His eyes widening. Clara, this is it's our ranch saved. It's Sophie's future secured. It's Morrison defeated. It's a miracle.
It's my dowry. She corrected, finally being put to good use. You're what? She smiled at his confusion. You didn't think the daughter of a Boston doctor came west without any resources, did you?
I've been in contact with my father's partner about accessing my inheritance. This just gave me a reason to claim it. You've had money this whole time. Tied up in investments? Yes.
I couldn't access it without either marrying or turning 30. Marrying you solved that problem. Ethan stared at her. So, you could have left anytime, been independent. I could have, she agreed.
But somewhere along the way, I stopped wanting to leave. I started wanting to stay, to fight for this place, for this life. She paused. For you. He crossed to her in two strides, his hands framing her face.
You impossible, incredible woman. Is that a compliment? It's a declaration, he said, and kissed her. It wasn't their first kiss. That had been at their wedding, brief and obligatory.
This was different. This was choice and promise, and the first tentative steps toward a future neither had expected, but both were beginning to want desperately. When they broke apart, Sophie was standing in the doorway, grinning. "Finally," she announced. "I thought you two would never figure it out." Clara laughed, opening her arm to include the girl in their embrace.
"Sometimes adults are slower than children, to see what's right in front of them." "Much slower," Sophie agreed solemnly. The next morning, they rode to town together, all three of them, to face Morrison at the bank. Clara wore her best dress, Ethan his Sunday suit, and Sophie her favorite pinafore. They looked like what they were becoming, a family united. Morrison's face went from smug to shocked to furious as Ethan counted out the full payment plus interest on his desk.
This isn't over, Morrison snarled. Actually, it is, Sam Fletcher said, entering with Sheriff Bradley and a federal marshal. Harold Morrison, you're under arrest for fraud, userie, and theft. We have statements from 17 victims and evidence of your criminal activities across three territories. As Morrison was led away in chains, still sputtering threats, Clara felt Ethan's arm come around her waist, pulling her close.