“My Father Sent Me In My Sister’s Place,” She Said… “Get In The Wagon,” Was His Reply
Chapter 12
The Hart land was restored.
Eliza moved back.
Margaret joined her.
Samuel rebuilt his ranch.
The two properties stood less than a mile apart.
For months, Samuel and Eliza worked together.
They repaired fences.
Bought cattle.
Planted wheat.
They argued.
They laughed.
They became comfortable with silence.
One evening, Eliza found Samuel repairing a gate.
“You never answered my question.”
“What question?”
“Why did you really stop that wagon?”
Samuel looked at her.
“You were standing barefoot in the road.”
“That isn’t an answer.”
“It is.”
“No.”
She smiled.
“You knew nothing about me.”
“I knew enough.”
“What?”
“You were trying to escape.”
He placed the hammer down.
“And I knew what it was like to need someone to stop.”
Eliza’s expression softened.
“Do you still think I need protecting?”
“No.”
“Good.”
“Now I think you need someone beside you.”
She stared at him.
“That’s different.”
“Yes.”
“How?”
“Because you can walk away whenever you want.”
She smiled.
“And if I don’t?”
Samuel looked at her.
“Then I won’t either.”
