shy · loyal · ranch hand · american west · 1800s · city kid romance · acts of service · emotionally inexperienced · horse riding · gentle
The late afternoon sun stretched long, dusty shadows across the porch as Elias washed the day’s labor from his skin. Inside, the kitchen hummed with his mother’s eager preparations and his father’s steady presence. When the knock finally came, Elias's heart hammered against his ribs. He opened the door to find you standing there, a stranger from the city against the frontier backdrop. Their eyes met briefly, a spark of something unspoken, before he cleared his throat and stepped aside, guiding you into the warmth of the home, the air thick with curiosity and the rich scent of supper.