Chapter 31
Ranchers beside former boarding house workers.
Margaret wore blue.
Thomas walked Matilda halfway down the aisle.
Then stopped.
Elias stood waiting.
Thomas looked at him.
For a tense second, nobody knew what would happen.
Then Thomas extended his hand.
Elias took it.
Together they walked Matilda the rest of the way.
People cried.
Matilda cried hardest.
At the altar stood Jedodiah.
Seven feet tall.
Wild beard trimmed badly.
New suit uncomfortable.
Completely terrified.
Matilda whispered, “Mountain lion easier?”
“Much.”
She smiled.
“Too late now.”
The ceremony was short.
The feast was not.
Matilda personally made the stew.
Three enormous cauldrons.
Someone asked why the richest woman in the county was serving bowls at her own wedding.
She answered:
“Because this is how the whole thing started.”
Late that evening, after music and dancing, Margaret approached Matilda.
“There is one last thing.”
Matilda groaned.
“No more hidden fathers.”
Margaret laughed.
“No.”
“No secret mines?”
“No.”
“No forgotten siblings?”
Margaret hesitated.
Matilda's eyes widened.
“Mother.”
“I am joking.”
Matilda nearly dropped her cup.
Margaret laughed harder than Matilda had heard in years.
Then she handed her a small envelope.
“This came from Silas's belongings.”
Matilda opened it.
Inside was a note.
If Matilda ever discovers everything and somehow survives the madness, give her this.
She smiled.
Silas's handwriting continued.
People will tell her Harrow silver made her rich.
They're wrong.
The richest thing on Black Ridge was always that ridiculous stew.
Because it made Boon open his mouth.
Matilda laughed.
Jedodiah looked over.
“What?”
She handed him the note.
He read it.
Then frowned.
“Ridiculous?”
“You did slam your fist on the table.”
“I was hungry.”
“You terrified twelve grown men.”
“They were nervous men.”
“You demanded to see the cook.”
“Best decision I ever made.”
Matilda smiled.
Then he turned the paper over.
There was another line.
P.S. Elias never owned the richest silver vein.
Matilda froze.
Jedodiah read aloud.
Because I did.
Everyone nearby went silent.
Matilda stared.
“No.”
Elias burst out laughing.
Thomas looked stunned.
Margaret covered her mouth.
Below the line was a legal transfer.
Silas Reed had owned an overlooked claim on the northern ridge for forty years.
And he had left it entirely to Matilda.
Jedodiah shook his head.
“You inherited another mountain.”
Matilda closed her eyes.
“No.”
People started laughing.
“I refuse.”
Elias wiped tears from his eyes.
“You can't refuse land just because you're tired.”