That was the first moment Elias realized the woman his mother had chosen for him might not be the gentle bride he had expected.
She might be something much more dangerous.
She might be right.
The following morning, Elias took Miriam across the ranch.
He wanted to prove that he knew his own land.
Miriam did not challenge him.
She simply observed.
They rode through the north pasture.
The grass was sparse.
The cattle gathered near the only remaining water trough.
“How often do you rotate them?” she asked.
“Every few weeks.”
“Too late.”
He frowned.
“The pasture hasn't recovered.”
“I know.”
“You've been ranching for one day.”
“I've been watching cattle since I was six.”
He looked at her.
She continued.
“My father raised sheep and cattle.”
“You never mentioned that.”
“You never asked.”
They rode on.
At the western boundary, Miriam dismounted.
The fence was broken in three places.
Elias looked embarrassed.
“I know.”
“Why haven't you repaired it?”
“I've been short on men.”
“How many?”
“Seven.”
“How many do you need?”
“Ten.”
“Then hire three.”
“I can't afford them.”
“Then sell two horses.”
Elias stared.
“Which ones?”
“The black mare.”
“No.”
“The bay gelding.”
“Absolutely not.”
“They are good horses.”
“Exactly.”
“Then sell them.”
He shook his head.
“You don't understand.”
“I understand numbers.”
“You've been here one day.”
“And I've already found six expenses you can eliminate.”
He almost smiled.
“You are not gentle.”
She looked at him.
“Were you expecting gentle?”
“My mother said you were.”
“Your mother never met me.”
“No.”
“She was wrong.”
“I think she was.”
They continued riding.
Near the western ridge, Miriam stopped.
She looked at the ground.
“Who owns the land beyond that fence?”
“Rourke.”
“Silas Rourke?”
“Yes.”
She turned.
“He has access to the river.”
“Part of it.”
“How long?”
“Twenty years.”
“Does he have a water agreement?”
“No.”
“Then why isn't the sheriff stopping him?”
Elias's face hardened.
“That is a good question.”
They returned to the ranch at sunset.
Caleb was waiting.
“Someone came by.”
“Who?”
“Silas Rourke.”
Elias frowned.
“What did he want?”
“To buy the western pasture.”
“No.”
“He offered double market value.”
“Still no.”
Caleb looked at Miriam.
“He also asked about you.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“What did he ask?”
“How long you planned to stay.”
Elias's expression changed.
Miriam understood immediately.
Rourke had expected Elias to be desperate.
A struggling rancher.
A bad winter approaching.
A low bank account.
A perfect opportunity.
But Rourke did not know about Miriam.
Not yet.
That night, Elias found her in the kitchen.
She was studying a map.
“You should sleep.”
“I've been thinking.”
“About what?”
“The water.”
He leaned against the doorframe.
“I've been thinking about that too.”
“Good.”
She pointed to the map.
“The river enters your property here.”
“Yes.”
“Then leaves here.”
“Yes.”
“And Rourke's land begins here.”
“Yes.”
She traced the line with her finger.
“Where does this creek come from?”
“The western hills.”
“Does it freeze?”
“In winter.”
“How long?”
“Three months.”
“Then the cattle will die if the river remains this low.”
“I know.”
“Not if we move the water.”
Elias stared.
“How?”
“Build a reservoir.”
“Before winter?”
“Yes.”
“That would cost more than I have.”
“Not if we use the old quarry.”
He looked at her.
“What old quarry?”
She pointed to a mark on the map.
“Here.”
Elias's eyes widened.
“That quarry hasn't been used in fifteen years.”