A Rancher Posed as a Drifter—A Widow Shared Her Last Bread Without Knowing His Secret
Chapter 9
Nathaniel stepped onto the church platform.
“My brother Daniel has returned,” he announced.
People murmured.
Nathaniel smiled.
“I am grateful.”
Daniel said nothing.
Nathaniel continued.
“Unfortunately, my brother is confused. He has suffered an attack, and I fear he believes lies about our family.”
A few people looked uncertain.
Then Eleanor stepped forward.
“He didn’t write the forged deeds.”
Nathaniel looked at her.
“Widow Hale, I suggest you remain silent.”
“No.”
The crowd reacted.
Eleanor held up a document.
“This was registered after my husband died.”
She looked at the crowd.
“How could a dead man sign it?”
Nathaniel said nothing.
Daniel stepped forward.
“And this.”
He held up the ledger.
“This records payments made to men who burned farms.”
Nathaniel laughed.
“A forged ledger.”
Pike stepped forward.
“I printed the documents.”
Nathaniel’s face tightened.
“You old fool.”
Pike answered:
“Perhaps. But I remember your handwriting.”
The crowd grew louder.
Nathaniel looked toward the sheriff.
The sheriff stepped forward.
“Enough.”
He reached for Daniel.
Then something unexpected happened.
Three farmers moved between them.
Then five.
Then twenty.
The sheriff stopped.
Reverend Cole stepped forward.
“You cannot arrest every witness.”
Nathaniel’s eyes darted around.
He realized the valley had turned against him.
But then he smiled.
“You think you’ve won?”
He reached inside his coat.
Daniel drew his pistol.
“Don’t.”
Nathaniel pulled out a small bottle.
Oil.
He threw it toward the church curtains.
A spark followed.
Flames erupted.
People screamed.
Smoke filled the room.
Nathaniel ran.
Daniel chased him.
Eleanor shouted:
“Daniel!”
He didn’t stop.
Nathaniel fled toward the river.
Daniel followed.
They reached the old mill.
Nathaniel turned.
“You should have stayed dead!”
Daniel raised his pistol.
“You killed Father.”
“He was weak.”
“You burned his house.”
“He chose his fate.”
“You tried to kill me.”
Nathaniel laughed.
“You always thought you were better.”
Daniel lowered the pistol.
“No.”
Nathaniel frowned.
“I thought you were my brother.”
Nathaniel fired.
Daniel moved.
The bullet struck the mill wall.
They fought.
Nathaniel pulled a knife.
Daniel caught his wrist.
The knife fell.
Then the old wooden floor broke beneath Nathaniel.
He slipped.
His fingers caught the edge.
Daniel grabbed his arm.
Nathaniel stared up.
For a moment, Daniel could have let go.
Everything Nathaniel had done.
The lies.
The murder.
The fire.
The betrayal.
Daniel’s grip tightened.
Nathaniel looked surprised.
“Why?”
Daniel’s face was exhausted.
“Because I’m not you.”
He pulled his brother up.
But the moment Nathaniel reached the floor, the sheriff arrived with armed men.
This time, the sheriff wasn’t alone.
Behind him stood colonial officers summoned by Reverend Cole.
Nathaniel was arrested.
The valley watched.
Eleanor stood beside Daniel.
For the first time, the fear was gone.
But another truth remained.
Daniel had nearly lost everything.
And he had not yet told Eleanor what he intended to do with Blackthorn.
