She Was a Doctor Who Became a Mail-Order Bride — The Cowboy Who Had No Idea What He Was Getting
Chapter 7
The man they thought was Richard Walker was an impostor.
That changed everything.
The family believed Richard was dead.
Someone had been using his identity to frighten them.
Clara realized the purpose.
If people believed Richard was behind the ranch’s troubles, they wouldn’t look for the real enemy.
Ethan called the sheriff again.
This time, they found a photograph of the impostor.
The sheriff recognized him.
“His name is Thomas Grey.”
“Who is he?”
“Private investigator.”
“Working for Victor?”
“Apparently.”
Clara felt sick.
Thomas had been following her since the train station.
He knew every move.
Someone had been feeding him information.
Then Margaret called them upstairs.
She was sitting upright.
“You found the watch.”
Clara nodded.
“Whose is it?”
“Richard’s.”
Margaret shook her head.
“No.”
Clara froze.
“It belonged to Joseph.”
Ethan stared.
“My father?”
“Yes.”
“Then why was Richard wearing it?”
Margaret smiled faintly.
“Because Richard gave it to him.”
Ethan sat.
His mother told the story.
Years ago, Joseph discovered a chemical supplier was selling dangerous compounds to illegal clinics.
He tried to expose them.
Victor Kane was one of the people involved.
Richard helped.
But the company retaliated.
They killed Joseph.
They framed his death as natural causes.
Then they threatened Richard.
He disappeared.
But before he vanished, he left Margaret a message.
Protect the heir.
Ethan frowned.
“I’m the heir.”
Margaret looked at Clara.
“No.”
Clara froze.
“The heir is you.”
Margaret pointed at her.
“What?”
“The ranch doesn’t belong to Ethan.”
Silence.
“It belongs to your family.”
Clara stepped back.
“What family?”
Margaret looked at her.
“Your father was Henry Bennett.”
Clara stared.
She had never known her biological father.
Her mother had said he died before Clara was born.
Margaret continued.
“He was Joseph Walker’s business partner.”
Clara’s mind raced.
“That’s impossible.”
“Your father owned half the water rights.”
Ethan stood.
“Why didn’t we know?”
“Because Victor stole them.”
The ranch ownership had been hidden.
Clara was the last legal heir.
That was why Victor wanted her.
That was why she had been framed.
That was why the mail-order marriage advertisement had been created.
Someone needed Clara close to the ranch.
Close enough to manipulate.
Close enough to control.
Ethan looked at her.
“I’m sorry.”
She shook her head.
“You didn’t know.”
“No.”
“Did your lawyer know?”
Ethan’s expression changed.
Samuel Reed.
The man who had arranged his marriage advertisement.
He called immediately.
No answer.
He called again.
Nothing.
Clara stared at Ethan.
“The person who brought me here knew who I was.”
He nodded.
“And probably who I would marry.”
The silence felt terrible.
Then Rose ran inside.
“Daddy!”
“What?”
“Someone is outside.”
Ethan grabbed his weapon.
“Where?”
She pointed to the window.
A black truck sat near the tree line.
A man stepped out.
Thomas Grey.
The impostor.
But he wasn’t alone.
Victor Kane stood beside him.
Victor waved.
Then held up a photograph.
Clara’s mother.
Alive.
Clara’s entire body froze.
“My mother…”
Ethan looked at her.
“She’s alive?”
Victor smiled from across the field.
Then shouted:
“You want her?”
Clara stepped forward.
Victor raised the photograph.
“Come alone.”
