“Before she died.”
“Why?”
“Because Pa would go after Vale.”
“Who is Silas Vale?”
Ethan looked toward the door.
Then whispered:
“The man who owns almost everything south of our ranch.”
“Why does he want your north pasture?”
“Water.”
Clara thought of the map.
“What else?”
The boy’s jaw tightened.
“He thinks Mama died because Pa wouldn't sell.”
Clara stared.
“What do you think?”
Ethan’s eyes filled.
“I think Mama thought someone was making her sick.”
The room seemed to tilt.
Clara stood slowly.
“What?”
Ethan wiped his face angrily.
“She stopped eating anything from town near the end.”
“Why?”
“She said things tasted wrong.”
“Did she tell your father?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because he would kill somebody.”
Clara thought of Nathan’s quiet grief.
The restraint.
The emptiness.
Suddenly she understood Mara’s secrecy.
Not because Nathan was violent.
Because grief could make a good man reckless if pointed toward a target.
Clara whispered:
“Did your mother tell you who?”
Ethan shook his head.
“She said she didn’t know.”
“Then why Silas Vale?”
“Because he sent things.”
“What things?”
“Medicine.”
Clara’s stomach tightened.
A knock sounded downstairs.
Heavy.
Three times.
Ethan froze.
Nathan shouted from below:
“Who is it?”
A male voice answered.
“Silas Vale.”
Clara and Ethan stared at each other.
The boy whispered:
“He’s never come this late.”
Clara looked toward the hidden box.
Then the door.
The story she thought she had entered at Red Creek Station had just changed completely.
And she had been at the ranch less than four hours.
She replaced the floorboard.
Handed Mara’s letter to Ethan.
“Hide this.”
He looked shocked.
“Why?”
“Because if anyone asks, I have not read the last page.”
“What are you going to do?”
Clara stood.
“Meet the neighbor.”
She walked downstairs.
Nathan stood near the front door.
A man filled the porch beyond him.
Silas Vale was perhaps forty-five.
Expensively dressed for a rancher.
Clean boots.
Dark wool coat.
Silver watch chain.
His smile arrived before warmth did.
“Nathan.”
“What do you want?”
“Hospitality appears alive and well.”
“It’s getting dark.”
“I noticed.”
Vale’s gaze shifted beyond Nathan.
Landed on Clara.
His smile changed.
Interest.
Calculation.
“Ah.”
Nathan’s shoulders stiffened.
Vale removed his hat.
“You must be the new Mrs. Cole.”
Clara descended the final stair.
“Must I?”
Vale looked amused.
Nathan glanced toward her.
Clara stopped beside him.
Vale said:
“Silas Vale.”