The attorney smiled and took the document, placing it in his briefcase.

“Congratulations, Sarah,” he said.

“Your grandmother would be very proud,” he said.

“Thank you,” I said.

After he left, I walked out to the ridge one last time.

The first snow of the season was beginning to fall.

Small, white flakes drifted down through the bare branches of the oak trees.

They melted as soon as they touched the dark earth.

I looked out over the valley, quiet and undisturbed.

The secrets of Blackthorn Ridge had been exposed.

The greed that had threatened to destroy it was gone.

The land was safe, and so was I.