''Outside the window''

t was a cold winter night and Rachel was curled up on her couch, trying to stay warm. She had always loved the snow, but tonight it seemed especially bitter. She glanced out the window and saw that the snow was coming down harder than ever. It was the kind of storm that made you want to stay inside and wait for it to pass.

Rachel was about to settle in for the night when she heard a knock at the door. She hesitated for a moment, not wanting to brave the cold, but eventually she sighed and got up to answer it. When she opened the door, she was surprised to see a young man standing there, shivering in the icy wind. He was drenched from head to toe, and Rachel could tell he had been outside for a long time.

"Can you help me?" he asked, his voice shaking. "I've been lost in the storm for hours and I can't find my way home."

Rachel didn't hesitate for a moment. She took the young man's hand and led him inside, closing the door behind them to block out the cold. She wrapped him in blankets and made him a hot cup of cocoa, and as he sipped it gratefully, he told her his story.

His name was Jack, and he was a traveler who had gotten lost in the storm while trying to find his way to a nearby town. He had been walking for hours, but the snow had been so thick that he couldn't see where he was going. He had gotten turned around and couldn't find his way back to the road. He was cold, hungry, and desperate when he stumbled upon Rachel's house.

Rachel listened sympathetically and promised to help him find his way home. She called the local authorities and they were able to locate Jack's whereabouts. With their help, Rachel was able to guide Jack back to safety, and he was forever grateful to her for her kindness on that cold, snowy night.

Over the next few days, Jack stayed with Rachel while the storm raged on. He helped her with chores around the house and they spent long evenings sitting by the fireplace, talking and getting to know each other. Rachel learned that Jack was a kind, adventurous young man who had a passion for traveling and exploring new places. She was fascinated by his stories and found herself drawn to him in a way she hadn't felt in a long time.

As the days passed, Rachel and Jack grew closer. They went on long walks through the snowy woods, bundled up in coats and scarves, and spent cozy nights in front of the fireplace. Rachel couldn't believe how easily they had connected, and she found herself falling for Jack more and more each day.

When the storm finally passed and Jack was able to continue on his journey, Rachel felt a sense of sadness wash over her. She had grown to care for him deeply in the short time they had spent together, and the thought of him leaving was difficult to bear. But she knew that he had to follow his dreams and she couldn't hold him back.

As Jack packed his bags and prepared to leave, Rachel stood at the window, watching as the snow began to clear. She couldn't help but wonder if she would ever see Jack again, and the thought filled her with a sense of longing.

But as she watched him walk away, she knew that she had made the right decision. She had opened her heart and her home to a stranger in need, and she had been rewarded with a love that she would always treasure. From then on, she always made sure to keep an extra