She softened, understanding his fear. I'm being careful. I promise. The real surprise came in February when Sam Fletcher visited with unexpected news. Charles Whitmore is dead, he announced without preamble.
Clara sank into a chair. How? Shot by a husband who found him in a compromising position with his wife. Apparently, your cousin had a habit of pursuing women who couldn't easily refuse him. This time he chose wrong.
Clara felt nothing. Or perhaps too many things to sort out. Relief certainly, a touch of sorrow for the waste of a life. But mostly she felt free. The last tie to her old life, the last threat to her new happiness was gone.
There's more, Sam continued. He never changed his will after his wife left him last year. You're named as a beneficiary. A substantial sum, actually. Guilt money, I'd guess, for what he did to your father's reputation.
I don't want it, Clara said immediately. Think about it, Sam urged. It could secure your children's education, expand the ranch further. Don't let pride prevent you from taking what could benefit your family. After Sam left, Clara and Ethan discussed it late into the night.
Finally, Clara decided to accept the inheritance, but put it entirely toward the community. Building a proper schoolhouse, establishing a lending library, creating a fund for families hit by hardship. Turn his selfishness into something good, she said. That's the best revenge. March brought unexpected snowstorms and the news that Clara was carrying twins.
The traveling doctor who confirmed it looked grave as he delivered the news and Ethan went white as snow. "Twins increased the risk," the doctor said bluntly. "You should consider going to Denver for the delivery where there are hospitals." "No," Clara said firmly. "This ranch is my home. My children will be born here." After the doctor left, Ethan was nearly beside himself.
"Clara, please, if something goes wrong, then we'll handle it together. I won't be driven from my home by fear. She was stronger than she sounded. Twins did increase the danger, and she was no longer young for a first pregnancy, but she also knew her body, knew the signs to watch for, and had already arranged for the best midwife in three counties to come stay at the ranch for the last month. April arrived with meadowlarks and wildflowers, and Clara was enormous.
Moving was difficult, sleeping nearly impossible. But she remained stubbornly cheerful, much to everyone's amazement. "How are you not miserable?" Molly asked, watching Clara lower herself carefully into a chair. "Oh, I'm miserable," Clara admitted. "But I'm also happy.