“My Father Sent Me In My Sister’s Place,” She Said… “Get In The Wagon,” Was His Reply
Chapter 2
Samuel Hayes was thirty-two years old and had spent most of his life alone.
His ranch stood beyond a line of cottonwoods near the western edge of the territory.
It was not grand.
But it was his.
His father had left it to him with one warning.
“Never owe a man more than you can pay.”
Samuel had followed that rule.
He owed no money.
No favors.
No explanations.
He had never married.
He had never wanted to.
Until Eliza Hart arrived in his wagon.
She sat silently beneath the canvas cover.
Every few minutes, she looked behind them.
Samuel noticed.
“They aren’t following.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I know horses.”
She almost smiled.
“You don’t know everything.”
“No.”
He handed her a canteen.
“But I know when someone is frightened.”
Eliza took the water.
“I’m not frightened.”
Samuel looked at her.
“You’re shaking.”
She looked at her hands.
“I am.”
After a moment, she whispered:
“My father said I had no choice.”
Samuel’s eyes remained on the road.
“There’s always a choice.”
“Not for women.”
He looked at her.
“That’s what men who want control tell women.”
Eliza looked away.
She had never heard a man say that.
By sunset, they reached Samuel’s ranch.
A large wooden house stood beside a stable.
There were horses in the pasture.
A vegetable garden.
A barn.
And a small cabin behind the house.
Samuel stopped.
“You can stay there.”
Eliza climbed down.
“For how long?”
“As long as you need.”
She stared at him.
“You don’t even know me.”
“I know enough.”
“What do you know?”
Samuel looked at the torn wedding dress.
“I know you weren’t supposed to be the bride.”
Eliza lowered her head.
Then Samuel noticed something.
A silver pendant around her neck.
His eyes narrowed.
“Where did you get that?”
Eliza touched it.
“My mother gave it to me.”
Samuel stared at the pendant.
He recognized the engraving.
It belonged to his father.
