Hearts Surrendered on the Cattle Trail – Extended Epilogue

One Year Later

Clara looked out over the field from the porch where she sat with a glass of lemonade in one hand, the other hand on her huge stomach. Another beautiful October had arrived, and she was enjoying every day even if she was so big she could barely waddle.

The baby would come soon. Not soon enough for her. She couldn’t wait to hold her child in her arms, and to be able to walk like a normal person again. She gently ran her hand over her belly.

The baby kicked hard as if he or she had felt the motion of her hand. Perhaps her little darling had felt it. It made her happy to think so.

Ethan came outside and sat down beside her. “Is my little brother almost here, Momma?”

“Yes, honey, any time now.” She loved that he called her Momma. She hadn’t asked him to. She hadn’t felt she had a right, and she didn’t want to take anything away from his birth mother. The first time he’d called her that, she’d cried.

Her reaction had upset him, and he’d asked if she didn’t like him calling her that. She’d hugged him tight and told him that was the sweetest thing he could have done. He hugged her back and said he was glad that she wanted him to call her Momma.

Ethan was such a sweet child, and he would be the best brother he could be. He’d been looking forward to the baby coming from the moment she and Jack told him they were expecting.

Clara ruffled his hair. “What are you doing today?”

“I finished my schoolwork. Now I’m going to draw.”

“That’s good. If you keep working on your drawing, who knows, maybe you’ll be an artist someday.”

He giggled. “I’m not that good.”

“If you keep learning and practicing, who says you can’t be?”

“Do you really think so?”

“Sure, why not?”

“I’d like that.” He scuffed his shoe on the porch and blushed.

“Then do it. There’s no reason why you can’t.”

“I’m going to!”

“Good boy.”

She really did think he had the talent to be an artist. His pictures were amazingly accurate. She had been stunned the first time he’d drawn her picture and gave it to her. She had tucked it into the family Bible.

“In fact, if you want to be an artist, when you complete your schooling, we’ll send you to an art school.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really.”

“I want to be an artist,” he said matter-of-factly.

“Then it’s settled.”

The sound of barking erupted and the dogs bound up on the porch. Ethan pet both of them at once. Dusty pranced around him and Rusty flopped over for a belly rub. The dogs loved him, too.

She wasn’t sure that she deserved such a good life, but Clara was tWillful she had it.

Jack rode up the driveway on the big Buckskin horse he’d replaced his chestnut with. He stopped at the porch.

“Any word from Samuel?” she asked.

“No. But I’m sure everything’s fine. He knows how to lead the drive.”

“I know, but I wish you could have gone. You should have led.”

He chuckled. “There is no way I would go on a trip like that with the baby due.”

“I know. And I know he’s perfectly capable. And Will’s there, too.”

“That’s right, you have nothing to worry about with them in charge.”

“I know. I just worry that something will happen and Samuel won’t be able to handle it.”

“Believe me,” Jack said. “Samuel can handle anything that comes along.”

“I know; you’re right.” She really did. She just needed to settle down and wait for the birth of her child. It couldn’t be much longer.

***

One week later, Clara was busy baking apple pies with Sarah when the first pain hit and she nearly doubled over. “Oh, my Lord!”

“It’s time,” Sarah said and clasped her hands. “The baby’s coming. I’ll send Luketo fetch the doctor.”

Clara couldn’t believe how much pain the contraction caused and immediately dreaded the next one.

Sarah hurried outside to find Luke and Jack.

Clara knew from what Judy had told her after the birth of her daughter three weeks before that she was in for a long labor with her first child. Clara sat down at the table. When would the next contraction come?

Jack came in with a look of concern on his face. “Clara, why aren’t you in bed?”

“Because I’m hours away from having the baby. I don’t want to just lay there all that time.”

“Are you sure it’s all right to be up?”

“Of course it is,” she said. “It will be a while before the next contraction comes. First babies take forever.”

“I hope you’re right.”

“She is,” Sarah said from behind Jack.

***

The next few hours dragged by, punctuated with minutes of nearly unbearable pain. But Clara knew those were nothing compared to what was coming.

The doctor would hopefully arrive soon. He’d told Luke he would make a house call before coming to the ranch, and not to fret because the baby wouldn’t come for hours.

Clara finally retreated to the bedroom and made herself as comfortable as she could get. It was going to be a long day.

A little while later, she heard the front door open and close and a man’s deep voice. The doctor had arrived. She wished she could say the same about the baby.

Judy had told her things about her delivery that made Clara shiver. She just wanted it to be over and to hold the baby in her arms.

Sarah brought Dr. Greenway to her room moments later.

“So, Clara. I hear that baby wants to make his or herself known to the world.”

“That’s right,” Clara said.

“Well, I hope you aren’t in a rush,” he replied and chuckled.

***

Clara had a death-grip on Jack’s hand as contractions tore through her. It felt like someone was cutting her in half.

“Come on,” Clara, you can do this,” Jack said.

She groaned through clenched teeth. Sweat rolled down her face. The pain was unrelenting, and she didn’t know how much more she could stand.

Jack looked at the doctor. “Is this… normal?”

The doctor chuckled. “Yes, my boy. She’ll be fine.”

Jack looked like he wasn’t sure he believed the doctor.

Clara let out a yell and arched her back.

Jack jumped up and started pacing back and forth like a caged animal. “Can’t you give her something?”

“No. The baby will be here soon now,” the doctor said, and turned his attention to Clara. “You need to push with the next contraction.”

The contraction came sooner than she was ready for, but she pushed with everything she had. Tears streamed down her face from the pain and effort.

The cycle of pain and push seemed to go on forever until she thought she would surely die before the baby came. But finally, the doctor said, “Once more. Push hard.”

She did and the baby came into the world with a sharp cry.

“It’s a boy,” the doctor announced with pleasure in his voice.

Clara sagged into the pillows with relief, and a moment later, the doctor placed the baby in her arms. She cradled him close and stroked his head.

Jack was instantly at her side, staring at their son with an expression of awe on his face.

“He’s beautiful, isn’t he?” she commented.

“You’re beautiful,” Jack said as he gazed at their child.

She laughed weakly. “I look like a wreck. But it was worth it. Look at our son. He’s perfect.”

“Yes, he is. What are we going to call him?”

“Can we call him David, after my father?”

“Yes, I’d like that. I know your father would be so proud of you.”

“David,” she whispered to the child. A new kind of love blossomed in her heart. One that was different from what she felt for Jack. One that was fierce and protective.

Ethan came into the room soon after, his eyes bright with excitement. He stared at the baby, and a huge grin spread over his face. “My baby brother.”

Clara stroked Ethan’s hair. “Are you glad to see him?”

“Yes! What’s his name?”

“David.”

“That’s a nice name.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

“I can’t wait for him to be old enough to play with him.”

“It’s gonna be a little while before he can play,” she said.

“I hope it isn’t too long.”

Clara laughed. “You’ll have to play with Dusty and Rusty until then. And you have a lot of school friends to play with.”

Jack placed an arm around Clara. “Our family, the four of us. I never thought I’d have something like this, something so good.”

“I didn’t either,” Clara said. “But here we are. And I’m so thankful for all of you.”

***

Days later, Sarah had prepared a grand feast. It was a combination celebration of the arrival of the newest member of the family and the return of Samuel and Will after a successful cattle drive.

Willow Ridge Ranch was bustling with life and activity.

Samuel had shared the good news that the roads were safer since the gang had been captured and sent to prison where they still languished. And more news that a rumor had circulated that Warren had lost his mind while behind bars.

Will had finished the drive without even considering gambling. He had kept his word that he wouldn’t do it again. Sarah and Clara smiled at each other. He had beaten the monster that had hung over him for decades.

The house smelled like roasting meat and vegetables, and they had baked a couple of pies and a huge cake. Laughter and conversation filled the air. It almost felt like a holiday.

Judy helped cook. Her daughter, Mary, and David, shared a crib while the women prepared the food.

When they finally sat down to eat, it was more than a celebration, it was also a thanks to God for the many blessings they’d been given in the last year. Clara was thankful for so much. She would never have guessed how things would turn out. She had been blessed, and she appreciated it.

After the delicious meal, everyone retired to the porch.

Clara sat close to Jack. “I can’t believe how far we’ve come in a short time.”

He chuckled. “Neither can I. Just a short time ago, I was chasing criminals. I’m lucky I did that so long without getting myself killed.”

“Well, I’m glad you did,” she said. “The Lord had a better plan for you. For both of us.” She glanced at their sleeping son, nestled in a bassinett next to her. She itched to touch him, almost to assure herself that he was real. She refrained from the urge, not wanting to wake him.

“He’s beautiful, isn’t he?” Jack said.

“He is.”

“I can’t wait to have another. Maybe a girl,” Jack said with a grin. “We have two boys already.” He looked over at Ethan as he played with the dogs in the yard.

“Maybe you can give birth next time,” Clara said with a giggle.

He snorted. “I don’t think it works like that.”

“It’s worth it, no matter how hard it is.” She reached over and caught his hand. “I hope we have a huge family. And I hope we have a dozen grandchildren before we leave this world.”

He grinned. “Maybe we can. I had no idea what having a real family could be like. Warren took away my childhood and left nothing but awful memories. But what we’re building is real, special, something I could never have imagined.”

“It is real,” she said. Her heart swelled with love for him and the children. She hadn’t known how good it could be either. Not really. She hadn’t known it would throw everything else into shadow. Family and love were the greatest achievements in life. And without them, life was empty.

She knew that now. She wished she had known it sooner.

The life they were building on Willow Ridge Ranch was more than she could ever have dreamed of. She didn’t just want the ranch to succeed, she wanted to use it to help all of them succeed. Everyone there played a crucial role in Willow Ridge Ranch’s success and growth. They were all family in her heart.

She glanced over at Sarah and Will. They would always belong there, as would Samuel and Judy who had built a small house on the hill close by.

Clara had been thrilled when they’d asked permission to build on her land. It felt good to have friends so close. Clara looked forward to their children growing up and playing together.

Sarah’s and her gazes met and both women smiled, as if sharing a special thought of the future.

Then she turned back to Jack, the man she loved with all her heart. He smiled at her, and she melted inside. He caught her hand and gave a gentle squeeze.

“They say life is what you make it. I’d say we’re off to a really good start.”

“I’d say you’re right.” She gazed out over the pasture-land where fat cattle grazed contentedly. He was more than right. They had been given so many blessings, and she was thankful for every one of them.

“I hope we live to a grand old age,” she said with a little grin.

“So do I,” Jack agreed.

“Can you imagine what the ranch will be like in forty or fifty years?” she asked.

“No. But I can imagine our children running it, and us traveling or doing something that’s just for us.”

Clara smiled. “You mean you don’t want to go on cattle drives when you’re pushing eighty?”

He laughed. “That’s for the younger folk. When I’m eighty, I just want to spend my time with you and watch the days go by in peace.”

“I wonder what will be going on in the world in fifty years,” she said.

“Probably nothing significant. At least I hope that’s how it will be. I want to spend my last years enjoying slow days with family and friends.”

She nodded.

“No matter what time brings, we’ll always have each other and Willow Ridge Ranch,” Jack said. “There’s no need to ask for more.”

“I know,” she said and sighed.

The baby cooed in the bassinett but didn’t wake.

Ethan and the dogs raced up on the porch. The little boy sat down between Clara and Jack. “I drew a picture of David. Want to see it?”

“Yes,” Clara said.

He pulled a drawing from his pocket and unfolded it before handing it to Clara.

The likeness was uncanny. “ Ethan, look at that. It’s just like him.” She thrust the drawing to Jack.

“That’s really good, Ethan. Really good,” Jack said with a look of surprise on his face.

“I told you we have to send him to art school when he’s old enough,” Clara said with a little grin.

“I see why,” Jack said. “You have talent, young man. You shouldn’t waste it. Maybe you’ll be a famous artist one day.”

In a surprisingly solemn voice, Ethan said, “Thank you.”

Jack gave back the drawing and Ethan tucked it away. He looked between them and said, “Thank you for being my mom and dad.”

“You don’t need to thank us,” Clara said. “We love you. You’re our son and always will be.”

Ethan smiled, stood up, and raced off the porch again with the dogs chasing right behind him.

“He’s going to be an artist,” Clara said.

“I think you might be right.” Jack grinned.

She watched Ethan romp and play with the dogs for a moment. “I’m so glad we found him.”

“So am I,” Jack said.

“So much good came from that cattle drive. Not money. Human good. Ethan, us, Will beating gambling, Warren paying for the things he did. All of us have changed for the better.”

“Maybe we’ve all just become who and what we were supposed to be all along.” He glanced over at her, knowingly.

“Maybe.”

“Whatever the case,” Jack said, “I’m glad we have each other.”

She took his hand again and smiled. “We have so much more than I ever expected.”

“We have everything,” he said.

She glanced around. They were surrounded by family, love, and the promise of a bright future. Their journey had led them exactly where they were meant to be, and she couldn’t be happier or more thankful.

“You’re right. We do have everything.” Clara glanced at the sleeping baby and smiled.

Her life was more than she ever dreamed possible. More than she’d ever hoped for. And she owed it all to the wonderful man beside her. Her heart swelled with love and gratitude.

THE END