“Not legally.”
“Did he steal it?”
“Maybe delayed.”
“Why?”
“To push us into default before guardianship hearing.”
Emily felt cold.
“This isn't only about land.”
“No.”
Daniel looked toward upstairs.
“He wants the judge to see a failing ranch.”
Emily shut ledger.
“Then we show the judge truth.”
Cyrus did not wait for court.
The first snow came early.
October ninth.
Wet, heavy flakes.
Daniel woke before dawn to cattle bawling near north pasture.
Fence had been cut.
Forty head were missing.
He rode out with two hired men.
Emily stood on porch watching them disappear through snow.
Clara came beside her.
“Did Uncle Cyrus do it?”
“We don't know.”
“Yes, we do.”
Emily looked at her.
“No.”
“We suspect.”
“Those are different.”
Clara frowned.
“You sound like a teacher.”
“I was one.”
“I know.”
Samuel appeared carrying boots.
“Can I help find cows?”
“No.”
He looked offended.
Emily handed him a bucket.
“You can help me feed chickens before snow gets worse.”
“That isn't cows.”
“No.”
“Still work.”
He considered.
“All right.”
By noon, storm intensified.
Daniel did not return.
By three, Emily stopped pretending not to worry.
She put on Daniel’s spare coat.
Clara saw.
“Where are you going?”
“To barn.”
“That isn't why you're wearing his coat.”
Emily looked at her.
The girl had become far too observant.
“Daniel knows these hills.”
“So?”
“So I’m not riding after him in a snowstorm and creating a second rescue.”
Clara seemed disappointed.
Emily smiled.
“That is called good judgment.”
At four, one ranch hand returned.
Alone.
Emily ran to him.
“Where is Daniel?”
“Horse went down near Elk ravine.”
Her heart stopped.
“Is he hurt?”
“Leg.”
“Tom stayed with him.”
“Can he ride?”
“No.”
Emily did not waste time.
“Get the sled.”
The ranch hand stared.
“Mrs. Mercer—”
“Get it.”
Within fifteen minutes, they had hitched the strongest team.
Clara appeared wearing her coat.
“No.”
Emily said.
“I’m coming.”
“No.”
“Samuel can stay with Mrs. Lawson.”
The housekeeper from neighboring ranch had arrived after hearing storm.
Emily looked at Clara.
The girl’s face was set.
“My uncle is hurt.”
Emily understood the impulse.