Tala laughing at something Sajaya had said. Sajaya with cheeks rosy from the fires, heat and happiness. For the first time in his life, Kate Thornton understood what it meant to belong. The end of winter arrived with false starts. One warm day melted to snow.
Then a night freeze turned everything to ice again. But slowly, inexorably, spring approached, and with spring would come a decision. Kate knew it. Tala knew it. Sajaya knew it.
No one spoke of it. But the unasked question floated between them like smoke. What happens when the snow melts? The cabin was fully restored. Now the roof was solid, the windows sealed.
They had built a small woodshed, a garden prepared for planting in spring, and even a small coop for the chickens Kate had bought in town. It was a home, a real home. But Kate was a traveling cowboy. He had no land, no right to this cabin, and the women could stay here alone, safe. One day in March, Kate announced he needed to go to town for supplies, but this time the trip was longer.
He needed to see if there was work available at nearby ranches. Spring meant rodeo season. There would be work. I'll be back in three days, he promised while saddling his horse. Tala nodded, her face carefully neutral.
Be careful. Sajaya gave him a package of food for the journey. Don't forget to eat, she said softly. As he rode, Kate felt strangely empty. For the first time in 1five years of wandering, leaving a place hurt.
The town was the same as always, dusty, noisy, busy with spring preparations. Kate bought the necessary supplies, then went to ask for work. The foreman of the largest ranch looked him up and down. You're good with cattle, Thornton. I've seen you work.
I can offer you the whole summer good pay. When do I start? In a week after the snow melts from the high pasture, Kate nodded. I'll be there. He should have felt satisfied.
Secure work, good income. It was exactly what he had always done. But as he walked back to his horse, he felt lost. That night, the cheap rental room, he couldn't sleep. He kept thinking about the cabin, about Tala, trying to teach him Apache words, about Sajaya singing softly while cooking, about the nights by the fire, sharing stories.
He had built something there, something he had never had before, a family. On the second day, while buying nails at the general store, he heard a conversation that chilled him. "Two Indian women living alone in the mountains," a man was saying. "It's not right. It's unnatural." "Have you seen them?" asked another.
"My son saw them when he went hunting. He says they live in the old mine cabin alone." "No name, that's trouble waiting to happen. We should do something." Kate stepped forward. What kind of trouble? The men looked at him.
None of your business, cowboy. It is if you're talking about harassing two defenseless women. The first man straightened up. Defenseless? They are savages.
Probably stolen from some tribe. We might be doing a favor by returning them. Anger burned in Kate's veins. They are not savages. They are people, and they are not alone.
I live there, too. Alive, but necessary. The men exchanged glances. You live there with two Indian women? Yes.
Any problem with that? Silence stretched. Finally, the older man spat on the ground. Your affairs are your affairs, cowboy, but don't expect the town to approve. Kate leaned in close.
I don't need the town's approval. I just need you to leave those women alone. Understood? The men grumbled something and walked away. Kate finished his shopping quickly and left town.
He needed to return now. He rode hard, pushing his horse harder than usual. He arrived at the cabin at dusk on the second day, not the third. Tala was outside chopping wood. She dropped the axe when she saw him.
You're back early. I needed to return. He dismounted, approaching her. Tala, I heard something in town. Some men know you are here.
They were talking about causing you trouble. Tala's face went pale. Sajaya, she whispered. They ran into the cabin. Sajaya was inside preparing dinner.
She looked up surprised when they rushed in. What's wrong? Tala hugged her tightly. Then she looked at Kate. What do we do?
Kate ran a hand through his hair. He had been thinking about this all the way back. I told them I live here too. That you are not alone. But you don't live here.
Sajaya said confused. You travel. You have work waiting for you. I could stay. The words came out before Kate could think them through completely.
Tala stared at him. What? I could stay live here. Really? Not just until spring.
His heart beat fast. This cabin belongs to no one. No man's land. We could we could claim it. The three of us.
Make it truly ours. But your work. There are ranches nearby. I can work during the day, come back at night, or short jobs, not full season commitments. He looked at both women.
If you want, if you want to stay together. Sajaya had tears in her eyes. together. The three of us? Yes. As as a family.
Not traditional, but family. Tala sat down slowly. Kate, do you know what you are saying? The town is already murmuring. If you stay here with us, there will be more problems.
Judgment, criticism. Let them judge. I've spent my whole life not caring what people think. Why start now? But why?
Tala's voice trembled. Why would you do this? You have freedom. You can go anywhere. Why tie yourself to this? to us.
Kate knelt in front of her, looking her directly in the eyes. Because in all my life, I never had a home. I was always the stranger, the one passing through. But here with you, for the first time, I feel he searched for the right words. I feel like I belong, like I matter.