Gone? What do you mean gone? Packed up and left town this morning, took his fancy carriage and his hired guns, and rode out before dawn. Nobody knows where he went. Mara's mind raced.
Why would he leave after everything he's done? We had a conversation last night, Miller said carefully. Me and about 30 other men from the valley showed up at his hotel, made it clear that if anything else happened to you or your family, there'd be consequences, legal and otherwise. You threatened him. We explained the situation.
Miller's voice was flat. Turns out Thomas Avery is not nearly as tough as he thinks he is when he's outnumbered 30 to1. By the time we left, he was white as a sheet and stammering about how this was all a misunderstanding. So, he just ran. Looks that way.
My guess he realized this valley wasn't worth the trouble. Too many people willing to stand up for you. Too much risk of things going public and ruining his reputation. Men like Thomas need to look respectable. We made it clear that wasn't going to happen if he kept pushing.
Mara didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Is it really over? think so, but if he comes back, you send word immediately. We'll be ready. Thank you, John, for everything. Miller nodded, turned to leave, then paused.
Mrs. Hawthorne, "What you and Silas have here. It's special. This valley's been dying for years. Too many people leaving, too few staying.
But since Silas came, things have been different. People helping each other again, caring. You're part of that now. Don't forget it." He rode away before Mara could respond. She stood on the porch for a long time after he left, trying to process everything that had happened.
Thomas Avery was gone. The threat was over. They were safe. It didn't feel real. The next day, Silas finally came home.
Mara saw him cresting the ridge and ran to meet him. Not caring how it looked, not caring about anything except getting her arms around him. He dismounted before his horse had even stopped moving. Caught her up, held her so tight she could barely breathe. I heard what happened, he said against her hair.
I met Miller on the road. Mara, I'm so sorry. I should have been here. You're here now. That's what matters.
He pulled back, studied her face. Are you all right? Are the children? We're fine. Scared, but fine.
Silus, it's over. Thomas left. Miller and the others scared him off. Something complicated passed across Silas's face. Relief, gratitude, and something that looked almost like regret.