Two years later

Annie tilted her face to the sun, going over to the pot of blue dye steeping on the bench just inside her workshop. She would have to tend to it soon, but for now she was going to take a moment to enjoy the sun warming her skin, the scent of wildflowers on the breeze, and the birds chirping in the air. 

“Morning!” Martha’s voice rang out over the chirping. 

Annie grinned, motioning her and Elsie closer. “I thought the pair of you were going to come over later this afternoon.” 

“I thought so too, but she’s been talking about getting her new dresses ordered for autumn all morning, so I thought we better come early before the women from town are lined up out your door.” Martha followed her inside the shop, her gaze drifting to the jars of dye powders that lined one wall. “The collection is growing.” 

Annie rounded her desk and sat down behind it, pulling out her sketchbook. “I know. Last Sunday, after church, we rode about two hours away and I found this beautiful pink flower that I think is going to make the most spectacular color. Julian insisted on picking dozens of them and then spent the day with Maisie and Tobias laying them all in the sun for me.” 

Elsie sighed and started looking through the bolts of fabric that lined the wall. “Ma says I need something plain.” 

Martha rolled her eyes. “No, what I said was that a dress with pearls all over the bodice was impractical for school.” 

“What about a line of pearls down the back for the buttons for her Sunday dress?” Annie asked, looking over the designs they had reviewed together last week. “It’d be simple enough to do. I have the buttons in stock.” 

Elsie turned to her mother and clutched her hands together. “Please, Ma?” 

“Very well.” Martha sat down in one of the plush chairs. “One dress with pearls. For Sunday.” 

Elsie darted over to her mother and kissed her cheek. “Thank you.” 

Before anything else could be said, a small cry came from the cradle tucked just behind the desk. Annie smiled, turning in her hair and reaching for Bea. Bright blue eyes met her own as she stood and put the baby on her hip, bouncing her around slightly to soothe her. 

“She’s getting to be so big. It’s hard to believe she’s going to be a year in only a matter of six weeks,” Martha said, her eyes a little misty with tears. 

“I didn’t think life was going to look like this two years ago,” Annie said, brushing her fingers through Bea’s dark curls, the baby named for Julian’s mother, Beatrice. 

“Auntie Annie!” Maisie called, rushing through the door with Tobias close behind her, Pru trailing behind them. “We’re done with school for the week!” 

Annie opened her other arm as the twins came rushing over, wrapping her in tight hugs. She held them close, dipping down to kiss the tops of their heads. 

Her little office was starting to feel crowded, especially with Julian and Felix trailing in the door behind them. Her gaze found Julian’s and her heart skipped a beat the way it always did when he gave her that warm smile. 

Elspeth appeared in the doorway behind them all. “Who is going to help me get the tables set up? Everyone is going to be here soon.” 

Julian chuckled, sweeping across the room to Annie while everyone other than Martha and Elsie filtered out. He pressed a kiss to the corner of Annie’s mouth before scooping Bea from her arms. 

“Happy birthday,” Annie said, her voice warm as she reached up to cup his cheek briefly. He turned his head and kissed her palm. “We should be out for the birthday supper soon. I only have to get a couple of measurements from Elsie and then we’re good.” 

“Don’t hurry, darlin’.” He winked, making her cheeks feel like they were on fire, before heading outside. 

Elsie sighed and took her place in the middle of the room for her measurements. “I want to be that in love when I’m older.” 

“You will be.” Annie kneeled down and pulled the tape measure from her pocket, getting to work. 

Once she had all the measurements she needed, she stood and made sure they were all jotted down before they left and went to join the others. 

When they stepped outside, Martha and Elsie went to join Amos. Annie took in all the people gathered around, Persephone talking to Sheriff Parrish, Buttons batting at a butterfly fluttering high above her head. Jameson and Cody were with Maisie and Tobias, watching them as they rode around on a pair of ponies. A couple of tables were in the middle of the front yard, and paper streamers were strung through the trees. Felix was dancing with Pru, spinning her beneath his arm even though there was no music playing.

Julian was in the middle of it all, holding Bea, looking elated. He danced with her, smiling harder when she started to laugh. 

Elspeth came out of the house carrying a cake, with several of the women from her sewing circle following behind her with more platters of food that they spread out on the tables.

Sheriff Parrish came over, glancing at Julian. 

“Is something wrong?” Annie asked, keeping her voice hushed as everyone else went to the tables and started dishing out the food. 

“I just wanted to let the two of you know that Cyrus is going to be serving hard labor for his crimes. They’re sending him to California to spend the rest of his days working in the mines. I got word this morning.” Sheriff Parrish gave them both a warm smile. “He’s not going to be able to bother either of you anymore. And as for Ambrose, he’s been sentenced to life with all his assets seized. He’s going to spend the rest of his days behind bars.” 

 Annie let out a relieved laugh, trying not to squish Bea when Julian pulled her into a hug. 

They were free. They weren’t going to have to worry about Ambrose coming for them. The children would be safe. Julian wouldn’t have to look over his shoulder any longer.

They could finally move on fully with their lives. 

“Well, if that isn’t a reason to celebrate, I don’t know what is,” Julian said, keeping his arm around her as they all walked back over to join the party. 

Annie glanced over at Pru as they drew closer and gave her a slight nod. Pru leaned over and whispered something to Felix. Smiling, Felix cleared his throat, looking at everyone gathered around as he stood. 

“I would like to thank you all for gathering here to support Julian with me. He’s been my best friend for as long as I can remember, and there’s nothing better I can think of than everyone coming together to celebrate him.” Felix reached out and clapped a shoulder on his hand. “And with the permission of your wife, there’s something we wanted to share with you today.” 

Reaching over, Annie took Bea, stepping back. 

Julian’s brows pulled together. “What is it?” 

“We’re going to be having a baby,” Felix said, his voice choked with emotion as he reached down and took Pru’s hand. 

Julian cheered as the people gathered around erupted into applause. Julian pulled Felix into a hug before rounding the table and hugging Pru as well. Annie’s heart swelled with happiness.

“And there’s one more surprise,” Felix said, crouching down and reaching beneath the table, pulling out a small iron lockbox with a ribbon wrapped around it. He handed it over to Julian as everyone settled down, taking their seats around the table. 

Julian sat down and pulled off the ribbon, staring down at the box. “What is this?” 

“A contact I have, found a loose stone in Beatrice’s bedroom. By the fireplace. They were working on finally clearing out the house this week with Ambrose’s sentencing and the case finally closing. He had been looking around for anything they might have missed and found this.” Felix reached out, taking Bea from Annie. “Sit and eat. I’ll watch my niece.” 

Annie sat down, but she didn’t dig into her food, instead watching Julian as he opened the box and pulled out a letter. Tears gathered in his eyes as he read the sloping writing, his fingers trembling as he handed it to her. 

My darling son, 

I hope you never need this money, but I suspect one day you will. Ambrose isn’t the man I thought he was when I married him and that’s becoming more evident over time. I started putting money away for you a couple of years ago. Take it and live a better life. I might not be there with you when you open this, but I want you to have everything you need to build your life. I want you to be happy and healthy. 

Most importantly, I want you to find love. The love of family and friends. Take the money and be free, darling. 

I love you. 

Mama

Annie folded the letter gently and put it to the side. Julian looked at her with more tears in his eyes. She put her hand over his, giving it a squeeze, letting him know she was there with him. The others gathered around the tables seemed to be lost in their own conversations, or perhaps they were giving them the privacy they needed for the lockbox. 

Julian lifted the lid and nestled inside there were stacks of bills. Julian sucked in a sharp breath before shutting it. 

“There’s one more surprise,” Annie whispered in his ear, standing up and offering him her hand. She grabbed Bea quickly, nodding to the twins who dashed to the house. “I know you spent most of the day in town with Felix, and there was a good reason for that.” 

“Was there?” Julian asked, holding her hand, the box tucked beneath one arm. “Doesn’t have anything to do with why the twins went running out of here, does it?” 

“It might.” Annie balanced Bea on her hip with a grin, excitement fluttering in her chest. 

She led him into the house and straight for the sitting room. An upright piano was against one wall, gleaming in the sunlight. 

“Annie,” Julian said, setting the box in the cabinet and shutting the door before going over to the piano. “Annie, you bought a piano?” 

“I thought you might like to keep up with Tobias’ lessons without having to go to the church all the time.” Annie stood behind him as he sat down behind the piano. 

Tobias got onto the bench beside him, pressing the ivory keys, the first notes ringing out. Maisie clapped for him before she began to dance, Tobias happily playing a little tune for her. 

Annie leaned close to Julian, her lips hovering near his ear. “And I’m going to need you to play songs for me while I’m stuck on the couch sick and too pregnant to move.” 

Julian whipped around to look at her, a large smile stretching from one side of his face to the other. “We’re going to have another baby?” 

“Another one?” Maisie stopped dancing before she started squealing and jumping up and down. 

Tobias beamed, continuing to play. Julian stood, sweeping Annie into his arms, careful of Bea. He kissed Annie, sending her pulse rushing, but when he pulled back, life was steady again. There was no uncertainty as she looked in his eyes. 

Julian stood off to the side with Annie as Tobias continued to play and Maisie continued to dance. He glanced at the cabinet before looking back at Annie. “I’ve been thinking about what I want to do with that money.” 

“You already know?” Annie asked, teasing as she leaned into his side. “What is it?” 

“I want to help other families in Salida. Ones who might be struggling like you were. My mother was the biggest proponent of giving back to the community, and we don’t need that money, but there are other families who do.” 

“I think your mother would be proud of you,” Annie said, leaning as close to him as she could, letting out a content sigh. 

“I didn’t think life would be this good,” he whispered. 

Annie looked up at him and when he looked down at her, it was like the stars were dancing in his eyes. And in those eyes, she saw a future filled with happiness and love.

THE END