He Warned Her He Came With Four Children — The Cowgirl Said, “Good This Ranch Needs a Family”
Chapter 9
They returned to the ranch before dawn.
The children were waiting.
Mary ran toward them.
“Where were you?”
Thomas dismounted.
“Getting answers.”
Mary looked at Clara.
“Did you find them?”
Clara smiled.
“Some.”
Samuel noticed the ledger.
“What is that?”
Thomas looked at his children.
“Something your mother left behind.”
Mary stepped closer.
“About us?”
“Yes.”
Thomas opened the book.
He told them the truth.
Their mother had fought to protect their land.
She had known powerful men wanted it.
She had hidden evidence before she died.
Mary cried.
Samuel clenched his fists.
“I hate them.”
Thomas knelt.
“You have every right to be angry.”
“Will they come back?”
Thomas looked at Clara.
“Yes.”
Samuel swallowed.
“What will we do?”
Clara answered.
“We stay together.”
Mary looked at her.
“You mean us too?”
Clara smiled.
“Especially you.”
The children hugged her.
Thomas stood behind them.
He wiped his eyes before anyone noticed.
That afternoon, they began preparing the ranch.
The windows were reinforced.
The horses were moved closer to the house.
Food was stored.
Water barrels were filled.
Clara handed Mary a small pistol.
Thomas immediately objected.
“She is twelve.”
“She is old enough to know how to protect herself.”
Thomas looked at Mary.
Then at Clara.
Finally, he nodded.
“Only if you promise never to use it unless there is no other choice.”
Mary nodded.
“I promise.”
The family prepared for war.
But Whitfield had something they didn’t know.
He had the sheriff.
And the sheriff had a warrant declaring the children legally stolen.
