“You grab the glasses. This is a big day, son. We need to celebrate.”
He carried the bottle, and Chet followed him with the glasses. The sun had fallen behind the mountains, which were painted in nature’s brilliance and the sky streaked in all manner of oranges, reds, and purples.
“What a sky,” he said and set the glasses on the table.
“A perfect sky to wonderful news.” Chuck held the bottle and expertly twisted off the cork. It made a gentle pop and he poured. Tytan handed everyone a glass.
Before anyone else could speak, Chet did and he faced Jenna. “To you darlin’. For coming into my life and turning it on its arse. I couldn’t be happier that you agreed to spend the rest of our lives together.”
“Aww, Dad. You’re a romantic,” Taylee said. “You could learn something, Tytan.”
He didn’t say anything and just grunted and shook his head.
“My boy. Engaged to someone he loves and who loves him.” Rose lifted her glass.
“To Jenna and Chet,” Chuck said loudly and raised his glass.
Glasses emptied and refilled. Chet pulled Jenna down beside him and petted Belle who rested her head on his knee.
“Everyone sit. We’ve got some other news,” Chet said.
“You’re pregnant!” Taylee blurted.
“What?” Chet looked at her and then at Jenna, eyebrows raised. “Are we?”
Jenna’s faced flamed red and she gave a nervous smile. “Uhm, not that I’m aware, at least yet anyway.”
“That would be so wonderful!” Rose exclaimed and everyone agreed.
“Well, at least it would be good news if it were the case.” Jenna smiled. “We’ll be sure to let you know if and when.”
“Uh, me first.” Chet put his arm around her and kissed her temple, whispering, “It would be the best news.”
She gazed up at him, happiness reflecting in her eyes.
“Okay,” he said. “You know how Uncle Chester was always jawing on about gold up at the cabin?” He paused and everyone nodded. “Well, Jenna here got a bee in her bonnet about it and has been doing some prospecting.”
All eyes turned to her and she nodded, a big smile on her face.
“And?” Tytan asked. “I’ve wondered about the story since I was a kid.”
“You tell them,” Chet suggested and nudged Jenna.
“Well, I found a nugget. It was kinda big and then we had a team of geologists up at the cabin for a week so they could do some exploration. We had the nugget sampled and it’s placergold, and the geological samples have been sent to a lab for processing. We’re waiting to hear back with the results.”
Everyone was silent and stared at them.
“We don’t know anything more than that and we’re keeping it close to the chest. We don’t need a rush or word getting out until we have the final results. And once we have that, then we’ll decide what to do.’
“Chet, will you tear up the place looking for the gold?” his mother asked, looking concerned, and he shook his head.
“No, that’s one thing we won’t do, and we hope you all agree. It may all come to nothing, we have no inkling. It’s more like trying to put old Chester to rest.”
“Well, Dad, it’s not like we need the money, but it could be fun to do some panning,” Tytan said.
“That’s how Jenna found this chunk. She had a sluice and some pans. You never know.”
“I agree with your thoughts. This is your land, and the decision is yours.” His dad looked thoughtful. “But it would be nice to find out if Chester had lost his marbles or he was right.”
