Well, now. That's quite an offer. What exactly did you have in mind? The implication was clear and vile. Nora's stomach turned, but before she could respond, a voice cut through the tension like a knife.
You've got about 5 seconds to get off my property before I remove you myself. Elias stood at the edge of the yard, having approached unseen during the confrontation. His hat shadowed his face, but his posture radiated barely contained violence. In his hand, held loosely but unmistakably ready, was a rifle. Vincent turned, assessing this new element.
And you must be the famous Elias Ward, the man generous enough to take in my poor sister-in-law in her time of need. How charitable of you. I didn't ask who you were, asked you to leave. I'm Vincent Gray. James Gray's brother.
I've come for my nephew. The boy has a mother. He stays with her. Vincent's smile never wavered. The boy has an uncle who can provide for him properly.
Mrs. Gray, as you can see, is in no position to raise a child, living here under your roof with no husband, no prospects. It's hardly appropriate. I'm sure you understand. What I understand is you're making threats on my land.
Elias moved closer, and something in his movement made Vincent actually take a step back. Don't much care for that. I have legal standing. Don't care about that, either. Elias climbed the porch steps, positioning himself between Vincent and Nora.
What I care about is that woman there is under my protection, so is her boy. And nobody, lawyer or no lawyer, family or not, takes them from this ranch unless she agrees to it, which, from the sound of things, she doesn't. Vincent's expression hardened. This isn't your concern, Mr. Ward.
Made it my concern the day I hired her. Made it more my concern when you showed up here threatening her. So, here's how this is going to go. You're going to get on your fancy horse, ride back to whatever hole you crawled out of, and forget you ever had a nephew. Because if you try to take that boy, you'll answer to me.
And trust me, you don't want that. You're making a mistake, Vincent said coldly. I have resources, connections. I can make your life very difficult. Can you now?
Elias's tone was almost conversational. Well, I've got 300 acres, a rifle, and no patience for city men who think they can come out here and push people around. Reckon we'll see whose resources matter more. For a long moment, the men stared at each other. Vincent's confidence had cracked just slightly, but there was something else in his eyes now, calculation.
He was reassessing, planning his next move. Fine, he said finally. I'll leave. For now. But this isn't over, Nora.