The rancher stood beside the fireplace, holding a copy of the court application.
His face was hard.
“You've been helping her.”
Caleb remained standing.
“Yes.”
Victor stared.
“For how long?”
“Long enough.”
The older man's expression tightened.
“Do you understand what you're risking?”
Caleb looked toward Henry's old desk.
“I understand exactly what happened to this ranch.”
Victor gave a cold laugh.
“You think a few old papers prove anything?”
“I think they deserve to be examined.”
The rancher stepped closer.
“I gave you work when nobody else wanted a scarred drifter sleeping on their land.”
Caleb's jaw tightened.
“Henry Hart gave me work.”
Victor's eyes narrowed.
“And I kept you.”
Caleb said nothing.
For a moment, Victor seemed ready to shout.
Instead, he smiled.
“You know, Mercer, I've tolerated you because you're useful. Strong men are easy to find, but dependable ones are worth keeping.”
Caleb looked toward him.
Victor continued.
“Walk away from the woman. Tell her you were mistaken about the records, and I'll let you stay on the western parcel.”
Caleb stared.
“That land is mine.”
Victor smiled.
“Only as long as your title holds up.”
The threat was clear.
For a moment, Caleb felt the familiar temptation to answer with anger.
Then he remembered Evelyn's words.
You don't have to protect me by keeping secrets.
He took a slow breath.
“I'm not going to lie for you.”
Victor's smile disappeared.
“Then you're dismissed.”
Caleb nodded.
“I expected that.”
The rancher leaned forward.
“And don't think you can hide behind your deed. My attorneys will examine every acre Henry handed you.”
Caleb looked toward the doorway.
Then back.
“Then they'll have something to keep them occupied.”
He left.
Victor stood alone in the study, staring at the door.
For the first time, he began to understand that the man he'd spent fifteen years treating as hired muscle had made a decision money couldn't easily change.
Caleb was no longer afraid of losing his position.
And Evelyn was no longer afraid of confronting him.
Victor would need another way to force them apart.
The answer came through the railroad negotiations.
Mountain Western Railroad's representatives were interested in a route passing through the lower valley, where the terrain offered a relatively direct connection between the existing freight line and a planned mining district.