He Gave A Homeless Woman A Job — Months Later, She Saved His Ranch
Chapter 10
The attack had failed.
But Jonathan knew they were running out of time.
The men who had fled left behind horses.
One carried a saddle marked with a merchant’s seal.
Mary recognized it.
“Richard Vale’s employer.”
Jonathan examined the mark.
It belonged to a wealthy merchant in Bellmere.
The same man who had bought grain from them.
The same man whose wife had insulted Mary.
His name was Edmund Crane.
Jonathan went to Bellmere.
Mary insisted on coming.
They entered Crane’s warehouse.
He greeted them politely.
“You’re welcome anytime.”
Jonathan placed the saddle on the table.
“This was found at my ranch.”
Crane smiled.
“Many men use my saddles.”
Mary walked around the warehouse.
She noticed barrels.
The same barrels used for their grain.
She opened one.
Inside were sacks marked with Hale’s Crossing.
Jonathan stared.
“You stole our grain.”
Crane’s smile vanished.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Mary opened another barrel.
Documents.
Land deeds.
Dozens.
She began reading.
One name after another.
Families.
Farmers.
Widows.
All had lost land through fraudulent transactions.
Crane stepped toward her.
“Put those down.”
“No.”
He grabbed her wrist.
Jonathan moved instantly.
Crane backed away.
“You don’t understand who you’re fighting.”
Mary looked at him.
“I understand exactly.”
Crane whispered:
“You will lose everything.”
Mary replied:
“You already tried.”
Then the warehouse door opened.
Sheriff Bell entered.
But he was not alone.
Behind him stood three armed men.
Jonathan reached for his pistol.
The sheriff raised his hand.
“Don’t.”
Mary looked around.
They were surrounded.
Crane smiled.
“You should have left Bellmere when you had the chance.”
Mary’s eyes moved to the documents.
Then to the window.
Then to the stacked barrels.
She saw a lantern.
She saw oil.
She saw the open warehouse door.
And she remembered the fire at her ranch.
She understood the trick.
“Jonathan,” she whispered.
“What?”
“Knock over the flour.”
He stared.
“What?”
“Now.”
He trusted her.
Jonathan kicked a barrel.
White flour exploded into the air.
Mary grabbed the lantern.
Crane shouted.
Jonathan overturned another barrel.
The warehouse filled with dust.
No one could see.
Mary pulled Jonathan toward the rear door.
They escaped through the alley.
Behind them, men shouted.
Jonathan laughed breathlessly.
“What was that?”
“Flour.”
“I noticed.”
“It blinds people.”
“Apparently.”
They ran.
But Mary stopped suddenly.
“What?”
She held up a document.
She had taken it during the confusion.
A land transfer.
Signed with the black circle.
And beneath it was the name of the man who had ordered everything.
Jonathan read it.
His face went pale.
“Governor’s land agent.”
