Pride and fear crossed face.
“Anyone hurt?”
“No.”
Thomas handed rag.
“Kerosene.”
Reid’s jaw clenched.
Lena looked toward boys.
The threat had changed.
Not only supplies.
Ranch itself.
That night everyone slept downstairs.
Reid sat by window with rifle.
Lena sat beside him.
“You should rest.”
“So should you.”
“I’m not tired.”
“Lie.”
They watched snow begin.
Lena whispered:
“Are you sorry?”
“For what?”
“Marrying me.”
Reid turned sharply.
“No.”
“This started after social.”
“This started before you arrived.”
“You don't know.”
“I know Prescott’s been cheating ranchers years.”
“Adeline hates me.”
“That is not same as her father committing fraud.”
“No.”
“But if she wrote letter—”
Reid touched her hand.
She stopped.
His hand remained over hers.
First time he had deliberately touched her beyond ceremony.
“Listen to me.”
She looked at him.
“You did not create this.”
“If somebody chose to punish us because you stood at my side, that is their choice.”
“Not your guilt.”
Lena’s eyes burned.
Reid continued:
“I spent two years making every decision based on not losing anyone else.”
“Martha died.”
“I couldn't stop it.”
“Housekeepers left.”
“I couldn't stop that.”
“Boys grew angry.”
“I tried to stop all of it.”
“Then you came.”
He swallowed.
“And I kept waiting for reason you’d go.”
Lena stared.
Reid’s voice lowered.
“I think I’ve been treating you like weather.”