Elena stared.
“You’ve been here?”
“Yes.”
“Often?”
“Sometimes.”
“Why?”
“Sarah brought me.”
They stopped near stone marker half buried in snow.
Elena stepped down carefully.
Her boots sank.
Caleb offered hand but waited.
Elena took.
He helped.
They walked to spring.
Warm mist touched face.
Elena imagined mother here as girl.
Running.
Laughing.
No corset.
No father.
No fear.
She cried quietly.
Caleb stood back.
After a while she said:
“What is it worth?”
“Now?”
“Yes.”
“Maybe twenty thousand.”
Elena turned.
He did not soften.
“If railroad route is approved, more.”
“How much more?”
“I don't know.”
“Guess.”
“Forty.”
“Thousand?”
“Yes.”
Elena laughed in disbelief.
Her father had sold her for twenty dollars while trying to steal forty thousand.
Caleb said:
“He needed you married quickly.”
“To Vane.”
“Yes.”
“Why you?”
“Because he believed marrying you to me would also remove you.”
Elena frowned.
“What?”
Caleb looked toward valley.
“I’m not respectable.”
“To him.”
“To most.”
“He thought if I took you into mountains, you would disappear socially.”
“He could claim you abandoned interest.”
“And if you died?”
Caleb’s jaw tightened.
“I asked myself same.”
Elena felt cold beyond weather.
“Do you think Father wanted me dead?”
“I don't know.”
“Tell truth.”
“I think he wanted land more than he cared what happened to you.”
That was worse.
Elena looked at spring.
For long time.
Then:
“I’m not giving it to him.”
Caleb said nothing.
“I’m not selling either.”
“Okay.”
“You don't agree?”
“It’s yours.”
She looked at him sharply.
“You don’t want opinion?”
“You asked what I think?”
“Yes.”
He considered.
“Keep until railroad decision.”
“Then value clearer.”
“Lease timber selectively.”
“Do not sell water.”
Elena blinked.
“That was quick.”
“I have opinions.”
She laughed.
“Apparently.”
They spent afternoon inspecting.
Elena found old cabin door carved with initials.
M.W.
Her mother.
She pressed fingers.
Caleb stood beside.
She asked:
“Why did you really marry me?”
He looked.
“We covered.”
“No.”
“You could protect deed without marriage eventually.”
“Attorney.”
“Witness.”
“Why marriage?”
Caleb’s breath fogged.
Finally:
“Because your father would not let you leave with me unless he thought he had profited.”