Five years later…

The longest day of the year had come again. Warm summer sunshine poured across the valley as music drifted through the open doors of the new church hall. It was almost time for the summer dance. Outside, horses and wagons lined the street while children darted between them, laughing as they chased one another through the long grass.

Nash stood near the entrance, quietly taking it all in.

Five years had passed since Alistair Grange and Henry Weston had been arrested. Soon afterward, Danny was born, and he and Florence had tied the knot, which was the happiest day of his life.

It hardly seemed possible that so much time had passed already.

But the years had been good to them, and he knew it.

Elkhorn was a booming frontier town.

New homes stretched farther up the hillside than they ever had before. A second general store had opened, followed by a bakery, a tailor, and even a proper hotel for travelers passing through. The streets bustled from dawn until dusk.

The Farthington Mine had become one of the richest copper mines in the territory.

The discovery of copper in the lower seams had changed everything. Men had arrived from across Montana and beyond looking for work, bringing their wives and children with them. Businesses flourished. Families settled. Elkhorn had become a place people came to build lives rather than merely seek fortunes.

Nash smiled quietly.

Daniel would have been pleased.

The mine still bore his name, just as Florence had insisted it always would.

A familiar voice interrupted his thoughts. “Everything ready?”

Jack walked over carrying two crates of bottles as though they weighed nothing.

Nash looked around the hall.

Florence and several of the town women were arranging the last of the flowers while Chrissy directed volunteers setting out platters of food. Musicians tuned their fiddles in one corner.

“I’d say so.”

Jack grinned. He had picked up a few pounds, evidence of the good life he was living now with Faye and their brood of children. He had proven himself to be an excellent manager of the mine. Nobody mentioned the color of his skin anymore, and he was respected for his fairness and decency as a boss.

Nash kept an eye on the books but left most of the running of the place to Jack. He had more than enough to do with his smithy, which he had extended into a large concern manufacturing all kinds of mining and agricultural equipment.

He rarely worked the forge himself these days unless it was for pleasure, especially when crafting fine jewelry for Florence or special commissions. Right now, Florence was wearing a delicate heart he had crafted from the finest silver for her.

Nash looked over to where Florence was talking to the musicians. She still had her slender body and the long auburn hair he so loved. Close by, Danny was playing with his younger sister, Emily. Watching them together filled his heart with a fierce love for his family.

Life had become more than he had ever thought possible.

The church bell rang in the distance.

Children’s laughter floated through the open windows.

The hall door opened again.

Sheriff Thomas stepped inside, dusting off his hat.

“There you are.” Nash smiled at his friend. They had grown closer in recent years, and he enjoyed joining Thomas and some of the other men for a regular game of cards at the saloon.

“Everything all right?”

Thomas nodded. “Thought I’d stop by before heading to the station.”

“They’re due today?”

“This afternoon.”

Thomas grinned.

“I’ll fetch Minna and her family myself.”

Nash nodded, pleased.

It had been so many years since he’d last seen Minna. She’d written to him that she wanted him to meet her husband Rupert and their son, Gabriel. He’d invited them to come to Elkhorn and stay at the new hotel.

“How’s Helena these days?” Nash asked.

Thomas chuckled. “Busy as usual.”

“How are our friends getting on?”

Thomas glanced at him. “I can tell you Grange and Weston are still enjoying the state’s hospitality.”

Nash laughed. “I’m glad to hear it.”

“I figured you would be.” Thomas clapped him on the shoulder. “Right then. I’d better not keep your guests waiting.”

By late afternoon the hall was alive with music.

The fiddlers struck up the first dance while children darted between the grown-ups and laughter echoed beneath the rafters.

A wagon pulled up outside.

Nash looked toward the doorway just as Minna climbed down.

For a moment he barely recognized her. Gone was the frightened young woman who had once arrived in Elkhorn with uncertainty in her eyes.

She looked happy.

Beside her stood a tall, broad-shouldered man with kind eyes, and between them a little boy of about four clung tightly to his mother’s hand.

“Nash!”

Minna hurried over and embraced him warmly.

“It’s so good to see you.”

“You too.”

She stepped back.

“I’d like you to meet Rupert.”

The two men shook hands.

“And this,” Minna said proudly, lifting the little boy into her arms, “is Gabriel.”

Florence came over to greet them and gave Minna a warm hug.

“I am so pleased to see you.” She leaned forward to talk to the boy. “My, aren’t you a big boy? Would you like some cake?” She called over to Danny to take Gabriel to the sweets table.

Minna and Rupert drifted off to talk to Faye.

Florence leaned against Nash, their secret language of love that went beyond words.

He glanced at her and caught her eye.

“Well?” she asked.

He knew she was asking him if he was satisfied with what he was seeing, if things were going as he had hoped.

“I’m happy,” he said in a low voice, filled with love.

He meant that he was happy with the life that they had built together.

She glanced at him, catching the different tone in his voice.

“I didn’t think it was possible to be this happy,” he said quietly.

Tears filled her eyes, and the music and the noise faded into the background.

Florence turned to him.

“I know,” she said quietly, then glanced at their children, who were being watched over by an older girl.

“Sometimes it still feels like a dream.”

“Come here, Mrs. Vogel. Let me remind you that this is real,” he said with a chuckle, pulling her close and kissing her.

“Gladly, Mr. Vogel,” she said with a smile as she put her arms around him.

It was everything Nash had ever hoped for.