A Tender Moment Under the Stars – Extended Epilogue

Four months had passed since the terrible storm that dropped a tree on Solomon’s cabin. He’d counted his blessings, he told Isabel, that it was only the kitchen. The stove was virtually unscathed, though the tree had come down with branches right over the top of it. The counters and the wall were most certainly gone and the roof had fallen directly into the cabin. 

Solomon had, at first, attempted to hurry the process of repairing and rebuilding. It was his goal to take his wife there for the honeymoon she wanted. They hadn’t taken one, knowing they wanted to be in the cabin and that eventually it would be repaired. 

They were still in the process of the work one early fall morning and Isabel was sitting with Betty on the porch. Isabel could hear her husband with Freddie on the side of the cabin, talking and laughing as they hammered nails into place. 

“Listen to them,” she said, looking at Betty, who was doing needlepoint as she waited for lunch to be finished. They had cooked up a ham and were planning to serve it with biscuits and eggs as soon as the men decided they were hungry.

“I hear them,” she said, smiling at Isabel.

“They certainly have a good time together. Were they always like that?”

Betty looked thoughtful. “As long as I can remember,” she said. “We all grew up here together so I’m sure they’re very used to each other.”

“Like brothers,” Isabel added. 

Betty nodded. “Yes, exactly. Neither of them had a brother so it only stands to reason they would have that kind of relationship.”

“Can I ask you something about Solomon?” Isabel had been avoiding questioning Betty about Solomon until she was in the right frame of mind, totally secure with her marriage. Four months was the right amount of time to wait, she decided.

“Of course you can,” Betty replied without hesitation. “I’ll share with you whatever I can. There won’t be much more than compliments though. If there’s one thing I know for a fact about Solomon Bedford, it’s that he has a truly gentle spirit mixed with a strong character. He doesn’t have a cruel bone in his body. He was never cruel to me. If anything, I was cruel to him.”

“Why do you say that?” 

Betty sighed, losing some of her bright spirit as she remembered what had split the two of them up. “Because I left him the way I did. I didn’t give a good excuse and I was wrong not to write and tell him that I was thinking maybe we shouldn’t be together anymore. I probably stopped writing about nine or ten months before I returned. And he was right, I did ask my parents not to tell him I was coming. I don’t know how I would have avoided him but that was my plan.”

“That’s not what you did, though,” Isabel said, using a soft tone. “If you’d lost your love for him, what made you suddenly want him when you got here to the Gulch. Was it because you saw him with me?” She didn’t want to think that was the reason for it.

Betty was quiet for a moment. “It all changed when I saw him at the train station. I genuinely thought he’d discovered I was coming home and couldn’t pass up the chance to see me immediately. I figured my parents had told him I was coming. I guessed wrong though. He wasn’t there for me at all.”

“Why did it change when you saw him? Did you miss him a lot?”

“At first I missed him a lot,” Betty admitted, nodding. She pulled the needle through the fabric and switched her hand from top to bottom to finish the stitch, “but after a while, he sort of faded into my memory. I think that’s why I stopped writing. I didn’t realize I was even doing it. I was just living my life, you know?”

“I understand,” Isabel responded with a nod. “I really do. I gotta say, though, I’m glad you lost your feelings for him. When did you realize what you were feeling wasn’t reciprocated anymore?”

Betty shook her head, chuckling under her breath. “Izzy, it took him saying it directly to my face and even still I barely believed him. I thought him being at the train station was a sign telling me I needed to reconsider not marrying him. That maybe he loved me enough for us both. That wasn’t right, though, and I had to hear it from him. I think it was the storm that made me change my mind. I mean, not the storm itself, the way things happened. Sol took me out here and told me he was falling in love with you and what we had was over. Then you told me there were other men who were just as fine as Sol and might actually love me back. It wasn’t until then that I gave Freddie a chance. I’m glad I did, though.”

“I’m glad, too,” Isabel said with a big grin. “Otherwise, we might not be friends now.”

Betty lifted her eyebrows. “Oh, is that what we are?” she asked, grinning back at Isabel.

“I certainly hope so.” Isabel noticed that the hammering had stopped and turned her head in anticipation of the men coming around the corner. A few seconds later, they did, both carrying their hammers with smiles on their faces.

“There’s our handsome men,” Betty stated, standing up and setting her needlework to the side. “I thought you’d never be done with it. Is it ready for two people to honeymoon in yet?”

“Ah, the ever-standing dream of spending a couple weeks alone here with my wife,” Solomon joked, stepping up onto the porch and leaning to give Isabel a kiss.

“It’s going to happen, Sol,” Isabel said, reaching up to pat him on the cheek. “Don’t you worry. I’m not. And I’m not in a hurry either. We just have to be patient.”

“I am a pretty patient person,” Solomon said, humbly. “If I do say so, myself.”

“That you are,” Isabel replied, reminded of his habit of keeping his words to himself unless he was sure about what he was going to say. It was one of his many redeeming qualities. Betty was right. He was almost the perfect man. She was still waiting to see if he had any flaws. She gave him a big smile.

“I think I’m starving,” Freddie said, rubbing his stomach. “If I don’t get some food in me soon, I probably will die.”

Isabel was amused by the childish voice Freddie used. He almost sounded like the little boy he was trying to convey.

“Let’s go in then, honey,” Betty said, giving him a smile. “I don’t want you starving to death before I get a chance to build a life with you.”

Freddie lifted his eyebrows to accompany the grin he was wearing. “That sounds very definite. And music to my ears, my dear.” He turned and grabbed out at her. She hopped away from him squealing and ran in the door, laughing hard. Freddie followed after her.

“Wait, my dear! I wasn’t going to tickle… I mean, hurt you. I promise.”

They disappeared inside the house. Isabel made to follow them but Sol held her back, his large hand on her arm. 

“Wait, Izzy. Let’s stay out here for a minute. Let them have their fun chasing each other around the cottage.”

Isabel laughed softly. “That’s not much of a chase.”

“True but they’re having fun. I thought we’d talk about the honeymoon, since it was brought up and all. I expect it must be on your mind. Something important, right?”

Isabel giggled. “The honeymoon is just a tradition. Whatever we think is important is what is. And that, for me, is spending time with you. It’s not like we have a lot of kids running around the house yet. Maybe a few servants or something but other than that, it’s still us. The two of us. When we’re at home alone, I imagine it will feel the same as being here together, just the two of us. Do you see what I mean?”

Solomon nodded. “Yes, I do understand. And I’m glad you feel that way. I don’t want you being unhappy. That’s the last thing in the world I want.”

“I know, my dear. But I’ll admit, I’ve been waiting for this lunch and would very much like to go in and eat. I know the food is done and ready.”

“How can you tell?” Solomon asked curiously. 

She laughed. “The smell. It smells done, therefore it must be done. Hasn’t steered me wrong yet.”

The two went in the cabin. Isabel looked over the handiwork of her husband, Freddie, and a few good fellas from Steven’s Gulch who were willing to assist when people were repairing after the storm. It was immaculate. She was very impressed. Solomon had gone with a different color wood and a different design pattern. She liked it a lot and told him so in no uncertain terms. She’d been praising their work from the beginning. They’d just finished the outside so it would be possible to stay into the cabin in the next week or so. 

Solomon told her he had someone on standby who was willing to come to work the supply store for him when he was ready to take off.

“That doesn’t look like eating to me,” Solomon said with a laugh.

“Don’t judge us,” Freddie said simply, smiling and winking at his friend. 

“I’m not sure about you two staying here,” Betty said when they entered the living room. Freddie was sitting next to her a glass of brandy in his hand. Betty also had one. 

“What?” Isabel asked, suddenly confused. She looked closely at Betty to see if she’d had enough to be drunk at that point.

Betty shook her head, her face deadly serious. “I think you should just consider the fact that this cabin might be cursed. You don’t want to sacrifice your honeymoon to a terrible curse, do you?”

Isabel wasn’t sure if her friend was serious or not. She glanced at Solomon to gauge his reaction. Then maybe she’d know what was going on. He just looked as bewildered as she.

“I have no idea why you would think this cabin is cursed, Betty,” Solomon said, crossing the room and sitting in one of the tall bar stools. “It can’t be because of the tree.”

“It is because of the tree,” Betty said, sounding insistent. “What more proof do you need that evil spirits might wander around in here?”

Isabel was taken aback by the sudden strange questions. She decided to let Solomon do the answering for her. She didn’t like to talk about things she didn’t know much about. 

“A lot more than that,” Solomon said with resolve. “It’s my opinion that spirits are walking around among us and we don’t know. But it’s not something to dwell on because there’s nothing we can do to change things. And I don’t believe that one felled tree that just happened to be above or around us close by was an act of a vengeful spirit. The storm knocked it down. It’s as simple as that. That’s what I get for not doing a good trimming around here. Won’t happen again.”

“Are you sure that’s all it is, Sol?” Betty asked, her voice teasingly menacing.

“Yes.” Solomon looked like he was getting upset. Isabel wished Betty wouldn’t question him about it anymore. She went to the stove to make plates for herself and Solomon. “I don’t even care if there is a spirit around here,” she said. “I’m perfectly content here. It’s comfortable and cozy. I like the new design of the kitchen and the different wood that was used. You did a good job on this, Sol. I am proud of you.”

Solomon beamed at her. “Thanks, my dear. Even at my age compliments are nice. Especially about the work I’ve done.”

Isabel set the plate down in front of him with a smile. “Anytime, my dear.”

“I’m just saying—”

“Stop!” All three of her companions barked the order at her, making her flinch and laugh nervously. 

“All right, all right. No need to attack me.”

Freddie chuckled, leaning toward her and nudging her arm gently. “I don’t think Sol wants to think his cabin is haunted. There’s too many connotations to that notion. It’s too sensitive to talk about.”

Isabel understood Freddie’s meaning right away. Betty could set in motion wrong thoughts in Solomon’s mind. He could start thinking his father was still there. Or what if it was Isabel’s mother? 

She shook her head to clear it. Now Betty had her thinking about that possibility, too.

“I’ll just make some wooden crosses to hang everywhere,” she said, half-jokingly. “That will keep us safe. Jesus is our savior, after all.”

They all laughed with her.

“Hey, if you want to do that, in all seriousness, you go right ahead,” Sol added after his laughter had died down. 

“I just might.” There was no reason not to, Isabel figured.

“And what about you two?” Solomon said. “Where will you be taking your honeymoon? You want to come here? Or are you too afraid?” He asked the last question of Betty, his voice teasing. She laughed and stuck her tongue out at him.

“I don’t think we’ve decided yet,” Freddie answered for them both. “I’ll just bet she wouldn’t mind taking this place over for a week or two, though, would you, Betts?”

Betty looked around as if seeing the place for the first time. “I don’t know. Could be spi…” She abruptly stopped and grinned at them as they gazed openly at her. “I’m joking with you. I would love to spend our honeymoon here. Isolated but not too far from civilization. On this private property where hopefully no one will come trespassing. If they do, well, I’m pretty sure Freddie here is a crack shot on his rifle.”

Freddie nodded. “That’s right. They won’t get far.”

“I’m offering it to you right now,” Solomon said. “And as long as you don’t want it at the same time we take ours, you can use it.”

“That’s wonderful, Sol,” Betty exclaimed happily. “Thank you so much.”

“Do you have a date in mind yet?” Isabel asked. It was obvious the two were courting but she hadn’t yet been told when, which was strange, considering she was so close to the bride and groom. She was at the point where she could easily say Betty was her best friend the way Freddie was to Sol. Though the three of them had considerably longer pasts with each other. 

“Not quite yet,” Freddie said, his eyes following Betty as she took her glass to the table and sat down in one of the chairs. “What about you? You have an idea when yet?”

Betty nodded. 

Freddie looked at her with confusion on his face. “You do?”

Betty’s return glance was mischievous and teasing. “Yes, I do know when. I know what month and what date I would like to get married.”

“Do tell, do tell!” Freddie said, his voice excited. 

Isabel could see the delight on his face and it warmed her heart. Freddie was the first friend she made in Steven’s Gulch. He had informed her of his infatuation with Betty even before he told his own best friend. Then again, the situation between Solomon and Betty would have played a significant role in Freddie not telling him how he felt about Betty.

“I want to get married in six weeks,” Betty said. “On a Saturday. About one in the afternoon. I want it to be on the church lawn, instead of inside. I’m willing to postpone for rain but not too long.”

“It sounds like you’ve been thinking a lot about this, Betts,” Freddie responded, looking nearly ecstatic. “And that sounds perfectly fine to me. Six weeks it is then.”

Betty looked at Isabel. “I hope you’ll stand up for me. Be my matron of honor?”

Isabel smiled wide. “I would love to do that, honey. Thank you for asking. Six weeks you say?” She looked up at the ceiling, calculating in her mind to get an approximate date. “I think I’ll be able to do that. Will you be supplying the dress or is it up to me to get it?”

“I can definitely provide a nice, beautiful dress for you, Izzy. Not a problem. You have a lovely figure. You will look stunning in whatever I get. And I want you to be able to wear it to other places, too. So nothing to fancy. You could go to church in these dresses.”

“So you’ve already seen what you want?” 

Betty nodded. “I saw them in a catalog at the dress shop. Of course, they are made to order. But I can afford to pay for it for you.”

“Doesn’t matter to me one way or another,” Isabel persisted. “I have money.” She glanced at her husband. “At least Sol does and I know he wouldn’t stand in the way of me being in your wedding party. I’d be delighted.”

Freddie grunted at Solomon. “Hey. You want to be my best man?”

“I’d love to,” Solomon said, nodding.

Freddie looked at the two women. “See how easy that was? Just come out with it and say it, for goodness sake.”

His companions laughed.

“Just come out and say it, huh?” Isabel asked.

Freddie nodded. “Yeah. He agrees. Don’t you, Sol?” Freddie gestured to his friend.

Solomon agreed with his own nod. “Definitely.”

“Okay,” Isabel said with a big smile. “I’m going to have a baby!”

THE END

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