Sarah continued.
“I can be furious with you and still help.”
“Adults apparently survive two truths simultaneously.”
His mouth moved.
Almost a smile.
Sarah pointed at the chair.
“Sit.”
He sat.
“Spring operations.”
Thomas stared at her for another second.
Then:
“East pasture first.”
They worked until two in the morning.
No kiss.
No touching except once when both reached for the same paper.
Their fingers met.
Neither moved immediately.
That small contact carried more intimacy than anything earlier.
The storm broke the following morning.
Their relationship did not repair as quickly.
Sarah remained polite.
Professional.
Thomas gave her space.
He told her everything.
Sometimes too much.
“Jonas says the south fence needs replacing.”
“Thank you.”
“I ordered posts.”
“I assumed.”
“Delivery Tuesday.”
Sarah looked up.
“Thomas.”
“Yes?”
“You do not need to confess fence posts.”
“I am recalibrating.”
She laughed despite herself.
It was the first laugh in three days.
Thomas looked relieved.
“Don't become hopeful.”
“Wouldn't dare.”
Sarah loved him for that too.
Damn him.
The assessor arrived December fifteenth.
Arnold Fenwick looked exactly like a banker invented by a novelist with limited imagination.
Small.
Precise.
Perfect coat.
Leather case.
No humor.
Thomas greeted him.
Then said:
“My wife prepared the financial review.”
Fenwick looked at Sarah.
Sarah looked back.
“Financial documents first?”
He blinked.
“Yes.”
“Good.”
She led him into the study.
For forty minutes Fenwick read.
He asked about the Eli theft.
Thomas said:
“My wife found it.”
Fenwick looked up.
“You identified a three-year fraud within one month?”
Sarah answered:
“The individual discrepancies were small.”
“The pattern wasn't.”
Fenwick returned to the file.
“Boundary dispute?”
“Supporting legal material is tab four.”
He checked.
“Spring plan?”
“Tab six.”
“Staff records?”
“Separate binder.”
Fenwick finally looked toward Thomas.
“Does she organize everything?”
Thomas said:
“Everything she can reach.”
Sarah glared.
Fenwick almost smiled.
Two hours later he closed the case.
“I'm satisfied.”
Thomas did not visibly react.
Sarah knew him now.
The relief was enormous.
Fenwick continued:
“The documentation quality is exceptional.”
Thomas looked toward Sarah.
Pride.
Unhidden.
She felt it.
“My compliments, Mrs. Blackwood.”
“Thank you.”
Fenwick left.
Thomas waited until the wagon vanished beyond the ridge.
Then came into the study.
Sarah stood by the desk.
He closed the door.
Not all the way.
Never presuming.
“The loan will extend.”
“Yes.”
“You saved it.”
“No.”
Thomas frowned.
Sarah continued.
“We saved it.”
He looked at her.
Sarah smiled faintly.
“And before your ego grows unbearable, your father saved it too.”
“The records.”