Above the Bridge (27 page)

“No question about that.” Jake agreed, without hesitation.  “There’s a rich history of mining in many areas out here, not just for gold, but silver, too.  And for sapphires up in Montana. Also, there’s the development of the railroads.  Not to mention tales of outlaws.  Oh, and ghost towns, and…”

‘OK, I get it,” Paige said, laughing and setting down her spoon.

Jake reached across the table and took Paige’s hand in his, running his fingers across her soft skin and asking her what she was thinking.

“Well, I was thinking…” Paige started to speak and then hesitated.  They hadn’t talked specifically about the journey up to Sleeping Indian and the decisions that followed the discovery of the gold.

“I was just wondering,” she asked quietly, “what you would have done if you had decided to keep the gold.  What I mean is, I think it’s amazing, the decision you made.  But you must have wondered yourself, since then, what you might have done with it.”  She waited quietly, hoping her question had not overstepped any lines.  This was Jake’s business, not her own.  But he had asked what she was thinking, so that was what he got.

To her relief, Jake’s smile started to widen.  He waited for the approaching waiter to clear the dessert plate from the table and then spoke once he had walked away.

“Actually, you’re right, I have thought about it.  I’ve thought about it quite a bit,” he said, obviously fighting back a laugh.  “For example, if I’d kept any of it, I could have...”

Paige watched, puzzled, as he let go of her hand and leaned back.   Reaching into his pocket, he slowly pulled out a small object.  She threw Jake a look of surprise when she saw a delicate gold chain wrapped around his fingers, a locket dangling from it in the glow of the candlelight.  Handing it across the table, he placed it in her hand.

“Go ahead, open it,” he said softly, waiting while she nervously worked the clasp.  It took several attempts, but finally the locket fell open, causing Paige to gasp.  On the left side, skillfully set inside the locket’s cover, was a sparkling gold nugget.  On the right was a simple inscription that said, “To Paige, for taking me above the bridge, Jake”

“Jake…”  Paige whispered, her voice trailing off at a loss for words.  “So does that mean…”

“No, I really did leave the gold there,” Jake said slowly.  “At least…I left…one rather tiny nugget, for sentimentality’s sake.  You know…the legend and all that.”

“And the rest?”  Paige asked, too surprised to even hide her curiosity.

“Oh, the rest?”  Jake tapped his forehead, as if trying to remember what he did with it. Paige drummed her fingers on the table, barely able to handle the suspense.  “Ah, the rest, now I remember.”  He leaned forward across the table and motioned with this finger for her to lean in, as well.

“Well, I’m not crazy, you know,” he whispered.  “Of course I kept the rest.  Legends only carry so much weight.”  With that, Jake sat back, a grin on his face.

Paige laughed and shook her head in amazement as Jake waved for the bill.  Paying it quickly, they stepped out onto the sidewalk.  Soft lights glittered above shops and galleries.  Small spotlights sent light filtering up into the trees.  The neon sign of The Million Dollar Cowboy Bar cast a warm glow into the night air.

Jake slid his arm around Paige’s shoulders as they walked across the street and into the town square.  Stopping near the center, he reached for Paige’s hand and lifted it, slowly uncurling her fingers, which still clutched the gold locket firmly inside.  He took the locket and slid the delicate chain around her neck, fastening the clasp securely.

Together they breathed in the cool mountain air, crisp and clean as it filled their lungs. Muted conversation and laughter flowed across from the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar.  A breeze rustled through the trees overhead, sending a few autumn leaves floating to the ground.  

Paige turned briefly to glance around the square.  For a split second she thought she saw a faint light coming from the antler arch, but when she blinked and looked again, it was dark. Just like the surrounding trees, the arch was simply a shadow in the night.  Closing her eyes, she rested her head on Jake’s shoulder, felt the warmth of his arms wrap around her and said a silent thank you for the magic of Jackson Hole.