Two years later…

The ranch no longer felt like a place surviving hardship. Instead, it felt alive.

Warm afternoon sunlight poured through the windows of Jess’s dressmaking workshop, touching the folded fabrics, baskets of thread, and rows of glass jars that were lined along the shelves Everett had built with his own hands. Every jar held a different shade drawn from the wildflowers Jess still gathered herself from the meadow beyond the creek.

There were hints of soft lavender and deep blue. Further along, she saw the golden yellows and muted sage.

All were the colors born from the land around them.

The room smelled of dried flowers and the autumn apples Edna had been stewing all morning. Jess adjusted the hem of the dress pinned to the mannequin before stepping back to examine it critically.

“No, Jess, I won’t let you,” Ruth Calloway said immediately from her chair near the cutting table. “You are not changing another thing. It’s already beautiful.”

Peggy nodded enthusiastically while smoothing a hand over the deep blue fabric draped across her lap.

“You say that every single time, Ma,” Peggy teased. “And every single time she changes something anyway.”

Jess laughed softly. “I can’t help it.”

“That much is obvious,” Ruth replied fondly.

The smile remained on her face as Jess reached for her chalk again. However, movement beside her drew her attention first. A small, unhappy cry rose from the cradle near the window. Straight away, Jess’s entire expression softened.

“There she is,” Ruth murmured knowingly.

Quickly, Jess crossed the room and leaned over the cradle.

Margaret Prescott blinked up at her with wide hazel eyes framed by impossibly pale lashes. At six months old, she already had Everett’s blond hair and Jess’s freckles dusting faintly across her tiny nose.

Every time Jess looked at Margaret, her heart seemed to squeeze.

The baby fussed again, her fists waving impatiently.

“Oh, sweetheart,” Jess whispered warmly.

She lifted the baby carefully into her arms and settled her against her hip. Margaret immediately quieted, pressing her cheek sleepily against Jess’s shoulder while clutching the fabric of her dress. Peggy smiled from where she sat.

“She looks more like Everett every day,” she commented.

Jess glanced down affectionately at the little girl. “She certainly inherited his stubbornness.”

“Good luck to you then,” Ruth said dryly.

Laughter filled the workshop once more. Jess shifted Margaret slightly higher against her hip while moving toward the shelves of folded fabric. Everett had built the workshop onto the side of the ranch house the previous spring after finally selling most of the Prescott mining holdings.

He had kept only enough investments to secure the ranch and provide stability for their future. The rest he had gladly left behind.

She still remembered the expression on his face when he first handed her the key to the workshop door.

You deserve something beautiful that belongs entirely to you.

And he had meant it. The room had become her favorite place in the world besides their home itself.

Sudden laughter echoed across the yard from outside. Then came the unmistakable sound of hoofbeats approaching fast.

“They’re home,” Jess said, finding herself smiling wider.

Almost before the words finished leaving her mouth, the front workshop door burst open hard enough to make Margaret startle.

“Aunt Jess!”

Winnie flew inside first in a whirlwind of blonde curls, autumn leaves, and excitement, while Noah followed only slightly slower behind her, carrying a stack of schoolbooks beneath one arm.

Both children had grown taller over the last two years, though Winnie still possessed the same brightness she always had, while Noah carried more of his emotions calmly. Except now he smiled often and spoke constantly.

“Easy,” Jess laughed as Winnie nearly collided with the cutting table. “What happened to walking through doors politely?”

“We forgot,” Winnie replied honestly.

“That much is clear,” Jess replied with a grin.

Noah grinned sheepishly before noticing the baby.

“She’s awake,” he commented, looking up at her.

Margaret reached toward him with a delighted little sound as soon as she spotted him.

“There’s her favorite brother,” Jess teased.

Margaret squealed happily as Noah carefully touched her tiny hand. From outside came another familiar voice.

“If you two tracked mud through the house again, Edna’s going to tan your hides.”

Hazel walked through the doorway, smiling beneath a wool coat the color of cinnamon. Marriage suited her. Her cheeks glowed from the cold while loose strands of hair escaped beneath her bonnet. Jess noticed the way Hazel rested one hand unconsciously against her stomach, but decided not to mention anything.

Then Everett entered behind her, carrying several parcels beneath one arm. The sight of him still stole Jess’s breath a little, even after two years. Perhaps it always would.

The scar near his shoulder still troubled him occasionally, though otherwise he had healed fully. Ranch life had broadened his shoulders and roughened his hands permanently, while Colorado sunlight had bronzed his skin in ways the polished heir from Virginia never had possessed.

Though his eyes remained exactly the same.

Everett spotted Jess and smiled. “There’s my girls.”

At the sound of his voice, Margaret kicked excitedly.

“Traitor,” Jess murmured affectionately as the baby reached for him instead.

He laughed while taking Margaret into his arms. The little girl grabbed eagerly at his coat collar while he kissed her cheek.

At that point, Arthur entered behind him, carrying school satchels. Unlike Everett, Arthur had adjusted to Colorado from the beginning. Deputy work under Sheriff Whitley suited him perfectly, though lately he spent far more time hovering around Hazel than patrolling town. Not that anyone blamed him.

“Edna says supper’s nearly ready,” Arthur announced.

“Which means,” Hazel added carefully, “she’s already angry none of us are seated yet.”

“That sounds about right,” Everett agreed.

Winnie darted toward the doorway again. “Can we have cake now?”

“No,” the three adults answered immediately.

Winnie sighed dramatically enough to make Noah laugh. The house slowly filled over the next hour.

Lanterns glowed against the deepening autumn dusk while laughter came through every room. The Calloways arrived carrying fresh bread and preserves while Sheriff Whitley brought whiskey from town “for the birthday man.” Edna ruled the kitchen throughout all of it.

By evening, the long dining table overflowed with food. There was roasted chicken, potatoes that were dripping with butter, and fresh pies cooling near the windows.

Jess sat beside Everett with Margaret asleep against her shoulder while Noah explained school arithmetic to Sheriff Whitley across the table.

“You actually enjoy sums?” the sheriff asked in disbelief.

Noah nodded seriously. “Miss Hazel says I’m good at them.”

“Lord help us,” Arthur commented, watching him. “Another Prescott with a head for numbers.”

Meanwhile, Winnie attempted to feed scraps beneath the table to Whiskers, who had grown tremendously rounder over the years and now considered himself master of the household.

Eventually, Edna disappeared into the kitchen before returning to the dining room carrying a large birthday cake lit with candles.

Everyone applauded immediately, and Everett groaned under his breath.

“You all realize I’m not ninety,” he said.

“You’re close enough,” Arthur teased him with a chuckle.

Jess laughed as Everett shot his friend an unimpressed look. The candlelight flickered across Everett’s face while the children leaned forward excitedly.

“Make a wish!” Winnie ordered.

Everett glanced toward Jess first. Then toward Margaret, who slept peacefully in her arms.

When he looked back down at the cake, his expression softened completely. Then, he blew out the candles. Cheers erupted around the table.

A little later, while desserts were passed around and conversations split into smaller groups, Sheriff Whitley motioned toward Everett and Arthur.

The three men got up from the table and stepped toward the porch. Jess watched the change on Sheriff Whitley’s face and felt curiosity stir inside her chest. Margaret had begun sleeping peacefully in her arms. Carefully, Jess rose from her chair and crossed toward Hazel.

“Will you hold her for a minute?” she asked softly.

Hazel smiled and reached for the baby at once. “Of course.”

The baby settled against Hazel’s shoulder while Jess moved toward the doorway, close enough to hear without interrupting.

Cool autumn air seeped through the open door as Jess folded her arms across her chest and listened.

“What is it?” Everett asked.

The sheriff folded his hands behind his back. “I’ve received official word this morning from Virginia.”

There was a pause. Though Jess couldn’t see Everett’s face, she could tell it dropped. He had grown accustomed to hearing the worst.

“Conrad Graves was sentenced yesterday,” Whitley continued steadily. “Life imprisonment.”

Silence followed as Jess absorbed the words from where she stood. It was good news. It was the result they had all been hoping for.

The sheriff added, “All remaining assets tied to his crimes were seized by the court.”

She could hear Everett exhaling through his nose.

“And Boyd?” Arthur asked before anything else could be said.

Whitley snorted softly. “Hard labor suits him poorly, apparently.”

Good, Jess thought fiercely from the doorway. Very good.

“Well,” Arthur said awkwardly, clearing his throat, “speaking of life-changing news…”

As if sensing her husband’s next words, Hazel looked up at him from across the room where she sat.

There were footsteps, and the three men walked back into the room together. Arthur approached the table, nodding toward his new wife.

“We’re expecting,” he announced, grinning proudly.

For half a second, the entire room fell silent. Then absolute madness erupted.

Hazel laughed as Ruth hugged her tightly while Winnie immediately demanded to know whether the baby could already play games.

Everett grabbed Arthur in a fierce embrace. “You’re going to be a father.”

At that, Arthur looked equal parts thrilled and terrified. Jess smiled so hard her cheeks hurt. Warmth filled every corner of the room until it felt impossible to contain.

Eventually, Arthur laughed and rubbed the back of his neck.

“Well,” he added, glancing toward Everett mischievously, “that actually wasn’t my only surprise tonight.”

Everett narrowed his eyes suspiciously. “What have you done?”

Without waiting for anyone’s permission, Arthur reached into the worn leather bag resting beside his chair.

“Arthur?” Everett asked, raising his eyebrow in curiosity.

Carefully, Arthur lifted out a small iron lockbox no bigger than a Bible. Age had darkened the metal almost black, and scratches marked the corners.

The room slowly quieted. Jess watched Everett’s expression change. She saw confusion first…and then his eyes began brightening with realization.

“One of the men managing the mine sent word after the sentencing,” Arthur explained quietly. “A trusted ally of your mother’s. He found this hidden behind a loose stone in Eleanor’s bedroom fireplace while the house was being searched.”

Everett stared at the lockbox as though afraid to touch it. Arthur offered him a small key.

“He said your mother never let Conrad near that fireplace herself,” he explained.

The murmuring filling the room seemed to soften around the edges as Everett slowly accepted the key. Jess moved closer, brushing his back lightly with one hand.

For a second, Everett simply stood there staring at the box Arthur had placed on the table. Then he unlocked it.

Inside rested several neatly bundled stacks of money wrapped carefully in faded ribbon. Beneath them lay a folded letter.

Jess saw Everett’s hands tremble before he even unfolded it. The moment his eyes landed on the handwriting, emotion came over his face.

“Her writing,” he whispered.

The room stayed silent as Everett unfolded the pages. Jess watched his eyes move across the letter. Then she saw the tears gathering instantly.

“My dearest Everett,” he read softly, his voice already rough with emotion. “If you are reading this, then I fear I was right not to trust Conrad Graves.”

At that, Jess felt her own throat tighten. Everett swallowed hard and continued.

“I have spent years quietly setting aside money wherever I could, hidden where he would never think to look,” he continued. “I prayed I would one day give it to you myself. But should that not happen, then I want you to know this was never meant for mines or power or wealth. It was meant for you.”

The fire crackled softly nearby, and Margaret stirred sleepily in Hazel’s arms. Everett blinked rapidly before continuing again.

“You were never meant to become hard the way Conrad wished,” he said. “You have your father’s kindness and my stubborn heart, and I pray you never lose either of them. I do not know what life will ask of you, my darling boy, but I hope wherever you end up, you build a life around what you truly love.”

Everett stopped reading, and his shoulders shook once. It was just once…but Jess saw it. She saw the years of grief and loneliness and fear sitting inside him.

He stared down at the letter as though trying desperately to hold onto his mother through the paper itself. When he lowered himself into a chair, Jess slowly sat beside him. Without a word, she placed her hand gently over his.

The room around them remained warm and alive. From the other side of the table, Winnie was talking excitedly to Peggy about babies. Noah was crouched beside Whiskers near the stove as laughter drifted between the Calloways and Sheriff Whitley.

This was family, and it was exactly the kind Eleanor Prescott had hoped her son would one day find.

“I wish she could have met you,” Everett whispered, looking over at Jess.

Emotion caught painfully in Jess’s chest.

“She would have adored you,” he added.

The heaviness eased gently after that, and conversation slowly resumed between the adults. Arthur reclaimed his seat beside Hazel while Sheriff Whitley accepted another slice of cake. Winnie crawled halfway into Ruth’s lap while explaining very seriously that birthdays required at least three desserts to be proper celebrations.

Jess looked at Everett again. His fingers were still resting tightly around the letter. Carefully, she leaned closer.

“Come with me,” she whispered.

Everett glanced at her in surprise. “Now?”

She smiled slightly. “I have one more surprise for you.”

Suspicion flickered across his face again. “That expression usually means trouble.”

“It absolutely does.”

Jess stood, shifting Margaret into her arms after taking her from Hazel. Winnie noticed and jumped from her chair.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“You’ll see,” Jess replied with a wink.

Noah appeared beside Everett at once while Whiskers wove between everyone’s feet with his tail high in the air.

Slowly, Everett rose from the table and followed Jess through the house. The farther they walked toward the front room, the more confused he became.

When Jess opened the door, Everett stopped dead. Moonlight spilled through the windows across polished dark wood.

A piano stood against the far wall. It was brand new and beautiful. He stared at it for a long time without saying a word. Jess smiled at the sight of his completely speechless face.

“It arrived from Denver yesterday,” she explained softly. “Leland helped bring it inside while you were in town.”

He still didn’t speak. Noah, however, gasped before immediately running toward the piano bench. His fingers pressed experimentally against the keys, producing several uneven notes that rang brightly through the room.

Winnie clapped instantly. “Play the song!” she demanded.

Everett laughed, and his voice was filled with disbelief and emotion. He walked slowly toward the piano, still staring at it in awe. His fingertips brushed lightly across the polished wood.

“You bought me a piano,” he said finally, still sounding stunned.

She stepped closer beside him. “I seem to remember marrying a man who cannot pass one without playing it.”

Everett shook his head once in amazement. “I don’t even know what to say.”

“You saying nothing may actually be the greatest miracle this family has seen,” Jess replied, grinning at him.

He turned toward her, eyes warm and overwhelmed all at once. Jess moved closer until only inches separated them.

“There’s something else,” she admitted, glancing toward Margaret sleeping peacefully against her shoulder before looking back at him. “The family is going to need more room soon.”

For a long time, he simply stared at her.

When realization hit, the look on his face almost made her laugh.

“Jess…”

She nodded slowly, and emotion swept across his face. Shock, joy, disbelief, and love collided together at once.

Another baby. Another piece of this life they had built together.

Everett let out one breathless laugh before pulling her against him, mindful of Margaret between them. Then he kissed her.

When he finally pulled back, his forehead rested gently against hers.

“I didn’t think life could become more beautiful than this,” he admitted quietly, glancing at the letter still in his hand. “With my mother’s gift…and everything the courts returned…”

His eyes lifted back to hers.

“I want to do something worthwhile with it,” he admitted. “I want to help families here in Salida. Widows, children, and people struggling alone the way you once were.”

Her heart fluttered automatically. There was no point in dabbing at her eyes because tears were going to appear regardless.

“No one should have to survive the way you did,” he added quietly.

Jess reached up and touched his cheek gently. “Your mother would have loved that.”

He closed his eyes briefly beneath her touch. Then Noah suddenly struck several loud, triumphant notes across the piano.

“I made a song!” he shouted.

She looked around the room at Noah smiling at the piano keys, Winnie laughing beside him, and  Everett standing before her with love shining openly in his eyes. She realized that after all the fear and loss, they had finally found what every one of them had been searching for all along.

Home.