Nathan attended every day.
Clara sat beside him when permitted.
The children did not attend.
Mara’s journal did.
So did her hidden letters.
The prosecution argued that Vale had not initially ordered murder.
Only “continued illness.”
As though language could cleanse intention.
But Reese testified that after Mara threatened to expose the loan manipulation, Vale told him:
“If she gets well, Cole never sells.”
That sentence ended any illusion.
Vale was convicted on conspiracy, fraud, and poisoning charges.
Reese received a lesser sentence for testimony.
Nathan hated that.
Clara reminded him justice was not built to satisfy hatred.
“It should be.”
“Then it would become revenge.”
“Maybe revenge occasionally has organizational advantages.”
She laughed despite herself.
The bank voided the manipulated penalties.
Cole Ranch still owed money.
But not enough to lose the land.
Life did not become magically easy.
That mattered.
Nathan still had cattle.
Children.
Repairs.
Winter.
Debt.
Grief.
Clara still had no certainty about marriage.
That mattered too.
Because once the villain was removed, they discovered the harder truth.
You still had to live.
By spring, Clara had been at Cole Ranch nearly seven months.
Mara’s prepaid wages were finished.
Nathan brought the account book to the kitchen.
“You are owed twelve dollars.”
Clara stared.
“For what?”
“Additional work.”
“What additional work?”
“You rebuilt half the household.”
“That sounds difficult to price.”
“Twelve dollars.”
“Your bookkeeping is terrible.”
“Mara handled it.”
“I know.”
“Samuel helped.”
“Then Samuel’s bookkeeping is terrible.”
From the other room:
“I heard that!”
Clara smiled.
Nathan pushed the money toward her.
“Take it.”
She did.
Then:
“What happens now?”
Nathan looked confused.
“To what?”
“To me.”
His entire expression changed.
He had been waiting for this.
“I don't know.”
Clara laughed softly.
“Seven months and that remains your strongest answer.”
“I have improved in other areas.”
“Debatable.”
He sat.
“Mara paid six months.”
“Yes.”
“The agency obligation is finished.”
“Yes.”
“You’re free.”
The word hurt unexpectedly.
Clara looked down.
“Free.”
Nathan nodded.
“So if you want to leave, I’ll take you to Red Creek.”
“When?”
“Whenever.”
“And if I stay?”
His eyes lifted.
“You stay.”
“As what?”
Silence.
Clara’s heart started beating too hard.
Nathan stood.
Walked toward the window.
Coward.
She waited.
Finally he said:
“I do not want to ask you to marry me because Mara asked someone to come.”
“Good.”
“I do not want to ask because the children love you.”