I nodded.
"Then tell him to stop sending strangers to my door."
Slade's expression hardened.
For several seconds, neither of us spoke.
Then he looked toward the cabin.
Through the window, Josephine was sitting near the fireplace.
Slade noticed her.
Something in his face changed.
For a brief moment, he seemed to recognize her.
Then he turned back toward me.
"You have company."
I stepped slightly between him and the cabin.
"Yes."
"Interesting."
I didn't like the way he said it.
Slade closed his case.
Then mounted his horse.
Before leaving, he looked back.
"You're making a mistake, Walker."
I rested one hand on the stable fence.
"Wouldn't be my first."
He rode away.
And I stood watching until he disappeared among the pines.
I had survived enough years to recognize a threat when somebody tried wrapping it in polite language.
But I didn't yet understand that the man who'd come to buy my land was connected to the secret Josephine carried.
When I returned inside, Josephine was waiting beside the stove.
She had a book in her lap.
But she wasn't reading.
"Who was that?" she asked.
I removed my coat.
"Man named Slade. Works for Calder Consolidated."
Her fingers tightened around the book.
For a moment, she looked toward the window.
Then she asked whether the man had mentioned water rights.
I stopped.
"How'd you know?"
She hesitated.
"Mining companies always want water."
That was reasonable.
But something about her answer bothered me.
I sat across from her.
"Josephine, have you heard of the Calders?"
She stared at the fire.
For several seconds, she said nothing.
Then answered.
"Yes."
I waited.
She continued.
"People in Briar Hollow used to talk about them."
I nodded slowly.
"What did they say?"
Her expression became guarded.
"That they were wealthy."
"That's all?"
She looked toward me.
"No."
For a moment, her eyes filled.
Then she closed the book.
"Hiram, there's something I need to explain. But I don't know how to begin."
I leaned forward.
"Begin wherever you like."
She took a shaky breath.
Then glanced toward the leather trunk beside her bed.
For a moment, I thought she was about to ask me to retrieve something.
Instead, a sudden pounding sounded against the stable door.
Copper was restless.
I stood.
"Probably the wind."
Josephine looked frightened.
"Hiram, wait."
I turned.
She studied me.
Then whispered.
"Please be careful."
I smiled.
"Always am."
She shook her head.