She thought of Caleb returning to the cabin after a bitter day in the snow, finding her beside the stove, and asking whether she'd sing the old song again.
She thought of how carefully he'd avoided touching her after seeing the scars.
And how he'd looked proud when she helped rescue the rancher.
For the first time, she allowed herself to imagine a future in which she might not merely survive beside him.
She might be happy.
But before she could decide whether that future was possible, Harlan Tate would arrive in Bitter Creek.
And when he did, he would make certain that every person in town knew what kind of woman he claimed Martha Higgins to be.
Harlan arrived the following afternoon.
The first sign was the sound of wagon wheels stopping outside the general store. Martha was upstairs in the boardinghouse, helping Esther fold clean linens, when she heard several horses and a man's voice carrying through the cold air.
She recognized the voice before she saw his face.
Her hands stopped moving.
Esther noticed immediately.
"Martha?"
She stared toward the window.
Then she whispered, "He's here."
Esther crossed the room and looked outside.
A tall man in an expensive dark coat stood beside a freight wagon. He wore polished boots, leather gloves, and a broad-brimmed hat that looked almost new. His beard was neatly trimmed, and a silver watch chain hung across his vest.
Two men accompanied him.
One wore a blue coat.
Martha recognized him from the description the telegraph operator had given.
Her breathing quickened.
Esther turned toward her.
"Sit down."
Martha shook her head.
"I can't."
The older woman moved closer.
"You're not going downstairs until you're ready."
Martha stared at her.
Then she nodded.
She sat on the edge of the bed, clutching the folded linen in her hands.
For several minutes, neither spoke.
Then Esther said something Martha hadn't expected.
"That man has no authority in my house."
Martha looked up.
Esther continued.
"He can request a room, pay for supper, and behave like a gentleman. He cannot come upstairs and frighten my guests."
Martha swallowed.
"He's very persuasive."
Esther smiled without humor.
"So am I."
The remark drew a small, nervous laugh from Martha.
Then the boardinghouse door opened downstairs.
A man's voice called for the proprietor.
Esther looked toward the hallway.
"Stay here if you'd like. I'll see what he wants."
Martha nodded.
But she didn't remain upstairs for long.
She walked toward the landing and listened.
Harlan was speaking to Esther.
His voice was smooth.
He explained that he'd traveled from Missouri on urgent business and was looking for a former employee believed to be staying in Bitter Creek. He described Martha as unreliable and suggested that she had taken confidential records from his company.
Esther responded calmly.
"If you believe a crime occurred, I suggest speaking with the sheriff."