I he began, but the words stuck in his throat. His mind was a whirlwind of confusion, surprise, and something else he dared not name. Kiona spoke, her voice strong, but kind. We know it's a lot to process.
We don't expect an answer now, but we wanted you to know the truth. You saved us, Samuel. And in that act, you stole our hearts. All three of them.
Nalin added softly. You don't have to choose any of us if you don't want to. You don't have to feel obligated. We just wanted you to know that there are three women in this world who consider you the most honorable man they have ever known.
Samuel looked at the three women before him. Each was beautiful, yes, but more than that, each radiated strength, intelligence, and kindness. He could see in their eyes that they spoke sincerely. It wasn't a game or a cultural obligation.
It was real. "I live alone." Samuel said finally, his voice hoarse. "For many years I've grown accustomed to solitude, to not depending on anyone, to not letting anyone depend on me because everyone I've loved I've lost." Anna squeezed his hand. "Solitude is safe, but it's not life.
Love is risk, but it's the only thing that makes waking up each morning worthwhile." "Besides," said Kiona with a mischievous smile, "you're not as used to solitude as you think. You saved Grandma Lucia a week ago. A true loner wouldn't have risked his life for an old woman." Samuel couldn't help but smile at that. She was right.
"Stay." He said suddenly, surprising himself. "At least for a few days. Let me Let me get to know you. Truly.
Not as the man who saved you 10 years ago, but as the man I am now. And you let me know you as the women you are today, not as the frightened young women back then." The three women smiled, and in those smiles Samuel saw hope, joy, and some relief. "We will stay." Anna agreed. "But you should know something else, Samuel.
Eventually you will have to choose only one of us. Our traditions allow a woman to court a man, but marriage is between two people. We know and accept that. And whoever is not chosen will still be your friend and sister forever." "I don't want to hurt anyone." Samuel said honestly.
"Honesty never hurts as much as a lie." Nalin replied. "Just be yourself. The rest will happen as it should." The days passed like a strange and wonderful dream for Samuel. The three women had settled into his ranch, each showing her unique skills in ways that constantly amazed him.
Anna spent her mornings in the small garden behind the house, identifying wild herbs and planting medicinal seeds she had brought from her tribe. Her hands seemed to have magic when they touched the earth. She taught Samuel about plants that cured headaches, wounds, and fevers. When they talked, their conversations were deep and peaceful about life, nature, and the meaning of simple things.
Kiona woke before dawn to train Samuel's horses. She had a natural gift with animals. The wildest colts calmed under her touch. She showed Samuel techniques he had never seen, ways of communicating with horses that went beyond simple commands.
She was direct, honest, and her laugh was like the free wind of the mountains. Nalin transformed the inside of Samuel's house. She hung curtains she had woven herself, creating patterns of light and shadow that made the rooms feel larger and cozier. In the afternoon, she sat by the window and created art with beads and leather while telling him ancient stories of her people.
Her voice was musical, and Samuel found himself working more slowly just to hear her better. But Samuel knew he would have to make a decision, and that decision terrified him. On the evening of the fifth day, Samuel was in the stable when he noticed something strange. The sky to the west had turned a sickly yellow.
The horses were restless, pawing the ground and neighing nervously. Samuel had lived long enough in these lands to know what it meant, a sandstorm, and it would be big. He ran to the house. "We have to prepare.
A storm is coming." The three women wasted no time on useless questions. Anna began securing everything outside. Kiona led all the horses into the big barn and closed the doors tightly. Nalin closed all the windows and doors of the house, sealing the cracks with damp cloths.
Samuel climbed onto the roof to secure loose shingles when he saw something that made his blood freeze. In the distance, on the road to the Martinez ranch, he saw a small figure. It was Rosa, riding her pony, galloping desperately toward his house, trying to make it before the storm caught her, but she wouldn't. The wall of sand was approaching too fast, a roaring mass of dust and wind that could disorient anyone in seconds.
A small child wouldn't stand a chance. Samuel didn't think twice. He jumped off the roof, ran to the stable, and mounted his fastest horse. Kiona saw him and understood immediately.
"I'm coming with you," she shouted, jumping onto another horse. "It's too dangerous." "Two eyes see better than one in a sandstorm," Kiona replied firmly. "Don't argue. Let's go." There was no time to argue.
Samuel spurred his horse and rode out with Kiona beside him. The wind was already beginning to blow hard, kicking up small swirls of dust. They had minutes, maybe less. They galloped toward where he had seen Rosa.
Visibility worsened quickly. Sand began to sting their skin like tiny needles. Samuel covered his mouth and nose with his bandana and shouted Rosa's name again and again. "There!" Kiona shouted, pointing to the right.
Samuel saw Rosa's pony, frightened, running in circles, but Rosa wasn't on it. She had fallen. Samuel's heart lurched. He spurred his horse harder as the wall of sand approached like a roaring monster.
Finally, he saw Rosa lying on the ground, clinging to a bush as the wind tried to drag her away. Samuel jumped off his horse and ran to her. He picked her up in his arms just as the storm hit them with full fury. The world turned brown.
He couldn't see beyond his own hand. The roar of the wind was deafening. Kiona appeared beside him like a ghost in the storm. She had caught Rosa's pony and was holding it tightly.
She shouted something but Samuel couldn't hear her over the wind. She pointed downward and Samuel understood. There was a natural dip in the ground. A small hollow that would offer some protection.
They crawled toward it fighting against the wind that tried to rip them from the ground. Samuel held Rosa against his chest protecting her from the flying sand. Kiona huddled beside them using her body to create an additional barrier. The three horses huddled close instinctively seeking protection in numbers.