He Warned Her He Came With Four Children — The Cowgirl Said, “Good This Ranch Needs a Family”
Chapter 8
Whitfield wanted the ledger.
Clara refused.
Thomas whispered:
“When I tell you to run, run.”
She shook her head.
“No.”
“Clara.”
“No.”
Whitfield stepped closer.
“You don’t understand what you’re holding.”
Clara raised the ledger.
“I understand enough.”
Whitfield’s men moved.
Thomas fired.
The church erupted in smoke and shouting.
Clara grabbed the box.
They ran through the side door.
Horses waited outside.
They mounted.
Behind them, gunfire echoed.
They raced through the woods.
When they finally stopped, Clara was shaking.
Thomas reached for her.
“Are you hurt?”
“No.”
“Let me see.”
“I’m fine.”
He stared at her.
“You almost died.”
“So did you.”
“I know.”
They sat beneath the trees.
The moon was high.
Clara looked at him.
“Why did my father hide this?”
“Maybe he wasn’t hiding it.”
“What do you mean?”
“Maybe he was collecting evidence.”
Clara looked at the ledger.
“Then why didn’t he tell me?”
Thomas answered quietly.
“Perhaps he wanted to protect you.”
She looked at him.
“You’ve spent your whole life trying to protect those children.”
“Yes.”
“Does it ever occur to you that they might need to know the truth too?”
Thomas looked toward the stars.
“Every day.”
Clara reached for his hand.
This time, he did not pull away.
