Everything Ethan had not known how to say beside the creek went into that kiss.
Two years wasted.
One terrible day.
Twenty years of secrets.
And the sudden certainty that losing Clara would hurt more than learning any truth about his father.
When they finally separated, Clara’s eyes were wet.
Ethan rested his forehead against hers.
“For the record,” he whispered, “I was going to say yes.”
She laughed through tears.
“Yes to what?”
“You.”
“I didn’t ask a question.”
“You implied one.”
“That is very convenient.”
“I’m a practical man.”
“You’re impossible.”
“You love me.”
Her cheeks reddened.
“That was private information.”
“You announced it in a creek.”
She laughed again.
For half a minute, the world felt almost kind.
Then Ethan remembered the final journal line.
If this works, Ethan lives.
And the shadow returned.
Sheriff Pike arrested Daniel Harmon the following morning.
He arrived with four deputies and Gideon Rourke.
Clara ran from the house when she saw them.
“No!”
Daniel came out behind her.
He seemed strangely calm.
Pike unfolded a warrant.
“Daniel Harmon, you are under arrest for the murder of Thomas Callaway.”
Ethan rode into the yard moments later.
He jumped from his horse.
“On whose evidence?”
Pike glared.
“Official evidence.”
“Briggs never said Thomas died.”
“The canyon was searched.”
“No body.”
“Blood was found.”
“That proves injury.”
Pike stepped closer.
“Careful, Callaway.”
Ethan almost smiled.
“You should say that to the man paying you.”
Pike’s face darkened.
Gideon spoke.
“Take Daniel.”
Clara stood between them.
“You promised Sunday.”
“I promised your father a choice.”
“It’s Saturday.”
“He made it.”
Daniel looked at her.
“Clara.”
“No.”
“Go inside.”
“I won’t.”
“Please.”
She turned.
Daniel’s expression softened.
“I should have told you sooner.”
“Told me what?”
But Pike took his arm.
Daniel did not resist.
As they led him toward the wagon, he looked at Ethan.
“Protect her.”
Ethan’s throat tightened.
“Tell me the truth.”
Daniel stopped.
For the first time in twenty years, tears appeared in the older man’s eyes.
“Your father asked me to pull the trigger.”
Ethan stared.
“What?”
Pike shoved Daniel forward.
“Move.”
Ethan followed.
“What do you mean he asked you?”
Daniel looked back.
But Gideon stepped between them.
“That’s enough.”
Ethan grabbed him.
Gideon’s men drew weapons.
Clara screamed.
Daniel shouted, “Ethan!”
Everything froze.
Gideon looked down at Ethan’s hand gripping his coat.
“Do it,” he said softly.
Ethan released him.
Gideon straightened the coat.
Then he turned toward Clara.
“Ten tomorrow.”
She stared at him with hatred.
“Come to the church, sign the marriage agreement, and I will tell Pike new evidence has appeared.”
“You can’t withdraw a murder charge.”
“I can make witnesses uncertain.”
“And if I refuse?”
Gideon glanced toward Daniel sitting in the wagon.
“Colorado has hanged men on less.”
The wagon rolled away.
Ruth collapsed against Clara.
Ethan stood helplessly in the dust.
That afternoon Clara disappeared.
Ethan found the note on his kitchen table.
I’m sorry.
Nothing more.
He rode to the Harmon ranch.