Elena reminds him that finding the spring is only the beginning. They need proof of ownership and evidence connecting Boone to the old land deals. Before they can leave, they hear horses approaching. Caleb quickly hides the map and leads Elena deeper into the canyon. From their hiding place, they see two of Boone's men searching the abandoned homestead.
The men clearly know about the location. Caleb and Elena wait until the riders leave before returning to the ranch. They arrive after dark and discover that someone has entered the property. Nothing important has been stolen, but several rooms have been searched. Sela admits that she hid the copied documents before the intruders arrived.
The women realize Boone now knows that Caleb has discovered something. Caleb tells them they should leave immediately for their own safety. Nia refuses. She explains that Caleb once gave them a choice when everyone else had taken choices away from them. Now they choose to stay.
The section ends with the five of them standing around the kitchen table planning their next move. They know Boone will not simply walk away from the ranch. The hidden spring has turned a struggling property into something powerful and protecting it will require all five of them to stand together. The next morning, Caleb rides into town with Nia, Elena, Mara, and Sela because they need to protect the ranch through legal records rather than violence. Caleb knows Silas Boone has influence with local officials and he fears Boone will use that influence to force him from the property.
Before leaving, the women hide copies of the documents in separate places around the ranch so that one attack cannot destroy all the evidence. At the town office, Caleb presents his father's map and explains that a permanent spring exists on Mercer land. Boone arrives almost immediately with several men and accuses Caleb of discovering the water illegally. Boon claims that the spring belongs to an old water company and that Caleb has no right to control it. The county clerk examines the documents, but says stronger evidence is needed.
Boon produces an old agreement that appears to support his claim. Caleb is shocked because the paper carries his father's signature. Boon tells everyone that Caleb's father accepted money years ago and promised to surrender the water rights. Caleb refuses to believe the story with out seeing the original records. Naya notices that the agreement contains a date that does not match the date written on Caleb's father's private letter.
Selah quietly points out that the handwriting on one section looks different from the signature. The clerk agrees that the document should be investigated. Boon becomes angry and warns Caleb that the ranch will be taken if he continues resisting. Caleb refuses to sell. As the group leaves town, Boon follows them from a distance.
That night, the ranch comes under attack. Several men cut fences, frighten the horses, and set fire to an empty storage building. Caleb immediately moves the cattle away from the flames while Elena and Mara release the horses. Naya carries the important documents from the house and Selah takes Caleb's father's original letters to safety. The fire spreads quickly, but the group works together until they finally contain it.