"Do you drink it? " he asked. She blinked. The question caught her off guard. "Yes. " He poured a second cup, pushed it toward her. She stepped forward. careful, always careful.
Her fingers wrapped around the tin, warm, solid. She took a sip. Bitter, strong, it grounded her. For a moment, they stood there. Two strangers in the same room, not speaking, but not entirely apart, either.
Outside, the wind howled again, louder this time. The house creaked in response. Ingrid looked toward the window. "There are no trees," she said quietly, "no shelter. " Calder followed her gaze. "No, does it ever stop? " she asked.
He shook his head. ""No. But then you get used to it. "" Ingrid stared out into the darkness. The open land stretched beyond sight. Nothing to block it. Nothing to soften it.
Just like everything else here. Harsh, unforgiving, honest. She took another sip of coffee. Then set the cup down. "I will not bend here," she said.
The words surprised even her. Calder looked at her again. Sharp, focused. "No," he said. "You won't. " Not doubt, not challenge, certainty.
The first one she had heard since arriving. It settled into her chest. Strange, unfamiliar, but strong. A sound broke the moment. Outside, footsteps, heavy, unsteady.
Calder's expression hardened instantly. He moved toward the door, opened it. The cold air rushed in. A man stood on the porch, swaying slightly. The younger one from earlier, Seth.
His grin was slow, crooked. "You married her quick," he said. His eyes slid past Calder, landing on Ingrid, lingering too long, too bold. ""Thought I'd come see what kind of bride you brought home. "" Calder stepped forward, blocking the doorway. ""You've seen enough. "" Seth laughed, low, mocking. ""I ain't seen anything yet. "" His gaze flicked over Ingrid again, slow, deliberate. "Reckon a woman that size he didn't finish. Didn't get the chance. " Calder moved, fast, not a warning, not a step, a shove.
Hard enough to send Seth stumbling back off the porch. "Get off my land," Calder said. His voice dropped low, dangerous. Seth steadied himself, spat into the dirt, still smiling, but there was something behind it now, something sharp. "This ain't over," he muttered.
Then, he turned, walked off into the dark. The wind swallowed him. Calder stood there a moment longer, watching, waiting, then he shut the door. The house closed around them again, quiet, but not safe, not anymore. He turned to Ingrid, his eyes searching her face.
"You will stay inside," he said, firm, no wandering. She held his gaze. For a second, she almost pushed back, almost, but something in his expression stopped her. Not control, not authority, concern, real. "I understand," she said.
He nodded once. The tension eased slightly, but it didn't leave, not fully, not after that. Ingrid looked toward the door, then back at Calder. A thought settled deep in her chest, cold, certain. This land wasn't just hard, it was watching, waiting, testing, and whatever had just walked away from that porch wasn't done with them yet.