PART 2 — THE SECRET BENEATH BOONE CREEK

Mave stared at the papers inside the strongbox.

There were old survey maps, water-right certificates, receipts bearing faded signatures, and a document sealed with red wax.

But it was the final page that made her breath catch.

A handwritten agreement dated twenty-three years earlier.

It stated that Boone Creek Ranch held the original legal right to draw water from the underground spring beneath the eastern ridge. The Caroway property had been granted permission to use a limited amount during dry seasons—but only with Elias’s father’s approval.

Someone had altered the later survey records.

And someone had been collecting money from the Caroway family for water that legally belonged to Boone Creek.

“Elias,” Mave whispered. “This isn’t merely a dispute over the irrigation ditch.”

He stood behind her, his expression grim.

“No. It’s theft.”

She turned another page.

There was a name at the bottom of the agreement.

Silas Caroway.

Ruth’s father-in-law.

Beneath his signature was another name.

Deputy Sloan.

Mave looked up.

“Why would a deputy sign a private water agreement?”

“He was a survey ᴀssistant before becoming a lawman,” Elias replied. “He helped measure the creek years ago.”

“Then he knew exactly what he was doing.”

Elias nodded.

For several moments, the kitchen remained silent.

Then Mave noticed a small envelope tucked beneath the old maps.

It was addressed to Elias’s late father.

The handwriting was unfamiliar.

She opened it carefully.

Inside was a short message:

The western boundary has been moved. The original markers are still buried beneath the cottonwood tree. If the records ever disappear, dig there.

Mave read it twice.

“There’s another copy.”

“Perhaps.”

“Not perhaps. Someone went to considerable trouble to hide this letter. They wouldn’t have mentioned buried markers unless they mattered.”

Elias examined the date.

“My father died the winter after this was written.”

“Did he ever mention the boundary?”

“No.”

Mave folded the letter.

“Then we have two things to do. Find those markers and take these papers to someone who can verify them.”

Elias gave her a faint smile.

“You’ve been here less than a month, and you’re already telling me how to run my ranch.”

“Someone has to.”

For the first time, he laughed.

But the laughter disappeared when three hard knocks sounded against the front door.

Elias put the papers away.

“Stay here.”

He opened the door to find Deputy Sloan standing on the porch.

The lawman removed his hat.

“Evening, Boon. I heard you’ve been making improvements to the irrigation system.”

“That’s ranch business.”

“Of course.” Sloan glanced past him. “And Miss Oor? Still managing your accounts?”

Mave appeared in the doorway.

“Still managing them.”

Sloan smiled without warmth.

“Good. I would hate to see you become involved in matters you don’t understand.”

Mave met his gaze.

“Then you needn’t worry. I understand the accounts perfectly.”

For a moment, the deputy’s smile тιԍнтened.

“I’ll be seeing you both.”

He walked away.

Elias closed the door.

“He knows something has changed.”

“He may know more than we think.”

That night, neither slept particularly well.

At sunrise, Mave found Elias already saddling two horses.

“Where are we going?”

“The cottonwood tree.”

They rode east along the dry creek bed until they reached an enormous old tree standing near the boundary fence.

Its roots stretched across the earth like twisted fingers.

Elias dismounted and examined the ground.

“My father used to bring me here when I was a boy.”

Mave studied the surrounding landscape.

“Where would he have placed something important?”

Elias pointed toward a flat stone beneath the largest root.

Together, they moved it aside.

Beneath it lay a small metal container.

Inside were three brᴀss survey markers, a folded map, and a letter bearing Elias’s father’s signature.

Mave unfolded the map.

The original boundary line ran directly through the Caroway irrigation channel.

The underground spring belonged entirely to Boone Creek.

But the letter contained something even more troubling.

Elias, if you are reading this, I have failed to settle the matter while I was alive. Silas Caroway offered money to change the survey. I refused. Deputy Sloan warned me that refusing would cost us more than the water. I fear they have already arranged for the records to disappear.

Elias lowered the paper.

“My father knew.”

Mave touched his arm.

“He tried to protect what belonged to you.”

“He should have told me.”

“He may have believed silence was the only way to keep you safe.”

Elias looked toward the distant Caroway fields.

Green crops stretched across the land.

Beyond them, Boone Creek’s channels lay almost empty.

A simple injustice, hidden beneath years of paperwork and intimidation.

Mave placed the markers in her satchel.

“We have enough to begin.”

But before they could mount their horses, a voice came from behind the cottonwood.

“I’m afraid you don’t.”

Ruth Caroway stood beside the fence.

Her elegant traveling dress was untouched by dust, and Deputy Sloan stood several steps behind her.

Ruth’s eyes moved from the metal container to Mave’s satchel.

“You’ve been digging through private property.”

Elias stepped forward.

“This is my father’s land.”

“Not according to the county survey.”

“Your survey was altered.”

Ruth’s expression changed.

Only briefly.

Then she smiled.

“Careful, Mr. Boon. Accusing respectable people of fraud can become an expensive habit.”

Mave moved beside Elias.

“Then perhaps you should explain why the original survey markers match the old deed.”

Ruth looked at her.

“You are an employee, Miss Oor. Remember your place.”

Mave held her gaze.

“My contract pays me to manage Boone Creek. Protecting its water rights is part of that work.”

Sloan stepped forward.

“Give me the documents.”

Elias didn’t move.

“You have no warrant.”

The deputy’s hand rested near his belt.

Ruth sighed as though the entire exchange bored her.

“Very well. Keep your little papers. The bank will settle this matter soon enough.”

She turned toward her horse.

Then she looked back at Mave.

“One piece of advice, Miss Oor. People who arrive in a town with nothing should be careful about choosing which powerful families to challenge.”

Mave answered quietly.

“People who have something to hide should be careful about leaving evidence behind.”

Ruth’s face hardened.

She mounted and rode away.

Sloan followed.

Elias waited until they disappeared.

Then he looked at Mave.

“You realize what we’ve just done?”

“Yes.”

“Ruth won’t stop.”

“Neither will I.”

He studied her for a moment.

Then he reached for her hand.

“I’m glad you’re here.”

Mave squeezed his fingers.

“So am I.”

Neither noticed the third rider watching from the ridge.

He had been there long enough to hear every word.

And when the couple finally rode home, he turned his horse toward the telegraph office.

By sundown, a message would be waiting for Ruth Caroway.

THE BOONE PAPERS HAVE BEEN FOUND. THE WOMAN HAS THE KEY.