The Trail To His Heart – Extended Epilogue

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One year later

A year had passed since the scandal involving the letters, and then the fire that had nearly decimated Pond Hollow. They had built the town back, stronger than ever. The past months had been busy and filled with not only rebuilding Pond Hollow, but Daniel’s new trading post.

Erin woke in her bedroom early on a late spring morning, the air crisp and sharp, the scent of pine and the rich loam of the earth wafting through the open window. She sighed. She already felt tired, as she hadn’t gotten much sleep last night. But it was a good tired. She glanced to the pillow next to her, and though it was empty, she smiled softly. Daniel was already gone to the trading post, already hard at work.

She would have plenty to do today also, getting ready for the evening’s celebration. She had to boil eggs and potatoes to make a potato salad, and she needed to bake some bread and—

A soft, mewling cry interrupted her planning and she sat up in bed. She looked down into the cradle that had been a special gift from Daniel’s father upon the news that Erin was with child. Now, their newborn son Grant lay in it, his face scrunched, then smoothing after he yawned. She laughed softly. Her son had been born just days ago, one of the happiest yet exhausting moments of her life.

 Family and friends, nay, nearly the entire church congregation of Pond Hollow, had gathered at the church with the news that Erin was in labor. There they awaited the arrival of the newest town resident, sharing cups of lemonade that Elsie and Ivy brought from their house. No one walked around with more pride and anticipation and even a sense of giddiness than Orson Stokes, save Daniel. Orson had long been forgiven for his actions the past year, and had grown more used to being independent and less lonely. He even had a couple of women who seemed interested in the widower. Much to Erin’s amazement, and delight, he was considering asking one of them out for supper at the newly rebuilt town restaurant.

Tonight the townspeople would gather to celebrate the baby’s arrival. Erin smiled as she lifted her baby into her arms, cradling him lovingly, staring down in amazement at his perfection. Just as she had every moment since he had been born and placed into her arms.Her son had Daniel’s hair and her eyes. Her son still slept, his eyelashes laying thick against his cheekbones, his pert little nose just perfect, and his lips pursed. Erin had never felt such an overwhelming love in her life. It seemed to burst right from her heart and reach every part of her being.

The day her child had been born, and after her son had been fed and swaddled, Daniel had entered the room, almost reverently, his eyes first going toward his wife, ensuring himself that she was all right, before even daring to look at the child that lay in her arms beside her. He’d approached quietly, his eyes wide and shining with tears as he knelt down beside the bed and simply gazed at the child.

Erin, her voice choked, had smiled with weary pride. “Say hello to your son, Grant Radisson,” she said. The look on her husband’s face touched her to the depths of her soul.

With the greatest of care, Daniel had lifted the boy into his arms, carried him downstairs, and then stepped out onto the front porch where it seemed as if everybody in town had quickly hurried from the church to the bottom steps of their porch at the news that the child had finally arrived. Everyone stood silent, as always amazed at new life among them.

 Even from her room upstairs, Erin had heard the pride and the love in her husband’s voice as he had introduced their son to his fellow townsmen.

Quiet cheers had erupted from the people gathered. Gifts had been left on the porch, women promising any help that Erin needed, men slapping Daniel on the back. Soon, they had left, and over the past two days, things had been relatively quiet.

Malcomb and Orson took turns holding their grandson while Erin rested. Elsie and Ivy were ever present, soon getting underfoot, but Erin didn’t mind. It felt wonderful to have her friends and loved ones so near, supporting her and Daniel.

Of course, Daniel had hovered over her for several days following the birth, concerned over not only her health, but that of his child. He finally seemed to be feeling more comfortable that everything was all right and had gone to the trading post to get some work done.

Her father was now helping Daniel there, especially with his plans to continue to expand. Her father had been brimming with excitement the moment he’d became a grandfather and so too had Daniel’s father. Malcolm Radisson had undergone a number of changes over the past year, as if he were trying to make up for many years of mistakes in the past. He had grown much closer to his two daughters and to Daniel, no longer pressuring him to follow in his footsteps.

Daniel was amazed at the changes, but Erin wasn’t terribly surprised. It was remarkable what a near tragedy could do to repair damaged relationships and to make people realize what was most important in life, as she had herself learned after the fire.

She smiled as she heard footsteps coming quietly upstairs and lifted her eyebrows as she grinned down at her son. “I knew he wouldn’t stay gone for long,” she told her sleeping son. “Even though I doubt he’s been gone an hour, look at how quickly he comes home to make sure that you’re all right.”

Sure enough, Daniel entered the bedroom, moving quietly as he simply grinned at Erin, holding her son close.

“I couldn’t stay away,” he said. “I have a lot of work to do, but I just had to come back home to make sure that everything was all right.”

“You need to stop fussing over us, Daniel,” Erin said softly. “But I understand. It seems I can’t take my eyes off him for more than a few minutes. I watch every breath he takes. I’m aware of every noise or gurgle. I can’t help it either.”

Daniel sat on the bed next to his wife, his arm wrapped around her, his other hand resting gently on his son’s chest. “He’s beautiful, isn’t he?”

Erin nodded. “He takes after his father.”

Daniel chuckled, the sound coming from low in his chest. “And his mama.” He reached into the cradle and lifted his son into his arms.

“We’re going to raise him well, Erin. We’re going to give him everything we can without spoiling him. We’re going to teach him right from wrong and to follow the ways of the Lord. He’s going to grow into a fine young man.”

“And he’s got two aunts who are going to spoil him like crazy, and two doting grandfathers to help us along the way.”

Daniel chuckled and agreed. He turned toward Erin. “Let me ask you something.”

She waited for his question.

“You think you ever would’ve worked up the nerve to tell me how you felt about me without writing those feelings in those letters?”

She thought about that, gazing at her son in Daniel’s arms. “Honestly, I don’t know. What about you? I was waiting for you to hint at something and you were waiting for me to hint at something. Neither of us said anything, so it does make me wonder.”

“Well, I’m glad things worked out between us. I couldn’t imagine being married to anyone but you.”

She smiled, her heart filled with love for her husband, her childhood friend, her confidant, her love. “I couldn’t either, Daniel.”

*

By midafternoon, it seemed as if every member of Pond Hollow had gathered in and around their home. Elsie and Ivy had pulled her away from the activity for a rest, her son taking turns cradled first in the arms of one twin, and then the other.

Elsie currently held Grant, while Erin gazed at the gathering of friends and family in the yard, a smile lifting the corners of her mouth. Ivy nudged her and pointed. 

“Erin, look.”

Erin looked toward where Ivy pointed. She saw her father sitting with Mabel Clark, a widow from one of the outlying farms. She was in her mid-fifties and a very pleasant woman who had always been kind to Erin. 

“You think there’s going to be another wedding on the horizon soon?” Ivy grinned.

Erin smiled and shrugged. “Maybe. I would like nothing better than for my father to have a companion, someone to watch over him and give him someone to care for as well.”

Ivy turned to her and nodded. “Elsie’s got her cap set for someone.”

Erin glanced away from watching her father, surprised. She turned to Elsie, whose cheeks had suddenly blazed pink. “Elsie? Who is it?”

After only a brief hesitation, she turned to Erin with a shy smile. “Jarrod.”

Jarrod! Daniel’s friend, who at the moment stood next to her husband, both of them laughing about something. She nodded. “He’s a good man, Elsie. A very good man.” She turned to Ivy. “You better get on the hunt, Ivy. You two always said that you would have a double wedding.”

Ivy gave her a small smile, a twinkle shining in her eyes. “I have noticed someone,” she said as she glanced at her sister. 

Erin looked at the smile the twins shared and turned back to Ivy. “Who?”

She waved a hand. “He works on the Groverson’s ranch. He hired on a little over a month ago.”

“What’s his name?” 

Ivy smiled. “Percy. Percy Ellicot.”

Erin frowned. “I don’t think I’ve met him.” She turned to Elsie. “Why haven’t I met him?”

Elsie gave her a look. “Perhaps because for the past two months, you’ve been too big and too tired to come out of your house much.”

“Sister!” Ivy scolded.

Erin laughed. “It was true,” she shrugged. “It was so hot and I felt like a whale! So what’s he like?”

Ivy grinned and pointed. “He’s right over there.”

Erin looked and saw a nice looking and dark haired young man standing near the table with the food and the punch and lemonade pitchers. She turned to Ivy. “So why are you standing here with me? Go talk to him!”

Ivy glanced once at Erin, then at her sister with a lifted eyebrow. 

“Oh for Pete’s sake, Ivy,” Elsie grumbled. She handed the baby back to Erin. “Can you believe my bossy, overbearing sister is all of a sudden shy and demure?”

The two sisters laughed as they headed back toward the yard and the party. The fiddle player broke into song and several couples started to dance. Erin felt perfectly content to stand in the shade and watch the goings on. As always, her eyes found Daniel. At that moment, he looked up, and she watched as his gaze took in the crowd and then found her.

He left Jarrod’s side and walked toward her. Moments later, he gently took Grant from Erin’s arms. 

“My turn,” he grinned.

Erin’s heart swelled with love as she gazed at her son, his eyes wide as he looked up at his father, and the look in Daniel’s eyes filled her heart with pride and affection. Daniel glanced at her.

“What are you doing, standing out here all by your lonesome?”

“I wasn’t lonesome,” she replied. “Ivy and Elsie were with me.” She paused and then found each of the sisters talking to their prospective beaus. She pointed. “I think there’s going to be another wedding or two before you know it. Maybe even three.”

Daniel looked up and glanced at Erin. “What?”

She gestured with her chin. “Your sisters have set their caps for those two. See? Elsie with Jarrod and Ivy with that new ranch hand out at the Groverson ranch, Percy Ellicot.”

Daniel stared a moment, a myriad of expressions crossing his features. Erin laughed. “And you’ll stay out of all of it, won’t you?”

He turned to her with surprise. “What makes you think…” He paused with a grin. “I’ll try.” He seemed to think a moment. “But you said three. Who else?”

She gestured toward her father, still sitting in the shade withMabel Clark. The two of them were sharing a laugh.”

Daniel chuckled softly and nodded. “That would be nice, wouldn’t it?” He turned to his wife. “Then you wouldn’t worry about him all the time.”

“I don’t worry about him all the time, but I would be relieved that he wouldn’t be lonely,” she admitted.

Daniel handed the baby back to her and then draped his arm over her shoulder.They strolled through the grove, the sound of the party fading behind them. They followed the path they usually took to the lake. There, they stood, close together, Erin’s arms wrapped around her baby and her husband’s arm around her shoulders.

She felt utter contentment. She leaned her head against his shoulder, gazing at the glints of light and shadow playing on the water as the sun began its descent toward the western horizon. She felt grateful for Daniel, for this town, for this place in the mountains. God had blessed her over and over. She felt humbled and determined to please Him in all that she did.

“I love you, Daniel,” she murmured. She glanced up at him. “I always have and I always will.”

“I know that,” he said softly. He gazed down at his son in his wife’s arms. “And he will be blessed with the same love that I have enjoyed for so many years.” He turned toward the lake. “No matter what we’ve gone through, the highs and the lows, we must be grateful for every moment. Nothing can break the bond between us unless we do it ourselves.”

“I agree,” she murmured. She couldn’t imagine doing anything to endanger what she had now, a husband who adored her and a wonderful baby boy to raise. She knew without a doubt that their lives would be filled with happiness and laughter.

“Hey you two!”

They both turned. Erin smiled when she saw Malcomb and Orson waving to them from the edge of the trees. She glanced at Daniel. “The change in your father has been nothing short of a miracle, don’t you think?”

Daniel nodded. “He has. I’m glad, though I admit that it’s taken some getting used to, but better late than never.”

They walked toward the doting grandparents who seemed to have eyes only for Grant rather than his parents. Malcomb reached them first, his arms already out.

“I’ll carry him back, if it’s all right with you, Erin.”

Erin smiled and handed her tiny bundle over. “Of course, Grandfather,” she grinned. She turned to her own father. “And you get him next, Grandpa.”

Orson beamed as he and Malcomb returned to the gathering with their prize. Erin stood watching them, shaking her head. Once more, she leaned into Daniel. She would never grow tired of this feeling she had. She would always relish her husband’s strength and his determination. He had not let the fire destroy his dreams. He had rebuilt the trading post. Next spring, he would build another. By then, Grant would be old enough to travel with them and she looked forward to it.

She’d never been farther than Oregon City. She looked forward to upcoming adventures with Daniel, seeing new places and helping her husband grow his business. Why, if her father remarried and found happiness again in his life with another woman, she would be so pleased. And it looked like Malcomb would soon be walking his two daughters down the aisle. 

Pond Hollow had nearly been destroyed by one man’s cruelty and yet it had grown back even better. The town would continue to grow, and with people in it like Elsie and Ivy, with strong young men like Jarrod and Daniel, well, who was to say what the town would look like in twenty years? 

A new century was just around the corner. It was an exciting time, one filled with new inventions and wonders to behold. She watched Malcomb and her father disappear into the trees. And her son would be witness to it all. He would be a new generation, a new explorer or adventurer. She felt her chest swell with pride and an emotion that she instantly recognized.

Hope. Hope for her future. For Daniel’s future. For her son and other children that would come along over the years. She wanted a house full of children, a home filled with love and laughter. And with Daniel, she would have it, of that she had no doubt.

At that moment, Daniel once more swept her into his embrace, holding her close, her face uplifted toward his. He kissed her, fully and deeply, and she returned his embrace and his passion.

“A penny for your thoughts,” he grinned.

“I’m just thinking about how happy I am. How lucky I am. How blessed I am to have you in my life, first as my best friend and now as my husband.” She paused, tamping down a swelling of emotion that threatened to bring forth tears. “I’m thinking that it’s impossible to love you more than I did the day we married, or the day our son was born, and yet, I find that I do.”

He nodded. “I feel the same, Erin. It’s wonderful, isn’t it? We are blessed, and I thank God every day that He brought us together.” His grin broadened. “And I think that now it’s time that we got back to that party. After all, there’s no telling when your father and my father will start bickering about who gets to hold Grant next.”

Erin laughed as Daniel relinquished his hold on her and reached for her hand. Together they walked back to their home in the grove, back to their present and their future together. 

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OFFER: A BRAND NEW SERIES AND 2 FREEBIES FOR YOU!

Grab my new series, "Hearts of the Untamed West", and get 2 FREE novels as a gift! Have a look here!

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