“Cobb diverted grain-relief reserve last year to cover mill debt.”
Sadie felt sick.
Lucien’s hand tightened around chair.
Clara continued.
“I have no evidence he wanted anyone starving.”
“He gambled relief funds on economic expansion.”
“Then winter came.”
Sadie whispered:
“And he needed my land.”
“Yes.”
Silence.
Clara looked directly at Sadie.
“You have options.”
That word.
Her father’s word.
Sadie looked at her.
“What options?”
“Stay here while I fight filings.”
“Return to Oak Haven.”
“Sell right-of-way yourself.”
“Refuse.”
“Negotiate.”
“Seek criminal investigation for forged instrument.”
“Seek civil recovery against Cobb.”
“Annul your marriage if coercion involved.”
Lucien looked at table.
Sadie noticed.
Clara continued.
“I recommend nothing until you decide what you want.”
Sadie’s chest tightened.
Nobody had said that to her before.
What do you want?
She looked through window toward white mountains.
“I want to go back.”
Lucien’s jaw tightened but he remained silent.
Clara asked:
“Why?”
“Because Cobb made my whole life small enough that I would believe I had nothing.”
“I want to stand where he can see he failed.”
Clara nodded.
“Good enough.”
Lucien said, “Weather clears tomorrow.”
Sadie looked at him.
“You’re coming.”
“If you want.”
“I do.”
That night, Sadie could not sleep.
She sat by fire.
Lucien woke.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
He sat up.
“Nothing has kept you awake an hour.”
“How do you know?”
“You turn blanket every time you’re angry.”
She stared.
“I do not.”
“You do.”
Sadie sighed.
“Are you afraid?”
“Yes.”
The answer surprised her.
“Of Cobb?”
“No.”
“Of what?”
“You going back.”
“Why?”
Lucien looked at fire.
“Because Oak Haven hurt you for ten years and you still call it your town.”
“That frightens you?”
“It means they can still hurt you.”
Sadie understood.
“Lucien.”
He looked.
“I am going anyway.”
“I know.”
“Are you going to stop me?”
“No.”
“If I decide to stay afterward?”
His face went still.
“In Oak Haven?”
“Yes.”
“No.”
“No what?”
“I won’t stop.”
Pain flashed.
Sadie saw.
Something inside her shifted.
“You don’t want me to stay there.”
“No.”
“Why?”
He did not answer.
Sadie pressed.
“Why?”
Lucien’s gaze remained on fire.
“Because cabin has been less empty.”
Her breath caught.
He continued before courage vanished.
“I know that’s selfish.”
Sadie looked down at iron ring.
“Do you want this marriage?”
His jaw tightened.
“I want you.”
That was not the same.
He knew.