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’s departure. 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.”
Amy felt tears prick at her eyes. She was finally, truly free.
The families began to disperse, moving inside for the lunch Sadie and the other wives had been preparing. Conversations flowed around Amy—plans for returning to South Carolina, discussions about ranch work that had been neglected, laughter and relief that came with the end of a long journey.
Amy remained standing at the porch railing with Nash, looking out over the land where the gold had been hidden for so long.
The rolling hills stretched endlessly toward the mountains, peaceful and beautiful in a way that made her understand why the Cross family had fought so hard to protect this place.
“It’s beautiful here,” she said softly, leaning into Nash’s warmth.
“It is,” he agreed, but when she looked up, his eyes were on her face instead of the landscape.
“I can’t believe it’s really over,” Amy continued, still processing the magnitude of what had happened. “No more running. No more hiding. No more—”
“Amy,” Nash interrupted gently, his voice carrying a strange quality that made her turn to face him fully.
“What?” she asked. Then her breath caught as Nash stepped away from her and slowly, deliberately, dropped to one knee on the weathered porch boards.
Around them, conversation gradually died as family members noticed what was happening. Amy heard Cheyenne’s sharp intake of breath, saw Porter and Sadie exchange knowing smiles from the corner of her eye.
Her heart raced.
He pulled out a small velvet box, his blue eyes never leaving her face. “Amy Emma Roberts,” he said, his voice steady despite the emotion she could see in his expression, “will you marry me?”
Amy’s hands flew to her mouth as he opened the box, revealing a simple, elegant ring that caught the morning sunlight and threw it back in brilliant sparkles. It was perfect—classic and timeless, exactly what she would have chosen if she’d dared to dream of this moment.
“Nash,” she whispered, tears already streaming down her cheeks.
“I know it’s fast,” he continued, still on one knee, still looking at her with those impossibly blue eyes.
“I know we’ve only had a few days together after eight years apart.
But Amy, I’ve loved you since we were seventeen years old.
I loved you through every day you were gone, and I love you more now than I ever thought possible. ”
Around them, she was dimly aware of the families gathering, drawn by the magnitude of the moment. But all she could see was Nash, this extraordinary man who had risked everything to save her, who had shown her what love really meant.
“I love you too,” she said, the words coming easily now, naturally, like breathing. “I’ve loved you since prom night, and I never stopped, not even when I thought I’d never see you again.”
Nash’s smile was radiant, transforming his face with pure joy. “Is that a yes?”
Amy laughed through her tears, throwing her arms around his neck as he stood up. “Yes! Yes, of course, yes!”
Nash spun her around on the porch as applause erupted from both families. When he set her down, he slipped the ring onto her finger with hands that shook slightly with emotion. It fit perfectly, as if it had been waiting for her all along.
“How long have you been planning this?” Amy asked, admiring the way the ring caught the light.
Nash grinned sheepishly. “Since yesterday morning, when I realized I could have lost you forever. I called the jewelry store in Cross Creek and had them rush it over.”
Amy kissed him then, pouring all her love and joy and gratitude into the contact. Around them, the Cross and Stone families cheered and laughed and cried, celebrating not just an engagement but the end of a journey that had brought them all together.
When they finally broke apart, Amy looked around at the faces surrounding them—Porter and Sadie beaming with pride, Cheyenne crying happy tears, Colt and Chance grinning like fools. The Stone family looked equally delighted, as if Nash and Amy’s happiness was their own.
“Welcome to the family,” Porter said, pulling Amy into a bear hug that lifted her feet off the ground. “Officially, this time.”
Each person took a turn hugging her.
Amy was overwhelmed by the love and acceptance radiating from every person on the porch. She’d spent eight years believing she’d lost her family forever, but she’d been wrong. She hadn’t lost them—she’d just had to travel a longer road to find them.
As Nash slipped his arm around her waist and the families began talking excitedly about wedding plans and celebrations, Amy looked out over the Montana landscape one more time. The helicopters were gone, the gold was gone, the danger was gone.
But love remained. Family remained. Hope remained.