An Abandoned Baby for the Rancher’s Bride – Extended Epilogue

4 years later

It wasn’t exactly a shock to Tom that Vega was a good grandfather. He adored his grandchildren like he loved Marisol. He was a hard ma on the outside, still not always easy to get along with, but no one would have had the slightest inkling of his wild past or their trouble as neighbors. Vega bent low and scooped up the four-year-old little girl and her two- year-old brother, who toddled behind her. Vega’s arms were more than wide enough for the both of them. Joey laughed as his rough around the edges father-in-law made faces at both children, which made them howl with laughter. Beside Joey, Marisol melted at the sight of her father with their children. She had their youngest, Anna, wrapped snugly in her arms. She’d come into the world on an unnaturally cold day at the beginning of spring. She was early, but Masie, Lottie, and Nell had been there to assist with the birth, and thankfully, Anna came into the world, a few weeks early, but healthy and without issue.

Marisol’s ma stood behind Marisol, glancing just as fondly at all her grandchildren.

Just as it was the day that Marisol and Joey married, it was perfect weather for a celebration. The sky was cloudless, the sun big and golden in the sky. While chores still had to be done and the animals cared for, all the hands would be dropping in throughout the afternoon to celebrate Hope.

She was the light of the Callahan ranch. She lit up everyone’s life with her lovely personality. She was sweet, always had a smile ready, and laughed loudly and eagerly. She had a way with animals and adored the calves and foals. She was absolutely doted on, and even the roughest ranch hand turned did hilarious things like pick her wildflowers and present them if she was around, or point out a bird she might like. She was quiet, but smart. Her wide eyes were filled with knowledge, and though she sometimes seemed old and wistful in her soul, she turned that wisdom into tenderness and joy. She was endlessly thoughtful and caring. She’d spend hours with her grandparents, learning to embroider, or caring for the garden or searching for herbal plants.

Tom had a tight hold on their own three-year-old son. William, named for Nell’s pa, and Richard, after Tom’s. As peaceful and contemplative as Hope was, Will was the opposite. He was full of fire and spirited. He wanted to be outside always, where no job was too big for him to accomplish. Like Joey and Marisol’s children, Will adored the calves and foals. There’d been some talk lately of leaving a legacy behind, not just in the ranch’s land and cattle, but in horses. Joey wanted to start raising racehorses, and he thought it would be something wonderful for the children to grow up with and take over.

Will kicked and bucked, eager to get to Hope’s cake. He’d probably shove his whole face into it, and since Hope was just leaning over it, they hadn’t even sung any songs for her yet, and Lottie had spent a whole day putting the great tiered sweet together, there was certainly no way Will was getting close to it until after it had been cut.

Pat stood right behind Hope, beside her grandparents, and the rest of the family circled the small table they’d brought outside. Hope wouldn’t hear of celebrating indoors.

Nell started off the singing, her lovely voice rising and then they all joined in. Hope beamed and at the end of it, she blew out the five candles topping it.

Cal clapped loudly and gave a hearty cheer. Will adored his uncle and wanted to be just like him when he grew up. A federal marshal. Marshal Carter had moved on last year. He’d gone north and then west, which left the spot open. Cal, who was looking for an opportunity to be closer to Nell, eagerly filled it. Nell had been elated. She’d only tried, every single month when she wrote Cal, to get him to take a position in Texas if he could. He’d come to visit regularly, but she’d honestly doubted it would ever stick.

Though Cal lived in Fredericksburg and not on the ranch, they were all a great big family. Found, chosen, and blood. It didn’t matter. They all belonged on Callahan soil. They’d stuck together, been broken together, and healed together.

Hope’s grandparents cut the cake with Pat, and Lottie began passing out plates.

Nell’s huge smile never left her face. It lit her up. She was so beautiful that Tom lost his breath. Will helped, kicking him right in the stomach as he squirmed to get down.

“Pa!” He griped, watching enviously as his cousins ran wild on the lawn.

“Alright. Mind yourself now. Now upending plates, tables, or chairs. Stay where I can see you, Will. Please don’t run off to the stables or disappear in the fields.”

He nodded solemnly and Tom let him down. The minute the little boy’s bare feet hit the grass, he was off. Will almost never wore boots. It was something Nell hated, as he’d come back with thorns and slivers in his feet more times than either of them could count. He was cautious though, always watching for insects, for scorpions and snakes in the grass. Will loved all creatures. It was a good thing that Nell found it funny when he dragged another being home. They usually set those captives free together, and Will was always careful. Nell was so good about it. She loved what Will loved and was curious about the world because he was. She’d never once screamed over a spider or a snake, or the field mice and other varmint that Will sometimes accidentally released into the house. Or directly onto Nell herself.

They now had two pet opossums that Will found orphaned. They’d survived and they were like little cats. Thankfully, the snakes and spiders didn’t need much coddling and were happy to be released.

“What a blessed day this is,” Nell exclaimed, walking up beside him.

She passed him a plate of cake, beaming as she watched Vega and Cal chase the children around. Will yelled for his uncle to be their wild horse that they had to break. It was a game that the children never tired of. Cal was a good sport, though he was likely long past fond of getting rode into the dirt.

“Five years,” Tom mused. That took his breath away too. Five years passed so quickly. He hoped the rest of their lifetime together would slow down a little.

“Here’s to more laughter, more love, and more children.” Nell wasn’t watching Will or his cousins, though. She looked straight at him.

Tom understood her well enough to know what she was saying. He abruptly dropped his plate right out of his hands. “Nell!”

“Yes,” she said, laughing, though she did quickly pick up his plate. Somehow, the cake was unscathed, and the grass broke the fall. She rubbed away a puff of red earth and passed it back. “They’ll all have another playmate.” She placed a hand on her belly. They weren’t sure they’d be blessed with another child, but they would. “Another wild Callahan to fill the ranch up with critters, laughs, and love.”

This time, Tom set his plate down. He swept Nell up, twirling her around. He couldn’t have dreamed of this the first time he’d seen her, a stranger in his room. He’d been so grouchy and begrudging. So broken and wounded, stumbling through every day like a blind man, thinking he was thriving. He’d been so wrong. So ready for this woman to walk into his life and fill up his heart, to love him big, love his family big, and give him a life he could only have dreamed of.

THE END