Chapter 11 - The Widow Who Owned the MountainThe property deed named Ariel as owner, but there was one condition that could still destroy everything.
The courthouse burned.
Ariel, Gerard, Arthur and Ruby escaped through the rear door.
Behind them, Briggs vanished into the smoke.
By dawn, half the town was ash.
The judge was found alive.
The ledger survived.
But Briggs was gone.
And according to the deed, Black Ridge now belonged to Ariel.
The revelation changed everything.
She sat at the cabin table reading the documents.
"This can't be right."
Gerard stood by the window.
"It's right."
"Why would Arthur make me owner?"
"Because he knew the law."
"But why me?"
Gerard looked at her.
"Because Briggs couldn't seize property from a federal witness's wife."
Ariel frowned.
"You're saying Arthur planned this."
"Yes."
"From the beginning."
Gerard nodded.
Ariel felt betrayed all over again.
Everyone had used her.
Arthur.
Briggs.
Even Gerard.
She stood.
"I want the truth."
Gerard turned.
"I've told you."
"No."
She pointed toward the deed.
"You knew this could happen."
"I suspected."
"You knew I might inherit everything."
"I didn't know."
"Did you marry me because you needed the protection of a wife?"
He stared at her.
"No."
"Then why?"
Gerard's silence hurt more than a lie.
Finally he said:
"Because when you stood outside that cage..."
He looked away.
"I had been waiting for someone to see a man instead of a monster."
Ariel's expression softened.
Gerard continued.
"You looked frightened."
"I was."
"But you still stepped inside."
He looked at her.
"I didn't want to die without knowing what it felt like to be chosen."
The room became quiet.
Ariel reached for his hand.
Then the door opened.
Arthur stood there.
His face was grim.
"We have a bigger problem."
Ariel sighed.
"What now?"
"The deed contains a condition."
She looked down.
Arthur pointed to the final paragraph.
Ariel read it.
Her face went pale.
"What does this mean?"
Arthur answered:
"Black Ridge can only remain yours if Gerard survives for one full year after your marriage."
Ariel looked at him.
"Why?"
Arthur's expression hardened.
"Because the original owner feared Briggs would kill the husband and force the widow to sell."
Gerard stared at the paper.
"And if I die before the year?"
Arthur answered quietly.
"The property goes to the county."
Ariel's stomach dropped.
Briggs had one year.
May you like
One year to kill Gerard.
And somewhere outside, hidden in the mountains, the sheriff was already watching them.
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