Chapter 30
“I make no promises.”
He opened it.
Inside was not a diamond.
Not gold.
Not even silver.
It was the old silver dollar he had once placed on the table at the Prospector's Rest.
Matilda stared.
“You kept it?”
“You gave it back.”
“I didn't want charity.”
“I know.”
He had drilled a small hole through the coin and set it into a simple ring.
Matilda's eyes filled.
Jedodiah cleared his throat.
“I told you I'd ask when things got calmer.”
Matilda looked around at the mountain.
“Are things calm?”
“No.”
“Good.”
He swallowed.
“I knew you'd say that.”
Then the enormous man dropped to one knee.
The sight was so unexpected Matilda burst out laughing.
Jedodiah sighed.
“You promised nothing.”
“I specifically promised nothing.”
He tried to stand.
She pushed him back down.
“No. Continue.”
“Woman…”
“Jedodiah.”
He sighed.
Then looked up.
All humor left his face.
“Matilda, the first day I saw you, you thought your worth was in a bowl of stew.”
Her tears came immediately.
“You were wrong.”
He continued.
“You're stubborn.”
She laughed through tears.
“Bossy.”
“Careful.”
“Too generous.”
“That isn't an insult.”
“Terrible at accepting help.”
“Accurate.”
“And the strongest person I've ever met.”
His voice softened.
“I don't want your land.”
“I know.”
“Don't want your money.”
“I know.”
“I want mornings when you complain about my coffee.”
“It is terrible.”
“I want winters when you steal every blanket.”
“I do not.”
“You do.”
Matilda smiled.
Jedodiah continued.
“I want to build a life where neither of us has to earn the right to stay.”
Her expression broke.
That sentence reached the oldest wound inside her.
The kitchen.
Abigail.
Three dollars.
A cot beside flour sacks.
Every meal earned.
Every kindness conditional.
Every room temporary.
Jedodiah held up the ring.
“Stay because you want to.”
Matilda whispered, “Ask me properly.”
He smiled.
“Matilda, will you marry me?”
“Yes.”
He blinked.
“You could've made me work harder.”
“I considered it.”
She pulled him upright and kissed him.
Behind them came cheering.
Matilda jerked away.
Dozens of people emerged from the trees.
Elias.
Thomas.
Margaret.
Sheriff Hollis.
Doctor Hale.
Half of Leadville.
Matilda stared at Jedodiah.
“You told them?”
He looked guilty.
“I was confident.”
She struck his arm.
Everyone laughed.
Their wedding took place in June.
Not in a church.
Not in a ballroom.
At Black Ridge.
Long tables stretched between pine trees.
Miners sat beside bankers.