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Two years passed by in the blink of an eye. Caroline and Jasper worked together to keep the railroad company going, having expanded, adding miles and miles of new track to help travelers reach destinations they never dreamed of visiting.
Caroline walked through the main hall, her six-month-old sitting on her hip. She held him in place with one hand, her eyes on the papers she was reading in her other hand. She glanced up when she sensed someone coming toward her. It was Jasper. His eyes were on his son, whom she readily handed over when they were close enough.
He lifted Edgar up and held him in the air, making the baby coo and giggle.
“There’s my big boy!” Jasper exclaimed, wiggling the baby as he held him up. He brought him down from his high perch and kissed both the baby’s apple cheeks. “Such a good boy you are,” he continued. “Have you been good for your mama?”
When Jasper asked that question, Caroline looked up from her papers, smiling at him. “He’s a very well-behaved baby. I’ve had no trouble going over these numbers with him around. He doesn’t even try to eat the paper!”
Jasper’s eyebrows shot up. “Eat the paper? Why would he do that?”
Caroline laughed. “I was talking to Esther the other day and she said whenever she had paper in her hands when Clara was a baby, she would grab at the papers and try to eat them. She said babies have a tendency to put everything in their mouths.”
“Well, I’m glad he has the sense not to eat paper,” Jasper replied, somewhat seriously, though Caroline could see the twinkle in his eyes.
“Come with me. I’m checking on the lunch meal. Almost all our guests have arrived. They’re outside under the shelter, enjoying the sunshine.”
“That’s where I want to be,” Jasper murmured, looking at Edgar, who he was holding on his hip the way Caroline had, though it was likely not as comfortable, since he had no padding there. Caroline didn’t say anything about the look on their son’s face. It was too funny, but might have made Jasper feel bad.
Caroline pushed open the door to the kitchen and stepped in, Jasper right behind her. The smell of baked ham, fresh bread and coffee instantly met her nose.
“Oh my, such a mix of delicious scents!” Caroline exclaimed. Esther was standing near the brick oven, her face flushed from the warmth it emitted. She turned at the same time as her daughter, who was fixing plates and setting covers over them so the food wouldn’t get cold before it was taken out.
“Nothing but the best for my girl!” Esther stated, leaving the oven behind to give Caroline a kiss on the cheek.
“Hey! What about me?” Clara spouted, pushing out her lower lip. Esther and Caroline laughed when she broke into a big smile. “I’m just joshin’. If I ever wanted a sister, Caroline, it would be you!”
“Plus, I don’t have a mother other than yours,” Caroline pointed out. Clara came to her and pulled her into a big hug.
“I just wanted to check on you two, to make sure your work is almost done in here. I want you to enjoy the festivities as much as anyone else.”
“That’s sweet of you,” Esther said, her eyes soft as she gazed at Caroline. “But doing this work for you is a privilege. You’ve made life and work so much better than it ever was under the thumb of your uncle.”
“I should hope so,” Caroline said, glancing at Edgar when he made a cooing sound. It touched her heart, every sound he made, every sign of progress as he grew into the adorable little boy he would soon be.
“You know, you really should be resting, Caroline,” Jasper said, bumping Edgar up and down in his arms. “You should be getting ready for the festivities, too, instead of concentrating your brain on these reports.”
Caroline was grateful for his concern. She tilted her head slightly and gave him a soft smile. “I would love to be able to do that.” She held up the papers. “But this is very important. These numbers have to align, or this company will lose a lot of money. I won’t have any members of the board complaining that we don’t know what we’re doing.”
“You don’t have to worry about that, Caroline.” A new voice made them all turn to the doorway, where Sylvia had pushed the door open and was standing there holding it. She had a folder in her hand stuffed with papers. She held it up and shook it. “I’ve been doing the same thing as you. And I think I’ve found where the problem started. Just the simple movement of a decimal point and everything that came after it was messed up.”
Caroline felt an instant sense of relaxation. Her shoulders, which had been tense and she didn’t even realize it, suddenly slumped. She hurried to Sylvia and wrapped her arms around the shorter woman.
“Oh, Sylvie, I knew we could count on you!”
“You fixed the issue?” Jasper asked, coming up behind them.
Sylvia nodded as he leaned to give her a kiss on the cheek. “Yes. I’m good for more than a telegraph operator you know.” She teased him with a grin. He scoffed, rolling his eyes, but he had a smile on his face, too.
“Okay, Caroline. It’s time for you to go get ready yourself.” Jasper handed her Edgar and gently pushed her around his sister. “Go on. Put on that emerald dress I like so much. I mean you like so much.”
“I’ll help!” Clara said, stripping off her apron. “Mother, I’ll send in Jamie to take out the plates and platters. You finish up that casserole and then get dressed too. You’re a guest, you know.”
“Yes, yes, I’ll be sure to do that,” Esther said, turning her eyes back to the brick oven. “It’s almost done.”
As the group walked toward the residential side of the railroad headquarters, chatting quietly, Finn came through the front doors, opening them like he was making a grand entrance. The sounds of people gathering, talking, and laughing came through while they were open.
“Greetings, companions!” he called out. He came to an abrupt stop and stared at them. “You’re not even ready! Except you, Jasper. And of course, Edgar, looking as dashing as ever in his little pants, white shirt and black suspenders. Look at you, young man. You put the rest of these folks to shame!”
Caroline laughed softly as Finn held out his hands to Edgar and the little boy leaned away from his father, reaching for Finn.
“I think he might like me more than he likes you, Jasper.”
Jasper let out a hard laugh but allowed Edgar to be taken by Finn. “That’ll be the day,” he said.
“Since he’s the only one who is ready, I’ll just take him with me. Clara, how long will it take for you to throw on a dress and brush your hair?”
“That’s not all I have to do, Finn,” Clara exclaimed.
“Oh yes it is.” Finn went to her and kissed her softly. “You don’t need to be more beautiful than you already are. I’m a jealous man, you know. I might have to fight someone.” He looked at Edgar, who was staring at him like he was fascinating. “What do you think, Eddie? You gonna help me beat the men away from this pretty lady here?”
Caroline loved the way Finn treated Clara. They were in love and that meant the world to her and to Jasper, too. They were due to be married in two months. Finn had been more playful than ever since Clara said a very happy “yes” to his proposal. He was currently Jasper and Caroline’s right hand, managing the business end of the railroad company with honesty and efficiency. He was a master of negotiations and most businessmen he spoke to were instantly drawn to him, even happy to work with him.
Caroline quickly threw on the dress she had prepared, laid out on her bed, and headed outside to meet the others under the shelter. She stopped a few times, greeting her guests, smiling wide when she saw Jasper and Sylvia’s father, Samuel. He was holding Edgar now, chatting with Finn and Jasper. A podium was set up on a small stage on the other side of the shelter. She headed straight for it.
Before she reached the podium, she stopped to talk to Sheriff Coleman. He’d been surprised to be invited and had brought along several deputies who’d been critical in capturing her uncle and Mr. Crane, along with a young man Caroline didn’t recognize.
“Good to see you, Sheriff!” she said, glancing at the deputies with a smile. “I’m so glad you decided to come and join us for our celebration! And who is this young man? Your son?”
Sheriff Coleman laughed. “No but I wouldn’t deny him if he was! Proud of this young man!” He slapped a hand on the young man’s shoulder and squeezed. “This here’s Daniel Cranwell. He’s our newest recruit. A fine young man he is. I’ll be retiring soon, you know. I’m planning on spending my years after all the adventures, I’ve had just helping others and not running after men with guns. Daniel’s going to bring in the next generation of lawmen, you mark my words!”
Caroline said a few more words to the sheriff and his deputies before moving on. She gave Samuel a big smile and leaned to kiss Edgar on the cheek. Samuel looked immensely proud and she wasn’t at all surprised by it.
Just before she reached the podium, she stopped to talk to the Pattersons, who had brought Charlie along with them. He was growing into a tall, handsome young man. He bowed slightly from the waist, calling her Mrs. Hartley very formally.
After her short presentation, congratulating those who had helped make Iron Summit Railroad the success that it was, Caroline stepped down to enjoy the food Esther and Clara had provided.
She stood with a plate in her hand, smiling and trying not to talk with food in her mouth as guest after guest came up to speak to her and tell her what a fine job she and her husband were doing running the railroad. Eventually the sheriff came up to her. The look on his face was different from everyone else’s.
“Caroline,” he said, as if greeting her for the first time. His voice was low and smooth.
She tilted her head to the side. “Sheriff? What’s wrong?”
The man moved his eyes from left to right, scanning for listening ears, apparently. Caroline also looked around them, confused.
He reached into his breast pocket and pulled out an envelope. “Got a letter here from Victor for you. He’s had a lot of time to think behind those prison bars and the guards all say he’s not the same man. He’s not as arrogant as he had been when he first arrived. Still not showing any remorse. But not as arrogant.”
“I’m sure he’s not,” Caroline huffed. She took the letter from him, hesitating to open it.
“You can read it later,” the sheriff said as if giving her permission not to read it at all. “I just wanted to make sure you got it. You can do what you like with it.”
He walked away from her. After a moment, glancing over at Jasper who was with Finn, holding his son, talking energetically, she slid her finger in the flap and opened it. She pulled the letter out. It was one page.
She unfolded it and read the words her uncle had printed. He said he regretted his actions and wished he had not been so obsessed with power. It had made him do terrible things he couldn’t undo. Hurt people who would never forgive him and likely had a right not to.
By the end of the letter, Caroline realized in his own twisted way, he believed he was protecting her and her father’s legacy. The railroad company was always a money maker, which led him to believe his actions were worth the cost of a few people, their sanity and their freedom.
But it wasn’t just a few people. Her uncle’s evil touch had darkened the doors of hundreds and hundreds of people, stretching through their families to their parents, siblings, children…
Shaking her head, Caroline folded the letter and slid it back into the envelope. He’d asked for her forgiveness. Maybe someday she would forgive him. But today was not that day.
Caroline moved to the bonfire outside the shelter where children were roasting marshmallows on the end of a stick. She stood there for a moment before tossing the envelope into the flames, watching it burn to ash.
Arms around her made chills cover her skin. She turned to see Jasper directly behind her, leaning his head to kiss her cheek.
“Are you all right, my love?” he said quietly.
She nodded, placing her own hands over his arms. “I am now,” she said, knowing her contentment would always be fulfilled in the man whose arms held her so close. “I am now.”
OFFER: A BRAND NEW SERIES AND 5 FREEBIES FOR YOU!
Grab my new series, "Hearts Across the Frontier", and get 5 FREE novels as a gift! Have a look here!
Hello my dear ones, I hope you enjoyed the book and the extended epilogue! I’ll be here looking forward to your comments. Thank you 🙂
What a story. It is full of surprises. The characters blended together and showed how greed in one man’s heart could bring so much pain. I loved how you brought the main characters into loving relationships!
Thank you so much for your kind words and for reading my story, dear Barbara! I’m really glad you enjoyed the twists and the characters’ journeys.🪷 It means a lot to hear that the relationships resonated with you.
Loved this book. The extended epilogue was interesting in finding out how everyone was doing. They have a boy.
Thank you so much, dear Frances. I’m really glad you enjoyed the story and the epilogue. 🤍