Eighteen months later, late October

“You have a surprise visitor!” James called out, as he stepped into the house, kissing his heavily pregnant wife on the forehead.

Vivian was setting the table for their daughter Eleanor’s very first birthday party. The precious girl slept peacefully in her bassinette, while her Henry read her a story about dragons. He was infatuated with the little girl, never leaving her side.

“Who is it?” Vivian asked curiously, putting down the last fork. She covered her swollen belly with her hand and waddled slowly toward the open front door.

A fancy black carriage had arrived and it instantly reminded Vivian of the coaches in Boston. It didn’t scare Vivian as it would have a year earlier. Since she’d married James, nobody could threaten her anymore. Not even her own father. She curiously stepped out onto the front porch.

Strangely enough, the first two people to get out were Sam and Nora, who was just as pregnant as Vivian was. The two had finally tied the knot and James and Vivian couldn’t be happier. She happily waved to their friends as they slowly made their way up toward the house.

The next person took a little while longer to get out of the carriage. The carriage driver jumped down from his seat and hurried to the door to help. Vivian immediately noticed a lot of fluffy frills on a very fancy dress. The large hat barely fit through the door. It reminded her of herself when she’d arrived at the hotel the first time, where James had caught her from falling. It was one of Vivian’s most precious memories, because that’s how she’d met her husband for the first time.

She finally caught a glimpse of the lady stepping down from the carriage.

“Charlotte?” Vivian screamed, suddenly overly-excited. Charlotte beamed at her.

Knowing his wife all too well, James appeared behind Vivian and slowly helped her down the steps from the porch.

“What are you doing here?” Vivian called out to her, as tears streamed down her face.

“Can’t I come to visit my best friend?” Charlotte asked as she ran toward Vivian. They fell into each other’s arms and fiercely hugged each other. “Gosh, you’ve put on some volume!” Charlotte said jokingly. “When are you expecting this little one?”

“A couple of weeks yet,” Vivian confirmed. “What about you? No husband? No babies?” They hadn’t written to each other in over three months, so Vivian was curious what was going on with her friend. Charlotte snorted at that and waved her hand.

“Apparently, all the good men are out here in the Wild West,” Charlotte said matter-of-factly, as she eyed  James and Sam. “That’s the other reason I’m here.” Her friend winked at Vivian and they both burst out laughing.

“I’m so happy you finally came!” Vivian said excitedly. “I cannot wait for you to meet everybody and see everything!” First, Vivian introduced Nora and the two women instantly got along. Then she introduced all the children, including her daughter.

Lucy instantly took to Charlotte, fascinated with her fashionable dress. Henry got shy and blushed when she called him handsome. Jacob came in from the barn, looking like a real cowboy with his new hat. Besides Alvarez, he was James’ right hand man and the three of them were working on finally turning the ranch into a successful business. Emma, who was turning into a beautiful young lady, talked about becoming a teacher in Helena and Charlotte was immediately interested in helping her pursuing that as a career.

It was just beautiful to watch.

A short while later, Sheriff Bennett, who had become a close friend of the family, showed up with news about the cases he’d been working on, but he wasn’t allowed to talk about it, until he’d enjoyed a big piece of Eleanor’s birthday cake. After nearly an hour, he almost forgot why he’d come.

“Charles Pembroke has been convicted of several illegal business activities in Providence, Rhode Island,” he told them, as he leaned back in his chair, rubbing his belly. “Apparently, that man has connections to the infamous Black Wharf Gang. With all the other charges hanging over him, he’s got a pretty large track record. You are so very lucky that you escaped that man, Vivian.” James hugged his wife from behind and Vivian leaned into him.

“I am very lucky indeed,” she agreed. Charles no longer scared her but hearing that he was being rightfully prosecuted filled her with a sense of peace.

“Oh, I almost forgot to tell you! Guess, who else is coming to town?” Charlotte asked Vivian after a little while. Vivian stared at her with raised eyebrows.

“I have no idea,” she replied. Charlotte wiggled her eyebrows.

“None other than Frederick Monroe,” she declared, watching her friend curiously.

Vivian and James both froze at the news. Nora and Sam stared at her with their mouths open in shock.

Once the initial shock wore off, Vivian released a long deep sigh. Her father had written several letters to her, asking for her forgiveness and wanting to take part in her life, but Vivian struggled to forgive him so easily. So far, she’d only written a single letter back to him, stating that she’d need time to heal.

“I have never seen that man so remorseful,” Charlotte continued. “He said that he would like to pay off all your debt and invest his money into your ranch and business, so you can expand the way you want to. He’s talking about selling some of his properties on the East Coast and move closer to you, so that he can help you thrive. And by that I mean all of you, including the children.”

Vivian leaned into James’ hug.

“What do you think about it?” she asked hesitantly. James shrugged.

“It’s a big gesture. Maybe he really does want to repent and make it up to us.”

“I don’t know. We’ll see,” Vivian said. “I am not risking the peace and quiet I have found right here for his disruptive chaos.”

The afternoon rolled into the evening and the soft light of the dipping sun drenched the whole backyard in golden light. The men hurried to provide the women with extra blankets and shawls, lighting torches and a huge bonfire.

“This is so romantic!” Charlotte exclaimed excitedly. “I might have to move in with you for a while,” she joked. Emma held up both hands.

“I am not giving up my bed again,” she said, which made James and Vivian laugh.

“You can share mine,” Lucy offered with bright eyes.

“Or mine,” Henry offered with a shy smile. “You are nice.”

Vivian and James both chuckled.

James pulled Vivian into his arms and she rested her head against his shoulder. Their young daughter was sleeping peacefully in Vivian’s arms. He kissed her temple softly.

“If you hadn’t saved me from falling out of that coach that day…” Vivian said with a dreamy smile. “I would have never known what it’s like to have a loving home like this.”

James nodded.

“If you hadn’t fallen into my arms that day, I would have never known the love of a good woman like you,” he replied with another kiss.

“I’m glad you chose me in the end,” Vivian said.

“I’m glad you chose to love me and the children,” he replied. “We both did some foolish things, but I am forever grateful that we chose each other, this family, and our future together. I love you more than you will ever know, Mrs. Callahan, and I will never stop showing you that until…”

Lucy’s head spun around quickly, glaring at James.

“…until we are all old and wrinkly. Forever,” he said warily until Lucy nodded with a satisfied smile. Vivian giggled.

“I will never ever get tired of hearing that,” she said. “I love you too!”

---

OFFER: A BRAND NEW SERIES AND 2 FREEBIES FOR YOU!

Grab my new series, "Regency Hearts Entwined", and get 2 FREE novels as a gift! Have a look here!

---