Chapter 10 - The House with Two Chairs
Elias rebuilt.
At first he planned a smaller house.
Naelli disagreed.
“You need two bedrooms.”
“Why?”
“Guests.”
“I don't like guests.”
“You need a larger kitchen.”
“Why?”
“You burn everything.”
“I survived thirty years.”
“Barely.”
They argued about windows.
Doors.
The porch.
Then Elias realized something.
Naelli was designing the house as though she intended to remain.
He said nothing.
He simply added a second chair to the porch.
When she noticed, she smiled.
Dry Creek changed too.
Children visited Naelli to learn about desert plants.
Sarah’s son followed her everywhere.
The church rebuilt the well safely.
Shared water agreements were signed.
Then one afternoon, Naelli received word.
Survivors from her scattered community had been located.
Her aunt was alive.
So were several cousins.
Naelli cried when she read the letter.
Elias smiled.
“When do we leave?”
She stared.
“We?”
“You think I'm letting you travel alone again?”
“It is far.”
“I have a horse.”
“My family may not like you.”
“Most sensible people don't.”
She laughed through tears.
They prepared to travel.
But before they left, Naelli walked to the old ranch gate.
The same place where she had appeared wounded months earlier.
Elias joined her.
“You nearly sent me away.”
“I know.”
“You were rude.”
“You were suspicious.”
“I was bleeding.”
“That was suspicious.”
Naelli laughed.
Then looked at him seriously.
“You opened the gate.”
Elias touched her cheek.
“Best thing I ever did.”
This time, when they kissed, neither past nor future mattered.
May you like
Only the fact that they had found each other again.
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