Six Years Later

Two little girls sprinted across the hard-packed snow, hand-in-hand. Their hair streamed behind them, ribbons fluttering at the ends of tidy braids. Only the hair set them apart; Noelle’s was the bright blond of her father’s, while Holly had Hazel’s lush brown.

Their giggles intertwined with the soft jingle of sleigh bells as Hazel secured Renegade to a hitching post.

“Girls! Girls!” Garrett shouted playfully, running after them.

He caught them a few yards away from the crowd that packed the railway platform. Their squeals turned to helpless giggles as Garrett tucked each child under his arm and stomped around, toting them like potato sacks.

Sadie stepped from the sleigh, her toddler on her hip. “I don’t know how you do it, Hazel.” She shook her head, grinning with merry wonder.

Hazel laughed. “Do what?”

“Twins!” Sadie exclaimed in exasperation.

“By thunder, darling, you should know.” Julian slipped an arm around her. He held their other little son’s hand. “You practically raised twins yourself.” His eyes shone with admiration.

Sadie half giggled, half groaned. “Don’t remind me. At least they were out of diapers by the time I became responsible for them!”

“And you weren’t alone for very long,” Hazel said with tender affection.

Garrett spun in circles until their daughters screamed with laughter.

A piercing whistle split the unseasonably sunny day. Despite the blue sky, it was crisply cold, the snow piled high on either side of the road.

“Oh!” Sadie cried, her face transfixed with delight. “Oh, they made it through even with all this snow!”

Everyone rushed onto the platform. Hazel popped Noelle on her hip while Garrett swung Holly onto her shoulders. They joined the expectant group on the platform as another whistle cut through the conversation. Everyone grew hushed, leaning forward with anticipation, searching the white-bound landscape and the blue of the mountains. The railroad, only five months old, was still shiny new in the sunshine. It curved away into a pass.

From her high perch, Holly was the first to see it. She pointed and screamed with joy. “There! Look!”

Steam curled against the mountainside, white against blue, and Hazel’s heart leaped with excitement. It was nothing compared to the rich joy on Garrett’s face.

“Here he comes!” he called.

“Uncle Pip! Uncle Pip!” Noelle started the chant.

The other children picked it up.

The steam engine raced toward town, a gleaming length of huffing, puffing, clattering metal. Even after her weeks in Boston and the time since the railroad had come to town on the Fourth of July, Hazel’s heart still thrilled at the sight. It was so vast and powerful. And it had brought so many good things to Silverton, when it could had brought disaster, if Vance Thad had had his way.

She gazed adoringly at her husband. He chanted with the kids, grinning. She wondered if he knew how much he had changed her life. How glorious everything was now that she had him.

The train pulled up with a screech of brakes and a hiss of steam, and everyone on the platform crowded close, shouting with excitement at the anticipation of loved ones returning from their journeys. Sadie was pale as she scanned the faces at the train windows.

It was Garrett who spotted him first. “There he is!” he cried. “That’s our boy!”

Pip grinned in the window, waving frantically. The years had added height and broadened his shoulders. He wore his hair shorter these days, and his jaw was stronger. But the way his freckles nose crinkled when he smiled, the mischievous sparkle in his eyes—these things hadn’t changed one bit in the past six years.

The train doors opened, and Pip was the first to come bounding out, wearing a beautifully cut black suit and hat that made him look like a real Bostonian.

“There he is! Our returning hero!” Hazel cried, joy flooding through her at the sight of the boy. She’d missed him even more fiercely than she’d realized.

“Uncle Pip!” Noelle squirmed from her arms and ran to him.

The children crowded Pip, clutching his trouser legs and shouting happily for attention.

Sadie flung her arms around him and sobbed tears of joy.

“Oh, Sadie!” Pip laughed, equal parts pleased and embarrassed. “Don’t make a scene.”

“We will make a scene, you rapscallion.” Garrett plucked off Pip’s hat and ruffled his hair. “Look at you! All grown up.”

“Don’t say that!” Sadie wailed with renewed happy tears.

“I didn’t come all this way just for you to forget about me,” said a gruff voice.

Joy transfixed Garrett’s features. “CADE!”

He whipped around as his old friend disembarked from the train, a little more grizzled than before, but still his usual self.

Garrett hugged him and wrung his hand with obvious raw delight. Hazel loved seeing him this happy.

“What are you doing here?” Garrett asked.

Cade shrugged, his nonchalance not quite convincing. “Figured I might as well not be alone for Christmas.”

“I thought you didn’t like Christmas.” Hazel embraced him.

“Well… maybe I like it in Silverton,” said Cade, scowling to hide his happiness at being here.

“Mama, I’m cold.” Holly slipped a frozen little hand into Hazel’s.

“Let’s go! Theo will be at the inn by now, Pip.” Hazel laughed. “Or do we call you ‘Philip’ now that you’re such a big man?”

“Don’t make a fuss, Hazel,” Pip begged, blushing.

Everyone laughed. The merry group bore Pip across the platform to the waiting sleigh, where Renegade pricked his ears and whinnied in recognition at his old friend.

They all piled onto the sleigh. Hazel’s heart was soaring as she took the reins. Was there anything more magical than being here with her friends and family, everyone laughing all together, as the sleigh bells jingled with Renegade’s brisk trot back toward home?

It reminded her of that enchanted sleigh ride to the Sinclair lodge six Christmases ago, when she had just started to fall in love. She remembered thinking, at the time, that that moment was perfect.

But it was nothing compared to this one. Now, with their families all together and thriving, with Silverton booming, and the inn flourishing… this was so much better. So much happier. She hadn’t even known that this amount of happiness was possible.

Garrett sat beside her, their arms touching, their little girls chortling in his lap. Sadie, Julian, and their boys were talking a mile a minute with Pip. Cade chatted with Garrett, trying hard to sound grumpy, but the occasional escaping smiles told Hazel that he was actually as happy as could be.

“Well, how was it? Your first ever semester at Harvard College, preparing for medical school!” Sadie said the words with reverent awe, her eyes shining.

Pip grinned. “It was so much fun, Sadie. I made friends right away, and would you believe the pranks we pulled on the professors?” He guffawed.

“You’re meant to be learning, not playing pranks!” Sadie threw her hands up, exasperated.

Cade grinned with mischievous delight. “Oh, he’s done plenty of learning.”

“He has?” Garrett asked, curious. “How do you know?”

“Because he’s at the top of his class already,” said Cade triumphantly. “I’m friends with one of his professors, and he says that he’s seldom seen a boy so bright and dedicated come into the pre-medical program.”

Everyone spontaneously applauded, Noelle and Holly most enthusiastically of all. The pride glowing on Garrett’s face and in Sadie’s eyes made Hazel’s heart soar.

Pip gasped as they turned up the familiar driveway. “What on earth happened to the Hearthstone? It’s twice the size!”

He was exaggerating, but the new section, a wooden building attached to the stone original, was certainly a considerable size.

“We had to add more rooms,” said Hazel proudly. “We’ve had so much demand that we couldn’t keep up.”

“It’s exactly as Julian said.” Sadie took his hand and gazed up at her husband with unashamed love. “The railroad has benefited Silverton in so many ways, and it’s brought huge prosperity to the Hearthstone Inn.”

“Seems like a long time ago that we had to worry about eggs and firewood,” said Hazel with an exhalation of relief. “I’m glad those days are long past us.”

As she pulled up outside the inn, there was a loud whinny, and a magnificent black horse came galloping up to them. He was a glorious specimen, all rippling muscle and fiery eyes, and he reared and plunged with spirit. But his rider handled him one-handed and effortlessly, lithe and powerful in the saddle.

Pip leaped from the sleigh with a shriek of joy. “Theo!”

Theo jumped off his stallion, ran to his brother, and flung his arms around him. Hazel quickly caught the prancing horse’s reins while the stable hand came out to take Renegade.

The twins held each other for a long time, for once making no sound. Their fervent embrace said more about their happiness and excitement than any amount of jubilant cries could do. They were still identical in every way except that Pip wore his black suit and Theo was in denim work pants, a plaid shirt, and a Stetson.

Finally, the boys parted. Both had damp cheeks. They surreptitiously wiped their tears, and everyone kindly pretended not to see them.

The stable hand left with Renegade. At the crunch of the sleigh, the stallion reared, almost wrenching the reins from Hazel’s hands. She let them slip a little, regained her grip, and brought him back to the ground with a gentle tug. “Easy, big fella! Easy.” She patted his neck.

“Sorry, Hazel!” Theo’s eyes were on the stallion, glowing with pride. “He’s a little spirited, this one.”

“A little? Theo, he’s absolutely magnificent!” Pip burst out, awed.

“Listen to you and your big words.” Theo laughed, blushing with pleasant pride.

“Where did you get him?” Pip cautiously petted the gleaming shoulder.

“He’s a real-life Arabian. A son of Leopard himself, Ulysses S. Grant’s stallion. He came all the way from the East by train. Isn’t he glorious?” Theo beamed and stroked the stallion’s neck.

The stunning animal settled and blew gently into his neck.

“That must’ve cost a fortune,” Pip exclaimed in surprise.

Theo’s grin widened. “Well, we have a fortune, Pip. Last year’s foals sold for much more than I thought. Seems like everyone wants a horse from the Sinclair ranch these days.”

“It’s because of your excellent management, Theo.” Sadie warmly wrapped an arm around him, then retreated a step when the stallion snorted.

The stable boy returned and wrestled the stallion away.

“Let’s go inside! It’s freezing out here,” Hazel suggested.

They went into the dining hall, and the very sight was enough to make Hazel’s heart fly on golden wings. The Christmas tree was so large that the angel at the top touched the ceiling. Paper chains, garlands, real glass baubles, and—most wonderfully—tinsel sparkled in the candlelight. The tinsel was real silver, manufactured right here in Silverton, and it had cost a pretty penny. But when Hazel saw the way it twisted and glinted beneath the colorful candles, she thought that it was worth every penny.

All the tables in the dining hall were full. People laughed and talked by their decorated centerpieces, enjoying the pre-Christmas feast that Aunt Marjorie had served.

Pip’s body relaxed as though releasing a tension he’d forgotten he was holding. “Home, sweet home.”

“Sweet, sweet home,” Sadie sang softly, her eyes shining as if she agreed.

Pip nudged her. “What are you talking about? You have your own house now.”

“Well, we’re right next door,” said Sadie indignantly.

Julian chuckled and put a fond arm around his wife. “You may as well live here for all the time you spend with Hazel.”

“I smell FOOD!” Sadie’s oldest son declared, and stampeded to the kitchen, as loud and enthusiastic as Theo and Pip used to be when they were little boys.

The whole party trooped to the dining room, decorated just as lavishly, where Aunt Marjorie was setting a whole roast turkey with oyster sauce on the table. Other roast meats, vegetables, and piles of freshly buttered, still-steaming rolls completed the feast.

“Nana Margie! Nana Margie!” The four little ones stormed her, yelling and laughing.

“My babies!” Marjorie scooped up Holly and Sadie’s youngest and spun them around, laughing.

“They might as well be her babies, given how much time she spends playing with them,” Hazel whispered to Sadie, trying to hide her mirth.

Sadie grinned indulgently.

“Well, given how hard you work in the inn with Hazel, Sadie, Marjorie hardly has to do much anymore.” Julian kissed his wife’s cheek.

“Oh, it’s nothing but fun for me, spending all day with my friend every day,” said Sadie proudly.

Marjorie embraced Pip and Cade with joyful exclamations as everyone took their places. Right after Garrett led grace, there was a tap at the door.

“Yes?” Hazel called, puzzled.

It opened, and David looked into the dining hall. He was a fine, bearded, broad-shouldered man now. “Mrs. Sinclair, ma’am?”

Hazel smiled. Though David had been with them for a year now, he still seemed determined to make up for his previous mistakes by being as determinedly respectful, kind, hardworking, and useful as possible. “Yes, David?”

“That beautiful black hoss—he been kickin’ the stable door. I just wanted to tell ya that I put him in the corral where he’s happier. Didn’t want that fine beast to hurt himself.”

“Thank you, David.”

The new stablemaster bowed his head and retreated.

“My, that boy’s surely turnin’ into one fine stablemaster,” said Marjorie approvingly. “I’m glad ya talked me into givin’ him another chance, Hazel.”

“Everyone deserves a second chance,” said Hazel tenderly, giving Julian a quick smile.

He looked away. “You… you might be pleased to know that I wrote to my father.” His voice was soft, a little embarrassed, but hopeful.

“You did?” Garrett said, surprised and pleased.

“He’s been writing every month for the past year. It seems that he truly wants to get to know his grandchildren and connect. Maybe he’s even a changed man, though he has plenty of time in jail yet,” said Julian, the hope building in his tone.

Marjorie clasped his hand with warm sincerity. “Well, that’s a mighty fine thing, darlin’. And now, please, let’s eat!”

After the excellent dinner, Theo and Pip announced that it was high time for a game of blind man’s buff. Noelle and Holly agreed with huge enthusiasm. Sadie and Hazel carried the dishes to the kitchen while the men moved the dining table aside to make room. Julian stacked logs into the fire and soon set it roaring high and merry.

“This is the last one,” said Hazel cheerily, carrying a tureen into the kitchen.

Sadie was on her way back into the dining hall. “Thank you, Hazel! We’ll do the dishes later. First, games!” She was so alight with happiness that she almost skipped past her.

Hazel set the tureen in the basin. Then, a light touch on her arm surprised her. Its warm familiarity trailed fire across her skin, warm and reassuring, yet burning bright.

She turned. Garrett was the only other person in the kitchen with her. He surrounded her with his strong, gentle arms, pulled her close, and kissed her slowly, unhurriedly. Her arms found their way around her neck and with a shuddering sigh of contentment, she leaned her body against his.

They were both a little breathless when he pulled back. He leaned his forehead on hers. “Are you all right, my darling?”

“Why?” Hazel murmured, still holding him.

Concern leaked into his voice. “You seem a little quiet.”

Hazel chuckled softly. “Do I? I’m a bit fatigued.”

Garrett opened his eyes, lip quirking up in amusement. “Fatigued, are you?”

“Yes. Also…” Hazel’s heart suddenly pounded with excitement as she searched his face. “I’ve noticed that I’m more thirsty than usual… and quite nauseated.”

Garrett frowned, worried.

“Mostly in the mornings,” Hazel added, trying to hide her amusement.

Garrett’s eyes widened. “Oh, Hazel.” He placed a hand on her abdomen. “Are you…”

“Yes.” Hazel placed her hand over his and gazed into his eyes, happiness flooding her. “Yes, I am, Garrett. You’re going to be a father again.”

He flung his arms around her and pulled her close. As they kissed beneath the mistletoe, Hazel reflected that she’d been wrong. She’d always believed that her life would turn out beautiful, that everything would be all right.

But never had she dreamed that she would experience such joy and peace and delight as this.

THE END