Clara laughed through tears.
"Did he?"
Caleb nodded.
"Yes."
She examined the ring.
Then looked toward him.
"I wish I'd known him."
Caleb's eyes filled.
"So do I."
For several seconds, they remained quiet.
Then he took the ring from her hand.
He looked toward her.
"May I?"
She nodded.
He slipped it onto her finger.
It fit almost perfectly.
Clara stared at her hand.
For a moment, she couldn't speak.
Then she looked up.
"I love it."
Caleb smiled.
"I'm glad."
She stepped closer.
Rested both hands against his chest.
And kissed him.
For several seconds, the world outside the cabin seemed impossibly far away.
Then Trouble began barking at the window.
Caleb sighed.
"That dog has no respect for romance."
Clara laughed.
He glanced toward the window.
Then frowned.
A rider was approaching.
The man's horse moved quickly along the lower trail.
Caleb recognized him.
One of Boone's deputies.
His expression changed.
Clara noticed immediately.
"What's wrong?"
Caleb reached for his coat.
"I don't know."
The rider stopped outside.
He dismounted quickly.
Then hurried toward the porch.
Caleb opened the door before the man could knock.
"What's happened?"
The deputy was breathing heavily.
"Briggs."
Caleb went still.
"What about him?"
The young man swallowed.
"We found where he's been hiding."
Clara stepped closer.
"Where?"
The deputy looked toward her.
Then back at Caleb.
"The old Granite Valley storage yard."
Caleb's jaw tightened.
The man continued.
"He's got company records there. Ledgers, letters, and something the sheriff thinks may belong to Samuel Whitmore."
Clara felt her heart seize.
"My father's satchel?"
The deputy nodded.
"Could be."
She stepped forward.
"Where is it?"
Caleb reached gently toward her arm.
"Clara."
She turned.
For a moment, she looked frightened.
Then the deputy continued.
"There's more."
Caleb looked back.