He left.
The sky above Crestfall burned orange.
This time, he did not look at the mountains as something distant.
He walked toward them.
Will arrived at the Callahan house before sunset.
He had washed.
Changed shirts.
Combed his hair twice.
The collar felt too tight.
Daniel Callahan sat on the porch.
“You’re early.”
“I didn't want to be late.”
Daniel lowered his chair onto all four legs.
“Rose is in the kitchen.”
Will stepped inside.
Rose stood at the table rolling dough.
Her sleeves were pushed to her elbows.
Sunlight crossed her shoulders.
She looked up.
“You came.”
“I said I would.”
Rose set down the rolling pin.
“Then speak.”
Will glanced toward the porch.
“Your father?”
“He can hear perfectly well.”
Daniel called from outside:
“I can.”
Will almost smiled.
Then looked at Rose.
The words mattered too much to decorate.
“I love you.”
Rose waited.
“Not because Marsh is coming.”
Will swallowed.
“Not only because I am afraid of losing you.”
He stepped closer.
“I love you because every morning I look for you before I look at anything else.”
Rose’s breathing changed.
“I thought you were something I had no right to want.”
“That was my mistake.”
“Not yours.”
Rose rested both hands against the table.
“I will not be someone’s consolation.”
“You aren't.”
“I will not marry a man who needs another man to push him toward me.”
Will nodded.
“I understand.”
“Do you?”
“Yes.”
Rose searched his face.
“Then why did it take Marsh?”
Will did not look away.
“Because I was certain you would always be here.”
Silence.
“I was wrong.”
He paused.
“And I will not make that mistake again.”
Daniel’s chair scraped against the porch.
He entered.
Will straightened.
“Mr. Callahan.”
“Yes?”
“I would like permission to call on your daughter properly.”
Daniel folded his arms.
“You should have asked two years ago.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Why now?”
Will looked at Rose.
“Because I intend to marry her.”
Rose’s breath caught.
Daniel’s eyes moved toward his daughter.
“Is that what you want?”
Rose stepped forward.
“Yes.”
Simple.
Clear.
Daniel nodded.
“Then you have my permission.”
Will exhaled.
Rose almost laughed at how relieved he looked.
Daniel pointed toward the kitchen table.
“Now sit.”
Will blinked.