Chapter 4 - Amos Comes to Collect
Amos entered the cabin as if he still owned Maeve.
“You've caused enough trouble.”
Maeve stood between him and the children.
Gideon leaned on his injured leg.
“You're trespassing.”
Amos laughed.
“She belongs with family.”
“She doesn't belong to anybody.”
Amos produced a document.
He claimed Maeve had stolen money before leaving.
Maeve knew instantly it was a lie.
But Amos had brought Deputy Hollis.
The deputy looked uncomfortable.
“Maeve, Amos filed a complaint.”
“How much?”
“Forty dollars.”
Maeve nearly laughed.
She had never seen forty dollars together in her life.
Gideon said, “Search her satchel.”
Amos's expression changed.
Only slightly.
Maeve noticed.
So did Gideon.
Deputy Hollis opened the satchel.
Inside were Maeve's shifts.
Stockings.
Her mother's comb.
And beneath them—
A leather pouch.
Maeve stared.
Hollis opened it.
Coins spilled onto the table.
Forty dollars.
Tess gasped.
Maeve's face went white.
“I've never seen that.”
Amos smiled.
Gideon did not.
He picked up the pouch.
“Funny.”
“What?” Hollis asked.
“This is elk hide.”
Amos's smile faded.
Gideon turned it over.
“I tan mine differently. Amos buys his from Jensen.”
Hollis examined it.
Amos stepped toward the door.
“Doesn't prove anything.”
Then Toby spoke.
“I saw him.”
Everyone turned.
Toby stood beside the bedroom doorway.
“You saw what?” Maeve asked.
“Man put it there.”
“When?”
“When he came in.”
Amos's face changed.
He lunged toward Toby.
Gideon moved faster.
In one motion, he placed himself between Amos and the child.
“Don't.”
The word was quiet.
Amos stopped.
Deputy Hollis took the pouch.
“You'll come back to town with me.”
“This is ridiculous.”
“So explain it there.”
Amos glared at Maeve.
“This isn't finished.”
Maeve surprised herself.
“Yes, it is.”
Hollis took him outside.
The other rider followed.
The cabin became silent.
Maeve turned toward Toby.
He looked frightened.
“You told the truth.”
Toby nodded.
“That was brave.”
He stared at the floor.
Maeve knelt.
“Thank you.”
Toby looked up.
Then, slowly, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her neck.
It was the first time he had touched Maeve without fear.
Gideon turned away.
But Maeve saw him wipe his eyes.
That evening, the four sat around the table.
For the first time, Toby laughed.
It was a small sound.
Tess laughed because he did.
Then Maeve did.
Gideon watched them.
And something like peace entered the cabin.
But it did not last.
Three days later, Gideon found tracks behind the barn.
Someone had been watching the house.
And beside the tracks lay a strip of red cloth Maeve recognized immediately.
May you like
It had come from Uncle Amos's winter scarf.
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