"Some old furniture from the barn Mr. Morrison's men broke when Tom made them leave," Molly explained. Figured it was better to burn it than let it clutter things up. But Ethan saw the truth in Tom's eyes when the foreman approached. "Whatever Morrison's men had broken had been deliberate, a warning." "Everyone's all right, boss," Tom said quietly. "But they'll be back.
Men like that don't give up easy." "No, they don't." Ethan pulled the letter from his coat. "But neither do we." "Tom, I need you to ride to town tomorrow. This gets delivered directly to Morrison's hand. Make sure there are witnesses. Tom grinned, understanding.
With pleasure, boss. That night, dinner felt different. Sophie sat between Ethan and Clara instead of just next to her father, chattering about her adventures defending the house. She'd apparently wielded a fire poker while Molly threatened Morrison's men with her cast iron skillet. We were very brave, Sophie announced.
Weren't we, Miss Clara? You were, Clara agreed. Though I wasn't here for the battle. But you stood up to Mr. Morrison before. Papa told me.
You used big words and made him turn red like a tomato. Did he now? Clara glanced at Ethan, who suddenly found his potatoes very interesting. He said you were magnificent. Sophie sounded out the word carefully.
What does that mean? It means impressive, Clara explained, her cheeks pink. Then you were magnificent. And today Molly and I were magnificent, too. Indeed, you were, Ethan agreed, ruffling his daughter's hair.
"My magnificent defenders." After Sophie went to bed, asking Clara to tuck her in alongside Ethan, another first, the adults sat on the porch in their customary chairs, but the space between them felt smaller somehow, charged with possibility. Thank you, Ethan said, for everything. The legal help. Being kind to Sophie, not running when things got dangerous. Where would I run to?
Clara asked, but her tone was gentle, almost teasing. Anywhere safer than here. Safety's overrated. She pulled her shawl closer. Besides, I meant what I said in Denver.
We're in this together. Partners. Partners. She stood, pausing at the door. Ethan, that night in Denver when you said you keep all your vows, yes, I want you to know I do, too.