“He knew.”
Judge Vane responded with force disguised as law.
He issued an arrest warrant for Caleb based on an old assault complaint.
A posse rode toward North Fork.
But by then Eleanor had learned enough.
She stood on the porch holding a federal letter.
A territorial marshal from Cheyenne stood beside her.
The posse stopped.
Their leader read the seal.
His confidence vanished.
The federal court had accepted preliminary review of Jonathan’s land rights and ordered no seizure or dependent transfer until hearing.
Vane had lost legal control.
For now.
The posse left.
That evening, Caleb sat alone near the creek.
Eleanor joined him.
Walking the distance hurt.
He saw.
“You should have called.”
“I am capable of crossing my own meadow.”
“I didn't say you weren't.”
“You thought it.”
“Yes.”
Eleanor lowered herself onto a broad stump Caleb had cut flat for her.
They watched water move.
Finally Caleb said:
“I should leave.”
Eleanor turned.
“What?”
“Vane wants me.”
“If I disappear, perhaps he leaves you alone.”
She laughed.
Caleb frowned.
“Did I say something funny?”
“Very.”
“What?”
“You think this is still about you.”
His expression hardened.
“It started before you reached the auction.”
“It started before I came west.”
“It started when Jonathan retained his claim.”
“It started when Cromwell planned to separate my children.”
She looked directly at him.
“You leaving would not protect us.”
“It would simply remove one person willing to fight.”
Caleb stared at the creek.
Eleanor continued.
“You have spent years believing everyone near you gets hurt.”
“Because they do.”
“No.”
“People hurt them.”
“There is a difference.”
Caleb looked at her.
She reached for his scarred hand.
He froze.
Eleanor held it.
“I am not your wife.”
“Not truly.”
“I know.”
“But if you decide to leave, you do not get to call it sacrifice while making the decision for all of us.”
Caleb’s fingers tightened around hers.
“What do you want?”
Eleanor thought.
“Stay.”
One word.
Caleb looked at her.
Then nodded.
“Good.”
She began standing.
He helped.
She paused close to him.
For one second, something passed between them.
Not romance yet.
Recognition.
Two people accustomed to carrying too much weight alone.
The federal hearing was scheduled for June.
Vane had six weeks.
He used them.
A barn burned at a neighboring ranch owned by one of Caleb’s witnesses.
Mrs. Cromwell disappeared from Covenant Creek.
Then Caleb received a note.
COME TO THE OLD SILVER MINE ALONE OR THE NEXT FIRE HAS CHILDREN INSIDE.
Eleanor read it.
“You're not going.”
Caleb checked his rifle.
“Yes.”
“No.”
“He threatened the children.”
“Which means he wants you frightened enough to stop thinking.”
Caleb looked at her.
“What would you do?”