Every now and then their hands brushed, no words, but something passed between them, small, quiet, real. By the time the fence stood again, the sun had started pushing through the clouds, weak, cold, but there. Clara wiped her hands on her skirt, her breath uneven. That should hold. Elijah tested the line, pulled it tight.
It will. He turned, looked at her, really looked. Snow clung to her hair, her cheeks red from cold, her hands shaking just a little. "You didn't have to do that alone," he said. "I've been doing everything alone. " A pause.
Then softer, "until now. " The words stayed between them. Neither one moved. Then the sound came again. Closer this time. Clara turned fast, heart slamming.
The tree line at the edge of the property, something moved. Big, low, then gone. Elijah stepped in front of her without thinking. Not dramatic, just there. Blocking, watching.
His body went still, not tense, ready. Clara felt it. The difference. He wasn't afraid. He was prepared.
"What is it? " she whispered. He didn't answer. His eyes tracked the edge of the trees. Seconds passed, long ones, then nothing. The movement stopped.
The sound faded. The valley went quiet again, but not the same quiet as before. This one felt watched. Elijah exhaled slowly. "It moved off. " "That's it? " "For now. " Clara didn't like that answer, didn't like the way he said it.
"For now. " She wrapped her arms around herself, cold creeping back in. He glanced at her. "Go inside. I'm fine. " "You're shaking. " "I said I'm fine. " He stepped closer, not close enough to crowd her, just enough. "You don't have to prove anything to me. " The words hit harder than the cold.
Clara looked away, jaw tight. "I'm not trying to prove anything. " "Yes, you are. " Silence. She didn't answer. Because he wasn't wrong. He never seemed wrong.
And that made it worse. He softened slightly, voice lower. "You've already done more than most people ever would. " Her throat tightened. She swallowed it down. "I'm still here. " "I know. " A pause.
"And I'm not leaving today. " That made her look at him. What? That thing out there, it might come back. His eyes moved toward the tree line again. I'm staying until I know it won't.
You don't have to, I know. Same words as before, but heavier now, more certain. Clara's chest felt tight again. Not from fear. Something else, something she didn't want to name.
All right, she said quietly. They walked back toward the cabin, closer than before, not touching, but not distant, either. Inside the fire still burned, warm, alive. Clara added more wood, hands moving on habit. Elijah stood near the door, watching, always watching.
Sit, she said. I'll make something. You don't have to. I know. She met his eyes, just for a second, then turned away.
A faint shift in his expression, like he understood, like he heard something she didn't say. They ate in silence. Simple food, bread, beans, warm enough, but the silence wasn't empty anymore. It held something between them. After Elijah stood, moved toward the window, checked the land again, Clara watched him this time, the way he moved, the way he filled the space, strong, but careful, always careful.