I know. She looked at him. But I want to. Ta nodded. Together.
They walked toward the porch. The riders waited outside the fence. Her stepfather called her name. Clara's heart pounded, but she kept walking. Taza remained beside her.
Not in front, not behind. Beside her that she had been deceived. Clara looked at him. No. He demanded that she return.
No. He threatened that nobody would want her once Taza became tired of protecting her. The words hurt. But Clara no longer believed them. She looked at Taza.
He didn't speak. He trusted her to answer. Clara turned back toward the riders. I don't need him to protect me from every cruel person in the world. Her stepfather laughed.
Then why stay? Clara looked around the ranch, at the house, at the horses, at the trees, at the valley. Then she touched her heart because here I learned that my life belongs to me. Nobody answered. Clara continued, "You told me I was worthless.
You told me I couldn't survive without you. You were wrong. Her voice trembled, but it did not break. I am still learning how to live, but I am learning. The writers eventually left.
Clara stood there until they disappeared. Then she turned toward Taza. I thought you were going to say something. Taza smiled. You didn't need me to.
Clara smiled back. And for the first time since he had found her beneath the cottonwood, Taza did not see the frightened girl who could not stand. He saw a woman beginning to discover her own strength. Clara looked down at her feet. Then she took a step.
Another and another. Taza watched quietly. She walked across the porch without assistance. When she reached him, she stopped. I can walk.
I know. I can stand. I know. She smiled. But I still want you beside me.
Taza's expression softened. I'll be here. Clara looked toward the valley. For the first time, she was no longer waiting for someone else to decide where her life would go. She was ready to choose it herself.
The morning after Clara faced her family. The valley felt strangely peaceful. For the first time in many years, Clare awoke without immediately wondering what she had done wrong. Sunlight entered through the window of her room, falling across the wooden floor and the simple dress hanging beside the bed. She sat quietly for several minutes.
Then she stood. Her legs were stronger now. Not perfect, not completely free from pain, but strong enough. She walked to the window and looked across the ranch. Taza was already outside.
He stood beside one of the horses, checking its saddle. The sight made Clara smile. A few months ago, she had been lying beneath a cottonwood tree, convinced she would never stand again. Now, she was watching the sunrise from a home where nobody shouted at her. She dressed and went downstairs.
Taza looked up when she entered. You slept well? Yes, that is good. Clara smiled. I want to help with the garden today.