Jenny, a proud cowgirl, wanted to surprise her husband, Mike, with a fun photo, but…

Jenny, a proud cowgirl, wanted to give her spouse Mike a funny picture as a surprise. She captured the scene to share with him while sitting in the back of a pickup truck, all out in cowgirl attire. She was unaware that this innocuous gesture would have such a profound effect.

Jenny showed Mike the photo with great excitement, knowing he would appreciate the lighthearted surprise. Mike was taken aback to discover, upon closer inspection, that Jenny had removed her wedding ring.

He became suspicious and tried to investigate by enlarging the picture. He was surprised to see more than just Jenny dressed like a cowgirl through the pickup truck’s rear window. The man’s face was visible in the reflection.

Mike was taken aback upon seeing Jenny’s 19-year-old ex-boyfriend.

Mike questioned Jenny about her ex-boyfriend’s unexpected appearance in the photo, feeling bewildered and hurt. Jenny acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and claimed that it was only a fortuitous meeting. She had not noticed the mirror, and the photographer happened to be her ex-boyfriend.

On the other hand, Mike began to doubt their marriage after hearing the news. What was supposed to be a happy surprise took on an unexpected degree of stress when Jenny’s ex-boyfriend unexpectedly showed up in the shot and there was no wedding ring. In the midst of an emotional breakdown, Mike made the decision to divorce Jenny.

The trust that had kept their marriage intact had been destroyed by the seemingly harmless cowgirl shot. Jenny and Mike had to deal with the unanticipated consequences of a picture that had taken an unexpected turn while they negotiated the difficulties of divorce.

The event was a sobering reminder that in a relationship, even seemingly insignificant details may matter. It was shown how important it is to have trust, communicate, and understand one another, and how unforeseen circumstances can occasionally result in actions that change people’s lives.

Cashier Learns She Owns a $3.8M Business after Finding Will in Her Name — Story of the Day

An unusual letter provides the catalyst for one woman to uncover a secret kept from her for years, and receive unexpected wealth.

Gregory locked the door to the small corner shop where he’d worked as a cashier for the last twenty years. His coat was too old and thin to keep the chill from his bones as he walked home, but he smiled nonetheless. It had been another great day at work.

Gregory’s wife had never understood how he found satisfaction in what she called a low-level job. She’d left him because she felt he lacked ambition, but he still had his daughter.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

Linda was standing in the foyer of the apartment block where she and Gregory lived when he entered the building. She had also recently started working as a cashier and still wore her uniform. In one hand, she held a letter.

“What have you got there, Linda?” Gregory asked as he approached her.

Linda looked up, startled. “You tell me, Dad. I’m too scared to open it.”

Gregory frowned and took the letter from his daughter. The name of a legal practice was printed on the envelope.

“Why would a lawyer be contacting me?”

Gregory shrugged. He tore the envelope open and studied the papers inside. His jaw dropped, and his fingers began shaking as he read.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

“It’s bad, isn’t it?”

“It’s… strange. According to this letter, somebody has left you a business comprising three restaurants, and it’s worth nearly four million dollars.”

“What!” Linda snatched the letter from Gregory’s hands. “It’s got to be a scam.”

“I did this to find out whether you’re a good person.”

“There’s an easy way to find out.” Gregory leaned over to indicate the lawyer’s phone number on the letterhead.

Linda called the lawyer and arranged a meeting for the next day. Gregory accompanied her.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

“This has got to be a mistake,” Linda told the lawyer when they entered his office.

“I don’t know anyone who would leave me a business.”

The lawyer shook his head. “There’s no mistake, Miss. My client, Matthew Markham, was very particular in his instructions.”

Gregory felt as though he’d been electrocuted. “Please, say that name again.”

“Matthew Markham.”

Gregory understood everything then. He hung his head and burst into tears.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

A few months earlier…

Matthew shivered with anxiety as he approached the cashier. He set down the packet of gum and stared at the man who rang it up. The nametag on his chest said ‘Gregory.’ He was the right man.

“Sir? Are you okay?”

“Fine.” Matthew realized he’d zoned out and handed the cashier a five-dollar bill. “But I do need to talk to you. It’s about Linda.”

The man looked up sharply at the customer who had just uttered his little daughter’s name. “Is she in some kind of trouble?”

Matthew shook his head. “Do you have a few minutes, please?”

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

Matthew and Gregory arranged to meet at a diner nearby during Gregory’s lunch break. While Matthew waited, he thought over the revelations that had brought him to this point.

A few days earlier, he’d been discussing his terminal illness with a close friend, Jeremy, and lamenting that he had no heirs to whom he could leave his restaurant business.

Then Jeremy dropped a bombshell on him: Matthew had a daughter he didn’t know about. His ex-girlfriend had died in childbirth, and the baby was placed up for adoption.

Matthew immediately hired a detective to track her down. Days later, he was finally sitting down with Gregory, the man who’d adopted his daughter.

Matthew explained to Gregory that he was Linda’s biological father and then asked the question that was foremost in his mind:

“Does Linda know she was adopted?”

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

“No, and you can’t tell her, sir.” Gregory looked at him pleadingly. “My wife left me a couple of months back, and I can’t lose Linda too. Please, don’t take her from me.”

Matthew was torn. He wanted to know his daughter but didn’t want to cause problems for the man who’d raised her. He also didn’t want to upset his daughter’s life by introducing himself when he only had a few months more to live.

“What is she like?” Matthew asked. “Is she a good person?”

Gregory smiled. “She’s an amazing person. She’s kind and treats everyone equally.”

Matthew nodded. He was starting to get an idea.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

The next day, Matthew disguised himself as a poor man and went to the store where Linda worked as a cashier. He took a few essential food items to her checkout and waited while she rang them up.

“I’m sorry, Miss,” he said once she told him the cost.

“I can’t afford all of that. I’ve only got ten dollars.”

“Don’t worry about it, sir.” Linda smiled at him. “I’ll cover the rest.”

Matthew left the store and returned a week later. This time, he wore his finest suit. He chose several of the most expensive items in the store and again went to Linda’s checkout.

“Get out of the way,” Matthew shouted as he pushed his way to the front of the queue. “I’m in a hurry and need to be served fast.”

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

He set his purchases down in front of Linda and waved his hands at her. “Hurry up, girl, I’ve got an important meeting to attend.”

“Then you’ll have to tell them you’re going to be delayed.” Linda pushed his purchases aside and gestured to the woman behind him. “You’re next, ma’am.”

“I need to be served first!” Matthew exclaimed.

“That’s too bad, sir. I don’t allow anyone to push to the front of the queue, no matter how important you think you are.”

Matthew grinned from ear to ear. “I’m glad you said that.”

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

He reached for a bouquet of yellow lilies and placed the cash to pay for them on the counter. “These are for you, Linda. My name is Matthew, and I did this to find out whether you’re a good person.”

“Do me one favor, please, and remember my name when you see these lilies.”

Present day…

“Matthew is the name of your biological father, Linda,” Gregory said. “You’re adopted.”

“Why did you never tell me?”

“I’m so sorry. I never wanted you to feel bad about it. Then your mother left, and I was afraid you’d leave me too if you knew I wasn’t your real father.”

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

Linda hugged him. “I’d never do that, dad.”

The lawyer cleared his throat. “As I was saying, my client bequeathed his three restaurants to you, his sole heir, when he passed away a month ago. These restaurants are each worth over a million dollars.”

“Mr. Markham also had a special request. He wanted me to give you something.”

The lawyer left the room and soon returned with a bouquet of yellow lilies, which he presented to Linda.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

Linda cradled the flowers in her arms. “I understand now.” She turned to Gregory. “He came into my shop once and asked that I remember his name when I see yellow lilies.”

Gregory placed a hand on Linda’s shoulder. “I’m sure he was very proud of you, Linda, and will continue to be proud of you from heaven.”

What can we learn from this story?

Treat people equally, and you will be rewarded. Matthew was encouraged to leave his business to Linda when he saw that she was a good person.

One can find happiness in a simple life. Gregory and Linda were both happy to work as cashiers and earn an honest living.

Share this story with your friends. It might brighten their day and inspire them.

If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about a woman who discovers the house she’s been cleaning for the past ten years belongs to her.

This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life.

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