Clara stared.
“Then that's where we're going.”
The Hidden Cabin
They rode north with Tom.
The second cabin was hidden beneath a granite shelf.
Inside they found old boxes.
Most were empty.
One contained a metal lockbox.
Ethan opened it.
Inside were land records, cattle brands, receipts, and a revolver.
Beneath the papers was a photograph.
Samuel Cole stood beside two men.
One was Judge Hollis.
The other was Silas Vane.
On the back, Samuel had written:
THE THREE MEN WHO BOUGHT THE VALLEY.
Clara's hands trembled.
“Ethan.”
He examined the records.
“Every stolen ranch is here.”
“So is every bribe.”
“And my father's evidence.”
They heard horses outside.
Tom looked through the window.
“Five riders.”
Ethan closed the box.
“We're trapped.”
Clara looked around.
Then smiled.
“What?”
“There is another way out.”
She pointed toward the fireplace.
Behind it was a narrow passage.
Ethan stared.
“My father built this?”
“Apparently.”
They crawled through.
The passage opened onto a ravine.
They escaped into the trees.
But one rider saw them.
A rifle cracked.
Tom fell.
Ethan turned.
The shooter fired again.
Clara raised her rifle.
She fired once.
The rider dropped.
Ethan looked at her.
“You've done that before.”
Clara lowered the rifle.
“My father taught me.”
“Who was your father?”
She hesitated.
Then said:
“Samuel Bennett.”
Ethan stopped.
He knew the name.
A former federal investigator.
A man who had disappeared five years earlier.
“You're his daughter.”
“Yes.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because everyone who knew my father eventually became a target.”
Ethan looked at the box.
“Then we're already targets.”
Clara nodded.
“Yes.”
The Storm
A storm trapped them in the mountains.
Rain poured across the rocks.
They took shelter in a shallow cave.
Tom was alive but weak.
Ethan built a small fire.
Clara sat beside him.
“Do you ever wonder what your life would have been?”
Ethan looked at her.
“Before this?”
“Yes.”
He thought.
“I would have married.”
“When?”
“When I met someone.”
“You never did?”
“No.”
“Why?”
He stared into the flames.
“I was waiting for someone who didn't need saving.”
Clara smiled sadly.
“And now?”
“Now I think I was wrong.”
She looked at him.
The rain hammered the rocks.
“I don't need saving,” she said.
“I know.”
He moved closer.
“I just don't want you to face this alone.”
Clara's eyes filled with tears.
“You barely know me.”
“I know enough.”
She leaned forward.
Their lips met.
It was brief.
Careful.
Almost uncertain.
Then Clara pulled back.
“This is a terrible time.”
Ethan smiled.
“Probably.”
She rested her forehead against his.
“Tomorrow we go back.”
“To Cedar Ridge.”
“Yes.”
“And confront Vane.”
“Yes.”
“With a ledger.”
“And evidence.”
“And half the county against us.”
Clara smiled.
“Maybe less than half.”
Outside, thunder rolled through the mountains.
For the first time in years, Ethan did not feel alone.
The Town Turns
When they returned to Cedar Ridge, the town was divided.
Some ranchers believed Ethan.
Others feared Vane.
Judge Hollis issued a warrant for Ethan's arrest.
The sheriff came to the ranch.
Amos Reed stood at the gate.
“Ethan.”
“You here to arrest me?”
“I was ordered to.”
“By Hollis?”
“Yes.”
Ethan stepped closer.
“Then do it.”
The sheriff looked at Clara.
“Miss Bennett, you need to come with me.”
She shook her head.
“No.”
Reed lowered his voice.
“You don't understand what you're fighting.”
“I understand exactly.”
The sheriff sighed.
Then whispered:
“Meet me at the old church tonight.”
He rode away.
That evening, Ethan and Clara went to the church.
Sheriff Reed was waiting.
“I was wrong,” he said.
He handed Ethan a packet.
“My brother was one of Vane's men.”
“What happened?”
“He tried to leave.”
Reed's eyes hardened.
“They killed him.”
He looked at Clara.
“Your husband found the same records.”
“Daniel?”
“Yes.”
Clara nearly collapsed.
“You knew?”
“I knew he was investigating.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because I was afraid.”
Ethan understood.
Fear had ruled the town for years.
But now people were beginning to resist.
Reed pointed toward the courthouse.
“Tomorrow Vane plans to seize eleven ranches.”
Clara opened the ledger.
“Then tomorrow we stop him.”
The Courthouse
The hearing began at nine.
By eight, ranchers filled the courthouse.