How did he save your life? Ethan was quiet for a moment, his gaze distant. I took a bullet in the shoulder, fell from my horse in the middle of a charge. Sam rode back for me, pulled me up onto his mount while under fire. Foolish thing to do.
Could have gotten us both killed. But that was Sam, always doing the right thing, even when it was the stupid thing. Sounds like someone else I know, Clara said quietly. Marrying a stranger to save his ranch and protect his daughter isn't exactly the easy choice. That's different.
That's necessity, is it? You could have taken Sophie and started over somewhere else. Plenty of men would have, and plenty of women would have said no to Morrison's scheme. True. She pulled her knees up, wrapping her arms around them, looking younger and more vulnerable than he'd ever seen her.
But I was so tired of fighting alone. At least this way, I'm fighting alongside someone, even if we're not fighting for each other. The honesty in her voice made something shift in his chest. Clara, we should keep moving, she said quickly, already standing and shaking out the blanket. We want to reach Denver before dark.
He let her retreat, recognizing the defensive maneuver. He did the same thing when conversations veered too close to feelings he wasn't ready to examine. Denver sprawled before them as the sun began its descent. A city of ambition built on gold rush dreams and railway promises. The streets teamed with people, miners and merchants, painted ladies and proper wives, children darting between wagons and dogs barking at everything.
"It's so loud," Clara said, and he heard the slight distress in her voice. "After the ranch? It's overwhelming," he agreed. "Sam's office is just two streets over. We can settle in the hotel first if you'd prefer." "No, let's see him while we can.
I want to know where we stand." The law office of Fletcher and Associates occupied the second floor of a solid brick building. Sam himself answered their knock, his face breaking into a genuine smile when he saw Ethan. Walker, good to see you, man. Then noticing Clara and this must be the new Mrs. Walker. I heard you'd remarried.
News travels even to Denver apparently, Ethan said dryly. Sam, this is Clara. Clara. Sam Fletcher. Sam was everything Ethan wasn't.
Polished, educated, comfortable in his city clothes and manners. He took Clara's hand with practiced gallantry, and Ethan felt an unexpected stab of something that couldn't possibly be jealousy. A pleasure, Mrs. Walker. Please come in. What brings you to Denver?
They settled in Sam's office, Clara producing the loan documents from her satchel. She explained their findings with clear precision, pointing out the discrepancies in questionable terms. Sam listened intently, occasionally asking for clarification, his expression growing more serious as she spoke. "This is definitely irregular," he said finally. "Morrison's been playing these games for years, but this might be the first time he's been careless enough to leave evidence.