He drew in a slow breath. Then turned. "All my life," he began his voice rough with something deep "I've been building walls. After I lost my family I learned the hard way that loving someone means risking everything. Losing them nearly broke me once.
I didn't think I could survive it again. " Alona watched him, her gaze steady filled with quiet understanding. Bidzial sat with her hands clasped, her posture strong but calm. Ayanna toyed gently with a bead at her necklace listening with her whole heart. "But then you three came into my life," Thorn continued "like a storm I never saw coming. And you showed me something I didn't want to admit.
He stepped forward and sat across from them, his eyes moving from one face to the next, holding each of them in memory. That I've only been living half a life. That fear has stolen years from me. " He turned first to Bidzial. She lifted her chin, meeting his gaze without flinching. "You're like the wind out in the high country," Thorn said quietly.
"Wild free strong enough to face anything. Out there in that storm you saved my life. " Her jaw tightened slightly, emotion flickering behind her strength. "Your spirit's too big for fences," he went on "too big for this place. No ranch, no home, no man could ever hold you still. " She opened her mouth. But he raised a hand gently.
"Let me finish. " His voice softened. "You deserve a life that moves that breathes, that runs wild without chains. And if you stayed here with me I know one day you'd feel trapped. " A long silence. Then Bidzial nodded slowly, her eyes shining now. "You're right," she said, her voice steady despite the tears.
And I respect you for seeing it. " She stepped closer, placing a hand briefly against his arm. "You'll always be my brother, Thorn. The bravest man I know. " The words hit him harder than he expected. But he turned to Ayanna. She looked up at him, her eyes soft, filled with quiet light.
"Ayanna. " He said gently. "You're like the stories you tell. There's beauty in everything you touch. Depth. Meaning. " A faint knowing smile crossed her lips.
"You've filled this place with life. With warmth. With something I didn't even realize I was missing. " He paused. "But you belong to a different world than mine. " Her smile didn't fade. But it changed.
"You need color, music. People who understand what you create. I'm just a rancher, Ayanna. My hands are built for dirt and reins, not for the kind of beauty you carry. " She lowered her gaze for a moment, then nodded. "I know," she whispered.
"I've known. " A soft breath escaped her lips. "But these days I'll carry them with me always. Thank you, Thorn. " Finally he turned to Alona. She hadn't moved. Hadn't looked away once.
And something in her eyes made his chest tighten. "Alona. " He said, his voice catching slightly before he steadied it. "From the moment you stepped onto this land something felt different. " He stood and walked toward her. She rose to meet him. "It's not the fire of adventure," he said.
"Not the wonder of something new. He stopped in front of her. It's something quieter. He took her hands in his. "When I see you out in the garden, I feel peace.