the snow melts (7)

He doesn’t say anything, just offers her a thermos of tea, which she takes with a small nod of thanks. They watch the creek together, the water glinting faintly in the weak afternoon light.

“Do you ever think about leaving?” she asks suddenly, the words tumbling out before she can stop them. Noah glances at her, surprised. “Leaving?” “The cabin. The woods. All of it.” She gestures vaguely, her fingers tightening around the thermos.

“Starting over somewhere new.” He’s quiet for a long moment, considering her question. “I think about it sometimes,” he admits. “But I don’t know if I could ever actually do it. This place… it’s home, you know?”She nods, though she’s not sure she feels the same.