Rowan extinguished the lantern just as three riders emerged from the swirling snow.

Mara held both babies close beside the fireplace.

“Whatever happens,” she whispered, “don’t let him see my little girl.”

A heavy fist struck the door.

“Blackthorne! Open up!”

Rowan recognized the voice.

Silas Callaway. A wealthy cattleman whose reputation terrified half the Montana territory.

“What do you want, Callaway?”

“My wife. She stole something that belongs to me.”

Rowan glanced at Mara.

She shook her head desperately.

“There’s nobody here but me and my boy,” Rowan answered.

Outside, Silas laughed.

“Then you won’t mind opening the door.”

A rifle barrel appeared through the broken window.

Rowan moved instantly, pulling Mara and the children behind the thick stone fireplace.

Then Silas spoke again.

“That woman is carrying my daughter, Blackthorne. Hand them over, and I’ll give you enough money to buy this entire valley.”

Rowan looked at Eli.

His son was finally sleeping peacefully against Mara’s chest, his tiny fingers curled around her sleeve.

Three days ago, Rowan had lost his wife.

Now another mother was risking her life to save his child.

“No deal,” Rowan called.

Silence followed.

Then came the unmistakable sound of someone forcing the door.

Rowan braced himself.

But Mara suddenly grabbed his wrist.

“There’s something you need to know.”

She reached beneath her daughter’s blanket and pulled out a folded document sealed with red wax.

“Silas isn’t chasing us because of the baby.”

Rowan stared at the paper.

“Then why?”

Mara’s eyes filled with tears.

“Because your wife discovered what he did.”

Rowan’s blood ran cold.

“Sarah?”

Mara nodded.

“She knew Silas was stealing land from families across this valley. She helped me gather proof.”

Rowan unfolded the document.

At the bottom was a signature he knew better than his own.

Sarah Blackthorne.

And beneath it was a warning written in her handwriting.

“If anything happens to me, my husband must never learn the truth from Silas Callaway.”

Suddenly, the door splintered.

Silas stepped inside.

“Well, Rowan,” he said coldly. “Looks like your wife kept one last secret from you.”

TO BE CONTINUED…