“Mr. Cross, I’m grateful for the work, but—”

“Mabel.”

She froze.

It was the first time he had used her name.

Gideon stepped closer.

His hands curled slightly at his sides.

He looked more frightened than she had seen him all day.

“There are four empty bedrooms upstairs.”

She stared at him.

“I can pay rent when I—”

“I don’t want rent.”

“Then I cannot accept.”

He looked toward the girls.

Then back at her.

“Fine.”

“Fine?”

“I’ll hire you.”

“For what?”

“Housekeeping. Cooking. Books. Whatever needs doing.”

“You don’t need that much help.”

“I might.”

“You’ve survived this long.”

“Poorly.”

Despite herself, Mabel almost smiled.

Then Gideon said something neither of them expected.

“Stay until winter.”

Mabel’s smile vanished.

“That’s months.”

“Yes.”

“And after?”

“We decide after.”

She searched his face for mockery.

There was none.

Only loneliness.

Terrible, disciplined loneliness.

“Why?”

Gideon’s gaze moved toward her daughters.

“Because nobody should sleep on a church porch when half this house is empty.”

Mabel swallowed.

That answer nearly convinced her.

Then hoofbeats thundered outside.

Gideon went still.

A moment later someone pounded on the door.

He opened it.

Abel Voss stood on the porch.

The banker smiled when he saw Mabel.

“Mrs. Harlo.”

Gideon’s expression changed.

Not much.

But enough.

“What do you want?”

Voss removed his hat.

“Private financial business.”

“She’s finished working,” Gideon said.

“It concerns her late husband.”

Mabel stepped forward.

“What is it?”

Voss produced a folded paper.

“An additional debt has been discovered.”

The room seemed to tilt.

“How much?”

“Enough.”

He extended the document.

“There is a simpler solution. Sign this relinquishment, and I will consider your obligations settled.”

Mabel took it.

She read slowly.

Her blood chilled.

“This doesn’t only concern debt.”

Voss smiled.

“It’s standard language.”

“It says I surrender any unknown property, inheritance, mineral right, land claim, water claim, or legal interest belonging to Nathan.”

Gideon’s eyes snapped toward her.

Then toward Voss.

“What water claim?”

Voss’s smile faltered.

Only slightly.

Mabel noticed.

So did Gideon.

“I’m sure it means nothing,” Voss said.

“Then remove it.”

Voss slipped his hat onto his head.

“You have three days.”

“For what?”

“To sign.”

“And if I don’t?”

His pleasant expression returned.

“You’re a mother, Mrs. Harlo. I suggest you consider what stubbornness costs children.”

Gideon moved so quickly that Voss stepped backward.

“You threaten children on my porch again,” Gideon said softly, “and your next business meeting will be with God.”

Voss’s face drained.

He forced a laugh.

“I’ll overlook that.”

“Don’t.”

The banker left.

Gideon closed the door.

Mabel was staring at the paper.

“What did Nathan own?” Gideon asked.

“Nothing.”

“You sure?”

“Yes.”

“Did he ever mention land?”

“No.”

“Mines?”

“No.”

“Water rights?”

“No.”

“Cinder Creek?”

Mabel looked up.

“Yes.”

Gideon became very still.

“What did he say?”

“That there were good people here.”

Something passed across Gideon’s face.

Recognition?

Fear?

She couldn’t tell.

“You knew him,” Mabel whispered.

“No.”

The answer came too quickly.

“Mr. Cross.”

“I said no.”