Clara hated him.
Silas smiled.
“Mrs. Whitmore.”
“Mr. Crowe.”
His gaze moved to Elias.
“Company.”
“Yes.”
“Relative?”
“No.”
Elias almost smiled.
Silas looked at the saddled horse.
“Leaving?”
Elias answered:
“Eventually.”
Silas did not like being answered by strangers.
He returned his attention to Clara.
“I came regarding March.”
Clara's face hardened.
“You came in January.”
“Preparation prevents unpleasant surprises.”
“What March?”
Elias asked.
Clara looked at him.
“Mine.”
Meaning: not yours.
Elias nodded.
Silas noticed.
Interesting.
“The Whitmore note matures March first.”
Clara said:
“The note was paid.”
Silas smiled.
“Your husband made partial payment.”
“Full.”
“You have proof?”
“You know I don't.”
“Then we have the same problem.”
“No.”
Clara stepped closer.
“You have a lie.”
Silas's men shifted.
Elias remained still.
Silas sighed.
“I've tried to be patient.”
“You've tried to buy my land for half its value.”
“A debt settlement.”
“My husband paid you.”
“Then find the receipt.”
Silence.
Silas looked toward the cabin.
“The farm is difficult for one woman.”
Elias's eyes hardened.
Clara's did more.
“Finish that thought and you'll lose teeth.”
Silas stared.
Then laughed.
“Thomas always said you were spirited.”
“Thomas liked his teeth.”
Elias failed to hide a smile.
Silas saw.
Disliked him more.
He reached inside his coat and removed folded paper.
“March first.”
He held it toward Clara.
“If payment or proof is not produced, I petition for possession.”
Clara took it.
Did not look.
“I know the date.”
Silas leaned from his saddle.
“There's another option.”
“Sell?”
“Yes.”
“To you.”
“Yes.”
“No.”
His smile disappeared.
“Pride is expensive.”
“So are thieves.”
One of his men muttered something.
Silas lifted one hand.
Then looked at Elias.
“You staying long?”
Clara answered:
“No.”
The word cut unexpectedly.
Elias looked at her.
She did not look back.
Silas smiled faintly.
“Then perhaps we speak again after your guest leaves.”
He turned the horse.
The men followed.
Clara watched until they vanished.
Elias asked:
“How much?”
She walked toward the cabin.
“No.”
He followed.
“You owe him?”
“No.”
“The paper says—”
“I know what it says.”
“Clara.”
She turned sharply.
“You are leaving.”
He stopped.
“I am.”
“So leave.”
Her anger surprised him.
Then he understood.
She was protecting the boundary before he crossed it.