“Thanks, Browne,” I said. “Do you want to see what it will be?”
He sauntered over, tall and proud. He looked at the designs and nodded. “An admirable design,” he said, gesturing at the plans. “Your aunt always said her next barn would be a polebarn, but never got the chance. I confess I doubted she meant it so literally.”
Browne cleared his throat delicately. “Miss Thomas, if you have a table we might borrow?”
“Of course,” I said, brushing snow from my gloves. “Would you care for some coffee?” I gestured to the house. He nodded.
The house smelled like cinnamon and wood polish, with a hint of yesterday’s muffins sitting on the counter. I took out two plates while Austin poured the coffee. Browne arranged his folder on the table, aligning the corners and setting out pens with his office name on them.
I took my seat at the table, with Austin standing behind me, his hands resting on my shoulders. The sunlight slanted through the curtains, sending rows of light across the table. Outside, the sound of the crew was muffled.
Browne adjusted his glasses, then placed a single sheet on top of a large stack of papers. He tapped the top page with his finger. “Estate of Penelope Thomas:Authorization Addendum.”
“As we discussed, Harold Thomas and Arnold James Waters have both accepted plea agreements,” he said. “Sentencing will be formalized next month. Due to Austin’s excellent records and the testimonies of the town’s folk, it’s not over, but you will never have to worry about them again. And,” he added, tapping the next page with one careful finger, “per your aunt’s standing instructions, I was given authority to determine when and if you had fulfilled the one-year requirement. This morning, I exercised that authority.”
He slid the top document toward me. My name sat in the center of the page. Beneath it, the words:Full conveyance of title and holdings.
My breath caught. Austin shifted behind me, then pulled out a chair to sit beside me. He didn’t speak, just reached for myhand under the table, his thumb running along the ridge of my knuckles until I could breathe again.
Browne smiled faintly. “And,” he continued, softer, “per your aunt’s instructions, the one-year clause stands as written, with an addendum you were not previously shown. She granted me discretionary authority to consider the condition fulfilled if, in my judgment, you had demonstrated intent to remain, to steward, and to root here. I formally exercised that authority this morning.”
I swallowed past the lump in my throat. “So it’s… really done?”
“It’s done,” he said. “The ranch, the clinic, the surrounding properties, all yours, free and clear. As soon as you sign. Your aunt was very clear about one final note: she trusted you to know what comes next. The test wasn’t if you could last. It was to see if you would choose this. You have earned it, Miss Thomas.”
“Penny… gave you the power to end it early,” I whispered, needing to hear it again.
“She trusted me to know when you were ready,” he said gently. “And you are.”
I looked at the neat rows of text, at the little embossed seal at the bottom certifying that it was, in fact, real, then at Austin’s steady hand around mine. “She was such an amazing woman.”
“An understatement,” Browne said, almost smiling. “Now, if you’ll sign here, here, and at the bottom for formality’s sake.”
I took off my glove, uncapped the pen, and wroteMilly Penelope Thomaswith as much steadiness as I could muster. It looked so official. My insides giggled, and the only thing keeping me from flying in a thousand different directions was my skin.
Browne’s smile was small and proud. He witnessed, stamped, and closed the folder with reverence. “There. We will record it with the county by the close of business. You mayconsider yourself the rightful owner of Everwood Ranch and Veterinary Clinic.”
I exhaled a trembling laugh. “I’m not sure I know how to own something this big.”
Austin let out a breath. “Congratulations, Doc.” He smirked and winked.
I laughed through the tears in my eyes. “I think we both passed the test. I couldn’t have done any of this without you.”
Austin squeezed my hand and kissed me on the cheek.
Browne finished his coffee and packed his briefcase. Then, excusing himself, he said, “If I’m going to have this filed by the end of the day, I’ll need to head out. Congratulations, Milly.” At the door, he paused. “Your aunt would be very proud of you. She always said that fire clarifies character. I think we can agree she was right.” He paused again, then turned and looked right at Austin.
“As Penny’s terms have been fulfilled, Mr. Adams, your contract with Penny has also been fulfilled. This means you can either return to work, or…” He winked at me with a rueful grin.
Choosing not to think about that last statement, or what it could mean, I stood there in awe. The house was truly mine. I looked around. It felt the same, like I was staying with Penny, but then I realized that was because she was still here. The envelope sat on the table between my full mug and Browne’s empty mug.
I picked it up, tracing the raised seal with my thumb. “This is it,” I whispered, then squealed quietly into the silence.
Austin leaned in, his voice low. “This is your home now, Milly. Signed and witnessed. You have the right to be excited.”
I nodded. “Home.”
Austin and I followed Browne back outside to his truck.
