Then left.
Marta watched him walk away.
Caleb remained twenty feet behind.
Not intruding.
When Henrik disappeared down street, Marta said:
“You knew he’d leave.”
“Yes.”
“Did you plan that too?”
“No.”
“Expected?”
“Yes.”
She wiped one tear angrily.
Caleb looked away to give privacy.
That made her cry harder.
“Stop doing that.”
He turned.
“What?”
“Acting decent.”
His expression confused.
“It makes it difficult to hate you.”
Caleb almost smiled.
Marta looked at him.
“I'm still angry.”
“You should be.”
“You manipulated situation.”
“Yes.”
“You made choice involving my life without asking.”
“Yes.”
“I may never forgive that.”
“I know.”
She stepped closer.
“But you put stable in my name.”
“Yes.”
“Not yours.”
“Yes.”
“Why not half?”
“Not mine.”
She stared at him a long moment.
Then whispered:
“You really don’t understand how strange you are.”
“Been told.”
Marta took deed.
“Your mules are ready.”
Caleb nodded.
He turned.
She stopped him.
“Caleb.”
He looked back.
“Come tomorrow.”
“Why?”
She swallowed.
“I need help checking roof.”
He understood offer for what it was.
Not forgiveness.
A door cracked open.
“I’ll come.”
He did.
The roof needed repair.
Of course it did.
Marta had known leak for months.
She climbed ladder before Caleb arrived.
He found her standing on stable roof with hammer in hand.
“You're going to break neck.”
She looked down.
“You bought my debt, now you think you can give orders?”
“No.”
“I think gravity can.”
She smiled despite herself.
“Climb.”
They worked until noon.
Marta knew carpentry poorly.
Caleb knew enough.
He did not take hammer unless asked.
That mattered.
At one point their hands touched.
Both paused.
Marta pulled away first.
Not because she disliked it.
Because she liked it too much.
After repair, she offered lunch.
Bread.
Cheese.
Apples.
They sat outside barn.
Caleb asked:
“What will you call business?”
“Lindholm stable.”
“Your brother’s name.”
“My name too.”
“Fair.”
She looked at him.
“You think I should change?”
“No.”
“I asked opinion.”
“Then yes.”
Marta frowned.
“To what?”
“Something yours.”
She thought.
“Red Creek Horse and Mule?”
“Boring.”
“North says boring?”
“Apparently.”
“Bear Stable?”
He glared.
Marta laughed so hard she nearly spilled tea.
That was first time Caleb saw her laugh without bitterness.
He remembered it.
Over next two weeks he visited often.
Sometimes with reason.
Roof.
Fence.
Harness.
Sometimes without convincing reason.
Marta noticed.
One morning he arrived carrying bag coffee.
“You crossed six miles for coffee?”
“Needed nails.”
“You don't have nails at mountain?”