Ready, Miss Blackwood? Catherine nodded, gathering the papers she'd need. Yes, thank you. They walked together down the main street toward the assayer's office, which doubled as the mining claim registry. The morning was still cool, the sun not yet high enough to bake the dust.
"That's a nice color on you," Kieran commented, nodding at her dress. Catherine felt her cheeks warm. "Your sister was kind enough to lend me a few things." "Kathleen's good that way," Kieran agreed. "Been taking care of strays since we were kids." "Is that what I am, a stray?" Catherine asked, uncertain whether to be amused or offended. Kieran's eyes crinkled at the corners.
"Aren't we all out here? Everyone comes west for a reason." "What was yours?" Catherine asked, genuinely curious. "Freedom," Kieran answered simply. "Pa brought us out after Ma died. Said the east was too crowded with memories.
I was 12, Kathleen 14. Grew up learning to ranch, decided I like the life." Before Catherine could respond, they reached a brick building with a sign reading Morgan's Assay Office and Mining Claims. Inside, a balding man with spectacles looked up from his ledger. "Kieran," he greeted, then his eyes fixed on Catherine. And you must be Jacob Blackwood's niece.
Word travels fast in Prosperity." "Catherine Blackwood," she confirmed, stepping forward to shake his hand. "I've come to claim my uncle's property." "Henry Morgan," he introduced himself. "I processed the ore samples from Jacob's strike, very promising, but there are procedures for claiming inheritance." For the next hour, Catherine navigated a sea of paperwork, grateful for Kieran's steady presence and occasional guidance. When Mr. Morgan mentioned the need for witnesses to verify her identity, Kieran immediately offered himself and the town doctor, who had treated Jacob.
"There's also the matter of back taxes and claim maintenance fees," Mr. Morgan added, pushing his spectacles up his nose. Catherine's heart sank. She'd spent nearly everything getting to Prosperity. "How much?" Mr.
Morgan named a sum that made her stomach clench. It wasn't insurmountable, but it would take most of her remaining funds. "Can she pay in installments?" Kieran asked, sensing her distress. "Not officially, Mr." Morgan hedged, "but given the circumstances, I might be able to accept partial payment now and the rest within 30 days, provided the claim shows production." "I'll have the money," Catherine assured him, though she wasn't entirely certain how. Once outside, Catherine took a deep breath, fighting back the panic that threatened to overwhelm her.
30 Days to get a mine producing a mine she hadn't even seen yet. "Don't fret," Kieran said, accurately reading her expression. "Jacob was already pulling silver out. The hard part's done." "I know nothing about mining," Catherine admitted. "You don't have to," Kieran assured her.
"You hire men who do. I can introduce you to some honest workers." "Why are you helping me?" Catherine asked suddenly, turning to face him on the boardwalk. Kieran considered her question seriously. "Jacob was a good man. He talked about his sister sometimes, your mother.