Catherine divided her time between the mine and town. Learning everything she could about the business. She studied ore samples with Mr. Morgan. Poured over Jacob's ledgers and spent hours observing the miners at work.
Each evening, exhausted but determined. She would return to the boarding house and record the day's progress in a new ledger. Kieran was a constant presence. Offering advice. Introducing her to the right people.
Occasionally stepping in when others might have tried to take advantage of her inexperience. Though he had his own ranch to run, he seemed to find time to help her navigate the complexities of her new life. On the eighth day after her arrival in Prosperity, the first cart of ore was processed at Morgan's assay office. The silver content was even higher than expected, and Catherine felt a surge of triumph as Mr. Morgan calculated the value.
"At this grade, Miss Blackwood, you'll have no trouble meeting your tax obligation," he assured her. "In fact, you're looking at a very profitable operation." That evening, Catherine insisted on a small celebration at the boarding house, cooking a special dinner and even producing a bottle of wine. The other boarders joined in, raising glasses to Catherine's success. "To the silver lady," Mr. Pearson toasted, "and her worthy owner." Catherine blushed with pleasure, unused to such open approval.
"Thank you all. I couldn't have done it without your help and guidance." Later, as she sat on the porch enjoying the cool evening air, Kieran joined her, two cups of coffee in hand. "Congratulations," he said, handing her a steaming cup. "You've accomplished more in a week than most newcomers do in a month." "Thanks to you," Catherine acknowledged. "I'd still be floundering without your help." Kieran shook his head.
"I just pointed the way, you did the work." He hesitated. "Jacob would be proud. He always said his sister's daughter had her mother's spirit." "He knew about me?" Catherine asked, surprised. "Your mother wrote to him occasionally," Kieran explained. "Sent a photograph once, you as a little girl.
He kept it in his cabin." Catherine's eyes stung. "I wish I'd known him. Mother rarely spoke of her brother after he went west. Different worlds, Kieran nodded, east and west. Hard to bridge sometimes.
They sat in companionable silence, watching the stars appear one by one in the darkening sky. Catherine was acutely aware of Kieran beside her, his presence both comforting and unsettling in ways she didn't fully understand. I've been thinking, she said finally. About moving to the cabin. The mine needs daily supervision and the ride back and forth takes valuable time.
Kieran frowned. It's isolated up there. The miners are there during the day, Catherine pointed out, and I'm not helpless. I can learn to use a gun if necessary. It's not just safety, Kieran argued, it's propriety.