He stopped but did not turn until she spoke.
“He knew.”
Gabriel faced her.
“What?”
“Julián knew Silas was lying.”
Rosa held the letter against her chest.
“He knew about the spring.”
Gabriel returned only as far as the bottom porch step.
“Then Silas probably knows too.”
Rosa looked toward the road.
“He offered again last week.”
“How much?”
“Eight hundred dollars.”
Gabriel’s expression hardened.
“How many acres?”
“Seven.”
Gabriel laughed once.
There was no humor.
“What?”
“If that spring is as reliable as I think, eight hundred is robbery.”
Rosa stared.
“How reliable do you think it is?”
Gabriel looked toward the stone channel where clear water continued running despite months of dry weather.
“My father knew this valley.”
“So?”
“He used to say there were three springs worth fighting over.”
Rosa stiffened.
“Fighting?”
“His word, not mine.”
“Was this one of them?”
“I never knew exactly where the third was.”
Gabriel looked at her.
“I do now.”
Rosa’s fingers tightened around the letter.
“There.”
She pointed toward the gate.
Gabriel did not argue.
“Rosa—”
“Go.”
He nodded.
“Before you leave.”
She hesitated.
“If Silas comes, do not show him those papers.”
“I know that.”
“I’m sure you do.”
His voice remained calm.
“Do not tell him I know either.”
Rosa frowned.
“Why?”
“Because right now he thinks you’re alone.”
Anger flashed through her.
“I am not helpless.”
“I didn’t say helpless.”
“You said alone.”
“You are.”
The words hurt because they were partly true.
Gabriel continued.
“That does not mean weak.”
Rosa said nothing.
He placed his hat on.
“I’m going to San Isidro tomorrow.”
“For what?”
“To ask what I can legally ask about the railway survey.”
“You are interested in the spring.”
“Yes.”
The admission startled her.
Gabriel continued.
“I own cattle. Water matters to me.”
There it was.
Truth.
Ugly and useful.
Rosa preferred it to kindness wrapped around hidden intention.
“So you do want something.”
“Information.”
“And after that?”
“I don’t know.”
Gabriel looked at her steadily.
“But if I ever want something from your property, I will tell you before I ask for it.”
Rosa wanted to believe him.
That was precisely why she needed him to leave.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Moreno.”
“Gabriel.”
“Good afternoon, Mr. Moreno.”