She shook her head. "For assuming the worst of you."
Matthew's expression softened. "You had reasons."
"That doesn't make it fair."
"No."
Again, no easy reassurance. Just truth. Rachel folded the contract.
"Then I'm sorry anyway."
Matthew nodded. "Accepted."
That was all. Somehow it was enough. By late afternoon, Price had agreed.
Money moved. Receipts were written. Mr. Finch witnessed the transfer. Rachel stood in the clerk's office while Price signed the release documents and passed them across the desk.
Daisy. June. Martha. The chestnut yearling.
All listed under the new partnership terms. Rachel tucked the papers inside her coat. Price adjusted his cuffs.
"You drive a hard bargain, Miss Hart."
"I didn't bargain with you."
He smiled faintly. "No. I suppose you didn't."
Outside, Matthew waited by the wagon. He did not ask to see the documents. That registered too. Rachel climbed onto the seat.
"You riding back to High Mesa after we get the mares settled?"
"If you'll tolerate me."
She looked at him. "I've tolerated worse."
"Encouraging."
The first mare was loaded just before sunset. They intended to move the rest at dawn. Then the sky changed. Rachel noticed it first.
A bank of dark clouds had gathered beyond the western ridge, but the air below them felt dry and oddly warm. No rain smell. No cooling wind. Just pressure.
Matthew looked up. "Storm."
Rachel nodded. "Bad one."
Lightning flickered far off. Once. Then again.
No thunder reached them yet. They hurried the wagon through town. At the south edge of Cedar Ridge, a dry gust lifted dust into the road. Rachel turned in the seat.
Another flash cut across the foothills. This one struck low near the Hart land. A few seconds later, thunder rolled.
Then Matthew stood in his stirrups. Rachel saw it too. A thin orange line. Small at first.
Almost nothing against the brown grass. Then wind bent it sideways. Fire climbed the hillside. Rachel's breath caught.
"Matthew."
"I see it."
Another gust hit. The orange line widened too fast. Rachel stared toward the familiar ridges. The Hart Farm lay directly below them.
High Mesa beyond. Matthew turned his horse. "Get the wagon back to town."
Rachel grabbed the reins. "No."
"Rachel."
"My father and Lillian are there."
"I know."
"Then don't tell me to go the other way."
Matthew looked at her. One second. Two. Then he nodded.
No argument. "Leave the wagon."
Rachel jumped down. Matthew swung off his horse and gave her the reins. "Take him."