A Caring Widower for the Runaway Bride – Extended Epilogue

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Three years had passed since their wedding day, and Eliza didn’t think that she could be happier if she tried. Every day was bliss on the Hawthorne Ranch. Her knowledge of herbs had created a demand in the community, and the income that she pulled in from drying herbs and advising on them was enough to pay off many of the debts that Caleb had owed. The pair of them had worked hard together, and the ranch was starting to flourish again.

Margaret was now living in the cabin, assisting Eliza in her herb business. The haunted look had left her face, and she came alive with knowledge and confidence. Eliza trusted her beyond words with their child, two-year-old William, as well as supplementing Ruth’s education whenever she wasn’t available.

Eliza had never expected to be running an herb business from a cozy ranch, but now that it was her life, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

It was while she was basking in this happy success that Dr. Finch came riding up one day in a panic.

“Eliza, I’m glad to have found you,” he said. “Are you able to come with me?”

“Yes, of course,” she said. “But whatever is the matter?”

“There’s a difficult birth at the Katz ranch,” he said. “And I will need an extra pair of hands. You were so helpful at Mark’s birth. Are you willing to assist again?”

“Yes, of course,” Eliza said.

“I’ll get your bag,” Margaret ran into the house.

Eliza turned to Ruth, who was teaching William what wildflowers he could touch in the garden.

“I will probably not be back for supper,” she said to the now fifteen-year-old. “Can you make sure that everything is alright? Martha will help.”

“Yes, of course,” Ruth said, with a smile. “Good luck, Momma.”

“Thank you,” Eliza said, as Margaret rushed back down the steps with her bag.

Eliza accepted Dr. Finch’s boost up onto the horse, and they were off before she knew it.

She was so grateful that he had asked for her assistance. Although the herb business required a knowledge of medicine, she missed the intensity of working with her father, rushing from house to house. The more Dr. Finch learned of her skills, the more he requested her help whenever she could.

On the way there, they passed Anne and Thomas’s farm. The couple had been married two years ago, and their little daughter was sitting on a blanket in the yard with her mother. Anne raised her hand to Eliza, who waved back quickly. She made a note to visit Anne as soon as she could and catch her up on the news of this wild ride.

When they arrived at the Katz ranch and rushed upstairs, it was clear to Eliza exactly why a second set of hands was needed. The baby was incorrectly positioned, and the mother had been in labor for two days. If they didn’t work quickly and together, both the baby’s and the mother’s lives would be in danger.

Eliza did not mind the longer hours, and she was grateful that her skilled hands could be put to work as the hours passed. Mrs. Katz was a first-time mother, and Eliza soothed her both with stories of her own birth two years ago, and of the other mothers she had helped, both with her father and here.

The night was long, but by the time the sun rose, there was a healthy baby boy crying and in the arms of his exhausted but grateful mother.

“I don’t think I could have done it without you,” Dr. Finch said, as they cleaned themselves up as best they could after the mother was comfortable. “You are a wonderful assistant.”

“I’m glad to be here,” Eliza said. “Any life is a miracle from God.”

“I was wondering what you would think of being my official assistant?” he asked. “Rather than me riding out to your ranch in a panic each time? Of course, if you are too busy…”

“I would love to accept,” Eliza said. “Of course, I would have to speak to my husband, but I am sure that he would be open to it. He is very encouraging.”

“Wonderful,” Dr. Finch said. “I look forward to your answer officially then.”

***

Eliza felt like she was floating on clouds as she returned home. Although her body was exhausted, her mind and heart were full.

Caleb was in the kitchen with a cup of coffee when she came in the door, and he immediately went to kiss her.

“Did it go well?” he asked, and she nodded.

“Yes, very well,” she said. “But I am glad that I was there. It was tricky.”

“You are very skilled,” he said, as he gazed at her with admiration. “In many things.”

“Well,” she replied, blushing. “As thrilling as it was to be there, I also kept thinking about how much I would love to be here, cooking you breakfast. Am I too late?”

“I just had some biscuits,” he answered, and she laughed.

“Not exactly the most hardy meal,” she said. He shrugged.

“Maybe not the most hardy, but certainly the most delicious,” he answered.

“Let me make you something hot and filling,” she turned to the stove. “I will bring it out to you.”

“You must be exhausted,” he said. “You don’t have to do that. I’m sure Ruth can rustle up something.”

“I know I don’t have to,” she said. “But I want to. It is true that I worked hard all night, but you are about to work hard all day.”

“I appreciate that,” he said, and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “I do have to get out there. Thomas said he would be over by now to help me mend the fence.”

“I’ll bring you both something filling,” she promised.

“Thank you,” he said. “There’s a letter from your brother on the table, by the way. It was addressed to both of us, so I opened it. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Not at all,” she replied. “What does it say?”

“Just that he is planning his next visit and asking us when would work best,” Caleb said. “William will be delighted.”

“He will be,” Eliza said. “I’ll answer the letter as soon as I am done with breakfast.”

“See you soon,” Caleb said, in a tone that implied he couldn’t wait.

Although the day was long and Eliza was tired, she went through her chores with a light heart. The children lay down with her for a nap in the afternoon, Ruth on one side and William on the other, and she woke to the cool afternoon breeze and the curtains blowing in the window.

Supper was a mincemeat pie that Martha made, and the table was filled with talk of the new Katz baby and Edwin’s upcoming visit.

When the children were in bed, Caleb took Eliza’s hand and gently pulled her out toward the cottonwood trees, a place that had become their favorite spot. The night was cool, and the stars were bright. He spun her around as they walked, and she laughed.

“I thought I would be so tired today,” she said. “But everything today was just…so perfect.”

“You’re perfect,” he said, as he brought her close and kissed her. “You are so strong and so smart. I’m not sure how I managed to get so lucky.”

“God blessed us,” she said. “Although it certainly was a funny path to get here.”

“It was,” he replied, and she leaned in close.

“There is something I want to tell you,” she said. “I’ve been waiting for quite some time.”

“Oh?” he asked. She took his hand and guided it toward her stomach, laying his palm flat against her belly.

“Does it feel any different?” she asked.

It took him a moment to realize what she was talking about.

“Are you…?” he asked, and she nodded.

“Yes,” she said. “I will have our second child in the winter.”

“Oh my goodness, Eliza,” he said and pulled her close and kissed her. “Thank God. Oh, thank God!”

“You are happy, then?” she teased him, even though it was clear that he was floating.

“I am so happy,” he said. “Do you think it’s a boy or a girl?”

“I think it’s a little soon to tell,” she said. “Do you mind either way?”

“I don’t mind,” he said. “You have given me a son, and we already have a daughter. What’s next is God’s will.”

“I think it’s God’s will that put us here, together, now,” she said, and he leaned down and kissed her.

“In case it isn’t clear, I love you very much,” he said, nuzzling her nose. “You are the answer to all my prayers.”

“I love you too,” she said. “You are the answer I didn’t even know that I was praying for.”

They stayed like that for quite some time, under the stars and moonlight, with one of Caleb’s large hands on her belly and the other on the back of her neck. Eventually, she shivered a little, and he pulled back.

“Should we go inside?” he asked. “We could build up the fire and sit on the sofa, if you like? Or we could go straight to bed? You’ve had such a long day, and I’m sure there will be more excitement tomorrow. There is always something around here, it seems.”

“I’m fine with either option,” she replied. They held hands as they walked back, looking up at the stars.

“If it’s a girl,” Caleb said. “I think we should name her after you. You have made your mark on the community, and it only makes sense for a lovely girl to carry on your legacy.”

“All I did was walk off the train and in front of your wagon,” she teased him, and he kissed the top of her head. “I can’t be given praise for that.”

“The Lord really does work in mysterious ways,” he replied as they headed inside.

Thank you, God, she thought, as they shut the door behind them and took the candle up to bed. I never thought I’d thank you for letting me get hit by a wagon, but thank you. Thank you for keeping me safe that day and keeping me exactly on the path I needed to be on.

THE END

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