Abandoned at 19, She Met the West’s Richest Cowboy—And He Refused to Let Her Go
Chapter 5
Clara contacted a land attorney in town.
She discovered the development company had been filing quiet claims against Ethan’s water rights.
Most had been dismissed.
But one remained active.
If the company won, Ethan could lose access to the southern spring.
That spring supplied almost forty percent of the ranch’s water.
Ethan was furious.
“How long has this been happening?”
“Years.”
“Why didn’t anyone tell me?”
“They assumed the claims would disappear.”
“They didn’t.”
“No.”
Clara placed a file on the table.
“We need to fight.”
Ethan nodded.
They hired a legal team.
But Clara stayed involved.
She knew the property records better than anyone.
She found an old agreement signed by Ethan’s grandfather.
The water rights were permanently attached to the land.
The development company had no legal claim.
The problem was proving the document was authentic.
The original had disappeared.
Clara searched county archives.
Nothing.
Then she remembered Ethan’s grandfather had owned a second ranch.
A small property two counties away.
They went there.
The old farmhouse had been empty for years.
Clara found an attic.
Inside an old chest were tax records.
Letters.
Photographs.
And finally, the original water-rights agreement.
Ethan stared at it.
“My grandfather kept this?”
“Yes.”
He smiled.
“He knew.”
They returned to the ranch.
The legal case was filed.
The development company responded aggressively.
They accused Ethan of manipulating records.
They accused Clara of having a personal relationship with him.
They accused her of professional misconduct.
Clara didn’t care.
She had nothing left to prove.
Until Daniel arrived again.
This time, he wasn’t alone.
He had brought Clara’s former employer.
The old employer offered her a job.
“Come back,” he said.
“You’re talented.”
“You don’t belong on a ranch.”
Clara looked at Ethan.
Then back at him.
“I do.”
The employer laughed.
“You’re wasting your life.”
Clara smiled.
“Maybe I’m finally living it.”
After they left, Ethan turned to her.
“You didn’t have to stay.”
“I know.”
“Then why?”
She looked at him.
“Because this is my life now.”
He stared.
She realized what she’d said.
Her cheeks reddened.
Ethan smiled.
“Good.”
The case moved forward.
And the development company made one final offer.
Ten million dollars.
For the ranch.
Ethan refused.
Clara asked why.
He answered,
“Because my grandfather built this place.”
He looked at her.
“And now you’re helping me keep it.”
She smiled.
“Then we’ll keep it.”
