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Prologue
Galena Valley, Montana 1870
To Emmett Sinclair, Galena Valley, Montana, was God’s country. To the naked eye, it was unfarmed prairie and miles of rocky range land. What lay beneath, however, was mind-splitting beauty. It was made up of mineral-rich caves and tunnels, which had become mines, including his, the Sinclair gold mine. It was what attracted men to the area as a place they dug for silver, copper, and most importantly, gold. Galena Valley could make a poor man rich or a rich man poor. It was where dreams were realized, and others were shattered.
Emmett Malachi Sinclair owned a gold mine and he decided it was time to write out a final will and testament. Without one, his mine that he had toiled over for most of his life, would risk falling into the wrong hands. It wouldn’t be a complicated document since he had only one heir in mind. He chose to leave the mine to his only child: his daughter Diana. Emmett hadn’t seen her since shortly after his beloved wife, Isla, died.
She lived in Bridger’s Pass, staying with his sister Evangeline. After Isla’s death, he was no longer able to be a father.
Emmett was solid for fifty-four years of age, although he wasn’t as spry as he once was. He was aware that death at his age was sneaky, so he felt it was time to get his affairs in order. Diana deserved more than a legal document announcing his death, so Emmett decided a letter should be included. He put pen to paper.
Dearest Diana,
If you have received this letter and the legal document that accompanies it, I have died. I expect to be looking down on you with your mother by my side. I sent you away to live with my sister, Evangeline, knowing you would be in capable hands. I was overcome by grief when your mother died eight years ago, and you were a constant reminder of all that I had lost. You looked like your mother then, and I’m sure you still do. You know all this because I’ve said it in letters past, but it’s worth repeating.
I will always regret not seeing you grow into a woman. Looks are surely not the only thing you inherited from your mother. You are probably confident, capable, and most importantly, kind. It is my loss that I wasn’t capable of raising you on my own, and I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me for my misdeeds.
The only way I can provide for you in the future is to leave you my gold mine. It isn’t something typical for a woman to own, but I know in my bones that you are the right choice. There are men who can help you, but choose those people wisely. The workers that I select are trustworthy, but I can’t be sure how many of them will be left when you take over.
I have never stopped loving you and will continue to do so until I take my last breath.
With Love and Sincerity,
Your Father, Emmett Malachi Sinclair
Emmett paused writing when Augustus Fitzgerald stopped by. He never completely trusted someone who came to Galena Valley from back East. They weren’t as capable of loving the land as someone who was born on it. Something was different about Augustus on that day; he was carrying a bottle of Emmett’s favorite Canadian rye. The shape of the bottle gave it away. Emmett preferred beer or even a Sarsaparilla to liquor, but Augustus had introduced him to rye.
“You look busy, Emmett. I don’t often see you wearing spectacles with a pen in hand. I do hope you recall that I was going to come by today. My father, back in New York, tended to forget things now and then as he got old,” Augustus said.
Emmett shook his head. “Not me. I remember what I ate three weeks ago, and in my mind, I’m as young as you. I also remember that you said you’d be by at two and now it’s three.”
“Perhaps I’m the one who’s not remembering so well,” Augustus joked, and they both laughed. “Have you given any more thought to selling me your gold mine?”
“I have, and my answer is the same. I’m not selling, and when you came by I was completing my last will and testament. It will be sent to my daughter Diana when I die, and she will inherit the mine. I owe her for not being able to keep her close by as she grew up, and the mine is all I have,” Emmett said.
“Your answer is troubling since I don’t believe any woman is capable of finding gold in that old mine of yours,” he said.
“Just because the mine is old like me, doesn’t mean it’s worthless. More importantly, Diana is Isla Sinclair’s daughter and that means something.”
“I brought along a bottle of your favorite Canadian rye whisky to sweeten the deal. I recall you taking a liking to it when we were at Ruby’s, and it isn’t easy to get,” Augustus said before continuing to beg Emmett to change his mind. “Your mine isn’t worth much anymore, and it will take someone like me to resurrect it, if that’s even possible.”
“My mind is made up. If Diana is anything like Isla was, she’ll surprise you. I appreciate your doggedness and still can’t figure out your rabid interest.”
“I like a challenge. I respect you, Emmett, for not caving in to my constant pleas to buy the mine. I’ll let you keep this fine bottle of rye.”
“Stay and have a drink with me,” Emmett said.
“I can’t since I’m meeting with my banker after this and my mind has to stay clear. I do appreciate the offer though.” Augustus shook Emmett’s hand. “Goodbye.”
Emmett watched as he rode away. Augustus had been persistent, but he had confidence in the daughter he hadn’t seen in eight years. He read over the letter he wrote Diana and put it in an envelope he’d deliver to his lawyer the next day.
Emmett had been avoiding looking over the balance sheets for the mine. He was good with numbers, so he knew exactly how much debt he was in. Diana might decide to sell the mine as soon as she realized how hard it had become to find gold. She’d surely find Augustus ready and able to do so if he was still around when Emmett died.
Emmett sighed and threw his head in his hands when he thought of the work that lay ahead. He dwelled in worry a bit about paying his workers and fixing old equipment. He had to find a way to do those things at the minimum. He picked up the bottle that Augustus had gifted him and pulled the cork. He grabbed a cloudy glass from his desk and poured a few fingers of the amber liquid.
It slid down his throat like a kiss of warmth. Emmett poured himself another glass and stood. The room spun as if he had drank the entire bottle, which was what happened when he drank on an empty stomach. Emmett’s knees buckled and he collapsed in a heap on the floor. He was gone.
Chapter One
Three Months Later
Diana Sinclair threw open te window and shivered as a cool breeze rushed in. It was early April, and although it was likely the snow would fall once more, the day was spring-like. It was time to let the air and sunlight into her room. The room was dark and somewhat damp after the long winter. At times, she felt like a hibernating bear, so now she was taking her first steps out of the den.
The dogwood tree outside her window was showing fresh green leaves, and new shoots of grass were popping up in the field. When Diana had first arrived in Bridger’s Pass, the tree outside her window was spindly and only a few feet tall. It had grown along with her, and by late spring, it would be bursting with white blooms. Her changes were more subtle; she’d taken time to metamorphosize into the woman she was.
Diana squinted when she saw something approaching the small house on the creek. She couldn’t imagine who would be calling on her or Aunt Evangeline. As the black spot drew closer, it became clear that it was a horse and carriage, not the kind driven by anyone in Bridger’s Pass. It kept approaching the house and failed to turn off the road where their neighbors lived.
Diana ran down the small staircase to find Evangeline knitting by the hearth.
“I knew you were going to open your window. I can feel the chill from down here,” Evangeline said. “Be sure to close it as soon as the sun sets. You cannot rush the seasons. They come when they’re ready, as do most good things.”
“I will, but right now, we do have to rush since someone is heading this way riding in a horse and carriage,” Diana said.
“Our house is the only one at the end of the road he’s traveling, and he passed all the turnoffs, so I think you’re right,” she said.
“Oh dear. I’m not prepared for an unannounced caller. Put on the kettle and put some shoes on your stocking feet. Your dress is wrinkled, but it’s too late to press it now.” Aunt Evangeline ran around, making the already tidy home tidier. She abided by the saying that cleanliness was next to Godliness.
Diana opened the door and waited with curiosity. Her aunt complained about the cold air and continued to fret that the house wasn’t presentable. The carriage finally arrived, and a single man wearing a brown suit stepped out.
“I’m looking for Miss Diana Grace Sinclair. I’m Desmond Latour from Galena Valley,” he said as he bowed his head solemnly.
“That’s me,” Diana replied
“Your father, Emmett Malachi Sinclair, has died. In this envelope, you will find a letter written to you on the day he died,” he said.
“When did he die and how? Has someone arranged for the burial, or is that up to me?” Diana asked. She thought the man was rude saying, something so upsetting in such a curt manner.
“Your father died three months ago, but he was only recently buried as the ground had to be thawed. Here is my calling card with the address of my office. I have the deed to the property and his last will and testament, so I will be expecting a visit.”
“You’re telling me that my father died three months ago, and I am just being notified now?” Diana asked with frustration. “I should have been notified before he was put in the ground.”
“These things take time, and it wasn’t clear where you resided,” Mr. Latour said.
Diana knew the lawyer would have no good answer and let the subject drop. Evangeline said nothing, but tears were shed, and her mouth was agape. She held tight to Diana’s arm for support. Evangeline didn’t take bad news well and often leaned on her niece, who gladly provided strength.
Desmond Latour left as quickly as he came and never even made it in for tea. Diana and Aunt Evangeline were happy to make a cup for themselves. They sat at the kitchen table, and Diana was in a state of disbelief. She always knew she would return to Galena Valley someday, perhaps summoned by her dying father or even to bury him. Mr. Latour said she would need to collect a deed, and she didn’t know what he was talking about, but the answers were likely in the letter.
“Your father has died, and you seem like you just found out that a dinner date was canceled,” Evangeline said in a shaky voice.
Diana was less emotional on the outside, but her heart was just as tender. Her father once described her as someone who didn’t easily show her hand. Diana was devastated but knew that wasn’t going to make her father come back. It was a weird type of grief because her father was the same man who sent her away eight years prior.
“We have both suffered a great loss, and it’s not the time to judge how the other grieves. I’m going to see what’s in the envelope.”
Diana read her letter first. As she read the words written in her father’s hand and from his heart, his death took on true meaning. Aunt Evangeline often told her how sad he was that he couldn’t keep Diana in Galena Valley. She didn’t doubt it, but now she knew that was exactly how he felt. Diana put her head in her hands and sobbed.
Evangeline didn’t interrupt her but rubbed her back to console her. A few minutes passed before Diana sat up straight, rubbed her blue eyes, and stated her intention.
“I’m going back to Galena Valley. It seems that I own a mine that requires my attention,” Diana said boldly.
OFFER: A BRAND NEW SERIES AND 2 FREEBIES FOR YOU!
Grab my new series, "Courageous Hearts of the West", and get 2 FREE novels as a gift! Have a look here!
Hello there, dear readers! I hope you enjoyed the preview. Let me know what you think on your comments below. I’ll be waiting! Thank you 🙂