He was indeed barely adequate, but his earnestness, and the care he took not to step on her feet, made Faith smile. As they moved around the floor, she felt some of the weight of the past weeks lifting from her shoulders. Thank you for bringing me tonight," she said as they circled the room. I didn't realize how much I needed this. Colton's eyes were warm as he looked down at her.
"Everyone needs community faith. No one should stand alone." The words reminded her of the funeral, of how he had appeared beside her with his umbrella. "You didn't let me stand alone, then either," she said softly. "No," he agreed. "And I don't intend to.
The simple declaration spoken without pretense or expectation touched Faith deeply. For the first time since Thomas's death, she felt truly safe. As spring turned to summer, Faith settled into her new routine. She worked at the general store during the day, attended church and the sewing circle on Sundays, and in the evenings she often found Colton on her porch, ready to help with whatever needed doing around the cabin. Emma thrived under the attention of both her mother and Colton, who continued to carve toys for her, and seemed delighted by her growing abilities.
The town's initial whispers about Faith and Colton, had mostly subsided, replaced by a general acceptance of his role as her friend and protector. If some still speculated about the nature of their relationship, they at least had the decency to do so out of Faith's hearing. One evening in late June, as they sat on Faith's porch watching the sunset, Emma already asleep inside, Colton broached a subject they had both been carefully avoiding. Faith, he began, his voice uncharacteristically hesitant. I've been thinking about the future.
Faith's heart quickened. Oh, the mind's not doing so well. Colton continued. Owner says they might have to lay off some men if the next vein doesn't prove richer. Faith frowned.
Would you be among those laid off? Possibly. I was one of the last hired. Colton looked out at the darkening horizon, but I've been saving and I've had my eye on a piece of land about 10 mi south of here. Good water, decent grazing.
Could run a small herd of cattle, maybe do some farming. You want to be a rancher? Faith asked, surprised. Colton had never mentioned such ambitions before. It's what I know best, Colton admitted.
Mining was just a way to earn enough to get started. He turned to look at her directly. Faith, I know it's only been a few months since Thomas passed, and I don't want to rush you or dishonor his memory, but I care for you and Emma more than I thought possible. Faith's breath caught in her throat. She had known, of course, that Colton's feelings ran deeper than friendship, just as she had been increasingly aware of her own growing attachment to him, but neither had spoken of it out of respect for her mourning period.