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“She has,” I agreed. “But it’s more than that. When we ride together, I feel...free. Like I could take on the whole frontier if she was at my side.” I shook my head, laughing softly at myself. “Listen to me get all sentimental. It’s these dreams I’ve been having...”
Wyatt raised his eyebrows in surprise. I felt my cheeks flush blue.
“Not those kind of dreams! Although...” I coughed, flustered. “I mean the visions. Flashes of things that haven’t happened. But it’s always me and Kate, together.”
Wyatt considered this news. “The spirits of the land may be showing you what’s meant to be, brother.”
I furrowed my brow. “You really think so?”
Wyatt clapped my shoulder. “I’ve seen how you two are together. She’s drawn to you as much as you to her. If the spirits bless it, who are we to stand in the way?”
I stared into the crackling fire, wrestling with his words. “What would people say though? Me with an outsider?”
“They’d say love crosses all barriers, if it’s true,” Wyatt said simply.
I met his earnest gaze. Maybe he was right. My feelings for Kate were stronger than distrust or tradition. She was a part of this place now as much as any Surlon.
“I can’t fight this anymore, can I?” I said quietly.
Wyatt smiled and shook his head. “No, you can’t.”
***
I stirred the embers of last night’s fire, lost in thought as the village awoke around me. My talk with Wyatt had given me much to ponder. I couldn’t deny my growing feelings for Kate any longer. When we were together, I felt like I could take on the whole frontier. But a relationship with an outsider? That would raise some eyebrows for certain.
As sheriff, I had a duty to my people to set a proper example. Taking an alien lover might undermine that standing. Then again, Kate had more than proven herself one of us after her actions with the rustlers. She’d earned her place here as much as any Surlon.
My gut still clenched a bit imagining anyone’s judgment over my choice. But Wyatt was right - if this was meant to be, I had to trust it was the spirits’ will. All I knew for sure was my heart had never felt this full before Kate came crashing into my world.
I was shaken from my reverie by the approach of hurried footsteps. It was Alya, concern creasing her brow. “Kian, have you seen Kate this morning?” she asked.
I stood. “No, why?”
“She wasn’t in her room. I thought she might have gone to see you.”
A prickle of unease tickled my spine. “No one’s seen her since last night?”
Alya shook her head. My hand went instinctively to my pistol. Where would Kate have gone alone so early?
I strode toward the village outskirts, eyes scanning for any sign of her. The unease grew into real worry. Had she ventured out and met some danger? I should never have let her out of my sight after the close call with those rustlers.
As I neared the rocky cliffs beyond the village, I spotted a flash of gold hair beneath an outcropping. Kate. She was sitting with her back to me, fiddling with a small metal device. Her broken communicator from the crash. Ice trickled down my spine. She was trying to get it working again, which could only mean...
My boot scuffed a loose stone and Kate started. When she saw me standing there, a guilty look flashed across her face. She tried to hide the device but it was too late. My worst fear was confirmed.
“You’re trying to leave,” I said gruffly. It wasn’t a question.
Kate sighed, not meeting my eyes. “My communicator took damage in the crash. I’ve been trying to repair it...to call for help.”
I folded my arms, lips pressed thin. Inside, I felt like I’d taken a laser blast to the chest. “So it’s true then. You still want to get off-planet the first chance you get.”
Kate stood, taking a step toward me with an imploring look. “Kian, let me explain-”
I cut her off with a slash of my hand. The pain of her imminent departure stung worse than any wound. “You don’t need to explain. You may fight rustlers and wear our clothes, but you’ll never truly be one of us.”
Kate flinched like I’d struck her. “That’s not fair. I thought...” She trailed off, biting her lip. My throat constricted to see the sheen of tears in her eyes. But I forced myself to harden my heart. I should have known better than to let her past my defenses.
“This is for the best,” I said gruffly, avoiding her gaze. “You have your world out there among the stars. And I have my duty here.”
