Maylin thought.

Then she understood.

“If Bell knew evidence existed, he would watch you.”

“He did.”

“That’s why you waited.”

Gideon nodded.

“I was arrested two days after Daniel died. Bell framed me. Collier put me in territorial prison.”

“How did you get here?”

“I escaped.”

Maylin stared.

“And now Bell knows something changed.”

“Yes.”

“Because I refused his offer.”

“Yes.”

“When will he return?”

Gideon looked toward the snow outside.

“Before morning.”

Maylin thought of her daughters.

Then of Daniel.

“We get the evidence first.”

Gideon shook his head.

“You cannot go outside.”

“It’s half a mile.”

“In this blizzard that might as well be twenty.”

“I know where my husband is buried.”

“You could die.”

“So could my daughters if Bell returns.”

Gideon studied her.

Then gave a faint smile.

“You really were Daniel’s wife.”

They tied themselves together with rope.

Maylin ordered Shaw to lock the door after them.

Then she and Gideon entered the storm.

Snow reached Maylin’s thighs.

Wind pushed against them with astonishing force.

Twice she fell.

Twice Gideon pulled her back up.

Eventually the cottonwood tree appeared through the snow.

Daniel’s grave lay beneath it.

Maylin dropped to her knees.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered.

They dug.

Frozen earth fought every shovel.

Eventually—

CLANG.

Gideon’s shovel struck the coffin.

But he did not open it.

Instead, he dug underneath one edge.

His hand found a metal box.

He pulled it free.

Maylin almost laughed in relief.

Then a rifle fired.

BOOM!

Their lantern exploded.

Gideon threw Maylin behind the tree.

Another bullet struck the bark.

Lanterns appeared through the storm.

Cyrus Bell.

Sheriff Collier.

And Bell’s hired man.

“Put down the box!” Bell shouted.

Gideon whispered to Maylin.

“Can you run?”

“My daughters are downhill.”

“I know.”

Bell stepped closer.

“I don’t want to kill the widow, Vale.”

Gideon laughed.

“That almost sounded sincere.”

Collier raised his rifle.

Bell extended his hand.

“Give me Daniel’s evidence.”

Gideon looked at the box.

Then suddenly threw it toward Bell.

Bell caught it.

He opened the lid.

Empty.

His face transformed.

“Where is it?”

Gideon smiled.

Maylin suddenly understood.

The evidence had never been buried there.

The box was bait.

Then she remembered Daniel’s letter.

Gideon Vale has the rest.

And the Christmas presents.

Daniel’s handmade presents.

Her eyes widened.

The evidence was hidden inside the children’s toys.

Bell saw the realization on her face.

His gaze sharpened.

“The cabin.”

Maylin ran.

The Secret Hidden Inside the Christmas Gifts

She barely remembered reaching home.

Branches struck her face.

Snow filled her boots.

Gideon followed, one hand pressed against a bleeding shoulder after Collier’s bullet grazed him.