“I know.”
“What does the assessment say?”
Gabriel reached into his coat.
Not a document.
A small notebook.
“The proposed route has three possible water stations.”
He opened it.
“One near Estrella Ranch.”
Rosa looked up.
“Yours.”
“Yes.”
“Another?”
“North of San Isidro.”
“And the third?”
Gabriel looked toward her spring.
“Here.”
Silence.
Rosa suddenly heard every drop of water spilling across the stone lip.
“How much?”
“I don’t know yet.”
“How much is the property worth?”
“I don’t know.”
“You just said—”
“I know it is worth far more than Silas offered.”
Rosa stared.
“Would you buy it?”
Gabriel did not answer immediately.
That hesitation angered her.
“Truth.”
“Yes.”
The word hurt despite her expecting it.
Gabriel continued.
“If you decided to sell, I would consider buying.”
Rosa laughed bitterly.
“There it is.”
“But I did not come here to ask.”
“Not yet.”
“No.”
“You’re waiting until I trust you?”
His expression sharpened.
“No.”
“Then what?”
“I’m waiting until you know what you own.”
Rosa stopped.
Gabriel looked at the spring.
“If I offered you money before you knew the railway wanted this water, I would be no better than Mercer.”
Rosa said nothing.
“If you decide to sell after you understand its value, I may make an offer.”
He closed the notebook.
“If you decide not to sell, I may ask whether you want to negotiate water rights.”
Her suspicion remained.
But it had changed shape.
“You need this water.”
“Possibly.”
“You could become richer.”
“Possibly.”
“You admit that.”
“Yes.”
Rosa looked toward the house.
“Why help repair my roof?”
Gabriel’s expression softened.
“Because rain was coming.”
“That simple?”
“Yes.”
She searched his face.
Men lied.
Good men too.
People sometimes lied most effectively when they believed their own motives were pure.
Gabriel seemed to understand the examination.
He waited.
Finally Rosa said, “I found receipts.”
“From the tin?”
“Yes.”
“Do they prove the mortgage was paid?”
“I think so.”
“Don’t show them to me.”
She frowned.
“Why?”
“Because if this becomes a dispute, Mercer may claim I influenced you.”
“You’re already involved.”
“I can become less involved.”
Rosa almost smiled.
“Can you?”