“I'm simply being practical.”
She continued.
“Or the fact that you believe a woman like me should be grateful that a wealthy man has noticed her?”
Vale's smile vanished.
Amily felt her fear changing.
Not disappearing.
Becoming something firmer.
She looked toward the folded paper.
Then back at him.
“My mother refused to sign a release you wanted.”
Vale remained silent.
Amily continued.
“She carried the documents east. She protected them for years. And now you're offering me money before anybody has examined what she preserved.”
Vale's expression hardened.
“It's a generous offer.”
She nodded slowly.
“Perhaps.”
Then she took a breath.
“But I don't know what I'd be selling.”
For several seconds, the yard remained silent.
Finally, she spoke again.
“So my answer is no.”
Vale's jaw tightened.
“You would be foolish to reject this.”
Amily smiled faintly.
“I've been called foolish before.”
Harlon looked toward her.
Something like pride crossed his face.
Vale stared.
Then his voice became cold.
“You don't understand the consequences.”
Amily's heart pounded.
But she didn't step back.
“Then explain them in court.”
For one suspended moment, the mining executive looked capable of ordering his guards forward.
But the demolition crew was watching.
Several men stood beside the wagons.
The supervisor had already documented the dispute.
And Amily had made her refusal publicly.
Vale could threaten.
But he couldn't make the witnesses disappear.
He slowly folded the settlement paper.
Then looked toward Harlon.
“This is your doing.”
Harlon met his eyes.
“No.”
He glanced toward Amily.
“It's hers.”
The words seemed to infuriate Vale more than any insult.
He turned sharply toward his horse.
“Get these men moving.”
The supervisor hesitated.
“Sir, I suspended the demolition pending clarification of the property claim.”
Vale spun toward him.
“Then you'll be looking for employment.”
The supervisor straightened.
For a moment, he seemed frightened.
Then he took a breath.
“I'll take that risk.”
Amily stared.
The man continued.
“I won't order my crew to tear down a disputed house while armed men are threatening people beside it.”
Vale's face reddened.
He looked toward the workers.
Several lowered their eyes.
But none moved.
Finally, he climbed into the saddle.
He pointed toward Amily.
“You haven't heard the last of this.”
She looked directly at him.
“I certainly hope not.”
Vale stared.
Then rode away.