Harlan laughed.
"I intend to."
"Then you know where to find him."
There was a pause.
Martha could almost picture Harlan's expression.
He disliked being interrupted.
Especially by women who refused to be intimidated.
Then he said, "I'm told Miss Higgins is traveling with my younger brother."
Esther answered, "I don't discuss my guests' private affairs."
Harlan's voice hardened slightly.
"I have family business to settle."
"Then arrange it with your family."
Another silence followed.
Then the boardinghouse door closed.
Martha remained on the landing, trembling.
Esther came upstairs.
Her expression was serious.
"He's gone."
Martha nodded.
For a moment, she couldn't speak.
Then she whispered, "He'll come back."
Esther looked toward the window.
"Perhaps."
Martha stared.
The older woman continued.
"But this time, he won't find you alone."
Caleb returned from the county clerk's office shortly afterward.
He'd been speaking with the sheriff about the disputed freight documents and the names associated with the proposed timber road. When he entered the boardinghouse, Esther told him Harlan had arrived.
Caleb became very still.
"Where is he?"
"Last I saw, heading toward the saloon."
Caleb nodded.
Then he looked toward the stairs.
"Is Martha all right?"
Esther hesitated.
"She's frightened."
Caleb took a slow breath.
He started upstairs.
Then stopped.
He looked toward Esther.
"Would you tell her I'm here?"
The older woman studied him.
Then smiled faintly.
"Of course."
Martha came down a few minutes later.
She looked pale.
Caleb stood near the front window, his coat still dusted with snow.
When he saw her, he stepped forward.
Then stopped, leaving her room to choose whether to approach.
Martha noticed.
She crossed the room.
"He's here."
Caleb nodded.
"I know."
She looked toward the street.
"He's going to say terrible things about me."
Caleb's expression hardened.
"He may."
Her eyes filled.
Then she whispered, "People will believe him."
Caleb took a slow breath.
"Some might."
She stared.
He continued.
"But the sheriff has the complaint, the county clerk has the land records, and we have your copies of the accounts."
Martha looked down.
He spoke gently.
"We don't need to win a shouting match with him."
She nodded.
For several seconds, she remained quiet.
Then she asked, "Will you believe me if he says I stole from him?"
Caleb felt something tighten in his chest.
He looked directly at her.
"I've seen the records you kept. I've heard your explanation. And I've seen how you work. I have no reason to accept his accusations over the evidence."
Her eyes filled.
For a moment, she couldn't speak.
Then she whispered, "Thank you."
Caleb held out his hand.
She took it.
And together, they walked toward the sheriff's office.
Harlan found them before they arrived.
He was standing outside the general store, speaking with two merchants. When he saw Caleb approaching beside Martha, his expression brightened with a smile that looked almost genuine.