Chapter 2 - The Mountain Devil's ProposalGerard agreed to marry her, but only after making one terrifying demand.
Ariel returned to the cage five minutes before midnight.
She had spent the previous hour sitting behind the assayer's office, staring at three pennies in her palm.
She could leave town.
But where would she go?
She could refuse Gerard.
But then Briggs would control her fate.
She could fight.
But with what?
Her fingers?
Her sewing scissors?
Her courage?
None seemed sufficient.
So she returned.
Gerard was standing now.
His chains were attached to a heavy iron ring in the ground.
He looked like a tree that had somehow learned how to breathe.
"I knew you'd come back," he said.
Ariel frowned.
"You did?"
"No."
"Then why say that?"
"Because if I said I doubted you, you'd walk away just to prove me wrong."
For the first time all night, Ariel almost smiled.
Almost.
"I don't like you."
"That's fortunate."
"Why?"
"People who like me usually end up dead."
She looked at him.
He wasn't joking.
"Then let's get married."
Gerard stared.
"You're serious."
"I've never been more serious about anything in my life."
A deputy approached.
"Preacher's here."
Ariel's heart lurched.
"Already?"
"Town wants a hanging. Preacher wants to get home before breakfast."
The deputy unlocked the cage.
Ariel stepped inside.
Gerard's gaze dropped toward her.
"You should know something."
"What?"
"My marriage would not protect you from Briggs unless we make it impossible for him to challenge it."
"How?"
"Church record. Witnesses. Territorial clerk. And the deed."
"The deed?"
Gerard's expression changed.
"You really don't know."
"Know what?"
He reached beneath his shirt and pulled out a small brass key tied around his neck.
Ariel stared.
"What is that?"
"The key to the real Black Ridge."
"The mine?"
"No."
His eyes darkened.
"The evidence."
Ariel felt a chill.
"What evidence?"
Gerard closed his hand around the key.
"If you marry me, you're not inheriting gold."
"What am I inheriting?"
"A war."
The preacher arrived.
The ceremony was conducted beside the cage.
No flowers.
No music.
No family.
Only four witnesses, two exhausted deputies, Sheriff Briggs watching with a cold expression, and the massive condemned man standing beside the woman who had crossed three thousand miles to become his widow.
The preacher cleared his throat.
"Gerard Jimenez, do you take Ariel Ruth Baker as your lawful wife?"
Gerard looked at Ariel.
She expected hesitation.
There was none.
"I do."
"Ariel Ruth Baker, do you take Gerard Jimenez as your lawful husband?"
Her lips trembled.
"I do."
The preacher closed the book.
"By the authority vested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife."
The moment the words were spoken, Briggs stepped forward.
"That's enough."
Ariel stiffened.
Briggs reached for the marriage certificate.
"Territorial law requires registration."
The preacher frowned.
"I'll deliver it to the clerk in the morning."
"Morning?"
Briggs smiled.
"There may be no morning for him."
Gerard's gaze became murderous.
Briggs ignored it.
"Take the prisoner."
The deputies approached.
Ariel grabbed Gerard's arm.
"No."
The entire square went silent.
Briggs looked at her.
"What did you say?"
"I said no."
"You are his wife now."
"Exactly."
Briggs laughed.
"Then you'll be his widow by sunrise."
Gerard leaned toward Ariel.
"Listen to me."
She looked up.
"Whatever happens next, don't trust anyone in this town."
"What about you?"
His gray eyes met hers.
"Especially me."
Then the deputies dragged him toward the gallows.
Ariel watched helplessly.
The rope waited above the wooden platform.
The crowd gathered.
Briggs climbed the steps.
"Gerard Jimenez, you were convicted of murdering Deputy Wilson and Deputy Harris."
Gerard raised his head.
"I wasn't."
Briggs ignored him.
Ariel stared at the sheriff.
Something felt wrong.
Too rehearsed.
Too convenient.
Then Gerard looked at her.
His lips moved.
She couldn't hear him.
He mouthed the same word twice.
"Key."
Ariel suddenly remembered the brass key around his neck.
But the key was gone.
Briggs had taken it.
And he was already holding it in his hand.
Ariel's blood turned cold.
The sheriff smiled.
"Time to finish this."
The noose was placed around Gerard's neck.
Ariel screamed.
"STOP!"
Every head turned.
She pointed at Briggs.
"That man stole from my husband."
Briggs froze.
The crowd murmured.
Ariel stepped forward.
"If you're so certain he's a murderer, Sheriff, then search the evidence room."
Briggs's face hardened.
"Why?"
"Because I know what you're hiding."
She had no idea what was in the evidence room.
But she had just bluffed the most dangerous man in Bitter Creek.
And Briggs knew it.
His hand slowly moved toward his revolver.
Then a gunshot shattered the morning.
The gallows rope snapped.
May you like
Gerard disappeared from the platform.
And beneath the stage, a hidden tunnel opened.
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