“He said he deserved some of it.”
“But he always said if anything happened to him, you were the only man he trusted.”
Thomas turned away.
Martha saw his shoulders shake once.
Only once.
Then he hardened again.
“Where did they attack Gideon?”
Eli answered.
“Mill road.”
“Why were you there?”
“Father went to meet someone.”
“Who?”
“A woman from the county records office.”
Mercer cursed under his breath.
Thomas turned.
“What?”
Mercer shook his head.
Martha raised the skillet again.
“Miss Avery.”
Mercer spoke quickly.
“Clara Avery.”
“What about her?”
“She found the deed books.”
Thomas frowned.
“What deeds?”
Mercer looked toward the ledger.
“Ask why Harlan Mining owns half the valley.”
Martha understood before the others.
“Forged transfers.”
Mercer looked at her with reluctant respect.
“Big woman has a brain.”
Thomas stood.
Mercer immediately corrected:
“The lady has a brain.”
Martha almost smiled.
“Continue.”
“Harlan Mining has been moving property into shell claims for twenty years.”
“People die.”
“Families leave.”
“Records change.”
“Gideon collected proof.”
“Clara found originals.”
“They were supposed to meet.”
“Baines’s son found out.”
Eli whispered:
“Sheriff Baines is dead.”
“His son isn't.”
Martha asked:
“Silas Rourke?”
Mercer nodded.
“The name from the ledger.”
“He owns half Covenant Creek now.”
“The other half thinks he does.”
Thomas looked toward the window.
“Those men will come back.”
“Yes.”
“With more.”
Mercer leaned forward.
“Unless you give me the ledger.”
Thomas stared at him.
Martha smiled faintly.
“You haven't noticed.”
“What?”
“You're tied to a chair.”
Mercer sighed.
They left before sunrise.
Thomas wanted Martha to remain at the cabin.
That argument lasted less than one minute.
“You're being hunted.”
“So is the boy.”
“You're safer here.”
“The men attacked here already.”
“I can leave them thinking—”
“No.”
Thomas rubbed both hands over his face.
“Martha.”
She stepped close.
“What did you say last night?”
He frowned.
“About what?”
“You hoped I would still be beside you when winter ended.”
Color appeared beneath his beard.
Mercer, tied near the stove, laughed.
Thomas glared at him.
Martha continued.
“You do not get to court me by firelight and dismiss me when daylight becomes inconvenient.”
Thomas stared.
Then, unexpectedly, smiled.
“Fine.”
“Good.”
“You ride in the wagon.”
“I was planning to.”
“You do exactly what I say if shooting starts.”
Martha raised an eyebrow.
“We'll renegotiate that portion.”
They took Mercer with them.
Thomas wanted information.