Children walked along the street carrying books.
The blacksmith's forge glowed.
And Mrs. Bell stood outside her boardinghouse shaking snow from a rug.
She saw the wagon.
Then saw Clara beside Caleb.
Her eyebrows rose.
For a moment, she seemed surprised.
Then she marched toward them.
"Well."
Caleb stopped the wagon.
"Afternoon, Margaret."
She looked toward Clara.
"Where have you been?"
Clara swallowed.
"I can explain."
The older woman folded her arms.
"I should hope so."
Her gaze moved between them.
Then she noticed Clara's pale face and the tiredness in Caleb's expression.
Her irritation disappeared.
"What happened?"
Caleb climbed down.
"Men came to my cabin last night."
Margaret went still.
"What men?"
"Silas Crowe and two others."
The older woman's face hardened.
She looked toward Clara.
"Are you hurt?"
Clara shook her head.
"No."
Margaret studied her.
Then glanced toward Caleb.
"Did they threaten you?"
He nodded.
"They came asking for Clara."
For a moment, Margaret looked genuinely frightened.
Then she straightened.
"Inside."
Caleb hesitated.
"We need to see the sheriff."
"You can see him after this girl has something warm in her stomach."
He opened his mouth.
Margaret pointed toward him.
"And you too, Caleb Hart. You look like death borrowed your coat."
Despite everything, Clara laughed.
Caleb sighed.
"Yes, ma'am."
Margaret nodded firmly.
"Good."
They followed her inside.
Within minutes, coffee was on the table.
Bread was warming.
And Margaret was listening to an account that made her expression grow more serious with every sentence.
She didn't interrupt often.
When she did, the questions were practical.
How many men?
What did they say?
Did they claim legal authority?
Did anyone enter the cabin?
Were there witnesses?
Had Clara been threatened before?
By the time the story ended, Margaret looked furious.
She placed her cup down.
"That Voss."
Caleb looked toward her.
"You know him?"
The older woman gave a bitter laugh.
"Everybody knows him."
She glanced toward the window.
"He's been offering to buy land up and down this valley. Last spring he tried buying my sister's place near the creek."
Clara leaned forward.
"What happened?"