The Rancher’s Dog Laid Flowers in Her Lap… He Said, “I Think God Is Trying to Tell Me Something”
Chapter 10
Silas Mercer arrived with six men.
He rode at the front.
He was a broad man with silver hair, a fine coat, and the calm confidence of someone accustomed to being obeyed.
He dismounted.
Thomas stood on the porch.
“You’re trespassing.”
Mercer smiled.
“On my land?”
Thomas held up the deed.
“No.”
Mercer’s smile disappeared.
Margaret stepped beside Thomas.
Mercer’s eyes moved to her.
“You should have stayed quiet.”
“My father was murdered?”
Mercer did not answer.
“Was he?”
“You don’t understand how the world works.”
Margaret’s voice remained steady.
“No. I understand exactly how it works.”
Mercer looked at Thomas.
“You think a few papers will change anything?”
Thomas raised his pistol.
“No.”
Mercer glanced at the weapon.
Thomas continued.
“But the judge might.”
Mercer’s men shifted.
Then Gideon appeared.
The dog stood between Margaret and Mercer.
Mercer laughed.
“That old animal?”
Gideon growled.
Thomas’s expression hardened.
“You don’t know what that dog remembers.”
Mercer turned.
“Burn the house.”
One of the men raised a torch.
Margaret froze.
Thomas fired into the air.
“No.”
The ranch fell silent.
Thomas’s voice carried across the yard.
“If you burn this house, every neighbor from here to the county seat will know exactly what you’re afraid of.”
Mercer stared at him.
Thomas lowered his pistol.
“You came for the deed.”
Mercer said nothing.
“You won’t get it.”
Mercer looked toward the road.
Then smiled.
“The judge won’t arrive.”
Margaret felt cold.
“What did you do?”
Mercer mounted.
“Ask the judge yourself.”
He rode away.
Thomas looked at Margaret.
“We need another plan.”
Gideon barked.
He ran toward the northern field.
Margaret followed.
There, beneath a pile of old stones, they found a small wooden cross.
Thomas stopped.
His face changed.
“My brother.”
