Two Years Later

 

The town square was alive with the sound of music, laughter, and the smell of food that had been carried from every kitchen in the valley. Long wooden trestle tables were filled with neighbors greeting one another and sharing news. Nearly the whole county had gathered for the feast.

Millie sat in a chair, balancing her two restless toddlers in her arms as she tried to keep Elliot from pulling Sophie’s shoes off her tiny feet.

“Quit it, Elliot,” she warned.

Elliot giggled riotously and wiggled around. She lost her grip on him and her heart froze in panic as he fell backwards.

“There we go!” Daniel appeared as if by magic and scooped Elliot up in his arms.

“Oh, thank heavens,” Millie breathed as Daniel dropped a kiss onto her cheek.

Daniel sat beside her, rocking Elliot from side to side as the toddler tried to escape from his hold. A silver sheriff badge glinted from his chest as he smiled at her.

Owen had retired six months prior, and Daniel had been elected as the town’s new sheriff. The vote had been unanimous, and they’d had a large party in the square afterwards. It was a well-deserved promotion, and Daniel had never seemed happier.

“Well done for making it,” Daniel said, putting a hand on her knee. “I know it’s calving season so it wasn’t easy for you to break away.”

“I needed to come,” Millie admitted. “These two have been driving me insane. I think we all just needed the outing.”

“Allow me to help you.” Judith walked over and held out her arms for Sophie.

The little girl squealed in delight and Judith’s smile grew. Millie handed her baby over, and sat back with a sigh. As much as she loved her cherubic twins, she was exhausted from child rearing and running the ranch.

She’d had to hire two more ranch hands after the twins were born, and she didn’t get as much done as she’d like, but she wouldn’t have it any other way. Millie watched her children with a sense of satisfaction. They both had red, chubby cheeks and gorgeous dark curls. However, Sophie looked a little more like Daniel and Elliot took a bit more after her.

It seemed fitting since Sophie was named after Daniel’s mother and Elliot was named after her father. She couldn’t believe that she got to honor her father in such a special way.

“How are you feeling?” Daniel pressed. “Any sickness?”

Millie shook her head and placed a hand over her stomach. “Little bean’s behaving himself today.”

Daniel smiled and shook his head. “I can’t believe you’re pregnant again.”

“I’m so happy about it,” Millie admitted, grabbing a nearby slice of bread. She lathered it with butter and bit into it. “I want a million children. We’re going to have the biggest family in the county.”

“Lord have mercy,” Daniel said, shaking his head in amusement.

“Don’t pretend like you don’t want that too,” Millie teased, patting his hand.

Daniel smiled proudly as he balanced Elliot in his arms.

She couldn’t believe just how lucky they were. Their lives had changed drastically over the past two years. After August, Ray, and Tommy’s trial, the criminals who’d done their best to destroy so many lives were finally locked up. Tommy was set to be released in three years, but his family had moved away from Gunnison and it seemed unlikely that he would ever return.

Meanwhile, Ray had written several letters asking Millie for mercy. She’d written to the judge on his behalf since he couldn’t lay any claim to the ranch anymore. However, the judge had decided not to reduce Ray’s ten-year-sentence by a single day. Ray refused to believe that Millie had interceded on his behalf and kept writing. Since there was nothing she could do, she finally threw all his letters away.

She had to leave the past behind her, otherwise it would only drag her down. Millie understood that her father couldn’t cut his family off, but she was under no such compulsion. Instead, she focused her attention on the friends who had become like family.

Uncle Samuel waved at her from the other end of the table, and she waved back tiredly. She couldn’t wait to talk to him later as they hadn’t seen each other in a month.

Her thoughts returned to August as she spotted the Hardings arriving to the party. The Harding were from San Francisco and had moved to Gunnison along with their three teenage children in order to open a saw mill in town. They had bought August’s fine house and now the building was filled with laughter and love.

August had been sentenced to life in prison for his crimes. It turned out that he’d stolen so much land that it took the investigators a whole year to figure out the extent of his law breaking. He was also charged with kidnapping, extortion, and a whole list of other terrible offenses.

While Millie hadn’t heard from him personally, she knew that he wrote to Lucy begging to see his son. Lucy hadn’t responded yet, but eventually Jacob would have to know the truth about his parentage.

She spotted Jacob running toward her, his brown hair flapping in the wind as he held out his arms to her. His face was covered in crumbs and he launched himself at her before proceeding to wipe his face on the front of her dress.

“Oh no, Jacob,” she groaned, wiping her face with her handkerchief.

“Aunt Millie!” Jacob squealed. “Yummy cakes. My mama make yummy cakes.”

“She sure does, buddy,” she chuckled.

“Come with?” Jacob asked, tugging her hand.

She looked over at Daniel who shrugged and chuckled. “I don’t think he’s going to stop asking until you go with him.”

Millie smiled as she pushed herself up. Jacob wiggled in her arms until she put him down, and grabbed hold of her hand. He pulled her along with as much force as he could muster. She hurried after him until she reached Lucy’s stall.

Millie placed a hand over her heart. She was so happy for her friend. About a year prior, Lucy decided to invest some of her money into her mother’s bakery and Judith had recently retired, letting Lucy take the reins. Shortly afterwards, she made her first trip across the country to New York.

She’d been so excited for the journey. Millie and Daniel had taken care of Jacob for the month while Lucy was away. They’d had a lot of fun, and it suited everyone.

When Lucy returned, a man named Jack McCutchen had just moved to town and taken an immediate shine to her. Now, Lucy and Jack were serving customers, together.

Millie hung back and watched as they interacted. Jack was tall with blonde hair and striking green eyes. He hovered around Lucy, watching her every movement as if she was a talented dancer. Sometimes he’d bend over to tell her something and she would laugh as her cheeks turned pink.

Lucy beamed as she handed a freshly wrapped loaf of bread to one of the older townsfolk. When she spotted Millie, she undid her apron and hurried over. Meanwhile, Jacob toddled behind the counter, and soon Jack was holding Jacob and serving the customers.

“I’m so glad to see you!” Lucy said, throwing her arms around Millie’s neck. “How’s Little Bean doing?”

Millie flushed with pleasure as she put a hand over her belly. “He’s getting bigger. I can’t wait to meet him.”

“How are you so sure it’s a boy?” Lucy asked, smiling.

“Just a feeling,” Millie shook her head. “I reckon I’ll let Daniel decide this time since I made it clear that our firstborn son would be named after my father.”

“He was happy to do it,” Lucy assured Millie.

“Yes, but I’m trying to be less overbearing,” Millie joked.

Lucy shook her head and glanced back at Jack. He winked at her and she immediately turned bright red.

“I assume you told him everything about August?” Millie asked, raising her eyebrows.

Lucy nodded. “I did. I was very nervous, but he listened quietly, then told me what happened wasn’t my fault.”

“It wasn’t!” Millie said fiercely.

Lucy smiled and placed a hand on Millie’s arm. “I know. I don’t know why I was so nervous. Jack is such a wonderful man. He comforted me and assured me that he loves Jacob. It doesn’t bother him that he’ll be raising another man’s child. He wants to marry me. Next month.”

Lucy’s smile grew so big that it seemed it would split her face.

“Oh, what happy news!” Millie threw her arms around Lucy’s neck and hugged her tightly. “I knew this would happen. You’re so wonderful that you were bound to find love. Real love.”

“Thank you,” Lucy said, ducking her head as she stepped away from Millie. “Mama’s already started planning it. We still have to tell Jack’s parents, but he’s not worried about them accepting my past. They’re such kind people.”

“I can’t wait,” Millie said sincerely.

“And this time I’m getting married in front of the whole town,” Lucy declared. “Even strangers will be invited. Everyone will witness it this time!”

Millie smiled and patted Lucy’s shoulder.

They chatted about things for a little while before Millie returned to her seat. Just as she managed to sit down, the band struck up a lively tune and Daniel hurried up to her with an eager expression.

“Now?” Millie groaned. “I’m exhausted.”

“Just one dance.” He held up a finger. “I convinced Judith and Uncle Samuel to look after the twin terrors. When the song’s over, we can go sleep at Lucy’s. She took pity on us and agreed that we deserved an uninterrupted nap.”

Millie nearly cried with joy. She grabbed hold of Daniel’s hand and allowed him to steer her to the dancefloor.

The sky was cloudy and grey overhead, but the colorful bunting and laughter made up for the lack of sunshine.

“How are you feeling, love?” he asked as he guided her in time to the music.

Millie had forgotten how nice it was to dance with Daniel. It was like floating. She didn’t have to think at all as he guided her along.

“You keep asking that,” she teased. “Are you worried about me?”

“Every minute of the day,” he assured her. “You’re the mother of my children, the love of my life, and my best friend. Besides, you’re pregnant. So, you’re never far from my thoughts. I’m going to keep asking how you’re feeling until the day we die.”

“We’re going to die on the same day?” Millie asked in amusement.

Daniel nodded firmly. “It’s been decided.”

A few people waved happily as they danced past. Judith had Elliot on her hip and waved as they went past while Uncle Samuel walked along with Sophie. He wore an enraptured expression as she babbled away.

“By whom?” Millie asked.

“The universe,” Daniel said, brushing her cheek lovingly. “You see, we’re a perfect fit. We’re joined for eternity. Not even death can part us.”

“You’re such a romantic,” she sighed, her heart filling with love.

“Only because you bring it out in me,” he told her.

She stopped and lifted herself on her tiptoes. He met her halfway and kissed her deeply. When she pulled away, her cheeks were flushed and her heart was racing. She didn’t think she’d ever get used to being with Daniel.

Millie was the luckiest woman in the whole world because she’d found her perfect fit, and it all started with a desperate call for help. Daniel had come to her rescue, and he’d been by her side ever since.