Something passed between them.
Not passion.
Not yet.
Something more dangerous.
Understanding.
Thomas spoke quietly.
“I didn’t send for you because I wanted another Ruth.”
“Good.”
“I couldn’t survive another Ruth.”
Mercy’s heart tightened.
He continued.
“But I’m beginning to think I might want Mercy.”
She looked at him.
Thomas did not move closer.
Did not reach for her.
That restraint affected her more than a kiss could have.
“I won’t promise forever because your house needs cooking,” Mercy said.
“I wouldn’t ask.”
“I won’t become a mother simply because seven boys need one.”
“I know.”
“And if you ever tell me I can stay again, I may poison your coffee.”
That finally made him laugh.
A warm, deep laugh Mercy had never heard before.
Upstairs, a floorboard creaked.
Seven boys had almost certainly been listening.
Mercy raised her voice.
“And anyone standing on the staircase after bedtime can muck stalls tomorrow!”
Seven sets of footsteps fled.
Thomas laughed harder.
For one precious minute,
Bell Ranch sounded like a home again.
January became February.
The ledger changed everything.
Thomas rode to the county office.
Records were missing.
Pages had been removed.
Sheriff Pell insisted there was nothing he could do without proof.
Silas Rook accelerated the foreclosure.
Then strange things began happening.
A fence was cut.
Two cattle disappeared.
Feed spoiled after someone poured lamp oil into the bins.
One night, a shot shattered the kitchen window.
Thomas rode after a shadow and returned empty-handed.
The boys’ old fear returned.
Mercy saw it immediately.
They watched her trunk.
They watched her expression.
They waited.
Finally, Jonah asked the question.
“You leaving?”
Mercy was sweeping broken glass.
“No.”
“What if they shoot again?”
“Then they owe me a window.”
Caleb frowned.
“They could kill you.”
Mercy stopped sweeping.
Seven boys stared at her.
She understood.
They were not warning her.
They were giving her permission to abandon them before they had to watch it happen.
Mercy leaned the broom against the wall.
“Listen carefully.”
Nobody moved.
“I may one day leave this ranch.”
Ben’s face collapsed.
Mercy continued.
“I may travel.
I may become angry.
I may even decide your father is impossible.”
Thomas, behind her, muttered, “Fair.”
“But
if I ever leave you, you will know why.
I will say goodbye.
I will not disappear because I became tired of loving you.
”
Ben started crying.
He tried to hide it.
Mercy crossed the room.
He ran into her.
His arms locked around her waist.
One by one, something inside the Bell boys broke open.
Noah came next.
Then Levi.
The twins pretended they were not joining until both were pressed against her sides.
Jonah turned away furiously.
Caleb stood near the door.
Mercy met his eyes over his brothers’ heads.
“You too,” she said.
“I’m sixteen.”
“Tragic.”
His face crumpled.
Caleb crossed the room.
Thomas turned away.
But not quickly enough.
Mercy saw him wipe his eyes.
