Whispers In The Wind

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