Hunter stepped forward, his pastor’s presence bringing a sense of reverence to the underground chamber. Nash automatically reached for Amy’s hand as the families formed a loose circle around the treasure their fathers had protected for so long.
“Heavenly Father,” Hunter began, his voice carrying gentle authority, “we thank You for bringing us safely to this moment. We thank You for our fathers, who loved us enough to protect us from danger we didn’t even know existed. We ask for Your wisdom now, Lord. Give us discernment to know what’s right. Help us to choose the path that honors You and keeps our families safe. Help us to remember that our real treasure is each other, and the love You’ve given us. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
“Amen,” Nash murmured.
Porter looked around the circle, his gaze touching each face before he spoke. “I say we give it back to the good ol’ USA. Let Brooks do his thing with the FBI. What do you all think?”
Nash felt Amy’s hand tighten in his as they all considered Porter’s words. Their fathers had been right—this treasure had already cost too much. It had destroyed Amy’s family, brought dangerous people into their lives, nearly gotten them all killed.
Trey stepped forward. “If you agree, raise your hand,” he said simply. “If you don’t agree, that’s okay.”
Nash didn’t hesitate. His hand shot up immediately, followed by Porter’s, then Colt’s, then Chance’s. Blaze raised his hand without question. Cheyenne’s hand went up next; tears still streamed down her face, but her expression was determined.
Around the circle, every Stone hand rose as well—Trey’s first, then Brooks’s, Marshall’s, Hunter’s, and Trent’s. Their wives followed suit, the decision unanimous among the families who had fought so hard to find this treasure.
Porter’s gaze settled on Amy, his expression gentle. “Amy, you get a vote too.”
Amy looked at the gold one more time, then at the faces surrounding her. Her hand rose slowly but steadily. “I agree too,” she said, her voice strong despite the tears Nash could see threatening. “Give it back. Get it out of our lives. Let’s keep our families safe.”
Nash felt a surge of love and pride so powerful it nearly took his breath away. This woman—this brilliant, brave, beautiful woman—understood what their fathers had known all along: some treasures were too dangerous to keep, and some prices were too high to pay.
The real treasure was standing right here in this underground chamber, holding hands and making the hardest decision any of them had ever faced. The real treasure wasfamily, love, and the courage to do what was right even when it cost them everything they’d fought to find.
Nash squeezed Amy’s hand and looked around at his brothers, his sister, and the Stone family. They were giving up a fortune in gold, but they were keeping something infinitely more valuable—each other.
CHAPTER 31
Amy stood on the wraparound porch of the Cross Creek Ranch house, watching the fourth helicopter of the morning lift off with another load of conquistador gold. The FBI operation was impressive in its efficiency—agents swarming the property with military precision, documenting every bar, cataloging every piece of evidence that would finally put the Ferrante family’s criminal enterprise to rest.
The morning sun painted the Montana sky in shades of gold that seemed almost mocking now, considering what they’d just given up. But Amy felt nothing but peace as she watched their sacrifice disappear into the distance, one helicopter at a time.
Brooks stood near the landing zone, his FBI credentials giving him authority over the entire operation.
Amy marveled at how seamlessly he’d transitioned from treasure-hunting brother to federal agent, coordinating with his superiors to ensure the gold would be properly handled. There would be no corruption, no mysterious disappearances—only justice, finally served.
“Last one,” Porter announced from beside her, his rancher’s hat shading his eyes as he tracked the final helicopter’sdeparture. The aircraft grew smaller and smaller until it was just a speck against the vast Montana sky.
Amy felt Nash’s hand slip into hers, his fingers intertwining with hers in the gesture that had become as natural as breathing. Around them, both families gathered on the porch—Cross and Stone united not by treasure, but by something far more valuable.
The FBI agents were packing up their equipment now, their investigation complete. Statements had been taken, documents signed, official reports filed. Amy had spent two hours recounting every detail of her kidnapping, her father’s death, and the Ferrante family’s decades-long pursuit of the gold that was now safely in federal custody.
It was over. Finally, completely, utterly over.
“Hard to believe it’s really finished,” Cheyenne said softly, settling into one of the porch chairs with a cup of coffee that steamed in the cool morning air.
Trey nodded from his position against the porch railing, Ava beside him with that serene smile she seemed to wear whenever her family was safe and together. “Our fathers would be proud.”
Amy thought about the letters they’d read in the underground chamber, about the wisdom and love that had guided their decision.
“What happens now?” Sierra asked.
Brooks approached the porch, his official business apparently concluded. “Now the Ferrante family faces federal charges for kidnapping, murder, and about fifteen other felonies. They’ll never threaten anyone again.”
Relief washed over Amy like a cool breeze. For the first time in eight years, she could stop looking over her shoulder. She could use her real name. She could build a life without fear.
“And Amy’s witness protection status?” Nash asked, his voice carrying that protective edge she’d grown to love.
“Officially terminated as of this morning,” Brooks confirmed with a smile. “Amy Roberts is free to live wherever she wants, with whoever she wants, however she wants.”
