Everyone Ignored the Quiet Cook—Until a Mountain Man Asked About Her Cornbread
Chapter 3
Clara could not sleep.
She sat beside the small window in her room.
Rain tapped against the shutters.
Her mother’s recipe box rested on her lap.
She opened it.
The cornbread recipe was still there.
So was a letter she had never read.
The paper was folded beneath the false bottom of the box.
Clara unfolded it.
The handwriting was unmistakable.
Her mother’s.
Clara, if you ever find this, you must know that your father did not disappear because he abandoned us.
She stopped reading.
Her breath caught.
The letter continued.
He was taken.
Clara covered her mouth.
She read on.
Her father had worked as a clerk for a wealthy landowner.
He discovered that several land deeds were being altered.
Land belonging to farmers and widows was being transferred to men who had never purchased it.
Her father refused to participate.
He threatened to expose the scheme.
Then he disappeared.
Clara’s mother had been warned to remain silent.
She did.
Until her death.
At the bottom of the letter was one name.
Silas Mercer.
Clara knew it.
Everyone did.
Mercer was one of the wealthiest men in the county.
He owned mills.
Warehouses.
Timber rights.
And hundreds of acres.
He also donated generously to the local church.
People called him respectable.
Clara’s hands shook.
A knock came.
She quickly folded the letter.
Elias stood outside.
“You are awake.”
“Yes.”
“I expected you would be.”
She opened the door.
“Did you know?”
“Some of it.”
“My father was taken.”
Elias nodded.
“By Mercer?”
“I don’t know.”
“But you suspect him.”
“Yes.”
Clara stared at him.
“Why did you come back?”
Elias’s answer was simple.
“Because your mother asked me to watch over you.”
“She asked you?”
“Years ago.”
“And you did?”
“I tried.”
Clara looked away.
“You failed.”
Elias accepted the accusation.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I didn’t know where you were.”
She looked back.
“I was here.”
“I know.”
“Then why didn’t you come?”
“Because your mother told me not to unless the danger returned.”
Clara’s voice trembled.
“It has.”
“Yes.”
He looked toward the tavern.
“Mercer’s men came asking about you yesterday.”
