Spring came slowly to the Rockies.
Snow softened.
Creeks awakened.
Pine needles emerged from white drifts.
Jonas recovered in Georgetown for nearly three weeks.
By the time he returned home, the mountain had begun changing.
So had everything else.
Elias Mercer was transported east under federal guard.
Deputy Pike traveled with him.
Rebecca remained in Colorado only long enough to help Jonas repair the cabin.
Then a telegram arrived.
FIRST CONTINENTAL BANK BOX LOCATED. KEY REQUIRED. WITNESS REQUESTED.
Rebecca read it three times.
Jonas watched.
“You’re going.”
“Yes.”
“We’re going.”
She looked at him.
“Jonas, you hate cities.”
“True.”
“You hate trains.”
“Also true.”
“You hate formal clothing.”
“Especially true.”
Rebecca smiled.
“Then why?”
“Because you’re my wife.”
It sounded simple.
With Jonas, the important things usually did.
They left the mountain two days later.
The train east took nearly a week.
Rebecca had traveled alone before.
This time felt different.
She slept without fear.
When strangers entered their car, Jonas watched them.
Not nervously.
Simply alert.
In St. Louis, Rebecca confronted her old life.
The city looked unchanged.
Brick buildings.
Carriages.
Street vendors.
Gas lamps.
But she had changed.
Her old house had been sold.
Thomas’s office stood empty.
Neighbors stared when they saw her walking beside a mountain man with a scarred face and broad shoulders.
Rebecca did not care.
At First Continental Bank, federal officers waited.
So did Deputy Pike.
The brass key opened a box registered under a false company name.
Inside were original ledgers.
Signed letters.
Property transfers.
Evidence of bribery.
And one sealed letter addressed to Rebecca.
Her hands trembled.
She opened it.
Thomas’s handwriting.
My dear Rebecca,
If you are reading this, I was unable to make things right myself.
I am sorry for involving you in something dangerous.
More than anything, I am sorry that I underestimated you.
Elias believes power comes from making others afraid.
Do not let fear decide your life.
Choose it yourself.
Live.
Rebecca stopped reading.
Jonas stood beside her.
She handed him the letter.
He read silently.
Then folded it carefully.
“Smart man.”
Rebecca wiped her eyes.
“He was.”
“You loved him?”
“Yes.”
Jonas nodded.
No jealousy.
No resentment.
Just understanding.
Rebecca touched his hand.
“I love you too.”
Jonas went still.
She had never said it.
Not clearly.
Not like that.
The crowded bank seemed to disappear.
“You sure?”
Rebecca smiled.
“No.”
He frowned.
She laughed.
“I am absolutely sure. I simply enjoy watching you panic.”
Jonas shook his head.
“Cruel woman.”
“You married me.”
“That I did.”
He leaned down and kissed her.
Elias’s trial began six weeks later.
Rebecca testified.
For three hours, attorneys questioned her.
They tried to portray her as emotional.
Confused.
Vindictive.
She remained calm.
Then the ledgers were introduced.
Bank officers testified.
Victims testified.
One of Elias’s own hired men accepted a deal and described Thomas’s murder.
Rebecca sat beside Jonas when the verdict came.
Guilty.
Multiple charges.
Fraud.
Conspiracy.
Bribery.
Murder.
Elias Mercer was sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison.
Outside the courthouse, reporters surrounded Rebecca.
“How do you feel?”
“Do you feel avenged?”
“What will you do now?”
Rebecca looked toward Jonas.
He stood uncomfortable in a borrowed suit.
She smiled.
“I’m going home.”
A reporter called, “Where is home?”
Rebecca answered without hesitation.
“Colorado.”
The journey back felt shorter.
When they reached Silver Plume, Reverend Abbott met them at the depot.
He looked pleased.
“Still married?”
Jonas grunted.
Rebecca smiled.
“Despite his best efforts.”
Abbott laughed.
The mountain cabin needed work.
But it survived.
One wall was blackened.
Half the roof had been rebuilt by Caleb and several neighbors while Jonas and Rebecca were east.
Inside, the table remained.
The stove remained.
The bed remained.
Rebecca stood in the doorway.
“Home.”
Jonas looked at her.
“Not much.”
“It’s ours.”
They rebuilt through summer.
Rebecca planted a garden.
Jonas expanded the barn.
They added another room.
A real bedroom.
Rebecca insisted on curtains.
Jonas protested until she threatened to sew pink ones.
He surrendered immediately.
Their marriage changed.
What had begun as a contract became partnership.
Then friendship.
Then something deeper.
Jonas stopped sleeping on the floor long before summer.
One warm evening, Rebecca sat outside watching sunset turn the mountains gold.
Jonas brought coffee.
She took the cup.
“Do you remember what you said when I got off the train?”
“No.”
“You told me I would die up here.”
“Reasonable assessment.”
She smiled.
“And I told you I survived worse than cold.”
Jonas sat beside her.
“You did.”
Rebecca leaned against him.
Then she took his hand and placed it against her stomach.
Jonas looked confused.
“What?”
Rebecca watched his face.
His eyes widened.
“No.”
“Yes.”
He stared at her.
“How long?”
“About two months.”
Jonas stood.
Then sat.
Then stood again.
Rebecca laughed.
“I have never seen you afraid before.”
“I’m not afraid.”
“You look terrified.”
“I fought a bear.”
“You mentioned that.”
“This is worse.”
Rebecca laughed harder.
Jonas knelt in front of her.
“Are you well?”
“Yes.”
“Doctor?”
“I saw one in town.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I wanted the right moment.”
Jonas placed both hands gently over her stomach.
His eyes became wet.
Rebecca had never seen him cry.
He looked embarrassed.
She touched his face.
“Jonas.”
“I never thought…”
He stopped.
“What?”
“I never thought I’d have this.”
“A child?”
“A family.”
Rebecca kissed him.
“You do now.”