Chapter 9 - The Land Daniel Died For
"Get off my property," Martha said.
Mercer laughed.
"Your property?"
Elias stepped forward.
Mercer's men raised rifles.
"Careful, Cole."
Martha held the revocation notice.
"This is forged."
"Looks official."
"Coyle's records prove the land fraud."
"Coyle hasn't been convicted."
"He will be."
"Maybe."
Mercer dismounted.
"But until then, this land belongs to me."
Elias wanted to shoot him.
Martha could see it.
She touched his arm.
"No."
Mercer noticed.
"Domestic already?"
Martha ignored him.
"What do you want?"
"The original Coyle seal."
"Federal evidence."
"Then I suppose you have nothing I need."
"Good."
"Except..."
He looked at her belly.
Elias moved instantly.
Mercer smiled.
"Easy."
"You threaten her again," Elias said, "and no law in this territory will save you."
Mercer mounted.
"You have twenty-four hours to leave."
He rode away.
Martha tore the notice in half.
Samuel stared.
"That may have been evidence."
"It was litter."
Elias almost smiled.
They made camp.
But Martha refused to leave.
The next morning, she started building.
Not a house.
A shelter.
Elias joined without asking.
Samuel and Ben helped.
By noon, four walls stood waist-high.
Mercer returned.
He watched from horseback.
Martha kept hammering.
"You've got six hours."
Hammer.
"Martha."
Hammer.
"You're putting that baby in danger."
She stopped.
Then looked at him.
"You sabotaged my wagon."
Mercer smiled.
"Can you prove it?"
"No."
"Then choose carefully."
He rode away again.
That evening Elias found Martha by the river.
"We should move temporarily."
"No."
"Listen."
"I've spent months moving because men told me where I could and couldn't exist."
"This isn't surrender."
"It feels like it."
"It's strategy."
She looked at him.
"Are you afraid?"
"Yes."
The admission silenced her.
"Of Mercer?"
"No."
"Then what?"
"Of losing you."
Martha's breath caught.
Elias looked away.
He had said too much.
She stepped closer.
"Elias."
"I know the timing is bad."
"Terrible."
"And Daniel—"
"Don't."
He looked at her.
"Don't use Daniel to protect yourself from what you said."
His eyes searched hers.
"I meant it."
"I know."
Martha touched his face.
Then kissed him.
It was brief.
Gentle.
Almost frightened.
When they separated, Elias looked stunned.
"So," Martha whispered, "now we're both afraid."
He laughed softly.
Then the first contraction hit.
Martha doubled over.
Elias caught her.
"No."
She breathed.
"Not yet."
Another came minutes later.
Samuel ran for blankets.
Elias went pale.
"She's early."
"I know that!"
"Don't shout at me."
"I'm not shouting."
"You are absolutely shouting."
Despite the pain, Martha laughed.
Then her water broke.
Everyone stopped.
Ben whispered, "Is that bad?"
Samuel grabbed him.
"We're going for help."
"Where?"
"Anywhere."
They rode.
Elias carried Martha into the half-built shelter.
Night fell.
Contractions intensified.
He boiled water because he had heard that was what people did.
Martha screamed at him that boiling water wasn't going to deliver a baby.
He agreed enthusiastically.
Hours passed.
No Samuel.
No doctor.
Only Elias.
Martha clutched his hand.
"I can't."
"Yes, you can."
"How would you know?"
"I don't."
She almost hit him.
Then another contraction came.
"Daniel should be here."
The words escaped in a sob.
Elias's eyes filled.
"I know."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be."
"I shouldn't say his name to you."
"Say his name whenever you need."
Martha cried.
Elias held her.
"Daniel should be here."
"Yes."
"But he isn't."
"No."
"And I'm scared."
"I know."
Elias pressed his forehead against hers.
"But you're not alone."
Near dawn, hoofbeats approached.
Elias grabbed his rifle.
"Samuel?"
No answer.
A man called from outside.
"Cole!"
Mercer.
Elias's face changed.
Martha was in active labor.
May you like
Mercer had returned.
And this time, he had brought fire.
