Josiah nodded.
“He came to Broken Ridge one morning.”
“When?”
“Spring of ’73.”
Nellie searched her memory.
She had been young.
“Grandfather never mentioned you.”
“That sounds like him.”
“What did he do?”
Josiah looked toward the creek.
“Bought cattle from me before market.”
“At a fair price?”
“Better.”
Nellie shook her head.
“He wouldn’t give charity.”
“No.”
“He made me promise to buy them back when I recovered.”
That sounded exactly right.
“Did you?”
“Every one.”
Nellie looked at him differently.
Josiah continued.
“He told me something.”
“What?”
“‘A man can drown in six inches of water if he’s too proud to stand.’”
Nellie laughed.
“He said that to everyone.”
“I needed it.”
The laugh faded.
Josiah nodded toward the wagon.
“I’m not trying to save you.”
“Good.”
“I’m offering business.”
Nellie considered.
“How soon?”
“Three weeks.”
“Forty shirts in three weeks?”
“You said you were good.”
She lifted an eyebrow.
“Dangerous thing, challenging a Thornton.”
“So I’m told.”
She looked toward the house.
Forty shirts.
That money could cover feed.
Roof repairs.
Maybe even part of the bank note.
“I’ll do it.”
Josiah nodded.
“Good.”
“I deliver before payment.”
“Fine.”
“I decide the pattern.”
“Fine.”
“I want measurements.”
“I’ll send Amos with names and sizes.”
“And if your men complain about red?”
“They can freeze.”
That made her laugh again.
Then Josiah’s expression changed.
“Mrs. Thornton.”
“Yes?”
“Your deed.”
“What about it?”
“Does it include water rights?”
Nellie stiffened.
“Why?”
“The creek.”
“Yes.”
“How far?”
“All the way to the stone marker near the ridge.”
“You’re sure?”
“My husband showed me.”
“Has anyone surveyed recently?”
Nellie felt something cold move through her.
“Two men last week.”
Josiah’s eyes sharpened.
“What men?”
“I didn’t know them.”
“Equipment?”
“Chains. Tripod. Measuring rods.”
“What happened?”
“I walked out with Grandfather’s rifle.”
Josiah almost smiled.
“They left?”
“Quickly.”
“Did they say who sent them?”
“No.”
He looked toward the ridge.
“How long were they there?”
“Maybe twenty minutes before I saw them.”
Josiah was quiet.
Nellie studied him.
“What do you know?”
Instead of answering, he reached inside his coat.
He removed a folded document.
“First.”
He handed it to her.
Nellie opened it.
Bank receipt.
Mortgage note.
Paid in full.
She stared.
Then looked up.
“No.”
Josiah said nothing.
“No.”
She held it toward him.