The woman’s chest tightened.
The mountain man’s eyes closed briefly.
That was enough.
Another secret.
She stepped backward.
The robber laughed harder.
“There it is.”
The mountain man turned.
“Inside.”
She did not move.
“Did you file against my father’s land?”
He looked toward the captive.
Then her.
“Yes.”
Her face fell.
“When?”
“Seven years ago.”
“Why?”
“I believed the property had been abandoned.”
“You knew my father.”
“Yes.”
“You knew he had a daughter.”
“Yes.”
His voice hardened.
“I did not know where you were.”
“You could have looked.”
“I did.”
“You found me tonight.”
“Because you gave me your name.”
The robber interrupted.
“He’s lying.”
The mountain man turned so sharply the robber stopped laughing.
The woman held up a hand.
“No.”
The mountain man stopped.
She looked at the captive.
“You don’t get to help me decide who to trust.”
The robber smiled less confidently.
She turned back to the mountain man.
“Inside.”
He followed.
The fact that he obeyed almost made her angrier.
Inside, she folded her arms.
The nightshirt pulled across her full body.
For once, she did not adjust it.
Did not hide.
“What water rights?”
The mountain man remained several feet away.
“My father discovered the spring before your father bought the larger parcel.”
“So you believe it belongs to you.”
“Partially.”
“Partially?”
“Our family claimed access to the spring source.”
“Your father’s company claimed the surrounding land.”
“Your father and mine eventually made a private agreement.”
“Where is it?”
“Lost.”
“That is convenient.”
“Yes.”
His bluntness irritated her.
She continued.
“You filed because you wanted the spring.”
“Yes.”
“And now I appear carrying the deed.”
“Yes.”
“And I’m supposed to believe you opened your home because my father once saved your life?”
“Yes.”
She laughed bitterly.
“You are very calm for a dishonest man.”
His face changed.
“I did not lie about why I opened the door.”
“You omitted everything else.”
“Yes.”
“That is a kind of lie.”
He nodded.
“Yes.”
That stopped her again.
She wanted him defensive.
She wanted to fight.
Instead he gave ground wherever truth demanded it.
She hated how difficult that made anger.
“Tell me everything.”
He looked toward the broken door.
“We should leave.”
“Tell me while we pack.”
The mountain man nodded.
He collected dried meat, coffee, blankets, ammunition.
She gathered her wet clothes.
As they worked, he spoke.
Her father had traveled west almost thirty years earlier.