“Yes.”
“To the ranch you tried to steal?”
Caleb's jaw tightened.
“I know what I did.”
Elias shook his head.
“I doubt that.”
Lara stepped forward.
“How many cattle?”
Both men turned.
Caleb looked at her.
“What?”
“How many animals need water?”
He hesitated.
“About two hundred.”
“How urgently?”
“A few weeks.”
She nodded thoughtfully.
Elias studied her.
“Lara.”
She looked at him.
“We have established water-access agreements.”
“With people who treated us fairly.”
“Yes.”
She turned toward Caleb.
“And we have written rates, limits, and conditions.”
Caleb frowned.
“What are you suggesting?”
“That you may apply for a water-access contract like anyone else.”
Elias stared at his wife.
Caleb looked equally surprised.
“You'd do business with me?”
Lara's expression remained calm.
“Under enforceable terms. With payment secured. And with independent oversight.”
Caleb's face hardened.
“You mean to humiliate me.”
“No.”
She shook her head.
“If I wanted to humiliate you, I would make you stand in front of a crowd while people laughed at something you couldn't change.”
The words landed heavily.
Several spectators exchanged glances.
Lara continued.
“But I know what that feels like.”
Caleb looked away.
“And I won't turn your animals into victims of your mistakes.”
Elias watched her.
For a long time, Caleb said nothing.
Then he lowered his head.
“I'm sorry.”
The entire gathering seemed to become silent.
Lara stared at him.
He continued.
“For what I did at the station.”
His voice was rough.
“For the letters. For the arrangement with your brother. For using you to hurt Elias.”
Lara studied his face.
“Why are you apologizing now?”
He swallowed.
“Because I was wrong.”
“Were you wrong when you still had power?”
He said nothing.
She nodded slowly.
“That's what I thought.”
Caleb lowered his eyes.
She continued.
“You didn't become wrong when your wells began failing.”
His jaw tightened.
“You were wrong when you first decided another human being was an acceptable weapon.”
He nodded.
“Yes.”
Lara took a breath.
“Then perhaps you've finally begun to understand.”
She turned toward Elias.
“The water contract should be reviewed by our attorney.”
Elias looked at her.
Then at Caleb.
Finally he nodded.
“All right.”
Caleb appeared stunned.
“You'll consider it?”
Elias's expression hardened.
“My wife said we'll consider it.”
He stepped closer.
“Don't mistake that for trust.”
Caleb nodded slowly.
“I won't.”
Lara looked toward the guests.
“There's supper if you're hungry.”
Caleb stared.
After a moment, he said, “I don't believe I'd be welcome.”