Cowboy Found a Widow and Her Son Sleeping in His Stable. He Made One Quiet Decision
Chapter 5
They rode through the forest until nightfall.
Anna held Samuel in front of her.
Caleb rode behind them, watching the trail.
When they finally stopped beside a creek, Anna asked:
“Where are we going?”
“My ranch is no longer safe.”
“Then where?”
Caleb looked toward the mountains.
“An old cabin.”
They reached it near midnight.
The cabin belonged to Caleb’s late brother.
No one had visited it in years.
Inside, Anna found a fireplace.
Samuel fell asleep immediately.
Caleb sat by the door with his rifle.
Anna sat across from him.
“You could have left us.”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you?”
Caleb stared into the fire.
“I don’t know.”
Anna smiled faintly.
“Yes, you do.”
He looked at her.
“You remind me of my brother.”
She said nothing.
Caleb continued.
“He was stubborn.”
“Was he?”
“Very.”
“Then Samuel may remind you of him too.”
Caleb smiled.
“More than I’d like.”
Silence settled between them.
Then Anna said:
“My husband was a good man.”
“I believe you.”
“He wasn’t perfect.”
“No one is.”
“He was afraid.”
Caleb looked at her.
“Of what?”
“Of becoming like the men he was fighting.”
She lowered her eyes.
“Before he died, he told me that if anything happened to him, I should never trust a powerful man.”
Caleb raised an eyebrow.
“That’s unfortunate.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re sitting in a cabin with one.”
Anna laughed quietly.
It was the first time Caleb had heard her laugh.
Neither noticed Samuel watching them from beneath his blanket.
The boy smiled.
For the first time since his father died, he felt safe.
But miles away, Silas Boone was examining the same ledger.
And he had discovered something Caleb hadn’t.
The final page was missing.
And only one person knew where it was.
Anna Whitmore.
