His gaze swept over the ranch, assessing, calculating. Interesting place you've landed. Very interesting indeed. I work here, as a housekeeper. She kept her chin up, her hands clasped to hide their trembling.
It's honest work. Oh, I'm sure it is. Vincent's tone suggested he believed exactly the opposite. And the man who owns this place, where might he be? Working.
What do you want, Vincent? He climbed the porch steps, and Nora had to force herself not to retreat. Vincent had never physically harmed her, but there was a threat in him that went beyond violence, a cold certainty that he would take what he wanted one way or another. I want what's mine, he said simply. The boy.
Thomas. The world tilted. What? My nephew. James's son.
He belongs with family, not here in the middle of nowhere with a mother who can't provide for him. Vincent's voice was reasonable, almost kind, which made it worse. I've come to take him back to Tulsa. I can give him a proper home, proper education, opportunities you never could. It's what James would have wanted.
You have no right. I have every right. I'm his blood uncle, his guardian by law now that his father is dead. You, on the other hand, are a destitute widow living in sin with a strange man. Oh, yes, I heard about your arrangement here.
The whole territory's talking about it. What judge would grant you custody over a respectable, financially secure family member? Nora's vision blurred. Tommy is my son, mine. You can't just I can and I will.
Vincent pulled a folded paper from his jacket. I have a lawyer's letter right here, outlining my claim. Now, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. Easy way, you pack the boy's things, what few things he has, and I take him with me today. Hard way, I involve the law, drag this through the courts, and you lose him anyway while destroying whatever shred of reputation you have left.
Your choice. Inside the house, Tommy called out. Mama, who's that? Vincent's eyes lit up. There's my nephew, Thomas.
Come say hello to your Uncle Vincent. Stay inside, Tommy, Nora called back, her voice sharp with panic. She turned back to Vincent, desperate. Please. Please don't do this.
He's all I have. He's everything. I'll do anything. Anything? Vincent's smile turned predatory.