Mara leaned her head on Elias' shoulder.
He didn't move.
He didn't need it.
The man who once had trusted the mountains than in people was now surrounded by everything he was afraid to love.
Then Rose opened her eyes.
He looked at Elias.
And he smiled.
Elias smiled back.
Mara saw her.
“You know,” she whispered, “you were wrong about something.”
“What?”
“You said you’re not gentle.”
Elias looked terrified.
“Don’t spread that.”
Mara laughed.
The sound rang out in the trees.
And this time, no gunshots were heard after that.
No rider approaches.
No preacher waiting.
No secret under the floor.
Just the light of the fire behind the windows.
The kids breathe safely.
And two people who had survived enough darkness to recognize peace when they finally arrived.
**For the first time in years, no one was coming to pick them anything. **
And for the first time in his life, Elias Vance understood that protecting a house was not the same as hiding from the world.
