who has shown me more kindness in four months than you showed her in twenty-eight years.”
Lara began to cry.
Thomas's face reddened.
“You're making a mistake.”
Elias shook his head.
“No.”
He looked at Lara.
“The mistake would have been sending her away.”
Chapter 11: A Proposal Without Conditions
Thomas departed before sunset.
Caleb's latest offer remained unopened on the kitchen table.
Lara stood near the stove, struggling to steady her breathing.
Elias approached quietly.
“Lara.”
She turned.
“Did you mean it?”
He stopped.
“What?”
“What you said to my brother.”
His expression softened.
“Yes.”
She looked down.
“You said you intended to marry me.”
“I did.”
“Because you wanted him to leave?”
“No.”
“Because you feel responsible for me?”
“No.”
“Because the ranch needs me?”
Elias stepped closer.
“The ranch needs good people. That's true.”
Her face tightened.
“But?”
He took her hands.
“I want you because when I come through that door, you're the person I hope to see.”
Her breath caught.
“Elias…”
“When something good happens, you're the person I want to tell.”
He brushed a loose strand of hair from her cheek.
“When something terrible happens, you're the person whose voice makes me believe I can get through it.”
Tears filled her eyes.
He smiled softly.
“And when I think about the future, you're standing in it.”
Lara shook her head.
“I don't know what to say.”
“Then let me finish.”
He reached into his coat.
Removed a small velvet box.
Her eyes widened.
He opened it.
Inside was a simple gold ring.
Not expensive.