“My Father Sent Me In My Sister’s Place,” She Said… “Get In The Wagon,” Was His Reply
Chapter 5
By noon, four riders appeared.
Samuel had prepared the ranch.
Windows were covered.
The horses were moved.
The children of his neighboring ranch hands were sent away.
Eliza stood beside him.
“You’ve done this before.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because men like Whitlock don’t stop when they get what they want.”
The riders stopped outside the fence.
A large man dismounted.
“Samuel Hayes!”
Samuel stepped onto the porch.
“Caleb Whitlock.”
Caleb smiled.
“Father wants the girl.”
“She isn’t going.”
“She belongs to him.”
“No.”
Caleb laughed.
“You don’t understand.”
Samuel raised his rifle.
“I understand perfectly.”
Caleb looked at Eliza.
“You were supposed to marry my father.”
She said nothing.
“Your sister was promised to him.”
Eliza stepped forward.
“My sister ran because she knew what kind of man he was.”
Caleb’s expression darkened.
“You’re making a mistake.”
Samuel answered:
“No.”
Caleb looked at him.
“You’re interfering with a family agreement.”
Samuel’s voice remained calm.
“Marriage isn’t a cattle contract.”
Caleb spat into the dust.
“You’ll regret this.”
Samuel lowered his rifle.
“Leave.”
The riders turned.
But before leaving, Caleb said:
“Ask her what happened to the last man who protected a Hart woman.”
Eliza froze.
Samuel looked at her.
“What does he mean?”
She didn’t answer.
