I watched as a man with a shovel tossed dirt into the grave. My husband's grave. The crowd had disbursed after the preacher's sermon, and only a few people remained.

The summer air weighed on me, perspiration building beneath my cotton dress. I didn't know it at the time, but my uncomfortable situation was about to get worse. And it wouldn't be due to the oppressive heat.

"Rita," a voice said.

I turned to look, and a blond-haired gentleman approached. His wavy, shoulder-length hair was tucked behind his ears, and the man's blue eyes didn't waver when meeting my gaze.

"Thank you for coming to pay your respects, Boone," I said.

"Of course. Levi was a good friend."

I could only nod in response.

Boone cleared his throat and glanced at the ground before locking eyes with me again. "There's something else you need to know. This isn't the best time but, hell, there isn't really a good time to say it." He pursed his lips and hesitated.

"Just spit it out," I insisted.

He gently bobbed his head. "I don't know how to tell you this, but I own your land now."

My brow furrowed. Then I looked Boone up and down. He wore black trousers with a white, wing-collared shirt. "You look sober enough, but perhaps I'm mistaken."

Boone shook his head. "I know it sounds crazy, but it's the truth. Levi and I came to an agreement before his unfortunate death."

My mouth was dry, and I forced myself to swallow. "What kind of an agreement?"

"It was more like a wager."

"I don't understand."

"The night Levi died," Boone said. "Did you know his whereabouts prior to the accident?"

"Of course. He told me he was going to the saloon."

"That's right. He came in and sat alone at the bar. Early on, at least."

"What does that mean?" I inquired.

"He joined me and a few other men in a game of poker shortly after."

Boone's reveal forced me to pause. Levi told me he'd given up gambling years ago, and now I was supposed to believe all of it was a lie.

"He'd been doing it for months," Boone admitted. "He was casual about it at first. Betting a few coins here and there. But it got worse as time went on. He thought he had a sure thing the other night. I wagered a hefty sum on the cards I was holding, but Levi didn't have the money to match me, so he—"

"He put up my land instead!"

Boone licked his lips. "I'm afraid so."

"It's not even his land to give."

"You added his name to the deed when you married."

I was taken aback. "And how do you know that?"

"Levi said as much."

I huffed. "This is preposterous. Even if that's the case, I doubt a verbal agreement would hold much water in a court of law. Especially if Levi had been drinking."

"He only had one drink at the bar. And he didn't touch the stuff during our game. It wasn't until later that he lost control."

"After he lost the bet?"

"Uh-huh."

"So, you admit to killing Levi?"

Boone's eyes narrowed, and his cheeks tightened. "I admit to nothing of the sort. He's the one who fell and hit his head during the walk home."

"But you sure as hell pushed him to it," I barked.

I clenched my fingers into a fist, ready to strike.

"Excuse me," a gentleman interrupted.

The man loomed to my right. He wore striped trousers with a navy-blue vest over his shirt, his hazel eyes peering at me through spectacles.

"Thomas," I said. "Just the man I need to see. You're a lawyer, and I may require your legal counsel against Boone here."

Thomas glimpsed Boone, then me. "I'm afraid that isn't possible, Rita. I already represent Boone in this matter."

I squinted at Thomas. "You knew about this?"

Thomas nodded.

I let out a frustrated breath. "This is the first I'm hearing about it, and you two were already scheming to take everything from me!"

"It's not like that," Thomas said. "I'm not out to ruin you. But Boone does have a legitimate claim."

"It's just his word, though. The entire thing could be a farce."

"I don't think so. The other men at the table can corroborate Boone's story, and I believe their testimony will be enough to convince Judge Wilson."

I wanted to lash out, both verbally and physically, but I choked back the temptation.

"Get out of my sight," I finally said through clenched teeth.

Thomas took a step forward. "Please, Rita. It doesn't have to be like this."

"Now," I shouted.

The two men obliged, gradually walking off together. I dipped my head and squeezed my eyes shut, taking a moment to breathe. Then I heard soft footsteps approaching.

When I looked up, a familiar and welcoming face came into view.

"Rita," Cole said, extending his arms as he neared.

I wrapped my arms around Cole and hugged him tight. When I relinquished my grip and backed away, tears welled in those kind brown eyes of his.

"I'm so sorry," he said. "Not only about Levi, but—" Cole couldn't finish his sentence, and that's when a tear broke loose. He wiped his cheek with the back of his hand, eventually composing himself. "I wanted to tell you sooner, but none of us wanted to break the news so soon after Levi's passing. It didn't seem right."

Anger coursed through me again. But as much as I wanted to aim it at Cole, I couldn't.

"So, you were one of the men at Boone's table that night?" I said.

Cole nodded. "In addition to Boone and Levi, it was me, Aaron, and Clay. I wish I didn't witness what I did. Levi's wager," he elaborated. "But I did, unfortunately."

I shook my head. "You can't fault yourself for being there. My husband was the irresponsible one, and now I'm going to pay the price for his stupidity."

I looked away, spotting Cole's wife and two children in the distance.

"They're waiting on me," Cole said. "But I didn't want to leave before speaking with you." He hesitated. "As I'm sure you know, they can't get out of here fast enough. This town, I mean. And given what's happened lately, I can't blame them."

I'd known Cole ever since his family moved to town, and Laura and the kids never really took a liking to the place.

"And what about you?" I asked.

Cole raised an eyebrow. "Me?"

"Do you want to leave?"

He sighed. "As much as I love this town, I love my family more. I've always insisted on making a home here, but I have to think about their well-being, too. Still, I've yet to make a decision one way or the other."

I pondered for a moment, an idea coming to me.

"Did you know my parents were wealthy before they died?" I said.

Cole's eyes narrowed. "No."

"Their wealth came from my grandparents, but no one knew about my parents' prosperity because they refused to flaunt it. They worked normal jobs, wore average clothes, and lived in a modest house. But they saved every penny of their inheritance. And that's what I've done since they passed it on to me. I never told Levi. Or anyone, for that matter. Until now."

"You're well respected around town," I continued. "A lot of people look up to you because you're a family man, and you're a hard worker." I closed the gap between us, my gaze unflinching. "I have a proposition for you. One I hope you'll consider. All I ask is that you keep an open mind."

A few days later, I was in the kitchen working on a cup of tea when a banging noise stole my attention. Someone was at the front door. Based on the constant thumping of their fist against the wood, it must have been important.

Thomas had already paid me a visit the prior day. Other than stating that I would see him in court, I had nothing to say to Thomas. It was a lie, though. I had no intention of letting the court decide my fate.

The floorboards moaned under my weight as I made my way into the foyer. Then more banging ensued.

"Hold your horses," I shouted.

When I turned the knob and pulled the door ajar, Boone stood there glaring at me.

He huffed. "What the hell did you do, Rita?"

"Nice to see you, too, Boone."

"Cut the malarkey and answer my question."

I shook my head. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"The hell you don't."

Boone took a step forward, attempting to push his way inside, but I stood my ground.

"I never invited you in," I said. "You'll stay on the porch unless you want me to report you to the sheriff."

Boone pursed his lips and puffed out his chest. "They're all gone," he finally said.

"Who?"

"You know who!"

I held my tongue, waiting for Boone to elaborate.

"Cole, Aaron, and Clay," Boone revealed.

"What do you mean gone?"

Boone huffed again, trying to keep his anger in check.

"All of them up and left," Boone said. "For good." He paused. "Even though Aaron and Clay are loners, they wouldn't split town without telling me. And Cole's a family man. Families don't leave on a whim. Not unless they're running from something."

"Well, this is news to me."

Boone nodded. "I'm sure it is," he replied with a heavy dose of sarcasm. "You expect me to believe that the three men who witnessed my wager with Levi all left town at the same time?" He shook his head in disbelief. "I know you're behind this, Rita."

I shrugged. "I don't know what to tell you. Thomas' wife and children never cared much for this town, so it was just a matter of time before they left. But I can't speak for Aaron and Clay."

"You're a conniving little—"

"Don't even say it," I barked. "I was born and raised in this house. If you were a true friend to Levi, you wouldn't have taken advantage of him. And you sure as hell wouldn't try to pry this land away from me now that he's dead."

Boone clamped his mouth shut. Then he raised his index finger, holding it a few inches from my face. "This isn't over."

"I'm sorry, but it is over. If you or Thomas show up again, you're going to regret it."

Boone arched an eyebrow. "So, you're hurling threats now?"

"No. But I heard a rumor. One where you paid those men to corroborate your story. Knowing they would have to lie in court, they got spooked and ran off."

"That's a load of nonsense."

"Maybe, but that's what they're going to say if you try to coax them back. And that's what I'm going to tell the townspeople if you step foot on my property again. Be sure to pass that message along to Thomas."

Boone's mouth hung agape. For the first time, he was speechless.

"Good day, Boone," I said, slamming the door in his face.

I spun around and put my back to the door, taking a moment to exhale. I expected to hear the sound of Boone's fist against the door and prepared for the worst. However, the pounding of wood never came.

In fact, Boone never stepped foot on my property again. I'd see him around town every now and then, but we always steered clear of one another. And the same went for Thomas.

As much as I missed Cole, I didn't regret my actions. He claimed that he loved his family more than this town, and I could understand that. Though I had no family left, I had plenty of memories. And many of those memories resonated throughout the house. A house I would defend until my last breath.