ra woke to the sound of the storm, the darkness outside punctuated by flashes of snow swirling past the glass. She

Sierra considered staying in bed, but a nagging curiosity-combined with her need to capture every moment-drew her from

ls. Alex sat in one of the armchairs, his back to her, staring into the flames. His posture

e asked softly, step

ied clearly over the crackle of the fire.

e snow outside whipped across the landscape, erasing the world beyond.

e dange

tight, his eyes locked on the fire. He looked like a man carry

seen the worst of them," sh

woods can turn on you fast. One minute, you think you're

ething h

white as he gripped the edge of t

his was the closest he'd come to opening up. "

t, almost resigned. "Some things don't get easie

d so unapproachable in that moment. Instead, she settled for sitting w

e he finally spoke again. "My brother loved these woods

ierra's heart ache. She stayed quiet, sensing he

, his gaze distant. "The snow came fast, and we

eavy and unrelenting. Sierra felt a lump rise i

began, but h

r now. "To keep this place running, to make sure

knees. "You can't blame yourself for what ha

e the fact tha

the guilt won't

. Sierra watched him carefully, searching for

, Alex," she said gently. "Not

o every line of his face. Finally, he met her gaze, and something unspoken pa

id, the word b

seemed to ease slightly. Sierra sat back, letting the warmth of t

erything. Sierra stood at the window, sipping her coffee and marveling at how untouched

er, his presence grounding in its

," she said, g

t out those

but she nodded. "Only if you p

tugged at his

iet crunch of their steps. Alex led the way, his movements sure and deliber

righter, but also more imposing. The snow muffled e

table out here?" she as

right word," Alex repli

a tree bent under the weight of the snow. "

ression softening. "He had a way

en said, "Maybe you

aint smile that crossed his

een them less heavy now. When they reached a small f

rite spot," he sai

e moment. The stream was breathtaking, its surfa

e said, her voice ba

come here to fish in the summer. He alway

, capturing the scene be

nding with the stillness of the present. It wasn't a resolution, bu

d suddenly, his voice

o him, surprise

me it's okay

. She reached out, her hand brushing against his

to peace in his eyes. The woods seemed to exhale around them, the

k to the inn, the path ahead feel