“I need her signature.”
The cowboy's expression changed.
“On what?”
“Some old property documents.”
The cowboy folded his arms.
“What property?”
The merchant smiled tightly.
“That is not your concern.”
The cowboy looked toward the house.
“She's inside. I'll tell her you're here. Whether she speaks to you is her decision.”
The merchant looked offended.
“I don't need your permission.”
“No,” the cowboy answered. “You need hers.”
Inside, the woman was checking the supply accounts when the cowboy entered.
He explained that the merchant had arrived.
Her face immediately lost color.
“What does he want?”
“He says he needs your signature.”
She stared at him.
“My signature?”
“Something about property papers.”
Her eyes moved toward the trunk near her bedroom.
She remembered the documents her mother had left.
A small piece of land.
An old water-right certificate.
Several letters from a territorial surveyor.
She had mentioned them to the merchant during their correspondence.
He had encouraged her to bring them.
Now she wondered why.
“Tell him I'll speak to him outside,” she said.
The cowboy watched her carefully.
“You don't have to.”
“I know.”
“Would you like me nearby?”
She hesitated.
Then she nodded.
“Yes.”
They met the merchant on the porch.
He looked irritated when he saw the woman seated comfortably beside the cowboy.
But he forced a smile.
“I'm glad to see you've settled.”
She looked directly at him.
“What do you want?”
The merchant glanced toward the cowboy.
“I'd prefer to discuss this privately.”
She shook her head.
“Anything you have to say can be said here.”
His smile tightened.
“Very well.”
He opened the document case.
“I've been reviewing the papers you mentioned in your letters.”
The woman felt a sudden chill.
“You haven't seen my papers.”
“No, but I made inquiries.”
“What sort of inquiries?”
The merchant unfolded a map.
“Your mother's family once held a tract along North Creek.”
The cowboy looked toward the map.
The merchant continued.
“The land is of little practical value. Mostly rocky ground and a few acres of meadow.”
The woman watched him.
“Then why are you interested?”
He smiled.