“I Thought Nobody Would Come,” She Said. The Cowboy Had Ridden All Night to Find Her
Chapter 5
They searched for nearly an hour.
Nothing.
Samuel checked the flour bins.
Clara searched the office.
They opened drawers.
Moved sacks.
Looked beneath floorboards.
Then Clara noticed something.
A loose brick.
Behind the mill’s main beam.
She pulled it free.
Inside was a narrow wooden box.
Samuel opened it.
There was the ledger.
And beneath it, a letter.
Clara recognized her father’s handwriting.
She unfolded it.
Her eyes moved across the page.
Then she stopped.
“What does it say?”
She handed it to Samuel.
He read.
The letter explained everything.
Clara’s father had discovered that her uncle, Thomas Whitmore, had been secretly selling pieces of the family property.
He had confronted him.
Thomas had claimed he needed money to save the farm.
But Clara’s father had discovered another truth.
Thomas had been gambling.
He owed money to several men.
The land was the only thing keeping him from ruin.
Samuel continued reading.
Then he reached the final paragraph.
His expression changed.
“What?”
He handed the letter back.
Clara read.
Her father’s final warning was simple:
If anything happens to me, do not trust Thomas. He has already spoken with Edmund Harrow.
Clara covered her mouth.
“He knew.”
“Yes.”
“He knew they were working together.”
Samuel nodded.
“And now they want me married to Harrow.”
“So Harrow can claim the land through the marriage contract.”
Samuel looked at the contract again.
There was another clause.
If Clara married Harrow, control of the Whitmore property would transfer to her husband.
Samuel’s face hardened.
“He doesn’t want you.”
Clara looked at him.
“He wants the land.”
She nodded.
Then the mill door slammed.
Both froze.
Footsteps sounded outside.
Samuel extinguished the lantern.
“Someone followed us.”
Clara whispered:
“Who?”
Samuel drew his pistol.
“Stay behind me.”
The door opened.
A man entered carrying a lantern.
Samuel recognized him.
Thomas Whitmore.
Clara’s uncle.
He looked around.
Then smiled.
“You should have stayed home, Samuel.”
Clara stepped forward.
“Why?”
Thomas looked at her.
“Because tomorrow you will marry Edmund Harrow.”
“No.”
Thomas sighed.
“You have never understood when to obey.”
Samuel stepped between them.
“You have no legal claim.”
Thomas laughed.
“You think a receipt changes anything?”
“It proves the debt was paid.”
“Only if you can prove the signature.”
Samuel held up the ledger.
“This should help.”
Thomas’s smile disappeared.
For the first time, fear crossed his face.
Then he raised his pistol.
