“Clara Whitmore.”
“Not Cole yet?”
“No.”
“Wise.”
Nathan’s jaw tightened.
Vale smiled.
“I came to discuss the note.”
Nathan’s expression cooled.
“Not tonight.”
“The bank won’t care about your schedule.”
“You’re not the bank.”
“No.”
“Just a concerned neighbor.”
Clara almost laughed.
Vale looked toward her.
“Something amusing?”
“Only geography.”
His eyes sharpened.
Nathan intervened.
“Tomorrow.”
Vale studied Clara longer than necessary.
Then looked back at Nathan.
“Tomorrow.”
Before turning away he added:
“Winter’s early this year.”
“Would hate to see a family this size without feed.”
The threat was wrapped in concern so thinly Clara could see through it.
Nathan’s hand curled.
Vale noticed.
Smiled.
Then left.
Nathan closed the door.
Hard.
Clara looked at him.
“Who owns your bank note?”
He turned.
“What?”
“Silas Vale?”
“No.”
“Then why does he speak like he does?”
Nathan stared.
“Where did that question come from?”
Clara chose carefully.
“Your wife’s letter mentioned him.”
His entire body went still.
“What did Mara say?”
Too fast.
Too much pain.
Clara remembered Mara’s instruction.
Do not tell him until you have read what is there.
She had.
But she needed time.
“She said he wanted north pasture.”
Nathan’s expression darkened.
“He’s wanted it for three years.”
“Why?”
“Spring.”
“Your main water?”
“One of two.”
“Which matters more in drought?”
“The north.”
Clara nodded.
“And the bank?”
“What about it?”
“Did Vale introduce you?”
Nathan’s eyes narrowed.
“Yes.”
Clara’s stomach tightened.
“How much do you owe?”
“That is not your concern.”
She looked at him.
He sighed.
“Four thousand.”
“When due?”
“March.”
“Can you pay?”
Silence.
That answered.
Nathan walked toward the kitchen.
Clara followed.
“Why didn't Mara tell you what she found?”
He turned sharply.
“What she found?”
Too far.
Clara stopped.
Nathan looked at her.
“What did that letter say?”
Ethan appeared at the top of the stairs.
Clara saw him.
Nathan did not.
She chose truth.
“Your wife believed Silas Vale was waiting for your family to fail.”
Nathan laughed once.
Bitter.
“That requires no secret letter.”
“She also believed somebody was interfering with your credit.”
The laughter disappeared.
“Who?”
“I don't know.”
“What exactly did she write?”
Clara held his gaze.
“Enough that I think you should not sign anything Vale brings.”
Nathan stepped closer.
“You are withholding something.”
“Yes.”
The honesty surprised him.
“Why?”
“Because your wife asked me to.”
His face changed.