But it was the first time in years that Silas Crowe had been forced to obey someone else's order.
Outside the courthouse, the townspeople gathered around Clara.
Some apologized for believing the rumors. Others offered help.
An elderly woman named Mrs. Dawson took Clara's hands.
"I should have spoken sooner."
Clara looked at her.
"Why didn't you?"
The woman lowered her eyes.
"Because I was afraid."
Clara nodded.
"So was I."
The two women embraced.
Elias watched from the steps.
Samuel approached him.
"We've won a battle, not the war."
Elias nodded.
"Crowe won't stop."
"No. He'll try to destroy the evidence or intimidate the witnesses."
Elias looked toward the street.
"Then we'll protect them."
Samuel studied him.
"You know what this will cost you?"
Elias looked toward Clara.
"Yes."
The lawyer nodded slowly.
"Then may God help us all."
That evening, Elias and Clara returned to the ranch.
The first snow had begun to fall.
Clara stood on the porch, watching the white flakes settle across the grass.
"It's beautiful," she whispered.
Elias came to stand beside her.
"It won't be beautiful in January."
She smiled.
"You always know how to ruin a moment."
He laughed.
Then he grew serious.
"Clara, I want you to stay here."
She turned toward him.
"I am staying."
"No. I mean after this is over. After Crowe is dealt with. I want you to stay because you want to."
Clara looked at him for a long time.
"What if I told you I already wanted to?"
Elias felt his throat tighten.
He reached for her hand.
"Then I'd say you've made me the happiest man in Wyoming."
She laughed through her tears.
They stood together as the snow fell.
For the first time in six years, Elias looked toward the future without fear.
But the next morning, he found the barn burning.
Flames climbed the wooden walls, and smoke rolled across the yard. Copper screamed in his stall. The cattle scattered across the frozen pasture.
Elias ran toward the barn.
Clara followed, shouting his name.
He broke open the stable door and led Copper outside. Then he returned for the remaining horses.
A beam collapsed behind him.
Clara screamed.
Elias stumbled through the smoke, coughing and choking, carrying a small foal in his arms.
He collapsed in the snow.
Clara dropped beside him.
"Elias!"
He opened his eyes.
"I'm all right."
She looked toward the barn.
The roof was gone.
Everything they had worked to preserve was burning.
The fire had been set deliberately.
Near the gate, Elias found a piece of paper nailed to a post.
It contained four words.
STOP THE CASE OR LOSE EVERYTHING.
Clara covered her mouth.
Elias stared at the message.