The younger man followed.
They retrieved their horse.
Then rode toward the road.
Before disappearing, Crowe turned.
"This isn't finished!"
Caleb didn't answer.
He waited until they were gone.
Then turned toward Clara.
She was shaking.
For a moment, he looked as though he wanted to reach for her.
Instead, he crouched and gathered the scattered papers.
He carefully handed them back.
"Are you hurt?"
Clara shook her head.
"No."
He examined the torn strap.
Then the fading hoofprints on the road.
His jaw tightened.
"Who were they?"
She hesitated.
"Men connected to my father's work."
Caleb looked toward her.
For several seconds, he waited.
Clara knew he wanted more.
She also knew how much more there was to tell.
But fear stopped her.
Finally, she whispered, "They're looking for documents."
Caleb glanced toward the portfolio.
"These?"
"Not exactly."
He stared.
Then asked, "What did your father do?"
Clara took a shaky breath.
"He discovered an error in a land survey."
Caleb's expression changed.
"Where?"
She looked toward the mountains.
"Blackpine Ridge."
For a moment, Caleb stopped breathing.
Then he turned toward the northern horizon.
Clara watched him.
Something had changed.
The calm remained.
But beneath it lay a grief she didn't understand.
He looked back at her.
"Miss Whitmore."
She swallowed.
"Yes?"
"Don't go near that ridge until you tell me exactly what you're searching for."
She felt anger rise again.
"You can't order me—"
"I'm not ordering you."
His voice grew rough.
Clara stopped.
Caleb looked toward the place where the men disappeared.
Then back at her.
"I'm asking you to stay alive."
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then he gently took the torn portfolio from her hands.
He removed the remaining strap.
Folded the papers neatly.
Then handed them back.
Clara looked toward his face.
"Why do you care?"
The question caught him unprepared.
He stared.
For several seconds, he seemed unable to answer.
Then he looked away.
"Because those men won't stop at a torn bag."
He turned toward his horse.
Clara watched.
Before he mounted, she called his name.
"Caleb."