Jonah snapped. The sudden volume of his voice made Clara jump. Jonah paced away from the table, his hands in his hare. If we go down there, we are two people against a town that he owns. This ledger, it's just paper until a judge sees it.
Until then, it is a death warrant. I want justice, too, Millie. But I want you breathing more. I am not a child to be protected. Jonah, Millie shouted back.
I am the one he hurt. It is my life. It strained between them, the fundamental difference in their love. Millie wanted to burn the infection out, even if it meant scarring the flesh. Jonah wanted to shield the body, even if it meant letting the sickness fester a little longer to survive the night.
The argument was cut short by the sound of a horn blowing from the bottom of the ridge. Jonah froze. He moved to the window. Five men, he said, on horseback. They are coming up the trail.
Clara stood up, her face pale. That will be the deputy, she said. Jonah turned to the room. Hide the ledger, he ordered. Put it back in the wall.
He grabbed the rifle. Millie, get under the floorboard. Where we found the map. No, Millie said. Jonah turned to her, his eyes wild.
This is not a debate. Get in the hole. I will not, Millie said. She stood in the center of the room, shaking but upright. I spent 6 months hiding in corners.
I spent weeks terrifying myself that they would find me. I am done hiding in the dirt like a rat. Jonah, if they come in here, they will see me standing. Jonah looked at her. He saw that she would not be moved.
She would rather die standing than live another minute in the dark. He cursed under his breath. A sharp violent sound. Fine, he said, but you stand behind me. He replaced the log in the wall, hiding the tin.
He threw the bolt on the door. He checked his revolver. Clara, sit by the fire, Jonah said. You are tending a patient. The heavy thud of a fist on the door shook the cabin.
"Open up! " a voice shouted. "By order of the county sheriff," Jonah waited a beat. Then he slid the bolt and opened the door. He filled the frame. Outside, the wind was whipping snow into swirls.