One of the men sped off to the north, the other to the south, while Mr. Stewart yelled to Hazel to fetch some water. She dropped everything immediately and did as he asked. But it was too little, and far too late, and the smoke grew and grew until it was too much for either of them to get close.
“It’s burning fast,” Mr. Stewart said, wiping his brow as riders finally began to appear.
He was right. It hadn’t taken long at all for the rest of the men to arrive, but what good they could do now was uncertain. And when Lars found footprints leading away from the bunkhouse toward the road, he didn’t have to give a theory on what caused the fire.
They all knew.
Hazel’s heart pinched when she saw Wade’s face. She would single-handedly run back and forth for water all day to see that defeated expression erased.
“We were keeping watch,” Mr. Lee said. He’d been one of the men with Mr. Stewart. His hat in his hands, he cast a confused look toward Mr. Stewart. “Why didn’t we see something was wrong?”
“I don’t know.” Mr. Stewart watched the fire, his jaw set. “Wasn’t like we were sitting in one place.”
“He snuck in on foot,” Wade said. “When no one was looking. Could’ve been hours ago. He either bided his time inside, or he set the fire to burn slowly so it would be too late when we saw it.”
“Don’t know why anyone would do that,” Mr. Stewart said, echoing Hazel’s thoughts.
“I can think of a few reasons,” Wade replied, but his eyes weren’t on the fire or Mr. Stewart when he spoke.
Hazel followed his gaze toward a single rider, flying up the road from the south. The man stopped and dismounted to tie his horse to the fenceline.
“It’s Isaac Trenton,” Lars said, answering Hazel’s unspoken question.
Wade strode toward the visitor, and Hazel followed. All she could think of was how strangely Wade had treated Maggie yesterday. She’d decided it was because he’d been so worried about her after that man had come into their home, but seeing the frown that had crossed Wade’s face when Lars identified him . . . Hazel wasn’t so certain.
“Afternoon, Pierce,” Mr. Trenton said. “Mrs. Pierce.” He tugged at the brim of his hat.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Trenton,” Hazel said brightly. He was a handsome man, as tall as Wade and with hair just as dark.
“I saw that smoke. Came to see if I could be of any help. I’ve got a few men coming too.” He turned back toward the road, and in the distance, Hazel spotted a few more riders.
“That’s very kind of you,” she said.
“Always available to help a neighbor,” he said with a smile. But that kind expression faltered when he caught the way Wade was looking at him.
“It’s a lost cause,” Wade said. His jaw was set and his eyes were set on Mr. Trenton as if he didn’t trust him. “Wouldn’t be anything left to save at this point anyhow.”
Mr. Trenton nodded, looking past Wade toward where half the men watched the fire while the other half were watching the conversation by the fence. “Happy to help keep it from spreading, if you need.”
“We’ve got it under control.” Wade’s words were sharp, and Hazel winced. There wasn’t even a hint of gratitude toward a neighbor who’d kindly rounded up some of his own men and taken time away from his ranch to come offer help.
Mr. Trenton’s gaze held Wade’s for a moment. “All right. Suppose we’ll be on our way then.”
Wade nodded.
Mr. Trenton held up a hand toward his men, who’d just arrived. They remained on horseback, waiting. “Mind if I ask how it started?”
Wade’s eyes narrowed, and Hazel dug her fingers into her skirt. The way Wade looked at Mr. Trenton, it was almost as if he was suspicious. Surely . . .
“It was set,” Wade said shortly. “Intentional.”
Mr. Trenton raised his eyebrows. “The sheriff stopped by and said you’d had cattle stolen. And Maggie told me you’d had some other troubles. You don’t suppose—”
“I do. And if I have to hire every willing man from here to Cañon City, it won’t happen again. I don’t hold court with outlaws.” Wade’s words somehow felt like a threat, and it was clear Mr. Trenton had caught it the same way Hazel had.
“As well you shouldn’t,” Mr. Trenton said, but the words were colder. “I don’t either, as you know.”
Wade said nothing in return. The two men stared at each other a moment longer before Mr. Trenton shifted his gaze to Hazel and pulled on the brim of his hat again.
