Elias closed the book.
"I borrowed them."
Clara stared.
"You stole them."
"I prefer borrowed."
She almost smiled.
Then she saw the seriousness in his face.
"What are they?"
"Proof Nathaniel has been buying land through false claims."
Clara read faster.
Her eyes widened.
"He forged signatures."
"Yes."
"How many?"
"Twenty-three."
She looked at him.
"Why?"
"Because I don't like thieves."
"That's not the only reason."
Elias said nothing.
Clara understood.
"You knew my father."
"Years ago."
"What happened?"
"Your father bought my family's ranch."
She looked surprised.
"I thought he inherited everything."
"He bought it after my father died."
"Was he fair?"
Elias stared at the fire.
"No."
Clara closed the notebook.
"So you hate him."
"I did."
"Do you still?"
Elias shook his head.
"Hatred gets heavy."
"What replaced it?"
"Work."
Clara smiled faintly.
"I think I understand you."
"I doubt that."
"You're afraid of needing anyone."
Elias looked at her.
She had struck something.
Neither spoke.
Then horses sounded outside.
Elias stood.
Clara froze.
"Are they here?"
"No."
He looked through the window.
Two riders.
Mail delivery.
Clara exhaled.
Elias noticed.
"You need to learn something."
"What?"
"Fear keeps you alive."
"And?"
"But fear can't decide your future."
She nodded.
"What happens when Nathaniel comes?"
"We make sure he doesn't leave."
The trap was simple.
Clara would return to her father's ranch.
She would appear alive.
Nathaniel would come.
The sheriff would come.
And Elias would have proof.
But there was one problem.
Clara's father.
Samuel Whitmore.
He had to know.
They arrived at his ranch three days later.
The old man nearly collapsed when he saw his daughter.
"Clara?"
She ran to him.
He held her tightly.
For a moment, she was a child again.
Then Samuel saw Elias.
"What happened?"
Clara told him everything.
Her father's face turned gray.
When she finished, he whispered:
"I knew Nathaniel wanted the land."
"You knew?"
"I thought he wanted money."
"You let me marry him."
Samuel closed his eyes.
"I was wrong."
Clara stepped back.
"Yes."
He looked at her.
"I am sorry."
Clara wanted to be angry.
But seeing her father broken made anger difficult.
"I don't need you to be sorry."
"What do you need?"
"Help me stop him."
Samuel nodded.
"You have it."
For the first time in years, father and daughter stood on the same side.
The Man Who Came for Her
Nathaniel arrived at sunset.
He came with four armed men.
The ranch gates were open.
Clara stood on the porch.
Her father stood beside her.
Elias watched from the barn.
Nathaniel dismounted.
He stared at Clara.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then he smiled.