Bank records showed missing payment had been delayed through a Bell-controlled freight office.
Cyrus denied knowledge.
Then cattle theft receipt appeared.
His attorney objected.
Judge admitted it only as evidence relating to financial interference, not criminal guilt.
Wesley testified.
Cyrus’s face became stone.
Then came Abigail’s letter.
Judge read it privately first.
Then allowed relevant portions entered into record.
When he reached the lines about Emily, he paused.
Looked at her.
“Mrs. Mercer.”
“Yes?”
“Did you know Mrs. Cole?”
“No.”
“Yet she wrote of you.”
“Daniel wrote to her.”
Judge looked at Daniel.
“You apparently wrote quite a lot.”
The courtroom laughed.
Daniel turned red.
Emily almost smiled.
Judge continued.
“Mrs. Cole explicitly requested that her children go to Daniel Mercer if their father died.”
“That weighs heavily.”
Cyrus stood abruptly.
“She had no authority over Nathan’s property after her death.”
Judge’s eyes sharpened.
“Sit down.”
Cyrus sat.
Judge continued.
“But guardianship of children and trusteeship of property are separate matters.”
There.
The real fight.
Cyrus’s attorney argued Daniel wanted children to control Elk Creek land.
Daniel’s attorney responded that Daniel had already filed a statement waiving any personal beneficial interest and requested independent bank trusteeship until Clara and Samuel reached adulthood.
Cyrus looked stunned.
Judge looked at Daniel.
“You are willing to have no control over property proceeds?”
“Yes.”
“Then why seek guardianship?”
Daniel looked behind him.
At Clara.
Samuel.
Then back.
“Because they're my sister’s children.”
“That’s all?”
“No.”
Daniel’s voice softened.
“Because they live in my house now.”
“Because Samuel leaves his boots in middle of floor.”
A few smiles.
“Because Clara pretends she doesn't like cinnamon and steals cinnamon biscuits before breakfast.”
Clara flushed.
“Because when they wake from nightmares, someone needs to be there.”
“Because their parents are dead.”
“And because I love them.”
The courtroom went completely quiet.
Daniel continued.
“The land can go into a bank.”
“The cattle can go to a trustee.”
“Give Cyrus every dollar if court believes he deserves it.”
Cyrus looked up.
Daniel’s jaw tightened.
“But don't make those children live with a man who sees them as keys to a deed.”
Judge looked toward Clara.
“Miss Cole.”
Daniel turned.
Emily’s heart raced.
Judge said:
“You are ten?”
“Eleven next month.”
“Do you understand why we're here?”
“Yes.”
“Where do you want to live?”
Cyrus’s attorney stood.
“Your Honor—”
“Sit.”
He did.
Clara looked at Daniel.
Then Emily.
Then Cyrus.
“I want to stay at Mercer ranch.”
“Why?”
Clara swallowed.
“Because Uncle Daniel doesn't make me call him Father.”