The warm air of late spring ruffled through Ben’s hair. The wagon rocked gently underneath him. The birds were singing, the sun was shining, and there were flowers in full bloom all around them. Even the horses seemed to be in high spirits.

“Is it very far?” Caroline asked. She rocked from one hand to another, trying to find a comfortable way to sit on the bench.

Ben reached over and rubbed the bulge of his wife’s stomach. A child. His child. They were soon to be blessed with the greatest thing God could give them. “No, we’re almost there. We can rest for the night before moving on.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” Caroline smiled at him, but exhaustion haunted the edges of her eyes. “I was looking forward to the trip, but it’s so much harder than I thought it’d be.”

Finding her hand, Ben brought it to his lips and kissed it. “You’ve been brave and patient. You deserve some rest.”

She was so beautiful, with a cherubic face and soft red waves that fell down on either side of her forehead. Caroline’s beauty had grown just as their child had. In Ben’s eyes, she glowed with a light that outshone the sun.

As they drove into Antelope Springs, Ben’s head swiveled to take it all in. “I’ve never actually had the chance to come into town like this,” he told Caroline. “I was so badly injured that I wasn’t even aware I’d arrived. I woke up not knowing where I was.”

Nor had he truly cared. There’d been too much pain living in his body.

Caroline scooted a little closer, pressing her body against his. “It’s a lovely little town.”

“It is.” Ben pulled up in front of a small blue house that was more familiar than any other building. He lifted his fist to knock on the door, but it jerked open before he had the chance.

An old man with owlish eyes and wisps of white hair blinked at him in wonder. “Ben? Is that really you?”

“It is. My wife Caroline and I were passing through, so I thought I’d stop in and see how you were.”

“Wife?” Doc Armstrong pushed past him and hurried to the wagon. He reached up for Caroline. “Come right on down, my dear. You must be exhausted. But look at you in full bloom! Pretty as a picture! Come in, come in.” He tucked Caroline’s hand in his arm and escorted her inside.

Edith emerged from the kitchen as they came through the front door. She nearly dropped the tea tray she was carrying, saving it at the last moment and then setting it down with a clatter on a nearby table.

“Ben!” She wrapped him in a warm, motherly hug. “I was just talking about you to the doctor the other day, and now here you are! And with a family!” Edith hugged Caroline next.

Caroline laughed. “Is this how you treat all of your patients?”

“Just the ones we like,” Doc Armstrong said with a wink. “Some of them come and go, but Ben had to stay with us for quite some time while he recovered. He became part of our household, and we missed him terribly when he went to Prescott.”

“I can understand why.” Caroline beamed at Ben before turning back to Edith. “Is there some place I could wash up?”

“Of course, my dear! Right through here! And then we’ll get you settled in nice and comfy with your feet up!” Edith bustled her through a doorway.

Doc Armstrong brought Ben into his study, where he opened a bottle of whiskey. “Ben, my boy, it really is good to see you. What brings you through Antelope Springs?”

“Caroline and I have sold the estate,” he explained. “I never felt as though I truly belonged in Prescott, and much of Caroline’s family had moved to California. We’ve got a nice piece of land picked out, and we’re starting over.”

“You deserve it.” Doc Armstrong handed him a glass, and the delight in his face faded a little. “You were a miracle, Ben. If that bullet had been just half an inch to the right, you’d have been a goner. I had the chance to examine that bayonet wound of yours in the process, and it was much the same. You’ve been very lucky.”

“I’ve been fortunate to have some good people help me out along the way, like you and Edith.” Ben raised his glass before he drank.

“And what about that young woman who brought you here?” Doc asked, shaking his head. “I was never quite certain about her. They said she was a criminal, and they must’ve been right since she was convicted, but she sure was worried about you.”

Ben sighed. “Hattie is well, or at least as well as she can be. She writes to me from prison sometimes, and I just received a letter from her a few weeks ago.”

Doc raised his bushy brows. “How does your young wife feel about that?”

“She understands,” Ben said with a smile. He’d been honest with Caroline about his rough past, and he’d even told her about his adventure through the mountains with a hidden passenger. She’d been a little disturbed at first that Hattie was still corresponding with Ben, but then he’d let her read the letters. They were full of well wishes for the young newlyweds. Hattie still only wanted the best for him.

“Then you’ve got a good one.” Doc clapped Ben’s arm.

After they’d caught up for a bit, Ben stood. “I hate to cut this short, but I should get Caroline to the inn. It’s been a long day.”

“Nonsense! The two of you can stay here with us!” Doc insisted.

“I wouldn’t want to impose…”

“You can’t be imposing if you’re invited!” Doc hurried to the study door and called for Edith. “They’ll be staying with us tonight!”

“Oh, wonderful!” Edith squealed.

* * *

They set out bright and early the next morning. Doc and Edith wouldn’t let them leave without extra food and plenty of well wishes.

“Feel free to write to me, if you have a moment,” Doc told Ben. “I’d love to stay in touch. And you, Caroline. You be sure to let me know if there’s anything I can do for you.”

“I will, thank you,” she promised, flushing prettily.

Edith wrapped her in a hug. “You take care of our Ben, and I know he’ll take care of you.”

They waved and waved until Ben and Caroline were out of sight.

“I think they like you,” Caroline laughed. “I didn’t expect such a warm reception.”

Ben hadn’t either, but he’d certainly enjoyed it. “It was nice to find out that I mean as much to them as they do to me. Maybe we can come back this way when the baby is ready.”

Caroline gave it a moment of thought before she nodded. “I can’t imagine anything better.”

The road rose as they headed back into the mountains. The underbrush had already thickened and green, leaving only the main road available as the woods rose around them.

“Didn’t you say it’s dangerous through here?” Caroline asked, looking around nervously.”

Ben put his arm around her waist and held her close. “At one time, yes, but not anymore. The local sheriff has worked with some of the other law enforcement in the area, and all the ruffians have been driven away. The worst we’ll have to worry about is a deer crossing our path.”

She relaxed a little bit, though she stayed close.

As they rode closer to their destination, high ridgetops gave them a remarkable view of deep green valleys, distant blue mountains, and an unending amount of sky and clouds. Caroline’s worries disappeared as she looked around, caught in the beauty of the remote mountains.

“Ben! This is glorious! Can you just imagine raising children here!”

“You like it?” Though he’d told her how wonderful it’d be, Ben had worried. Caroline meant everything to him, and he wanted her to be happy.

“I really do.”

Finally, a familiar valley opened up beneath them. Its gently sloped walls cradled a verdant field, and a large garden was abundant with young plants. The orphanage and the church had both been repainted, and a new roof had been put on the barn.

One by one, the children appeared. A girl emerged from the woods, carrying a basket of berries. A boy stepped out of the barn, shielding his eyes from the sun. Two more girls came around back from the laundry line. The steady sound of chopping wood stopped, and another face peered around the side of the building.

They walked toward the wagon slowly at first. When Caroline waved to them and Ben smiled, they came with more confidence. It was as though they were little creatures of the mountains, pouring forth from their hiding spots once they knew it was safe. They escorted the wagon all the way up to the orphanage.

Sister Matthews stood on the front steps of the orphanage. She looked even older than Ben remembered, and she wept openly as Ben got down from the wagon and brought his new wife to meet her.

“Ben! Oh, Ben! I got your letters, and we got the supplies. You can see that we’ve put all of your generosity to very good use. But it’s nothing compared to seeing you again.” Sister Matthews crushed him against her.

When she stood back and got a look at Caroline, her eyes widened and the tears began all over again. “A baby? Oh, a sweet, blessed baby? I’m so happy! Come here, darling!” Without even waiting for the introduction, Sister Matthews was giving Caroline the same warm reception.

“It’s good to see you.” Ben’s words couldn’t possibly convey how he truly felt. He glanced around. “It seems like you’re a few heads short of a herd around here.”

Sister Matthews grinned through her tears. “Emmitt and Ben have gone to live with one of the drivers you sent with supplies. They’re the most precious little family. The boys go out on drives with Hank, and they help their new mother around the house. Well, let’s get you inside and then I can tell you all about it!”

She guided Caroline into the orphanage, gently touching her as though she was a delicate treasure. They had tea and freshly baked muffins in the kitchen while Sister Matthews recounted the trails and triumphs of the last few months.

A few new children had arrived, but Sister Matthews looked blissful as she told him the details of Emmitt and Shane’s new family. “And then little Alice went to be with a nice couple from Phoenix just last week. I miss her, but she’s in good hands. Now really, I’ve gone on long enough. Tell me everything!”

Once he was sure Caroline was comfortable, Ben began. He told her of riding through the mountains with Hattie, being chased by numerous dangerous men while on the search for supplies for the orphanage. Then there was the discovery of his birth father and all the complications that came with it. Ben didn’t go into the tiny details; he knew those would come later. There would be time.

The last couple of years were easier to describe, since Ben had been busy restructuring the fortune Randall had built. He sold the railroad company and used the profits to help those who’d been displaced by Randall’s greed. Most of the remaining property that hadn’t yet been developed was given back to its original owners if they wanted it. A few parcels had been turned into parks or given to charities.

“And then I met Caroline,” he said, lacing his fingers through hers. “We only courted for a few months before we were married.”

“I figured I had to get him down the aisle quickly, since he’s always so busy,” Caroline joked.

“That brings me here.” Ben looked out the window, where the afternoon sun was slanting across the valley. “I’d like to donate the majority of the Davies fortune to St. Thomas.”

Sister Matthews crossed herself. “Are you sure? That must be a lot of money, and you’ll need it for your new family!”

“I’m keeping enough so that we’ll be comfortable,” he assured her, “but I’ll never truly be comfortable if I feel that this orphanage is in any danger. There’s just one stipulation before I can make it official.”

Sister Matthews tipped her head curiously. “What’s that?”

He looked at Caroline, and she nodded. “We want to build our future home here, right at the other end of the valley. If that’s all right with you.”

“Is it…You want to…You’re going to…Oh, my!” Sister Matthews was beside herself, laughing and then weeping as Ben pulled her into his arms.

“Does that mean yes?” He chuckled.

“Absolutely! Ben, you’ve made me the happiest woman in the world!”

When things were quieter, Ben brought Caroline outside to have a look at the sight of their future home. “Do you really like it? I want you to be happy.”

She leaned her head on his shoulders as the sun dipped down and touched the rim of the valley, sending golden flames rippling through the mountains. “How could I not be happy? The sisters are wonderful, and there are so many darling children. That means our own child will never be lonely, and we can help the orphanage if they need us. Besides, I’ll be here with you.”

He kissed her hand and watched the light and shadows play across the valley. It was a scene that he knew deeply in his heart, and he would never have to worry about remembering it.

Ben had come a long way just to get back there again. He was home.

THE END