Chapter 14: The Vigil of the Loons
On a clear, warm evening in late August, when the summer dusk was painting the sky in shades of violet, amber, and molten gold, Hannah and David walked out to the end of the timber dock.
Out on the glassy water, a family of loons swam peacefully, their haunting, beautiful calls echoing across the quiet coves.
Down in the shallows, five-year-old Caleb was skipping stones across the surface, his bright, joyous laughter drifting across the lake on the evening breeze.
David wrapped his strong arm around Hannah’s waist, pulling her close against his chest.
Hannah leaned her head against his shoulder, listening to the steady, unhurried rhythm of his heart and the deep, eternal breathing of the forest.
""Do you remember that morning, David?"" Hannah asked softly, watching the first evening stars appear over the mountain ridges.
""I remember,"" David replied gently, kissing her hair.
""She thought she could buy the horizon with an invoice,"" Hannah whispered, touching the heart-pine ring on her finger.
David turned her gently, looking into her clear hazel eyes with unshakeable reverence.
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""You can't buy what is sacred, Hannah,"" David said softly. ""You can only live it.""
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