Three Years Later

Malena walked through the orchard beside Boone, enjoying the warmth of the afternoon sun. Ahead of them, Jasper and Levi ran between the rows of trees, laughing loudly and arguing about something neither of them seemed particularly concerned about winning.

In her arms, little Emma rested her head against her shoulder while Boone carried her twin sister, Lily. The girls were two years old now and just as full of energy and mischief as their brothers.

“Slow down!” Malena called.

“We are slow!” Jasper shouted back.

 “No, we’re not!” Levi immediately disagreed.

Boone laughed softly.

“Some things never change.”

“Thank goodness,” Malena replied.

For a few moments, they walked in comfortable silence. Then Boone glanced over at her. “Did you ever decide what you’re going to do with Billy’s letter?” 

Malena sighed.

The letter had arrived a few weeks ago. It had been several pages long. Several pages of apologies which she wasn’t sure if she was ready to accept.

“I’m keeping it,” Malena replied.

Boone nodded. “He sounded sincere.”

“He did,” Malena agreed.

Boone adjusted Lily in his arms. “Do you believe him?”

Malena thought for a moment. “I think he means it,” Malena replied quietly. “I think he genuinely wants to become a better man.”

“But?” Boone asked.

A sad smile crossed her face. “But some things leave scars.”

Boone nodded in understanding.

Malena looked ahead toward the boys.

“I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to fully forgive him,” Malena admitted. “Not for what happened to Levi.”

Levi was currently trying to climb a fence post.

“Levi!” both parents shouted at the same time.

The boy immediately climbed down and Malena shook her head.

“That child is going to give me gray hair.”

“You already have gray hair,” Boone teased.

She elbowed him.

“I hope Billy finds peace,” Malena said softly. “I really do.”

Boone squeezed her hand. “So do I.”

The orchard opened into a view of the station. Workers moved back and forth around the newest construction project. The expansion of the inn was finally taking shape.

Malena smiled immediately. “It looks good.”

“It does,” Boone agreed.

The partially completed building stretched out beside the station. Months of planning and hard work were finally paying off.

Boone looked around proudly.

“Did you ever think we’d get this far?” Boone asked.

Malena laughed. “Honestly?”

Boone nodded.

“No.”

That earned a laugh from both of them.

“I was just hoping we could keep the roof from falling in,” Malena admitted.

Boone grinned. “And now?”

“Now I’m thinking about expanding the horse breeding program.”

Boone groaned dramatically. “Of course you are.”

“We could double our stock in a few years.”

“You’ve already done the math, haven’t you?” he asked his wife.

“Several times.”

“I knew it.” Boone laughed and kissed her temple. 

As they approached the station, the front door opened and Sirena stepped outside with Agatha beside her. Sirena looked as though she might give birth at any moment.

“Goodness,” Malena said. “Are you carrying a child or a wagon wheel?”

Sirena rolled her eyes. “Very funny.”

“Where’s Jack?” Boone asked.

“Inside,” Sirena replied. “He’s putting down the flooring.”

Agatha waved them away.

“Go on,” Agatha said. “We’ll watch these four.”

The boys immediately ran toward Agatha and the twins followed at a much slower pace.

Boone and Malena made their way inside to see Jack kneeling on the floor with a hammer in his hand.

He looked up and smiled. “Welcome to my kingdom.”

“It’s looking good,” Boone said.

Jack stood and dusted off his hands. “Another week and we’ll be finished.”

“That’s excellent,” Malena replied.

After a few more minutes of discussion, Malena looked toward Boone.

“I have something to show you.”

Boone immediately became suspicious. 

“That smile means trouble,” he told her with a smile.

“It means a surprise, “she said excitedly.

“That’s usually worse.”

Malena laughed.

***

Boone found himself standing outside with a blindfold covering his eyes.

“Are you enjoying this?” Boone asked unimpressed.

“Very much,” Malena replied.

“Watch your step,” she said as she guided him carefully down a path.

“I can’t watch anything,” he told her with a huff.

“Good point.”

Eventually, she stopped.

“Alright,” she said and Boone heard the excitement in her voice. “You can take it off now.”

Slowly he removed the blindfold. And froze.

Before him stood a small grove of young trees and a wooden sign had been carefully placed at the entrance.

Ginny’s Grove

Boone felt his throat tighten immediately.

For several long moments, he couldn’t speak.

“It’ll grow with the years,” Malena said softly. “And when the boys miss their mother, they’ll have somewhere they can come.”

Boone stared at the trees and at the sign, at the love and thought that had gone into every detail.

He had been angry when he learned the truth. Confused and heartbroken. But he had never hated Ginny, he never could. She had given him Jasper and Levi. And that was a gift beyond measure.

A tear slipped down his cheek and Malena immediately reached for his hand.

“Boone?”

He looked at her.

“This is perfect,” Boone whispered.

Fresh tears filled his eyes. “They deserve a place to remember her.”

Malena smiled. “I thought so too.”

Boone pulled her into his arms.

“I love you,” Boone said.

Malena wrapped her arms around him. “I love you too.” 

THE END