His voice cracked. I couldn't protect Paw when that tree fell. I'm not going to run away and leave you, too. Mara's heart shattered. She pulled him into her arms.
This boy trying so hard to be a man. Oh, sweetheart, what happened to your father wasn't your fault. You couldn't have stopped it. I should have been there. I should have.
No. She held him tighter. Listen to me. Your job isn't to protect me. Your job is to protect your brothers and sisters.
That's what your father would want. That's what I need from you. Jonah was crying now, silent tears soaking into her dress. I'm scared, Ma. I know.
I'm scared, too. She pulled back, cuped his face. But we're not alone anymore. We have Paw Silas and we have each other. and that means we're going to be okay. She prayed she wasn't lying.
The day dragged on, tense and endless. Mara kept the children close, worked on mending to keep her hands busy, and watched the ridge obsessively. Every shadow made her heart jump. Every bird call made her reach for the rifle Silas had left propped by the door. By late afternoon, her nerves were screaming.
She was just putting bread in the oven when Eliza called from outside, her voice sharp with alarm. Ma, someone's coming. Mara's blood turned to ice. She ran to the door, rifle in hand, and her heart sank. Not Silas.
A carriage, black and expensive, drawn by matched horses. And beside it, six men on horseback. Hard-l lookinging men, the kind you hired when you wanted someone hurt. Thomas Avery sat in the carriage, smiling. Children inside, Mara said, her voice deadly calm. right now.
They scattered, Jonah hurting the little ones through the door. Mara stepped onto the porch, rifle leveled at the approaching carriage. Thomas raised his hands in mock surrender as the carriage stopped. Now, Mara, is that any way to greet family? You're not family.
Get off my land. Actually, this land belongs to Silas Hawthorne, not you, which means you're trespassing. Thomas's smile widened. I checked. Your husband never filed a deed transfer.
This property is still in his name, which means legally you have no right to be here. Mara's hands tightened on the rifle. Silas gave me permission to be here. Did he? Where is he, by the way?
Off drinking somewhere, gambling, whoring. Thomas shook his head sadly. Poor Mara. Always picking such unreliable men. What do you want, Thomas?