Two Years Later

It was hard to believe that Amos Granger was giving up the star, but he’d been convinced to retire at last. Adam would be sworn in at the courthouse later in the morning, and following, there was going to be a big fandango on the front lawn of the building, seeing as it had just enough green space for folks to come on by and wish Amos well. Lydia organized most of it, with Thomas’s help, and they expected all of Buffalo to come out and wish their old sheriff well and their new sheriff the same. 

Lydia’s house, which had been brimming with life, teeming over with noise and laughter and chaos, bustling ever since they’d all arrived a week ago, was now silent. 

“Feels strange, doesn’t it?” Lydia cocked a brow, listening to nothing at all. 

Eliza smiled, patting little Rose’s back. The baby was fast asleep in her arms. Her adorable blue dress, given to her along with half a trunk full of baby things by a very eager Lydia, was the prettiest and most adorable thing she’d ever seen. After the baby, of course. Rose was the sweetest child. At three months old, she’d made the long train journey from Kansas to Laramie and then on to Buffalo, all virtually without making a sound. The same couldn’t be said for the rambunctious Liam, but then, he was two and a half years old. He couldn’t be expected to sit still when all the world was a new, big adventure. 

“In a good way, I hope,” Eliza answered. 

Lydia nodded. She pushed back a stray strand of hair that had dislodged from the tight bun. She’d donned a beautiful green dress, and Eliza had also pulled out one of her best. It was green as well, but a lighter shade than Lydia’s emerald, and not nearly so shiny. While it was lovely, it was still just a calico. She didn’t own anything fine or fancy, but before he’d left, Nathan had slipped his arms around her waist and whispered in her ear that she was so stunningly beautiful that she took his breath away, and well…that still made her breathless. 

“I’m glad that Nathan took Liam and went with Bo to Amos’s house while Adam covers the jail.” 

“You really think that Amos would just ride up into the mountains and refuse to come down until the whole thing was over?” 

“He’s already got everything ready for Adam, and anything official is the court’s job, so I wouldn’t put it past him. Amos is like that. He never wanted any credit for all the good things he’s done. He thinks it’s all bluster, and best to be avoided.” Lydia’s eyes danced as she spoke of her older brother. 

“You think he’ll ever settle down?”

Laughter flowed through the dining room. They sipped cups of coffee out of Lydia’s fine bone China, but they’d eaten early so Nathan, Liam, and Ruth could fetch Bo and head to Amos’s small house a few streets over. Ostensibly, Bo and Nathan would help Amos get ready and take care of anything he needed, and Ruth went along to watch Liam. But in reality, they were all there to keep Amos from getting on his horse and lighting a shuck away from the big fandango Lydia was ‘forcing’ on him. The fact that Bo was there didn’t seem to hurt where Ruth was concerned either. She’d been pink-cheeked and a little flustered when she’d left with Nathan. Eliza tried not to tease Ruth too much about her obvious interest in the deputy, because at heart, she was so pleased. 

“Tell me about Laramie. And, if you’re finished with that child, pass her on over.” 

Eliza patted Rose’s back a few more times and moved her from her shoulder. She didn’t wake up as she stood. Lydia stood as well, and it was easy to settle Rose into her outstretched arms. She paced a little, taking easy steps with her, rocking her sweetly. 

Thomas had work to get to at the courthouse for the morning, but he’d taken Owen and the girls to buy new shoes and a few hair ribbons for the celebration. 

“What was Laramie like?” Lydia asked as she rocked the baby back and forth.

“It felt so strange going back there,” Eliza admitted. She wrapped her arms around her waist. “It’s been three years, and I hadn’t been back until now. It’s changed so much. The new owners of the railroad welcomed us to stay with them, but honestly, that was more than I could handle, going back to the headquarters.” 

Her parents had built the railroad with love, and the headquarters, too. When Eliza sold everything, she’d made sure that the new owners would operate it with the same intent. The Jacobs had a few young children, and she was sure the house now rang out with love, just as her ma and pa had intended. 

“We were happy to walk around Laramie with them, and their children are the sweetest. Maryella, their youngest daughter, is four. She has huge, big brown eyes and the softest curls. She took Liam’s hand from the first and never let go. She explained everything so patiently to him and didn’t mind a bit that he toddled about and slowed her down. They were both fascinated by the baby as well. We stopped for penny candy and all the children were spoiled. Laramie was smiles and laughter, a mother’s hugs, and a beaming father, not business, greed, and cages. Along with all my memories of Agnes and Margaret, that’s what I’m going to choose to remember. But enough about that. We’ve been here for nearly a week, and I’m still struck at how much Owen’s grown. He’s a young man already!” 

Lydia’s face was always gentle, but when she spoke of her children, or thought about them, she always lit up. “He’s getting tall. Still quiet.”

“I’m so sorry that none of his family were ever found. I can only imagine what he endured there, or how he got to that camp.” Eliza didn’t want to talk about that place, but she still felt twinges of guilt over it, even years later. 

“Maybe one day he’ll be ready to talk about it,” Lydia mused, her eyes just as kind and soft as always. “Until then, we can only assume that he ran from there and found his way all the way down the mountain and through the woods, to Buffalo. I’ve traced that route in my head, and it’s terrifying.” 

“I still feel for those people. Like the money I gave was all blood money and guilt money, and what I was giving wasn’t fresh starts, but an escape from a hellish land.”

“Never.” Lydia closed the distance between them. She balanced Rose easily in one arm and set her hand on Eliza’s shoulder. “I told you then, and I’ll tell you now. You’re not responsible for your uncle’s actions. When you found out what he’d done, you set it to rights. You helped Nathan find his sister. You fell in love, and when you wanted to make that life a reality and follow your heart, you ensured that your parents’ legacy would be safe in someone else’s hands. It wasn’t because you wanted to be rid of the whole thing. You were trying to ensure that what your ma and pa wanted built could continue, and if you couldn’t do it yourself, you wanted to find someone who could. Everything you’ve done was brave and selfless. It all came from your heart, not a guilty conscience.” 

“Thank you,” Eliza whispered. “It means the world that you’d say that. Sometimes, when I’m with you and Thomas, or just reading your letters, I feel like I can hear my ma and pa speaking. Agnes has told me plenty in the past few years, now that nothing is stopping her. Through the three of you, I now have a picture in my mind when I think of them.” Eliza wanted to change the direction of the conversation away from the heavy. It was Amos’ big day. It should stay that way. “What’s Amos going to do with the long days? Do you think he’ll ever really put that badge away?”

“Physically, yes.” Lydia’s lips twitched. “In every other way, not so much. Even when he was riding on the wrong side of the law, he was still trying to do good. Bringing justice where it was needed. Unofficially. I imagine that he’ll still spend lots of time with Owen, and of course with us and the girls, but their bond is special. It wouldn’t surprise me one bit if Owen grew up to be a deputy and eventually a sheriff himself.” 

“Have you noticed anything about Bo?” Eliza ventured. She and Nathan had spoken of it last night, in the privacy of their room. 

“Other than that, he’s a right fine man and an outstanding deputy who will make a great sheriff one day, if Adam ever moves on or hangs it up? Or were you asking more about Ruth?” Lydia was attentive and couldn’t help but have noticed the way Ruth was eager to spend time around Bo, and how she blushed at Eliza’s gentle teasing. 

“She knew Bo from before, when we spent that month with you after…but she was healing and trying to find life and living again. She’s happy with us. She loves the children. We’ve never worried about her. If she wants to work and live somewhere else, we’d support her. We hoped she’d find a husband and have a family of her own, but we wanted it to be on her own terms. If she ever left, I’d miss her terribly, but my heart would be full for her.”

“And if she was here, you’d have a reason to visit more often.” 

“I’m so sorry,” Eliza cried. “It’s only a train ride away, but with the babies…”

“That’s not at all what I meant. It’s hard traveling.”

“You’ve all come so many times.” They had, and each time, it filled Eliza’s heart full to bursting. Lydia, Thomas, and the children were family. Nathan adored Owen, and Nathan’s Pa loved the boy like his own grandchild. 

“The girls are older now. Owen is brilliant with them. It’s easy for us. You’ll get there too.”

“Maybe not for a while.” 

“Eliza!” 

Eliza’s face heated. “We’ll be adding another.” She looked at the sleeping Rose. “I know it’s soon. I was shocked. I only just found out, but I’m certain.” Shocked wasn’t the right word for how stunned she’d been. It didn’t seem that it should be possible so soon. “I only just found out, and I’m taking care. I’ve told no one but Nathan. When we get back home, we’ll give the whole family the news.” 

“They’ll be thrilled. Perhaps a little worried, but so happy.”

Eliza nodded. “I’m strong. I’ve been blessed that way.” Having children hadn’t been difficult for her. Poor Margaret had labored for nearly two days to bring George into the world. “Margaret is worried that this next birth will be difficult, but hopeful that it’ll be shorter this time round. George was a big baby. Robust and healthy, thankfully, but he took his sweet time getting here.” Margaret had wanted to come so desperately, but less than a month away from her time, Caleb wouldn’t hear of her getting on the train. As it usually went with them, Margaret had been very annoyed, and let Caleb know her displeasure. Even so, it was plain just how much they loved each other. Margaret was just Caleb’s match in every way, and so their marriage was often fiery and full of ribbing. 

“They’re a good match.”

Eliza laughed. “I was just thinking that.”

“Usually folks pair up with their opposite, but those two are wild and wild. You and Nathan are both quiet and deep thinkers. You both feel so much. Maybe that’s how you balance each other out. As a family and a whole.”

“I never could have imagined life without Margaret. Had I not loved Nathan, I think I would have found myself pulled to their farm eventually. As I’ve said before, I can go anywhere in the world, but it will never be home without family.” 

A loud clattering and voices at the front door stole their attention. Rose stirred in Lydia’s arms, and she handed her back to Eliza. “That’ll be Thomas now. I can hear the girls.”

Eliza could too. They were talking excitedly about their new ribbons. 

They appeared a few moments later. Owen with a hand on each of the girls’ shoulders. He looked very smart in his new shirt and a straw hat. Thomas appeared behind them, eyes shining. 

“I’m off to the courthouse. We’ll have everything ready for all that food to start appearing. It’ll be like a church picnic, I expect. The whole town will be there.”

“I expect so.” Lydia walked over and squeezed Thomas’ hand affectionately. He gave her a private smile and said hello and goodbye to Eliza, and then he was gone. 

The girls still had yet to get changed, and Lydia took them off to put new ribbons in their hair. It wasn’t a few more minutes after Eliza was done feeding the baby that she heard voices downstairs. She put herself back together, changed Rose’s diaper, and quickly went down to find Owen parading Liam around on his shoulders, Ruth laughing as Liam went wild up there, bucking and tugging at George’s hair, mussing it all over, and Nathan slapping his thighs and egging them on. 

Eliza gasped. “I hope Owen’s new hat survived that.” It was nowhere in sight. “Better than his hair.” 

Nathan hurried over and slipped his arm around her waist. He kissed the top of Rose’s downy head and grinned so broadly that it still gave Eliza butterflies in her stomach. Her heart fluttered just as wildly. 

“We set it aside. Don’t worry. Hair can be recombed.”

“Recombed,” Liam echoed. “Horsey!” He hadn’t said many words until a few months ago, and he loved repeating what he heard. 

“How was your morning?” Eliza asked. “It seems as though Liam has far from spent all his wildness.”

“Hardly,” Nathan agreed. “It was a grand morning. Bo took Amos straight over to the office. They’re going to walk over to the courthouse with Adam. 

“How was Bo?” Eliza asked Ruth. 

Ruth’s cheeks turned the same bright pink as her pink cotton dress. “He was well.”

“I’m sure you’ll see more of him, and not just today either.” They were going to stay for another week yet.

“Perhaps,” Ruth agreed, but she quickly turned her eyes to the floor. 

Eliza let her be. She knew Ruth well after a few years. Ruth wasn’t one for rushing. She thought deeply about everything she did. She wouldn’t leave her home and family easily. Eliza could see her exchanging letters with Bo for a good long while, and Ruth coming to Buffalo a few more times to stay with Lydia and Thomas, before any decision was ever made. 

“And Amos?” 

“Amos was uncharacteristically nervous,” Nathan said. “But he hasn’t escaped yet. He’ll stay for a while, and then he’ll quietly slip out, but no doubt he’ll be back here for the dinner Lydia has planned. That’s just Amos. He can’t stand any sort of fanfare. I have a feeling though he passed on the star, he’s far from finished helping out.”

“Lydia thought as much.” 

Nathan brushed back a strand of hair and kissed Eliza’s temple. “I’m so happy to be here.” 

They’d had a lot of feelings about that, but all of them, including Ruth, agreed that Buffalo held far more fond memories than hard ones. Lydia, Thomas, their family, Amos, Bo, and Adam made the town what it was for them. 

“For Lydia and for Thomas, for Amos and Adam and Bo, but also for us,” Nathan clarified, speaking low. 

Ruth heard and nodded. Owen was still riding Liam around the room, doing his best to avoid the boy’s kicking feet so near his face.

“There’s more love here than there ever was anything else,” Eliza agreed quietly. She smoothed her hand down Nathan’s arm until she caught his hand and tangled their fingers together. 

Nathan squeezed her hand. “That’s a fine way to look at it.” 

The way he looked at her spoke to their years together, their adventures, the hard times and the glorious, the long days and the moments that were all too fleeting. Nathan had been there beside her, step by step. His stark blue eyes were alight, glowing, promising a lifetime more. 

Eliza leaned into him and never broke his gaze. With her heart overflowing, she silently echoed back that same promise.

THE END