Following Her True Calling – Extended Epilogue

One Year Later

Colt came up behind Loretta and circled his arms around her waist. He kissed her neck.

“Can you do me a favor and tie my apron in the back?” Loretta asked her husband. “If I keep getting bigger, this apron will become impossible to tie at all.”

“Your belly is only slightly swollen and only looks like you ate a big meal. The baby that you give birth to is already the luckiest child to ever be born in Fayville.”

“Why is that?” Loretta asked.

“He or she is blessed with the best mother in the entire state of Kansas,” Colt praised Loretta.

He had found some reason to compliment her about every day. Since Loretta discovered she was carrying their child, he treated her like a queen. Colt told her several times a day how beautiful and clever she was. Pregnancy was another reason to celebrate and count her blessings. It seemed as if things became more joyous each day of their marriage. As a result of her stoic upbringing, she had no idea being so happy was possible.

“I’ll bring the wagon around, so you don’t have to walk so far,” Colt explained.

Loretta giggled. “You can save favors like that for when I’m rotund. People at work have only started to notice my swollen belly. Most of them have figured I had just been getting fat.”

“Not Sigourney, though. She guessed even before we knew for sure. Must be a mother’s intuition. If she hasn’t shared the good news with every volunteer in the orphanage, I’d be surprised.”

“She’s going to be an amazing grandmother. I often think of the disappointment she must have felt when she discovered she could have no more children. This will be a chance for her to see a child grow up. An opportunity my father stole from her.”

“I think she put all the tragedy behind her, and Sigourney couldn’t be happier now.”

***

The orphanage had never looked better. Colt’s sister Amie and her husband Beau had moved to Fayville. She helped decorate the orphanage to make it look less like a prison. Beau was a carpenter and made all new benches and tables. The inviting space made it attract more families who were interested in adoption. Amie, unfortunately, wasn’t pregnant when she thought she was. She and Beau had grown impatient to start a family, so they adopted a six-year-old boy from the orphanage. His name was Larry. Amie thought his name was a sign that he was meant to be their son. Her father’s name had been Lawrence. They met with the judge to finalize the adoption, and a week later, Amie realized she was pregnant.

Colt’s sister Wendy settled in Chicago with her physician husband. She made it to Kansas at least once a year to visit family. She had yet to start a family but intended to have a big one. 

Colt’s mother had lived with Amie and Beau in Keebler, so when they moved to Fayville, she came too. Alton and Clement each lived within a day’s drive. They had become well established on their homesteads, so wouldn’t be moving anytime soon. 

Colt joked that the Jacobs family was taking over Fayville, and no one complained. 

***

Colt pulled the wagon up to the front of their two-bedroom cottage on the pond. The building had happened quickly, thanks to the help of the folks of Fayville. When The Shavers needed help raising a barn, the Jacobs were among the first to volunteer help. Neighbors helped neighbors in Fayville.

“I could get used to this service. I hope you know that we have months to go before this baby is born,” Loretta pointed out. “I’ve talked to women who have been strong enough to walk a mile up until the day the baby was born.

“Sounds good to me. I won’t give you any special treatment,” Colt smiled as he spoke sarcastically.

“No need to go that far. You should want to treat me special whether I’m with child or not,” Loretta jested. “I just don’t want you going overboard.”

“I get it, sweetheart.” Colt leaned over and kissed his wife on the cheek.

Loretta reached in a pulled a letter out of her bag. “I wrote a letter to my father. In my last note, I had been very harsh and said many things that I had wanted to say for years. His response was apologetic, and it’s what I had needed to hear. A priest wrote the letter for him, but I guess he didn’t know the first thing about writing a letter of apology himself. I waited until after we were married to write him again since I needed time to pass. If you were wondering what I was doing at my desk last night, it was this. Will you listen to what I wrote and tell me what you think?”

“I’ll take the long way into town, so you have plenty of time,” Colt replied. 

“Dear Father,

Thank you for your sincere words. The last memory I had of you was not a good one, and that will never be erased, but your most recent letter helps soften its edges.” 

“I didn’t mention that I was miffed about the priest writing the letter,” Loretta noted.

“I am officially Mrs. Colt Jacobs. On Saturday, April 9, 1881, I was married in a perfect ceremony. Mother and Leeroy’s garden was the ideal place to get married, with the early spring flowers blooming and not a drop of rain in the sky. Every child in the orphanage came to the ceremony, and they sang like angels.”

Loretta paused and turned to Colt. “Do you think it was appropriate to tell him about the ceremony? Remember, he had once planned a wedding for me on the grounds of his mansion.”

Colt replied. “Always lead with honesty. Wasn’t it lies that first destroyed your relationship with your father?”

“You’re right. I love having you to help me with things like this. You’re so wise.”

“As are you, Loretta.”

She cleared her throat and continued:

“The orphanage where I volunteer has never looked better. Colt is a teacher, and he brought his sister on board to help redecorate it. The place looks better, and the new look has increased the number of families taking orphans home. I enjoy volunteering there because I feel that I’m making a difference in the world. The children make me smile every day, and being near Colt is a dream come true. He teaches like the conductor of a symphony orchestra.

Colt and I will be welcoming a baby into our lives at the end of this year. I am with child and filled with excitement. When he or she is born, I will let you know. Girl or boy, I’ll be thrilled to pieces, and it means you’ll be a grandfather. We don’t want the child to receive lavish gifts. It’s our opinion that she or he will be born rich. It will be rich in love.

That doesn’t mean the orphanage isn’t accepting donations! If you are looking for a good cause, this is it. We won’t be offering board seats or anything like that. It would have no strings attached.

Best of luck on your trip to Europe. The journey on the luxury ocean liner sounds like something you will enjoy. I hope you meet interesting people who make you smile.

I don’t foresee a trip to Winnetka in the future, but I may be taking a trip to Chicago after the baby is born. My sister-in-law, Wendy Saperstein, lives there with her husband. It would be a trip to take Colt’s mother Doris to see the big city. The baby and I could arrange to see you for lunch. I’ll let you know as our arrangements become clearer. I like the idea of staying in touch through letters only, but I would like to offer you the chance to meet your grandchild. Keeping family separate to serve one’s own needs is cruel.”

“Ha,” Colt interjected. “You really gave it to him with that comment. Seriously, I like that you’re taking the high road.”

“I don’t want him to think that I’ve forgotten what he did to me. However, what would it say about me if I followed similar patterns?”

“That’s all for now.

Respectfully,

Loretta”

Loretta folded the letter and put it back in the envelope.

“I don’t see a single flaw in your letter. We’ll post it on the way home from the orphanage,” Colt said.

“Thank you. That would be great.”

***

Colt began the day’s lessons in the classroom. Edna was in charge of volunteer assignments for the current week. They rotated so everything was done fairly. If Sigourney had her way, she’d be assigned to the room with the children four and under every day. She couldn’t get enough of the wee ones. In anticipation of her grandchild, she claimed to have needed the practice. The way Loretta’s mother was around nippers made it hard to believe she’d ever lost her touch.

“Good morning,” Loretta greeted her mother and a few other volunteers. “From the looks on your faces, I can tell that my mother confirmed your suspicions. Colt and I are going to be welcoming our first child into the world.”

Mamie, who recently became a grandmother, pounced from behind the table. She patted Loretta’s stomach and then went for her cheeks. She squeezed as only a grandmother knew how. The others followed in a similar fashion.

“It was silly to think this group wouldn’t figure out the blessed news eventually,” Sigourney commented.

“I’m sure you had something to do with revealing the news.” Loretta giggled. “I’m relieved everyone knows because it’s the best news I can imagine. Most of you are mothers, and I’m sure you know how I feel. I’m scared but so overjoyed.”

Loretta got started filling bowls with porridge for the morning meal. She was assigned kitchen duty for much of the week and rather enjoyed her assignment. 

During her first year of marriage, Loretta’s cooking had improved dramatically. That was not to say the time had passed without failure. Colt had dedicated a large section of the original cottage to the kitchen. She had a deep basin and a stove that was even larger than the one Sigourney had. The stove had belonged to Doris in Keebler, and she had given it to Loretta when she no longer needed it.

Loretta nearly burned the cottage to the ground when she forgot about a mincemeat pie in the oven. The stove had gotten blazing hot and caught a dishtowel on fire. She had left to visit her mother. Then she came back because she had forgotten something. Loretta was fortunate to have left a bucket of dirty dishwater near the basin. From that day forward, Colt made sure to keep a bucket of water in the kitchen.

“I’ll talk to Edna, so you don’t have to be on your feet for so long,” Sigourney said.

“Mother, I know you mean well, but I can’t be coddled for the next six months. Volunteering here at the orphanage requires me to be on my feet. If I’m tired, I’ll sit. This work makes me happy, and the children keep my spirits light. I know those things will be good for the baby.”

Sigourney smiled apologetically. “Leeroy warned me not to be overprotective. I have to remember my role. You’re the one expecting a child. I’m sorry if I was too much.”

“Now, mother,” Loretta wagged a finger. “Don’t go making light of your role. I didn’t have a grandmother to spoil me and sneak me treats that I would never receive from anyone else. I’m counting on your advice.”

Sigourney still kept an eagle eye on Loretta since nothing was really going to stop her. She simply did it more subtly. Oftentimes she would ask her volunteer friends to suggest Loretta take a break. She had to admit that having her mother care so much was sweet.

A letter from Helen gave an update on Cecil Junior and Lora. He was getting his first teeth, and Lora was talking in sentences. When Cecil Junior was old enough to travel, they would plan a trip. She had started talking to her husband about moving to Kansas. She promised it was only a matter of time.

***

Four Months Later

Colt had started bringing the wagon around and helping Loretta up. It was out of kindness but had become necessary also.

“You know that the short ride to the orphanage is going to become too uncomfortable soon. I’m also afraid of the ice as the winter blows in.”

“I’m aware. This is going to be one giant baby. I’m having second thoughts about this whole idea of giving birth,” Loretta announced.

“You do know that it’s a little late to have that conversation,” Colt said.

He had a look on his face as if he was hopeful she wasn’t serious.

“I’m kidding, dear. I’m having a baby, and that doesn’t mean I’ve lost my sense of humor,” Loretta said. “My cousin Jack stopped by the orphanage with some toys that he and Joshua used when they were young. I don’t know what Uncle Frank would have done if his boys hadn’t moved home. Life was difficult for him after Eva died.”

“I know how he feels. If anything happened to you, I would be devastated and lost. My life as I know it would be over. I think my heart would stop beating.”

“Hogwash. You would have our children to think about. One of us will have to endure the loss of the other. That’s one of life’s valleys that comes along with the soaring peaks.”

“Let’s not talk about this. We’re about to welcome a new life into the world,” Colt reminded Loretta. “I’ll help you down out front and make sure you get inside. Then I’ll tie the horse up to the hitching post.”

When they got to the front of the orphanage, they were met by a pregnant Amie and her son Larry. Amie said she would help Loretta inside. As they walked towards the front door, Larry dropped the ball he’d been carrying in. Loretta tripped over it and screamed.

Sigourney came running out and rushed to Loretta. She lay flat on her back with her hands over her face. Colt jumped from the wagon and ran to his wife. Amie looked on in horror.

Colt shouted inside at anyone who was listening. “Get help. Go find Dr. Nelson!

Loretta began to shake. When she peeled her hands away from her face, she was laughing hysterically. She sat up.

“I was afraid to say anything to anyone, but I feared I didn’t have a mothering instinct. I do because as I was falling, I flipped mid-air so I wouldn’t land on the baby. I may have twisted my ankle, but the baby is perfect.”

“You scared me to death. I’m afraid to love you more than I do. I think my heart might explode,” Colt said as he gently kissed her cheek. 

“I love you, sweetheart, and I love the baby. She probably has no idea what she just went through,” Loretta remarked.

Doctor Nelson came by after Colt carried her to a couch inside.

“Loretta, you look great except for your ankle. It’s going to turn every color of the rainbow and swell as big as, well, your belly,” he joked. “Seriously, it won’t get that big, but you have to stay off of it for a couple of weeks. Can you make that happen?”

A cacophony of answers came from Colt, Sigourney, Amie, and all the other volunteers. They had all said yes. The volunteers would do without her. Sigourney immediately offered to move in and get her what she needed. Colt would teach and otherwise not leave her side. The children wanted in on it too and were offering to help.

***

One Week Later

Loretta hadn’t know, her mother was such an avid knitter. She made blankets and socks in every color. There was plenty of blue and pink. She figured her daughter would have some of each eventually. Colt barely slept because he kept vigil over Loretta. He didn’t want anything happening to her while she slept. Leeroy came every night for dinner because otherwise, he would have starved. A couple of times, he had convinced Colt to sit outside and smoke a cigar.

“I’m turning in. Any chance you’ll have twins?” Sigourney jested. “I’ve made enough booties for the town.”

Loretta giggled. “The infants at the orphanage will take any extras. Goodnight, Mother. I love you.”

Colt came in and took his position on the chair next to Loretta’s bed.

“My mother has already retired. I know my fall scared you but look where it landed me. I’m safe in bed, and nothing can happen to me. It’s you I worry about because you haven’t been getting any sleep,” she voiced her concern.

“I’m fine, more than fine. I can’t wait to meet our baby. I know you said it will be Colt Junior if it’s a boy. Do you have a girl’s name picked out that you want to run by me?”

“I’d like to name her Eva. I’d like to think that she’s going to be her guardian angel.”

“That’s perfect. Did you really doubt you had a mothering instinct?” Colt asked. “I’ve known you to be wonderful with children.”

“It’s different. My mother has an intuition that I find hard to describe. I hoped I would have the same thing, and now I know I will.”

“Traveling this journey with you, I know now more than ever that I want a big family. I love you, and I love our baby.”

A startled smile came over Loretta. “The baby just kicked. I think it just said it loves you too.”

Colt slept that night with his hand on Loretta’s belly.

“I love you, Colt,” Loretta said and closed her eyes.

THE END

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