She studied him closely. I watched you on that mountain, the way you measured every risk, the way you protected those boys while putting yourself in danger. Her voice softened. That's not a man chasing a reward. That's a man who knows what it means to take care of others.
Something inside Cole cracked. For years, he'd built walls around himself, convinced it was safer that way. Safer to be alone. But this woman, with her honesty, with the fierce love she carried for her children, she was tearing those walls down, piece by piece. I'm scared, Cole admitted, the words slipping out before he could stop them.
Scared of failing, of not being enough, of turning into the kind of man who makes promises, and then disappears. Fear is natural, Ayanna said, shifting a little closer, but not touching him. I'm afraid, too. Her voice dropped. Afraid to trust again.
Afraid my children might learn to love someone, only to lose him. She looked down briefly. Afraid of opening my heart to a man who might only stay out of gratitude. It's not obligation, Cole said quickly. Whatever I feel, I don't even know what it is yet, but it's not that.
The first light of dawn began slipping through the seams of the lodge, pale and quiet. Outside, the camp was beginning to stir. The quiet of dawn was breaking, and Cole Maddox knew his moment had come. Soon, he would have to answer. Ayanna, he said, drawing in a deep breath.
I can't choose like this. His voice was steady, but heavy. It wouldn't be fair to you, to the others, or to myself. Choosing a wife in one night after everything that's happened. He shook his head.
That's not how something real is built. He saw it then. The flicker of disappointment crossing her face. But there was understanding there, too. Still, he pressed on.
I want to do this right, he said. I give you my word. I'll come back when spring arrives. I'll spend the winter working, thinking, making sure this is real. His voice softened.
Not just the feeling of a lonely man trying to fill an empty space. He stepped a little closer, meeting her eyes. And when I come back, if you're still willing, if your children accept me, if your heart tells you I belong here, then I'll ask you to be my wife. A pause. Not out of obligation, not out of gratitude, but because I chose it.
Because I chose to come back. Because I chose to stay. Because I chose you. Ayanna stood still, taking it all in. A single tear slipped down her cheek, catching the first light of dawn.