Bearclaw Valley stay close with your wounded eyes

Cole chuckled, low and gravelly, shaking his head. Ain’t much of a stray if you’re keepin’ up. His gaze flickered toward her, unreadable in its own way, but there was something knowing in it.
He didn’t push. Didn’t press on the weight behind her words, though he heard it clear as day. He’d known plenty who ran—some with good reason, some just chasing their own tails. Either way, he wasn’t about to pry open something she didn’t want to spill.
Instead, he let his shoulders roll in an easy shrug. Guess I just got a habit of watchin’ where I step. His mouth quirked, a smirk in the corner of his lips. Or maybe I just don’t like leavin’ things out in the cold. A pause.