Eliza climbed out holding Rose.
“You heard?”
“All of it.”
“They accused me of murder.”
“Yes.”
She sank into chair.
“They’ll hang me.”
“No.”
“You don't know that.”
Caleb placed torn warrant on table.
“I know they want you frightened enough not to fight.”
Eliza looked up.
“And what do you want?”
He met her eyes.
“To fight.”
“For ranch?”
“For Samuel.”
“For girls.”
He paused.
“For you.”
The final words came quietly.
Eliza looked away.
Caleb suddenly found rifle maintenance extremely important.
That evening she cooked.
Not because Caleb asked.
Because she was tired of his beans.
“You've eaten this every winter?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Easy.”
“That is not reason.”
“It is for me.”
She found dried onions, flour, preserved tomatoes, and a piece of venison.
Two hours later cabin smelled different.
Caleb came in from barn.
Stopped.
“What did you do?”
“Cooked.”
“I can see.”
“You look suspicious.”
“Smells good.”
“That worries you?”
“Yes.”
She laughed.
They ate at table.
One chair.
One stool.
Caleb sat stool and gave Eliza chair.
Afterward Ruth began crying.
Caleb automatically rose.
Eliza noticed.
“You know her cry.”
“Yes.”
“That one means hungry.”
“Yes.”
“Rose’s?”
“Usually angry at existence.”
Eliza smiled.
Caleb lifted Ruth.
The child settled against him.
Eliza watched.
“What?”
he asked.
“You're good with them.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“They’re just small.”
“That is your explanation?”
“Small animals require patience.”
Eliza stared.
“Did you just compare my daughters to livestock?”
Caleb considered.
“Poorly.”
She laughed so hard Ruth startled.
Caleb smiled.
Eliza stopped laughing.
Their eyes met.
Something changed.
Not love.
Too soon.
But possibility.
That frightened them both.
Next morning Martha Larson arrived with husband and eldest son.
Martha entered cabin without waiting invitation.
Then saw Eliza.
“Oh.”
Eliza tensed.
Martha put down basket.
“I brought milk.”
She looked at twins.
Then at Caleb.
Then back at Eliza.
“You must be freezing.”
Eliza blinked.
“No accusation?”
Martha frowned.
“For what?”
“Apparently I murdered my husband.”
Martha’s expression sharpened.
Caleb handed warrant remains.
She read.
Then ripped remaining half again.
Caleb almost smiled.
Martha said:
“Warren Pike couldn’t find truth with both hands and lantern.”
Eliza studied her.
“You believe me?”
“I believe Caleb.”
Caleb shifted uncomfortably.
Martha added:
“He trusts almost nobody.”
“If he lets you sleep under his roof, either you’re telling truth or he has finally lost his mind.”
“Both possible.”
Caleb muttered.
Martha stayed two hours.
Examined Eliza’s wounds.
Checked twins.
Declared Rose “loud enough to survive politics.”
Then told Caleb that town was full of rumor.
“Silas Hollis says woman murdered ranch hand.”
“Pike says you’re harboring fugitive.”
“Banker says Hollis filed claim against north pasture.”
Caleb looked up.