“My Father Sent Me In My Sister’s Place,” She Said… “Get In The Wagon,” Was His Reply
Chapter 11
Whitlock was tried that summer.
The evidence was overwhelming.
The stolen lands were returned.
The forged deeds were destroyed.
Several families received compensation.
But Samuel had one final question.
Why had his father protected Eliza’s mother?
The answer came from Margaret.
Their fathers had once been friends.
Whitlock had betrayed them.
Henry Hart had helped him at first.
But when Henry realized what Whitlock was doing, he tried to stop him.
Too late.
He spent the rest of his life trying to undo the damage.
Samuel listened quietly.
Then he looked at Eliza.
“What will you do now?”
She smiled sadly.
“I don’t know.”
“You have land.”
“I don’t know how to run it.”
“I do.”
She looked at him.
“You’re offering to help?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Samuel smiled.
“Because you still owe me for a burned barn.”
She laughed.
It was the first time he had heard her laugh without fear.
