Billy received a letter from a lawyer in the town. After their uncle was killed, his estate went to the local courts for resolution. All of the uncle's property was sold, and the proceeds, plus any money the uncle had in the bank, would be held until an heir could be located.
When James brought the uncle's men back dead, he had to explain to the Sheriff what had happened. James told the Sheriff both Patience and William Billings Jr. had survived and were living in the wilderness. The uncle had no family of his own, so that meant the oldest living male relative, William Jr., would inherit the estate.
The letter was from a lawyer who had handled the disposition of the property, requesting Billy to present himself to a court so his identity could be verified. Ollie suggested Billy contact the Judge who had married him and Martha and Rud and Patience rather than go to the town.
Billy sent a letter to the judge, asking if he could help. The judge responded he would and detailed the required process. Billy needed two reputable people, preferably known to the judge, to appear and attest to his identity. Billy asked Rud, Charlotte, and Bessie to accompany him as his witnesses, thinking three was better than two.
They all, including Alice, made the four-hour trip to the town where the judge had his office. They spent the night in a hotel, had breakfast in a café, and were in the judge's office at 9 am when he arrived. Everyone swore an oath and signed the papers stating that Billy was William Logan Billings Jr.
It took less than ten minutes to do the paperwork, but they all sat and chatted until the judge's next appointment at 11 AM. The judge laughed and told Rud he still got a chuckle remembering Patience's kiss at the start of their ceremony. As they left, the Judge promised the papers would be sent that afternoon to the lawyer handling the uncle's affairs.
About a month later, Billy received two letters, one from the lawyer letting Billy know he had been designated his uncle's heir and another with an accounting of the funds. Billy noticed the sale of his father's house was included in the documents. Billy briefly thought he would have liked to have the house he and Patience grew up in but knew his home was here in their valley with Alice, not some big house in town.
The second letter was from the bank with a statement of the money on deposit in Billy's name. The bank also included information on how to access the funds but made it clear they wanted him to keep his money in their bank. The balance in the account surprised Billy. It was a significant amount of money.
Rud said, "Billy, you're rich!" Billy said, "We are all rich. Everyone who lives here gets an equal share, remember" and winked at Rud. Rud said, "This is different, Billy. It is from your uncle, but this is your father's estate, not a pot of oatmeal."
Billy looked at Rud and said, "I had just lost my parents, was saved by a stranger, and made welcome in the stranger's home. I have a life now that I love and found Alice. Nothing is worth more than an equal share of that pot of oatmeal. Everyone who lives here gets an equal share. That is the way it is in our valley."
Rud couldn't say anything. Patience said she was so proud of Billy and asked if he had something in mind for his money. Billy, sounding like Alice, corrected Patience saying, "OUR money, and yes, I do."
Billy had a plan. If everyone agreed, he would form a company with the four of them, plus Martha and Ollie, all as partners. They would start with a commercial sawmill, then, if they were successful, expand into other businesses as time and money permitted.
Billy looked at Rud and said, "What do you think?" Billy looked up to Rud and still very much wanted his approval. Rud asked, "Would you run this company?" Billy responded, "Yes, that is my plan." Rud said, "Good, you would be my choice."
Rud then asked, "What happens if the sawmill is not successful?" Billy responded that they would lose most of the money. Rud said, "Billy, I trust your judgment. I am all for it."
Patience shook her head and said, "I am all for it too." Alice already knew all about Billy's plan and was for it as well. Rud was sure Martha and Ollie would agree, so he suggested Billy get started right away.
Billy had wanted to open a commercial sawmill for quite some time, and with the inheritance, that dream was about to come true. Most sawmills used water wheels to provide the power to run the saws, but Billy was aware of steam engines also being used to provide power. His experience with his small sawmill proved a steady, consistent power source was a must.
Billy had built a small water wheel and placed his two-person sawmill where the creek narrows and picks up speed. The small water wheel worked fine when there was plenty of flowing water, but during dry spells, often there was not enough water to turn the wheel.
Steam engines were expensive, but as there was no stream or river close by with enough flow to operate a large water wheel, steam was his only option.
The problem had always been the initial cost of the sawmill and steam power plant. With the inheritance, Billy could purchase the equipment and get the sawmill set up and producing in short order.
Billy knew of a property just outside their valley that would be suitable for the sawmill operation. There were other properties close by he could acquire outright or pay the owners to harvest the trees. Several area farmers stated they needed land cleared for crops, and Billy could have the trees if he cleared the land for them. It was time for Billy to start his business.
Billy would need to travel to purchase the land and equipment. It would be his first business trip and at sixteen-years-old was quite a task. Charlotte arranged for a lawyer to meet Billy, handle the legal and financial arrangements, and ensure Billy was not taken advantage of by the equipment dealers.
Alice, who had just recently turned sixteen, was there when all the plans were made, but uncharacteristically for her did not expect to go with him. Billy told her while he went to buy some new suits in one of the nearby villages, she would need to find a dressmaker and get several new dresses made for the trip.
When Billy saw the surprised look on her face, Billy gave Alice the "don't you even think about going without me," look Alice had used on him many times. Alice just smiled. Billy said, "I promised."
Alice knew if anyone in the city found out she was sleeping in the same bed as Billy, it might create a problem. When she asked Billy about it, Billy said, "We won't tell them we are not married, and if they ask, we will say we are."
Billy told Alice he could not do this without her. Alice knew tonight was going to be one of those nights it would be tough to keep her hands off Billy as right now she wanted him more than ever. It would be their first trip just the two of them.
The day came, and Billy and Alice rode their horses to the same small town where they had met with the judge. Once there, Billy arranged to have the horses boarded at the local stable, and he and Alice walked to the offices where they met the lawyer.
Billy had communicated with the lawyer in advance, and the lawyer had all the papers ready first to create the new company then arrange for the purchase of the properties. Alice noticed the name of the new company was PAMBRO and made a mental note to ask Billy about it later. A visit to the local bank and the transfer of funds was arranged.
Their business concluded for the day Billy had arranged for a hotel in the city where sawmill and steam engine suppliers were located. He and Alice walked hand in hand down to the train station and bought their tickets. It was the first train ride for both of them. When the train arrived, they followed the other passengers on board and found a bench seat where they could sit together. Alice sat by the window.
The train ride was very exciting. The train picked up speed and went very fast on the long straight sections. Alice, happy to be with Billy on what she considered a grand adventure, smiled and held Billy's hand tightly as the train swayed, bumped, and lurched down the tracks.
When they reached their destination, Billy went to the ticket agent and asked directions to their hotel. Alice had been born in a city, but this was all new to Billy. The town he was from was nothing like the city they were in now.
Finding their hotel, Billy walked in first. Alice was concerned about appearances and lagged behind Billy a few steps. Alice tried not to look nervous, but she was. Billy motioned for her to join him at the desk, but Alice kept her distance.
Alice was not sure why she cared what people thought, but she did. Billy thought she was afraid she would not be allowed to share a room if people knew they were not married. But Billy knew Alice, and there was no way anyone could keep her out of his room.
Alice was relieved when the desk clerk did not even appear to notice her and gave Billy the key.
Billy asked where would be a good place for supper and the clerk, tired of being asked the same question by nearly every person who came in, gestured in a direction and said the name of a local restaurant. Billy and Alice went to the room, unpacked their clothes, and sat by the open window talking and looking at the tall buildings and long narrow streets before them.
When the sun went down, they left the hotel and walked towards the restaurant the clerk had recommended. The recommended restaurant was nothing special, so Billy suggested they backtrack a little and eat at a much fancier place they had passed moments before.