“My Father Sent Me In My Sister’s Place,” She Said… “Get In The Wagon,” Was His Reply
Chapter 1
The young woman stood barefoot in the dust when Samuel Hayes found her beside the road.
Her wedding dress was too large, one sleeve torn, and blood had dried beneath her lower lip.
She raised both hands when his wagon approached.
“Please.”
Samuel pulled the reins.
The mule stopped.
He studied her carefully.
“What happened?”
She looked behind her.
No one was coming.
“My father sent me in my sister’s place.”
Samuel’s jaw tightened.
“Where’s your sister?”
“She ran away.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know.”
The woman swallowed.
“He said I had to marry the man she was promised to.”
Samuel looked at the white dress.
Then at the small bundle lying beside her.
“You’re headed where?”
“Blackwater Valley.”
Samuel’s expression changed.
“Whitlock country?”
She nodded.
“Mr. Whitlock is expecting my sister.”
Samuel looked down the road.
Blackwater Valley was nearly two days away.
And everyone within fifty miles knew Silas Whitlock.
A wealthy landowner.
A ruthless man.
Three wives had disappeared from his household.
Two servants had been found dead.
No one had ever proven anything.
The woman lowered her eyes.
“My name is Eliza Hart.”
Samuel looked at the road behind her.
Then he looked at the wagon.
He could have driven away.
Instead, he climbed down.
“Get in the wagon.”
Eliza stared at him.
“What?”
“You heard me.”
“But where are you taking me?”
Samuel opened the wagon door.
“Somewhere that isn’t Blackwater Valley.”
She hesitated.
“Why?”
He looked at the bruised mark around her wrist.
“Because no father should have to send a daughter to a man he wouldn’t send his own.”
Eliza climbed inside.
Neither of them knew that Samuel’s quiet decision would expose a secret involving two families, a stolen inheritance, and a murder committed twelve years earlier.
And by the time they discovered the truth, Samuel would have to choose between the woman he had promised to protect and the ranch he had spent his entire life defending.
