Two Years Later

Thomas finished checking the south pasture after supper and found Oliver waiting for him at the barn door with a halter over one shoulder.

“You already put that mare away?”

Oliver nodded. “Brushed her too.”

Thomas looked toward the stall. “Hooves?”

Oliver hesitated as Thomas raised an eyebrow, his expression turning sheepish. “I was going to.”

“Go on, finish up.” Thomas chuckled as Oliver grinned and disappeared back into the barn.

At eight years old, he talked so much that Thomas sometimes had to remind himself of the quiet little boy Samuel had first brought home. Oliver was still reserved around strangers, and there were subjects he rarely spoke about, but in general, he was like any other eight-year-old boy. 

He was quite the helper. He took care of some of the horses on his own, and Thomas had started giving him more responsibilities. Filling grain measures, brushing the calmer horses, carrying leather straps, gathering eggs when Clara needed help. Oliver took every assignment seriously.

The ranch had changed too. Several of Thomas’s horses now grazed on the Whitmore property, and they had added a small cattle herd the previous spring. The old barn was getting crowded enough that Thomas was already considering another shed before winter. Clara had pointed out a section beyond the north pasture where they could eventually build a larger barn.

Oliver came back out of the barn, pulling Thomas from his thoughts. 

“All done.” Oliver grinned.

The cabin door opened across the yard before Thomas could answer. Clara stood on the porch with one hand resting beneath the roundness of her stomach. 

“Do you need help with the evening chores?” Clara asked. 

Thomas laughed. Clara was very pregnant with their first baby. After two years, they were preparing to welcome their son or daughter, and it felt rather surreal. Clara always tried to do more than she should, and he had to remind her she had to rest. 

“We’re coming, everything’s done!” Thomas threw an arm over Oliver’s shoulders, and the two of them made their way back toward the house. 

Clara laughed from the porch. She looked as if she were glowing. He loved seeing how much pregnancy agreed with her. Her cheeks were rosy, and she always had a smile on her face. 

He took her hand when she stepped off the porch.

“I can still walk by myself.”

“I know, but I like helping you.” Thomas kept hold of her hand, then brought it to his mouth and kissed the back of it gently. 

Clara smiled. “Your help is always welcome.” She stepped in closer, just as Oliver cleared his throat. 

“I’m going to finish my picture,” he said as he hurried past them. 

Clara and Thomas exchanged a quick look, then both burst out laughing. 

“He’s growing up.” Clara shook her head, staring after him, her eyes sparkling with love. 

They’d both come to think of Oliver as their son, and those feelings had only become stronger over the past two years. 

“Yes, he is.” Thomas kept his arm around Clara’s waist as they made their way inside. Oliver was spreading a couple of sheets of paper on the dining table. 

“I finished this one.” He pointed to one of the pictures, and both Clara and Thomas made their way over to see. 

Thomas leaned over. The picture was a painting of one of the chestnut mares. The proportions weren’t perfect, but the animal was unmistakable. Clara came around behind Oliver and rested her hands on his shoulders.

“That’s your best one yet.”

Oliver looked pleased. “I’m doing another tomorrow.”

Thomas beamed. 

“I’m proud of you,” He said, catching Oliver’s gaze. He didn’t know if Oliver took his words to heart, but he said them anyway. He wanted him to have that confidence, that feeling that Thomas cared for what he was doing. 

Thomas knew what it was like to not have a father’s care, and he wanted to be everything opposite of that for Oliver.

“Thank you,” Oliver said at last, looking a bit uncomfortable with the extra attention. 

Thomas grinned, trying not to show just how emotional he felt, seeing Oliver grow as a person. He enjoyed every single moment he had with Oliver, watching him grow up.

“I’m going to watch the sunset on the porch,” Clara said softly. “Either of you is welcome to join me.”

Oliver looked up with a smile. “I am going to work on my drawing, but maybe later.” 

Clara gathered a cup of tea from the counter, then headed out. After making sure Oliver was busy, Thomas joined her. The sun was disappearing behind the horizon, painting the hills with oranges, reds, pinks, and yellows. He sat down beside her, on the simple bench he’d built earlier that year. 

Clara snuggled up against his side, resting the back of her head against his shoulder. 

Thomas looked at her stomach as Clara slipped her free hand into his.

“This is nice.” Clara sighed. “Soon, we’ll be four. It’s strange to think about, after two years of it being just the three of us.” 

“I can’t wait.” Thomas pressed his hand to Clara’s stomach. “Do you hope it’s a boy or a girl?”

“I think…a girl would be nice.” Clara’s cheeks turned pink as she admitted it. “Sometimes I think a girl would even things out. Two boys and two girls.” 

Thomas chuckled. “A girl would be nice because she’d look just like her mother, and be as smart as her father.” 

Clara laughed. “I’d be happy with either, though. I’m sure Oliver would enjoy having a little brother.” 

“Oliver will love whatever it is. He’s a good kid.” 

For a moment she was quiet, then her hand tightened around his. 

“He’s been through so much. Sometimes, I still have bad dreams about Everett and everything that happened with him. I can’t imagine how it’s been for Oliver.” 

“I’m sorry.” Thomas drew her closer, wrapping his arm around her. He thought about Everett more than he’d like, and even though Everett had been convicted and was serving a long prison sentence, what he’d done had shaken all of them. 

“I wish Samuel could have seen everything that his hard work brought about.” Clara sounded so wistful. The one thing he could never give her…her family back.

“Well, I have to believe he knows; he can see it from where he is.” Thomas kissed the top of Clara’s head. He knew Samuel would have been thrilled if he could have seen it.

***

The next day after church, Clara decided Lydia had brought entirely too much food.

“You were supposed to bring yourself,” Clara told her. “Not so much food.” 

Lydia glanced toward the yard, where more horses were already arriving.

“All the more to share.” Lydia giggled. “How is Oliver? I know I just saw him this morning at church, but I didn’t get much of a chance to ask about him.” 

“He is doing wonderfully. Very bright at school, and so excited for a new sibling.” Clara laughed and took the basket from her as she placed her other hand on her stomach.

Reverend Zachary Thornton came behind Lydia, carrying their nearly three-year-old son, who was determined to get down and investigate everything within reach. Last year, when the orphan train came through town, Lydia and the reverend decided that it was time to expand their family in another way. God had blessed them with the perfect little boy for their family. 

The moment Reverend Thornton set him on the ground, the little boy ran toward Oliver. Oliver looked up from where he was arranging wooden blocks beside the porch.

“Come here. I’ll show you how to build a cabin.”

Clara smiled as Timothy toddled over to Oliver, a big smile on his face. Oliver was good with younger children. Patient in a way she hadn’t expected. He showed the boy how to stack the blocks, then calmly rebuilt the tower when it was knocked over almost immediately.

Clara was distracted from the children playing when Abigail arrived with Alfred. They’d married five months after Clara and Thomas. They’d also gotten pregnant much faster and welcomed their daughter four months earlier.

Alfred held the tiny bundle of their daughter against his chest, looking as if he were worried he might drop her.

Abigail hurried forward, wrapping Clara in a hug, even though they’d just seen each other that morning at church.

Clara hugged her back. “I’m so glad you came.” 

Clara and Thomas had decided to host a picnic at their ranch after church to celebrate their coming baby. They wanted to share their joy with everyone from church. 

Clara took the baby for a few minutes while Abigail settled beside Lydia. Holding her made Clara even more curious about the child she carried. The baby was warm, and surprisingly heavy, for someone so small.

“She likes you,” Abigail said.

Clara looked down at the little face.

“I’m so happy our children will all grow up with one another. They’ll be friends just like all of us.” She looked between Lydia and Abigail. She never could have known just how close the three of them would become. They shared life at church, and they visited each other’s homes.

She remembered Lydia’s grief when they first met. The quiet pain of believing she might never have children. She and the reverend had changed since they adopted a baby. They were considering adopting a second and maybe a third child next year. Clara could see they were wonderful parents, and she knew from her conversations with Lydia that they were happy. 

Clara wasn’t sure how it was possible that there was a time when she didn’t know Abigail. It felt like she understood everything Clara was going through. Abigail and Lydia weren’t the only members of her new family and friends. 

Running Bear arrived with several Crow friends and family members Thomas knew well. Thomas had invited them to come to the picnic to celebrate. They’d hesitated, concerned they might be too uncomfortable, but in the end, they’d come.  They brought a small cradle blanket for the baby and a pair of tiny handmade moccasins that Clara held for a long time before carefully placing them with the other gifts.

Oliver showed one of the older men his paintings. The man studied the picture of the chestnut mare and nodded with approval.

Thomas stood nearby, listening as Oliver explained which horse it was and why he had chosen to paint her in halting Crow language. He’d been learning under Running Bear for almost a year. 

Clara watched them from the porch. When they left a little while later, Clara could see Oliver’s disappointment. He enjoyed spending time with his Crow side of the family. 

Thomas walked up behind Clara and placed a hand on her waist. She leaned against his arm.

“How are you?” Thomas asked, whispering against her ear. 

“I’m happy.”

Thomas looked over the yard.

“Me too. God has blessed us.” 

Clara nodded in agreement. God had been good to them, giving them everything that they needed and more. Clara appreciated the quiet moment with Thomas for a few more minutes before going back to join everyone else. 

They ate outside as the afternoon cooled. Clara had once come to Cedar Hollow believing she would settle Samuel’s affairs, survive whatever grief followed, and probably return to Chicago.

Instead, she’d stayed.

She still thanked God for how she’d found herself staying, for everything he’d given her since she had. She no longer felt alone. She had more of a family than she’d ever dreamed possible. 

As the sun began to set, Reverend Thornton suggested they pray before everyone started home. Thomas stood beside Clara. Oliver came immediately to her other side.

They joined hands.

Reverend Thornton thanked God for the food, the friends gathered around them, and the children already among them. Then he prayed for Clara, asking for a safe pregnancy, and healthy babies for them all.

Clara bowed her head.

When he finished, Amens went around the small crowd that had come to enjoy the afternoon. Thomas squeezed her hand. She couldn’t have been happier, or more ready to face the life waiting ahead for them. 

THE END