He looked away.
She continued.
“My father spent years investigating a dispute involving the Hawthorne family. Your ranch was mentioned in his papers.”
Nathaniel stared at the documents.
For a moment, his face became unreadable.
Then he asked.
“Why didn't you tell me?”
Clara's eyes filled.
“Because I was afraid you'd think I wanted something from you.”
He looked toward her.
For several seconds, he remained silent.
Then he answered quietly.
“Didn't you?”
She closed her eyes.
The words struck harder than she expected.
Because they contained a truth.
She had wanted something.
Answers.
Information.
Perhaps a chance to correct a wrong connected to her father's past.
But that wasn't all.
She looked toward Nathaniel.
“I wanted a home.”
Her voice trembled.
“And I wanted a life where I could be useful without being treated as a burden.”
He remained quiet.
She continued.
“When I saw your advertisement, I wondered whether both wishes might lead me to the same place.”
Nathaniel stared at the table.
For a moment, his injured hand tightened around the edge.
Clara noticed.
She resisted the urge to reach for him.
He needed room to think.
Finally, he looked up.
“Are there other things you haven't told me?”
She swallowed.
“I don't know where the original document is.”
His expression remained guarded.
“I don't know whether my father was right about everything.”
She took a breath.
“But I do know he believed Hawthorne's family concealed an agreement protecting the smaller ranches' water rights.”
Nathaniel looked toward the window.
For several seconds, he seemed far away.
Then he whispered.
“My father always said Augustus Hawthorne was a thief.”
Clara stared.
“What?”
Nathaniel nodded slowly.
“He wouldn't discuss the details.”
He looked toward the chest.
“Just said he'd never trust a Hawthorne with land or water.”
For a moment, they looked at one another.
Then Nathaniel stood.
He walked toward the fireplace.
Clara watched him.
She could see hurt in his shoulders.
A terrible weariness.
She hadn't intended to deceive him maliciously.
But intention didn't erase the omission.
She took a breath.
“Nathaniel, if you'd like me to leave, I will.”
He turned sharply.
For a moment, he looked genuinely startled.
“Leave?”
Clara nodded.
“I won't force you to accept explanations you don't believe.”
He stared.
She continued.