“Yes.”
“Then why not consider it?”
Elias turned toward her.
Not angry.
Hurt.
That surprised her.
“The spring is where my son learned to fish.”
The words silenced everything.
Martha’s face softened.
Elias looked toward the tree line.
“My wife planted those aspens.”
Halbrook looked down.
Elias continued.
“The north meadow is where we buried them.”
Martha stopped breathing.
He looked at her.
“They’re claiming the graves.”
Now she understood.
Seven thousand dollars was not money.
It was a price placed on memory.
Halbrook quietly closed his case.
“I’ll return tomorrow if you want help reviewing records.”
Elias nodded once.
The clerk mounted.
Then paused.
“One more thing.”
Elias looked up.
“Caldwell already sent survey men.”
“When?”
“Yesterday.”
Elias’s face hardened.
“On my land?”
“Near the spring.”
He stepped toward his horse.
Martha caught his arm.
“Elias.”
He looked at her hand.
Then her face.
“Don’t.”
“They have no right.”
“Then prove it before you give them an excuse to call you violent.”
His nostrils flared.
Halbrook said quietly:
“She’s right.”
Elias turned that stare on him.
Halbrook mounted faster.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He rode away.
Silence returned.
Not the same silence.
Elias stood facing the trail.
Martha remained beside him.
Finally she said:
“You didn’t tell me about the graves.”
“No.”
“I’m sorry.”
He nodded.
She hesitated.
“Will you show me?”
His face changed.
He looked toward the northern trees.
Then back.
“Tomorrow.”
That was more intimate than the kiss they almost shared.
The next morning they walked to the spring.
Martha moved slowly on mountain ground.
Her size made uneven trails difficult.
Elias shortened his steps without making it obvious.
When the slope steepened, he offered his arm.
Not his hand.
His whole arm.
She took it.
The spring emerged beneath a limestone shelf.
Clear water flowed into a narrow creek.
Aspens grew nearby.
Their leaves already yellow.
Beyond them stood two small stone markers.
Martha stopped.
No elaborate names.
Only:
ANNA THORNE
And beside it:
BENJAMIN THORNE
The boy had lived seven years.
Martha looked at Elias.
He stood several feet away.
Hands at his sides.
Not hiding.
Not speaking.
She walked toward the graves.
Knelt slowly with difficulty.
Elias immediately moved to help.
She shook her head.