“Sleep Beside Me, Just Tonight,” the Lonely Blacksmith Whispered—She Never Left Wild West Stories

Chapter 2

Morning arrived wrapped in pale gray light. The storm had vanished overnight, leaving behind a world washed clean and dripping. Birds called from the wet cottonwood trees outside the window. Fresh coffee filled the kitchen with its familiar, comforting scent.

I woke to find the space beside me empty.

For one terrible moment, I thought she had gone. The thought hit me harder than it should have. I sat up quickly, scanning the room, and found her standing at the window with her back to me. She had already dressed. Her medical bag sat packed at her feet.

“You don’t have to leave,” I said.

She turned. For a moment, her face was unreadable. Then she smiled — a small, tired thing — and the whole room seemed to brighten.

“I wasn’t sure I should stay.”