His face was pale.
“I should have told you sooner.”
She took a breath.
Then tightened her grip on his hand.
“Tell me what we do now.”
For a moment, he stared at her.
Then he nodded.
And the frightened mountain man who had spent nineteen years hiding began preparing to defend the first home he'd ever shared with someone he loved.
The man outside struck the door a third time.
“OPEN UP, MERCER!”
Caleb reached for the old hunting rifle above the fireplace. He checked that it was safely in his possession, then placed it nearby without pointing it toward the entrance.
Eleanor watched him.
For a moment, she was frightened by how quickly the gentle man she'd married became alert and watchful.
Then she remembered the threat outside.
He wasn't trying to frighten her.
He was assessing a danger that had followed them home.
“How many?” she whispered.
Caleb listened.
“Three horses, I think.”
She looked toward the window.
The glass had become cloudy with frost, but she could see occasional movement beyond it.
“Do you know them?”
He shook his head.
“Not by their voices.”
Another knock shook the door.
“WE'VE GOT PAPERS, MERCER! THE WIDOW IS COMING WITH US!”
Eleanor's jaw tightened.
The widow.
Solomon had never called her by her first name when discussing property.
She was always the widow.
The dependent.
The woman who needed help.
The person whose rights were treated as an administrative inconvenience.
She took a breath.
“Caleb.”
He turned.
“Yes?”
“Don't answer them yet.”
He frowned.
She pointed toward the door.
“They say they have papers. Ask them to identify the authority.”
Caleb studied her.
Then nodded.
He stepped toward the entrance, remaining behind the heavy wooden wall.
“Who are you?”
The first man laughed.
“Silas Vane. Whitmore Mining Company.”
Caleb's expression changed.
Eleanor noticed.
“You know him?”
He shook his head.
“My father wrote about his family. His uncle worked at Blackwater Pass.”
The man shouted.
“We have instructions from Mr. Whitmore to return Mrs. Whitmore to town.”
Eleanor raised her voice.
“My name is Eleanor Mercer now.”
Silence followed.
Then Vane laughed.
“So the marriage is true.”
“Yes.”
“Mrs. Whitmore, your father-in-law wishes to discuss your legal obligations.”
She felt a flash of anger.
“Then he can write to my attorney.”
Vane's voice hardened.
“He has.”
“I haven't received any lawful order requiring me to leave my home.”