Taza laughed, too. It was the first time she had heard him laugh openly. The sound surprised both of them. Taza had spent so many years believing life was about surviving hardship that he had forgotten laughter could exist inside an ordinary day. But their happiness did not erase the past.
One evening, Clara found Taza sitting alone near the edge of the property. The sun was disappearing behind the mountains. She sat beside him. You're thinking about her. Taza knew immediately who she meant.
Yes. Clara didn't become jealous. She simply waited. After a long silence, Taza spoke. Her name was Amaya.
I know. I never told you everything. You don't have to. I want to. He looked toward the mountains.
After she died, I thought remembering her was the only way to honor what we had. Clara listened. So I stopped living. He took a slow breath. I protect and people.
I traveled when I needed to, but I never let anyone close enough to matter. Clara looked at him. Until me. Taza nodded. I don't understand why.
Clara smiled gently. Maybe you don't need to. He looked at her. You weren't afraid that loving me means replacing her? No.
Why? Because I don't want to replace anyone. She placed her hand over his. I only want to be part of your life. Taza lowered his eyes.
For years, he had believed love meant choosing between the past and the future. Clara showed him that it didn't. He could remember Amaya. He could honor the life he had lost and still allow himself to love again. That realization changed him.
A few weeks later, Taza finally asked Clara something he had been afraid to ask. Would you stay here? Clara looked at him. I already am. No, he shook his head.
I mean permanently. She became quiet. Taza continued. I don't want you staying because you feel sorry for me. I don't.
I don't want you staying because you're afraid to be alone. I'm not. Then why? Clara stepped closer. Because I love you.
Taza looked down. Those words still frightened him, but this time he didn't run from them. I love you, too. Clara smiled. It was simple, but for Taza, those words were enormous.
Soon they began discussing marriage. They wanted something small. No grand church, no wealthy guests, no celebration designed to impress the town, just the people who mattered. But before the wedding could happen, another problem appeared. Clara received a letter from her brother.
He wanted her to return home. He wrote that she was embarrassing the family by marrying Taza. Clara read the letter twice. Then she placed it on the table. Taza noticed her expression.