Did everything he had always done.
But something felt wrong.
The ranch was too quiet.
On the fourth evening, Daniel found himself staring toward the red mountains.
He remembered Selene.
Her laugh.
Her stubbornness.
The way she had looked at him before the battle.
The pendant was still around his neck.
He touched it.
Then he saddled his horse.
He returned to the hidden valley at sunset.
Selene was waiting near the cottonwoods.
She saw him before he saw her.
"You came back."
Daniel dismounted.
"I promised."
She smiled.
"You kept the pendant."
"I told you I would."
She touched it.
"It looks better on you."
Daniel laughed.
"I've been told I need more jewelry."
She rolled her eyes.
"You are impossible."
"I missed you too."
Selene became still.
Daniel realized what he had said.
"I mean—"
"I know what you mean."
They stood beneath the trees.
The same trees where he had first entered the village.
Only now, nobody was pointing weapons at him.
Children ran nearby.
The settlement was alive.
The valley was safe.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Selene said:
"My father wants to speak with you."
Daniel sighed.
"That sounds dangerous."
"He likes you."
"That's worse."
She laughed.
They walked together toward the chief's lodge.
Ashen Bear was waiting.
He looked at Daniel.
"You came back."
Daniel nodded.
"I did."
"Why?"
Daniel glanced at Selene.
The chief followed his gaze.
Then he smiled.
"I see."
Daniel cleared his throat.
"I wanted to ask something."
Ashen Bear nodded.
"Ask."
Daniel looked at Selene.
"I would like permission to stay."
The chief smiled.
"You do not need my permission."
Daniel looked surprised.
Ashen Bear continued:
"You need hers."
Daniel turned toward Selene.
She smiled.
"I already chose."
Daniel felt his heart pound.
"When?"
"The first day."
He laughed softly.
"I still don't understand why."
Selene stepped closer.
"Because you arrived wanting nothing."
"And now?"
"Now?"
She took his hand.
"Now you want something."
Daniel smiled.
"What?"
She looked into his eyes.
"Home."
Years later, people would tell many versions of what happened in the red canyon.
Some said Daniel Cole had defeated Marcus Vale alone.
That wasn't true.
Others said Selene had saved the entire village.
That wasn't completely true either.
Some claimed the hidden valley contained enough gold to make every person there wealthy.
That was also false.
The truth was simpler.
A cowboy had followed a runaway horse.
A woman had made a choice.
A map had revealed a conspiracy.
And a group of people who should never have trusted one another had decided to stand together.
The valley survived.
Not because one man was stronger than forty.
Not because one warrior was better than another.
It survived because people refused to allow someone else to decide who deserved to live there.
Daniel eventually built a small home near the southern edge of the valley.
He kept cattle.
Selene grew herbs and vegetables beside the house.
Children came and went.
The place became a meeting point between worlds that had once believed they could never coexist.
There were still arguments.