And she understood how long he'd carried his guilt.
She reached toward him.
“Mr. Pike.”
He looked up.
“You brought us the truth today.”
Samuel shook his head.
“Too late.”
Evelyn swallowed.
“Late isn't the same as never.”
The older man covered his face.
For several seconds, he wept.
Caleb stood beside the window, staring toward the street. He felt relieved by Samuel's testimony, but a different burden had begun pressing against his chest.
He had been present during Henry's final hours.
And he still hadn't told Evelyn everything.
That evening, while she rested, he sat alone outside the lodging house and watched the sun disappear behind the distant hills. He knew the truth would eventually surface, because he could no longer bear the thought of building any kind of future with her upon another silence.
When Evelyn joined him, he looked up.
She settled into the broad chair beside him and watched his expression.
“You're thinking about Father.”
Caleb nodded.
For a while, neither spoke.
Then he whispered, “I need to tell you what happened the morning he died.”
Evelyn became very still.
Caleb looked toward his hands.
“I was the ranch hand who found him beside the barn.”
Her eyes widened.
He swallowed. “He was already terribly ill. The doctor had warned him against working in the cold, but he'd been trying to protect the papers Victor wanted. He went out to check the compartment before sunrise.”
Evelyn gripped the chair.
Caleb continued. “I found him collapsed near the barn doors. I sent another hand for help, and I stayed with him.”
His voice broke.
“He knew he wasn't going to survive.”
Evelyn began shaking her head.
“No.”
Caleb's eyes filled. “He made me promise I'd protect the original records. He said Victor would come for them. And then he said something I've never forgotten.”
Evelyn could barely speak.
“What?”
Caleb looked directly into her eyes.
“He said, ‘Tell Evelyn I didn't lose her home. Tell her I fought for it. And tell her I loved her more than any acre of land I ever owned.’”
Evelyn covered her mouth.
For several seconds, she couldn't breathe.
Then she began crying.
Caleb lowered his head.