But Travis hadn’t forgotten his threat.
One dark night, as the wind howled through the hills, men broke into the barn. Clara heard the commotion and ran outside with nothing but a lantern and a wooden stick.
The men laughed cruelly. “The fat cook thinks she can scare us?”
Her voice trembled, but she stood her ground. “Touch this ranch, and you’ll answer to me.”
Ethan burst from the house with his rifle, but before he could reach her, one of the men shoved Clara hard to the ground. They fled into the night.
Ethan dropped beside her. “Clara! Stay with me!”
She opened her eyes weakly. “I’m sorry, sir… I just wanted to help.”
He gripped her hand, tears in his eyes. “Don’t you dare leave me too.”
Love Stronger Than Fear
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