Daniel found the first proof near a dry creek.
A broken spur.
He recognized the design.
One of the canyon raiders had worn it.
Keme crouched beside him.
"Same men?"
"Some."
Daniel studied the tracks.
"They want ranchers blaming your people."
"Why?"
"Because six men couldn't take Tala. Maybe twenty angry settlers can take revenge for them."
Keme's face hardened.
Daniel stood.
"We stop it before that happens."
They rode to the nearest settlement.
Tala insisted on accompanying them.
Daniel objected.
She ignored him.
The town of Red Hollow consisted of a general store, blacksmith, saloon, church, and twenty houses.
Men watched the three riders arrive.
A rancher named Wallace Dunn stepped from the saloon.
"You Mercer?"
Daniel dismounted.
"Yes."
"Heard you went native."
Daniel's expression stayed calm.
"Heard you lost cattle."
Wallace's face darkened.
"Apache thieves."
Tala remained on her horse.
Daniel held up the broken spur.
"Your thieves wear steel spurs from Missouri?"
Wallace hesitated.
Daniel continued.
"Tracks were planted."
"You calling me stupid?"
"I'm saying you're angry. Angry men are easy to point."
Several townsmen gathered.
A voice called, "Why defend them?"
Daniel turned.
"Because I saw the tracks."
Another man spat.
"They got you bewitched?"
Daniel laughed once.
"No."
Tala glanced at him, amused.
Daniel held up the spur.
"This belongs to a raider named Beckett Shaw."
Wallace's expression changed.
He knew the name.
Daniel noticed.
"You know him."
Wallace said nothing.
"Where?"
"Used to work cattle south."
"Then?"
"Started stealing."
Daniel nodded.
"He's making you fight his war."
Wallace looked toward Tala.
"How do we know?"
A gunshot shattered the general store window.
Everyone dove.
More gunshots came from the ridge.
Daniel grabbed Tala.
They moved behind a wagon.
Riders appeared.
Beckett Shaw among them.
The outlaw who escaped the canyon.
He shouted.
"THEY BROUGHT TROUBLE!"
Daniel fired back.
Wallace stared.
Daniel shouted, "STILL THINK SHE STOLE YOUR COWS?"
Wallace drew his revolver.
"Nope."
The town erupted.
Men defended the street.
Keme moved behind buildings.
Tala covered him.
Daniel saw Beckett riding toward the church.
He ran.
Beckett dismounted.
They faced each other between buildings.
"You ruined everything," Beckett said.
Daniel raised his rifle.
"You kidnapped the wrong woman."
Beckett smiled.
"You think they love you?"
Daniel's jaw tightened.
"They tolerate you because you were useful."
Daniel said nothing.
"When winter comes, you'll still be white."
Daniel's expression remained steady.
"And you'll still be stupid."
Beckett fired.
Daniel moved.
The bullet struck wood.
Daniel fired.
Beckett dropped his gun.
Wallace appeared behind him.
"Enough."
The outlaw looked around.
Town men surrounded him.
The fight ended.
Evidence was found in Beckett's saddlebags.
Cattle brands.
Maps.
Letters.
Proof.
Wallace returned the stolen cattle himself.
He apologized awkwardly to the chief.
Trust did not appear overnight.
But violence was avoided.
That mattered.
Winter arrived.
Daniel stayed.
Then winter began leaving.
And Daniel still stayed.
One evening Tala found him repairing a saddle.
"You said until winter."
"I noticed."
"Winter ended."
"Seems careless of it."
She sat.
"You have not left."
"No."
"Why?"
Daniel looked at her.
"You really need me to say it?"
"Yes."
He sighed.
"Because I have a home."
Tala's expression softened.
Daniel continued.
"Didn't expect that."
"Few good things arrive when expected."
He smiled.
Then became nervous.
Tala noticed immediately.
"What?"
Daniel stood.
He reached into his pocket.
Not a ring.
Not something foreign to the place.
The same beaded bracelet.
Repaired.
Strengthened.
He held it out.
"You told me kinship didn't mean marriage."
"It does not."
"You said not yet."
Tala's eyes widened slightly.
Daniel swallowed.
"I've been thinking about the yet."
She said nothing.
"I don't want debt."
"No."
"I don't want gratitude."
"No."
"I don't want your father's promise deciding anything."
"It cannot."
Daniel nodded.
"Good."
He looked terrified.
Tala almost laughed.
"Daniel."
"I'm working up to it."
"You fought six outlaws."
"They didn't expect conversation."
She smiled.
Daniel took a breath.
"I love you."
The smile disappeared.
Not from rejection.
From emotion.
Daniel continued.
"I think I started somewhere between you shooting that man with my own revolver and calling me foolish."
"Romantic."
"I'm trying."
"You are struggling."
He laughed.
Then his voice softened.
"I love you."
Tala stepped closer.
"I know."
Daniel blinked.
"That's cruel."
"I wanted you to say it."
"Why?"
"Because courage may open a door."
She touched his chest.
"But you must walk through."
Daniel looked at her.
"And?"
Tala smiled.
"I love you too."
His eyes closed briefly.
Relief.
Disbelief.
Joy.
Then Tala added, "You still talk too much."
Daniel kissed her.
Gentle.
Unhurried.
No cheering.
No spectacle.
Just two people beneath an evening sky deciding freely what came next.
But one decision remained.
Daniel would need to speak to Tala's father.
And Daniel would later insist that facing six armed raiders had been easier.
---