“Why should he be careful about the truth?”
Caleb sneered.
“You don't understand frontier business.”
“I understand that you paid my brother to deceive me.”
“That's between me and him.”
“No.”
Her eyes filled, but she refused to lower her head.
“You made it my business when you sent me across the country to be laughed at.”
For the first time, Caleb looked uncomfortable.
Not ashamed.
Simply surprised that she had spoken with such certainty.
Elias folded the document carefully.
“You've made a mistake, Caleb.”
Caleb laughed.
“I doubt it.”
“You left proof.”
The wealthy cattleman glanced at the paper.
“Proof of what? An unrecorded private agreement?”
Elias studied him.
“Proof of a conspiracy to obtain my land through fraud.”
Caleb's smile returned.
“Good luck convincing a judge.”
Then he leaned forward.
“Because while you argue about signatures, winter keeps coming.”
He pointed toward the northern hills.
“And those cattle of yours are looking mighty thin.”
Elias's face darkened.
Caleb knew the ranch was struggling.
That was why he had chosen this moment.
The previous summer had been dry.
Hay yields were low.
Two cattle-buying contracts had collapsed.
And several of Elias's best breeding animals had fallen ill.
He had enough supplies for an ordinary winter.
Not a severe one.
Caleb had been waiting for desperation to do what money could not.
Elias stepped closer.
“Get off my land.”
Caleb looked toward Lara.
“You'll regret keeping her.”
Elias's answer came instantly.
“No.”
The single word surprised Lara.
Caleb laughed.
“We'll see.”
He turned his horse.
The other riders followed.
Their hoofbeats faded into the snowy woods.
Elias remained on the porch.
The document trembled slightly in his hand.
Lara watched him.
Then she whispered, “I'm sorry.”
He turned.
“For what?”
“My brother.”
“You aren't responsible for him.”
“He used me to hurt you.”
Elias stepped closer.
“Look at me.”
She lifted her eyes.
“You didn't know.”
“I should have suspected.”
“Why?”
“Because nothing this fortunate ever happens to me.”
He stared at her.
“What?”
She gave a sad smile.
“A respectable man wanting someone like me.”
Elias's expression changed.
He took off one glove.
Then gently lifted her chin.
“Don't say that again.”
Her breath caught.
“Elias…”
“I mean it.”
He looked directly into her eyes.
“Your brother's cruelty doesn't determine your worth.”
Tears slipped down her cheeks.
Elias wiped one away with his thumb.
Then seemed surprised by his own tenderness.
He lowered his hand.
“Let's get inside.”