I leaned back in my chair, feeling a heavy weight lift from my chest.

“So it is over,” I said.

“The property dispute is fully resolved,” David said, smiling gently. “The judge signed the final order. The deed to Cedar Hollow is registered solely in your name, with no liens and no encumbrances.”

He reached across the desk and handed me a manila envelope.

“This is your copy of the certified deed,” he said. “Go home, Meredith. It is yours.”

I took the envelope, the paper crisp and solid in my hands.

“Thank you, David,” I said. “For everything.”

“You earned this,” he said. “You stood your ground.”

I stood up, hugged the envelope to my chest, and walked out into the rain.

The drive up the mountain ridge was peaceful.

The rain began to slow, turning into a light, cool mist that hung low over the pine trees.

I drove past the old wooden sign that marked the entrance to Cedar Hollow Road.

The tires rumbled over the wooden bridge crossing the creek.

When I reached my driveway, I stopped to open the metal gate.