The wagon climbed through hills covered with dark pines. Snow drifted across narrow trails, collecting in the wheel ruts. The horses moved cautiously where ice had formed beneath the fresh powder.
Lara sat beside Elias beneath a heavy blanket.
The wooden seat was narrow, and she repeatedly shifted to make room.
Finally Elias glanced at her.
“Stop doing that.”
She froze.
“I'm sorry.”
“Doing what?”
“Trying to make yourself smaller.”
Her cheeks burned.
“I only meant to give you room.”
“There's enough room.”
He returned his attention to the horses.
After a moment, he added, “And you don't need to apologize every time you move.”
Lara stared ahead.
It was a small kindness.
Almost nothing.
Yet no man had ever said anything like it to her.
They traveled in silence.
Occasionally Elias pointed out dangerous patches of road.
Once he stopped to tighten the horses' harness.
Another time he climbed down and cleared a fallen branch from the trail.
Lara watched him work.
He was not a handsome gentleman in the polished Boston sense.
His face carried scars.
His hands were rough.
His coat was old.
But something about him was steady.
He did not waste words.
He did not perform kindness for an audience.
When he pulled the blanket higher around her shoulders, he did it without making a speech.
That made the gesture feel more sincere.
As twilight approached, the trees opened into a broad valley.
A river curved through the northern pasture, dark water moving between banks of snow.
Beyond it stood a modest farmhouse, a large barn, several outbuildings, and a corral.
Whispering Pines Ranch.
Lara studied the place.
It was not luxurious.
The fences needed repair.
Several roof shingles were missing.
The barn leaned slightly toward the prevailing wind.
But the land was beautiful.
And the river—
The river was magnificent.
Even in winter, it moved with quiet determination.
Elias noticed her looking.
“That's the reason Caleb wants this place.”
“The water?”
“Yes.”
“It's beautiful.”
“It's valuable.”
She looked at him.
“Can't it be both?”
He considered the question.
Then nodded.
“I suppose it can.”
The wagon stopped beside the cabin.
Elias climbed down and carried her trunk inside.
Lara followed.
The farmhouse was nearly empty.
A cast-iron stove stood against one wall.
A wooden table occupied the center of the room.
Two chairs rested beside it.
A narrow bed stood behind a curtain.
There were no paintings.
No curtains at the windows.