“Because I can help you dispose of it.”
She said nothing.
He produced another document.
“If you sign this transfer, I can arrange a fair payment and save you considerable trouble.”
The woman held out her hand.
“May I read it?”
The merchant hesitated.
“It's standard language.”
“Then it should be easy to understand.”
The cowboy lowered his head to hide a smile.
The merchant passed her the paper.
She began reading.
It was a deed conveying her interest in the land to a company controlled by the merchant.
The compensation was small.
The document also included language releasing any associated claims connected with access, improvements, and water use.
The woman read the relevant paragraphs twice.
Then she looked up.
“This doesn't merely transfer the land.”
The merchant frowned.
“What?”
“It also releases any water rights or easements associated with the property.”
He waved a hand.
“Standard language.”
She turned another page.
“And it assigns any unresolved claims against adjoining landowners.”
The cowboy stepped closer.
The merchant's expression hardened.
“These are technical matters.”
The woman met his eyes.
“I understand technical matters.”
He looked at her body, then back at the document.
“Surely you don't expect to manage a remote property yourself.”
She took a slow breath.
“I haven't decided what I expect.”
The merchant leaned forward.
“The offer is generous.”
“How generous?”
“Two hundred dollars.”
The cowboy looked up sharply.
The woman glanced toward him.
Something in his expression told her the amount was significant.
Or rather, significantly wrong.
She turned back to the merchant.
“I'll need time to review the property's value.”
He frowned.
“That could take weeks.”
“Then it will take weeks.”
His smile disappeared.
“You came here expecting to marry me. That arrangement failed. I am trying to give you a way to recover some of your expenses.”
The woman stared at him.
For a moment, the humiliation outside the store returned with painful clarity.
Then she folded the document.
“You aren't offering compensation for what happened.”
The merchant's jaw tightened.
“You should be grateful I'm offering anything.”
She handed the papers back.
“No.”
He blinked.
“No?”
“I won't sign.”