Page 49 of Chance

Ms. Connie shook her head. “No, but me and your grandparents would often talk about how great it would be if you two got married.”

Kelly hugged Ms. Connie, then Chance, feeling warm chills. “Grandma knew.”

Chance looked mystified. “This is insane.”

Ms. Connie looked between them. “There’s another stipulation. I wasn’t sure if I should tell Chance about it, but since he’s your husband now, I figured it was time. The involvement of the Windsong Reservation in the search for gold made me realize I had to let others in on the secret, even if I didn’t want to. You see … I have held bars of the gold.”

Chapter 38

Chance’s heart raced. “Bars…of the conquistador gold?”

Ms. Connie raised an eyebrow and took a sip of tea. “One and the same.”

Chance and Kelly glanced at each other. Chance wasn’t sure what to think.

“What do you mean?” Kelly asked cautiously.

“You know your father used to come out to the reservation and see me a lot,” Ms. Connie said, looking at Chance. “Every month, he brought me a bar of gold to melt down.” She turned back to Kelly. “And your grandparents would help sell it on the black market.”

“What?” they both spat out at the same time.

Chance couldn’t have been more surprised if an earthquake swallowed them up just then.

“No!” Kelly gasped.

Ms. Connie shrugged. “I know I’m taking a chance because you’re a sheriff, but I don’t think your family or anyone else wants the news of this to get out.” She ran a hand through her hair. “I don’t know how your grandparents used to sell the gold. All I know is that they would give me cash that helped support projects on the reservation and supply money for the new schools—the ones I don’t live in. That cash has done lots of good things around the whole Cross Creek area and many other areas around the world.”

Kelly threw her hands up. “My grandparents sold the gold on the black market?”

“My father’s bars of gold?” Chance pounded a fist on the table. “He knew where the gold was at. It’s around here somewhere for real?” He stood and immediately pulled out his phone.

Ms. Connie raised a hand. “I don’t know how many people you want to tell. I know you’re involved with this other family, the Stone family. And if the name ‘Windsong Reservation’ was in some bottle somewhere, then that means their father knew. But Chance, you had better think hard before you bring down a bunch of gold seekers around here. Look at all the damage the secret has already done. And until now, you haven’t even known if the gold has been here for sure.”

Chance stared at his phone. There was no way he could keep his brothers and sister out of it. But he did hesitate to tell too many more people. He looked up at Ms. Connie. “You don’t know where it is?”

She shook her head. “Nope. I just helped find people to melt it down, then I gave it to Kelly’s grandparents.”

Chance frowned. “Who melted it down?”

Ms. Connie looked sad. “He’s passed away now, so it doesn’t matter.”

All of them sat in silence for a long time.

Kelly stood. “We aren’t sure how we will proceed, but we’re going to have to tell the Cross family.”

Chance was relieved that she agreed. “Yes, we will. Thank you, Ms. Connie. We have to go.”

Chapter 39

Kelly listened to Chance relate the details about what Ms. Connie had said in the conference room at Porter and Sadie’s home.

Everyone was understandably shocked.

Porter said, “Of course, we will want to talk to Ms. Connie.” He pulled out his cell phone. “I’m texting her to come to the house right now.”

Nash threw his hands up. “So there is gold.”

“Dear old Dad.” Colt laughed and banged his hand on the table. “And Porter didn’t even know.”

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