Cole looked at her.

"No."

"Then why punish yourself?"

Cole didn't answer.

Eliza touched his hand.

"You cannot change what happened."

He looked at her fingers resting over his.

"Neither can you."

She nodded.

"No."

"But you keep building."

"Because I have to."

Cole squeezed her hand.

"Maybe I do too."

Before either could say more, a sound came from outside.

A horse.

Then another.

Cole stood immediately.

He picked up his rifle.

"Stay inside."

Eliza rose.

"I'm not a child."

"I know."

"Then don't order me around."

Cole looked at her.

"Please."

That word changed everything.

Eliza nodded.

Cole stepped outside.

Three riders stood near the cabin.

A fourth horse carried a man wearing a long black coat.

Graham Voss.

He looked ridiculous in the wilderness.

His coat was expensive.

His boots were polished.

His face was smooth and cold.

He dismounted.

"Eliza Morgan."

Cole stepped onto the porch.

"She's not alone."

Voss smiled.

"Cole Ryder."

"I know you."

"I imagine you do."

Voss looked around.

"So this is the famous cabin."

Cole said nothing.

Voss laughed.

"She built this?"

"Yes."

"Impressive."

His tone made the compliment sound like an insult.

Eliza stepped outside.

Cole turned.

"Eliza."

She ignored him.

Voss looked at her.

"Give me the documents."

"No."

"You know what happens if you refuse."

"I know what happens when people like you get what they want."

Voss's smile disappeared.

"Your husband made the same mistake."

Cole's eyes narrowed.

"What did you do to him?"

Voss looked at him.

"That isn't your concern."

"It is now."

Voss signaled his men.

They moved forward.

Cole raised his rifle.

"Stop."

The riders hesitated.

Voss laughed.

"You think one man can stop me?"

"No."

Cole glanced at Eliza.

"Two."

The first rider charged.

Cole fired into the air.

The horse reared.

The rider fell into the snow.

The second man rushed toward the porch.

Cole struck him with the rifle stock.

He collapsed.

The third attacker circled toward the back of the cabin.

Eliza saw him.

She grabbed a heavy wooden tool and moved to the door.

The man tried to enter.

Eliza swung.

The tool struck his arm.

He cried out.

"You should have stayed inside!" he shouted.

Eliza stood between him and the cabin.

"This is my home."

He advanced.

She raised the tool again.

"You'll have to go through me."

Cole arrived moments later and forced the man back.

Voss watched in disbelief.

He had expected a frightened pregnant woman.

Instead, he saw someone who had survived months of isolation, betrayal, hunger, cold, and fear.

Someone who refused to move.

The fight lasted only minutes.

But it was enough.

Cole managed to disarm one man.

The other two retreated.

Voss mounted his horse.

"This isn't over."

Eliza stood in the snow.

"I know."

Voss looked at her.

"You can't hide forever."

She answered quietly.

"I don't need to."

Voss rode away.

The others followed.

Silence returned.

Cole lowered his rifle.

He looked at Eliza.

"You could have been killed."

"So could you."

"You should have been afraid."

"I was."

Cole stared at her.

"Then why didn't you run?"

Eliza looked at the cabin.

"Because courage doesn't mean you aren't afraid."

She touched her stomach.

"It means something is more important than your fear."

Cole said nothing.

But that sentence stayed with him.

For the first time since Samuel's death, he realized that perhaps courage wasn't about preventing tragedy.

Perhaps courage was deciding what was worth protecting after tragedy had already taken something from you.

The attack changed everything.

Cole knew that if they waited, Voss would return with more men.

So he made a decision.

"We take the documents to Sheriff Hart."

Eliza hesitated.

"What if he works for Voss?"