“If we recover this ranch, I want you to live here with me. Not as a hired man. Not as someone who owes me work. As the man I love.”
His breath caught.
She swallowed.
“And if we lose it, I want us to decide where to go together.”
For a moment, Caleb stared.
He had imagined her saying she loved him.
But nothing prepared him for the quiet certainty with which she spoke.
“Evelyn…”
She leaned closer.
His hand trembled against hers.
Then she whispered, “You don't have to earn the right to be loved by giving away everything you own.”
Caleb closed his eyes.
A tear slipped down his scarred cheek.
When he opened them, he looked at her with such tenderness that Evelyn felt her heart ache.
“I love you,” he whispered.
She smiled.
“I know.”
He laughed through tears.
Then she continued.
“And I love you.”
For a long moment, neither moved.
Then Caleb gently asked permission to kiss her.
Evelyn answered by leaning toward him.
Their first kiss was quiet.
Tender.
And full of everything they'd been too frightened to say during the months they'd spent together.
When they separated, Caleb rested his forehead against hers.
For several seconds, they simply breathed.
Then Evelyn smiled.
“You should have kissed me months ago.”
He gave an embarrassed laugh.
“I wasn't certain you'd want me to.”
She brushed her fingers along his scar.
“Now you know.”
Caleb smiled.
But before he could answer, hurried footsteps sounded beyond the barn doors.
Edwin Price appeared in the entrance.
He was pale, breathing hard, and carrying a leather satchel against his chest.
“Miss Hart,” he gasped.
Evelyn turned.
The clerk looked from her to Caleb.
Then whispered, “Victor's bringing the sheriff at sunrise.”
Caleb stood.
Evelyn tightened her grip on the book.
Edwin stepped closer.
“He's told the railroad men the property dispute is settled. They're planning to sign the agreement tomorrow afternoon.”
For a moment, the barn went silent.
Then Edwin opened his satchel.
Inside lay an original company ledger, several folded letters, and a document bearing Victor Harrow's signature.
Edwin's hands were shaking.
“I wrote the anonymous note,” he said.
Evelyn stared.
The clerk swallowed.
“And I've brought the papers that explain how your father lost the ranch.”