This was a forgery.
He looked at the date.
The transfer had supposedly been signed six months before Joseph died.
“Who filed this?”
Arthur examined the margin.
“Edward Whitaker's company.”
“Was it ever accepted?”
“No. The clerk at the time noted that the witness signature was missing, and the transfer could not be recorded.”
Samuel folded the document.
“Can I take a copy?”
“Certainly.”
Arthur prepared one.
As Samuel waited, the clerk asked, “Is everything all right at the ranch?”
Samuel looked at him.
“Why do you ask?”
“Your brother was here yesterday. He seemed upset. He asked whether anyone had requested the old land records.”
Samuel's expression remained neutral.
“What did you tell him?”
“That the records are public, but I couldn't discuss who had examined them.”
Samuel nodded.
Thomas had been searching for the same documents.
He was not merely afraid of the letter.
He was afraid of what Samuel might discover if he followed the money.
Samuel thanked Arthur, mounted his horse, and rode out of town.
He had two questions now.
Why had Thomas helped forge a medical report?
And what had happened to the original land transfer?
He suspected the answers were connected.
He only hoped he could find them before his brother made another attempt to stop him.
Anna was in the kitchen when Samuel returned.
She had prepared soup and bread, but the meal remained untouched on the table. Her sewing basket sat beside the window, and a half-finished baby blanket lay across her lap.
When she heard his boots on the porch, she rose so quickly that the blanket fell to the floor.
Samuel entered and closed the door.
For a moment, they simply looked at each other.
Then Anna crossed the room.
“What did he say?”
Samuel took off his coat.
“Your child may be mine.”
Anna's hand flew to her mouth.
He immediately regretted the way he had phrased it.
“I'm sorry. That sounded—”
“No.”
Her voice was barely audible.
“Say it again.”
Samuel looked into her eyes.
“The old report did not prove I was infertile. Dr. Harris says it was changed deliberately. He believes I may be able to father children.”
Anna's eyes filled with tears.
She covered her mouth and began to cry.
Samuel reached for her, but she stepped into his arms before he could move.
For several minutes, she held him tightly while he stood motionless, afraid that any movement might break the fragile hope between them.
Then she drew back and looked at him.
“Do you believe me now?”
Samuel felt the question like a blade.
He had asked her who the father was.