Caleb whispered:
“Why not tell me?”
“He tried.”
Caleb closed eyes.
He remembered Samuel shouting during fight:
“You always think you know what I am.”
Caleb had answered:
“I know exactly what you are.”
Those words returned like knife.
Eliza continued:
“Your father eventually believed him.”
“He changed his will.”
“Half ranch to Samuel.”
“Half to you.”
“Why didn't I know?”
“Because Hollis controlled county clerk.”
Caleb looked at her.
“How do you know all this?”
“Samuel spent eight years collecting proof.”
“Why eight?”
“He wanted enough to survive court.”
“Then why use false name?”
“Hollis tried to have him arrested for theft.”
Caleb’s jaw tightened.
“The money.”
“Yes.”
Samuel had disappeared not because river accident.
Because a warrant existed under his name.
Hollis had created it.
Caleb asked:
“What changed three weeks ago?”
Eliza looked down.
“I became pregnant last spring.”
“The twins meant Samuel could no longer hide forever.”
“He wanted them to inherit under their own name.”
“He contacted an attorney in Helena.”
“Hollis learned.”
Caleb stared at two sleeping infants.
“And killed him.”
“I believe so.”
“You believe?”
“I did not see who attacked him.”
“Then who did this to you?”
Eliza’s eyes darkened.
“Men who came to our house two days after Samuel died.”
Caleb leaned forward.
“They asked for deed papers.”
“I said I didn't know.”
“They searched house.”
“They found nothing.”
“One man told me girls could not inherit if nobody knew who father was.”
“Then he said if I signed statement saying Samuel had never married me, they would let me go.”
“Did you?”
“No.”
Her voice became almost hard.
“They took me anyway.”
Caleb’s hands curled.
“How did you get out?”
“They transported me in wagon.”
“Where?”
“I don't know.”
“I heard them say Cedar Ridge.”
“The storm worsened.”
“One horse panicked.”
“I fought.”
“I got wagon door open.”
“You jumped?”
“Yes.”
“With newborns?”
“I had no choice.”
Caleb looked toward her injuries.
“They followed?”
“At first.”
“Then wind covered tracks.”
“I walked until I couldn't.”
Caleb stood.
Eliza watched him.
“What are you doing?”
“Getting rifle.”
“Why?”
“Because from this day on, you’ll live with me.”
Eliza stared.
Caleb pulled rifle from rack.
She said:
“No.”
He stopped.
“What?”
“You do not get to decide where I live.”
Caleb turned.
“I’m trying to keep you alive.”
“Then say that.”
“I just did.”
“No.”
She stood despite pain.
“You ordered me.”
Caleb frowned.
“I do not belong to you because you saved me.”
“I know.”
“Then don't speak as if I do.”
He stared.
The fire popped.
Eliza continued:
“I am grateful.”
“More grateful than I can explain.”
“But I spent days being told where I would go.”
“What I would sign.”
“What would happen to my daughters.”
“I will not trade those men for a kinder jailer.”
Caleb lowered rifle.
Something like shame moved across face.
“All right.”
Eliza waited.
He tried again.
“You and girls can stay here as long as you choose.”
Her expression softened slightly.
“And if you choose to leave, I won’t stop you.”
“But Hollis knows you're alive.”
“He may know you're here.”
“I think leaving before we know who’s working for him would be dangerous.”
“That is recommendation?”
“Yes.”
“Not order?”
Caleb looked pained.