The Farmer’s Daughter Followed the Pig One Morning—What She Found Changed Everything

Chapter 5

The silence stretched, thin as ice over deep water. Mae felt her father’s arm tense around her shoulders, and she knew she had made things worse instead of better. If Vance suspected she was lying about the fire, he’d suspect she was lying about everything else.

“What exactly are you suggesting?” her father asked, his voice taking on a low, dangerous edge. Ezra Holloway had never been a man to back down from a fight — especially when someone questioned his daughter’s honesty.

“I’m suggesting,” Vance said, “that we ask ourselves why a sixteen-year-old girl suddenly developed such keen eyesight for fires, yet somehow missed seeing a wounded man hiding in broad daylight.”

The third man stepped between them before the confrontation could turn violent. “Gentlemen. We’re all on the same side here. Let’s just finish checking the hills and be done with it.”

But Vance shook his head. “No. I think we need to have a more detailed conversation with Miss Holloway. Maybe back in town, where we can talk properly.”

Mae’s blood turned to ice. If they took her to town for questioning, they might search her. They might find the pouch. And while she was gone, they’d have all the time in the world to find Gideon.

“You’re not taking my daughter anywhere,” her father said flatly. “If you have questions, ask them right here, right now.”

Vance smiled — a cold, patient smile, the smile of a man who’d cornered his prey and had nowhere to be. “Actually, Mr. Holloway, I think you’ll find we have every right to question potential witnesses. Especially when those witnesses might be interfering with official business.”

“Official business?” Her father’s eyes narrowed. “Since when is the general store owner involved in official business?”

It was the right question, and Mae watched it land. For just a moment, Vance’s confident mask slipped, and something uglier showed underneath. He hadn’t expected to be questioned. He’d expected a frightened farmer to cave.

“The railroad company has asked certain community leaders to assist with security matters,” Vance said at last. “There are valuable surveys and documents that have gone missing. We believe the thief is hiding somewhere in this area.”

Mae felt the pouch against her ribs grow heavier. These were Gideon’s documents. The proof of the railroad’s fraud. Vance wasn’t just helping with a search — he was actively working for the people trying to cheat her family.

“What railroad company?” her father demanded. “Nobody said anything to me about railroad business in our valley.”

“That’s because the plans are still confidential.” The third man spoke for the first time in a while, his flat eyes resting on her father. “But since you’re asking direct questions, Mr. Holloway, maybe it’s time you knew. There’s going to be a new line running through this area. The company is prepared to make fair offers for the land they need.”

Mae watched her father’s face as the implications sank in. Their worthless farm might actually be worth something. But she could also see the suspicion in his eyes — if the deals were legitimate, why all the secrecy? Why the armed search parties and the threats?

“How fair are we talking?” her father asked carefully.

Vance relaxed slightly, apparently thinking he’d gained an ally. “Very fair. Much more than this land is worth for farming, that’s certain. The company understands that families like yours need a fresh start somewhere with better soil.”

It was exactly what Gideon had warned her about. They were offering just enough to make people think they were getting a good deal — nowhere near the true value — and making it sound like they were doing everyone a favor.

“What if people don’t want to sell?” Mae asked, before she could stop herself.

All three men turned to look at her, and she immediately regretted speaking. But her father nodded approvingly, proud of her sharp question.

“That’s a good point,” he said. “What if we like our land and want to keep it?”

Vance’s smile became strained. “Well, progress waits for no one, Mr. Holloway. There are legal ways to acquire land for public projects, even if individual owners are reluctant to cooperate. They call it eminent domain.” He paused, letting the words sink in. “Much better for everyone if the sales are voluntary.”

The threat was barely disguised. Sell willingly — or have it taken by force. Mae thought of the other families in the valley, struggling farmers like themselves who probably had no idea what was really happening. They were all being manipulated into giving up land that could make them wealthy.

“I’d like to see these surveys and documents you mentioned,” her father said. “Before I consider any offers, I want to understand exactly what the railroad is planning.”

“Unfortunately,” Vance said, “those are the very documents that were stolen. Until we recover them and catch the thief, all negotiations are suspended.” His eyes slid back to Mae. “Which is why it’s so important that we search every inch of these hills.”

Mae realized, with a growing horror, that they were trapped in an impossible situation. Her father wanted to see the documents that could prove the railroad’s fraud — but those same documents were hidden in her dress. If she revealed them, she’d expose Gideon and probably sign his death warrant. If she didn’t, her father might agree to sell their land for a fraction of its real value.

“Papa,” she said quietly, “maybe we should think about this carefully. Once we sell, there’s no going back.”

Vance’s eyes sharpened. “Wise words from a young lady. But sometimes holding on to something too tightly means losing everything.” He turned to her father, and his voice dropped to something nearly gentle. “Your family has debts, doesn’t it, Mr. Holloway? The bank is pressuring you.”

Her father’s jaw tightened. “Our financial situation is none of your business.”

“It becomes my business,” Vance said, “when the railroad is offering you a way out of your troubles. But only if we can resolve this matter of the missing documents first.” He turned back to Mae with that predatory smile. “Which brings us back to what you might have seen in those rocks.”

The silence around them was absolute. Even the birds had gone quiet.

“Last chance to tell the truth, Miss Holloway.”

Every eye in the yard was on her. The wrong words could destroy Gideon, her family, and every family in the valley. The right words might save them all.

Mae took a breath, and made the most important decision of her life.