I inherited a cabin while my sister got a Miami apartment. When she mocked me: “Fits you perfectly, you stinking woman!” and told me to stay away, I decided to spend the night at the cabin… When I got there, I froze in place at what I saw…

mineral rights, all signed, notarized, and filed. You are the sole legal owner. No one can challenge that unless they want to burn through years in court and lose.” 

The weight of those words settled like armor across my chest. For the first time since the funeral, I felt like the ground under me was solid.

Robert studied me.

“You’ve served your country. You understand discipline and patience. This is no different. You hold the advantage. Don’t let them bait you into rash moves.”

I gave a short laugh.

“That’s Megan’s specialty, baiting.”

He smiled.

“Then you’ll have to specialize in not biting.”

I left his office lighter than I’d walked in. Driving back toward the mountains, I kept thinking about Dad’s words. Build something with it. Megan would sell everything to the highest bidder. I wanted something that lasted.