"Mayson Clarke. He saved my life, gave me shelter, kept me safe." Ruby glances at me. "I owe him everything."
"Appreciate you taking care of our girl," Devin says, extending a hand. I shake it, noting the firm grip, the assessing eyes. "We'd like to repay the favor. Come back with us—we have food, supplies, safety in numbers."
"I'm fine where I am," I say.
"Man's a hermit, Devin," Ruby explains. "He's been out here alone for two years."
"By choice, I'm guessing?"
"Something like that."
Devin studies me for a moment, then nods. "Fair enough. But the offer stands. Door's always open if you change your mind."
He turns back to Ruby. "Gather your gear. We move out in ten."
"Ten minutes?" Ruby looks stricken. "I need, uh, can you give me an hour?"
"We're exposed here, Ruby. The longer we stay the more dangerous it gets."
"One hour, Devin. Please."
He sighs but nods. "One hour. Then we're gone, with or without you."
The group spreads out to establish a perimeter, giving Ruby and me space. She follows me back inside the cabin, and the moment the door closes, she's in my arms.
"I have to go," she says against my chest.
"I know."
"They need me. And I need to be there. I have obligations, responsibilities."
"I understand."
"But I don't want to leave you."
I pull back, looking down at her. "You're not leaving me. You're going where you need to be. There's a difference." I cup her face in my hands. "You have people depending on you. A whole convoy of survivors who just lost seven people. They needyou, your skills, your knowledge. I'm just one man living alone on a mountain."
"You're not just anything." Her eyes are fierce. "You're the man who saved my life, who made me laugh, who made me feel safe for the first time in three years. You're the man I'm falling for, and I don't know what to do about that."
Falling for.The words hit me like a freight train.
"Come with me," she says suddenly. "Come back to Dawson Ridge. You don't have to stay alone."
"I'm not alone anymore." I kiss her forehead, her cheeks, her lips. "You changed that. But I'm not ready to leave this place. Not yet. I have things I need to work through."
"Your crew."
"Yeah."
She nods, understanding even though I can see it hurts. "What if I came back? After we reach Old Pines, after I've helped the convoy settle. What if I came back then?"
"You'd be welcome. Always."
"Promise?"
"Ruby, I—" The words stick in my throat. I've spent two years not letting myself feel anything, not letting anyone in, and now here she is, asking me to promise something that terrifies me. But looking at her, I realize I'm more afraid of never seeing her again. "I promise."
We spend the hour packing her gear, stealing moments to touch, to kiss, to memorize each other. Too soon, there's a knock on the door.
