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Taking a deep breath, Theo glanced around the office.
“Three years,” he murmured in disbelief. “Can’t believe how much time has passed. It’s about time.”
A slight grin made its way to his face as he carefully unpinned the star from his chest. He gave it one final glance before setting it on the desk. The deputy, Ryan Earnest, would come to work in the morning and have his new job as sheriff, set and waiting for him.
As for Theo, he couldn’t be happier to be done.
He whistled on his way out of the office to reach his horse. The animal had been with him ever since he first headed out West. They had bonded over the battles they’d faced and the peace they’d enjoyed. He patted the creature gently on the nose before mounting.
Taking the job as sheriff was only meant to be temporary. He’d been the deputy since he didn’t want the full responsibility of the job. However, Sheriff Amerson only lasted half a year before deciding to leave. They’d left Theo in charge, and it had stayed that way until four months ago when he took on young Earnest to start training him to take over.
While Minerston didn’t run into too much trouble, it had been more than enough work for Theo to enjoy for long.
He liked getting to know the town and helping them out where he could. He’d taken on a variety of jobs in the past, but this one had been among the best. No one told him how to do his work. It had been a good opportunity, just not the one he wanted.
“I promise you it’s fine,” Nora told him repeatedly.
She always said that.
It didn’t stop Theo from worrying. They had worked on the ranch for a year while he also had the role of deputy before finally hiring on more help. Five young men from town were more than eager to take on the work.
While it had helped ease the workload, he had also seen Nora dropping into their bed every night from exhaustion. She never complained. But it worried him. They were trying to build a life together, and he wanted it to be a good one. It had taken them time to figure out how they were going to manage everything. Some plans were slowed down and more hands, including a foreman, were hired.
And now, finally, he could focus his time there.
He was retiring from one job to focus on another, one that he cared for more. Working on a ranch was exciting, especially when he did the work with his wife. She liked to be in the middle of everything, whether they were building a shed or moving the cattle. He was tired of hearing her stories when they could have been doing all of this together.
Nudging his horse to move a little faster, they left the streets behind them.
They had renamed it to simply the Green River Ranch. Although aspects of the past lingered, it was a healing journey for them both.
“I never want to leave this place,” Nora told him whenever she was at her happiest. He loved seeing that smile on her face, the wild one that made him fall a little deeper in love every day.
“You won’t,” he would respond. “We can stay here together forever.”
Just the thought of seeing his wife again warmed his heart. Theo knew they had spent the morning together. He had lingered behind to join her on the morning chores, finding excuses to brush his hands against hers and wrap an arm around her waist.
The house finally came into view.
It was a beautiful house that had taken more time than expected, but it had been worth the effort. He grinned every time he looked at it, remembering what it was like teaching Nora what it meant to build. That had been eight months of adventures between the two of them with the occasional help from others in town.
Two floors with plenty of light and wrap-around porches on each level. Nora had painted the shutters blue just a few months ago when spring officially arrived. A small garden was prepared to the side filled with wildflowers and vegetables. It was a peaceful home that relaxed his shoulders and reminded him what a fortunate man he had become.
He was really coming home for the last time now that he was no longer going to be working in town. Although he had wanted to retire for some time, he hadn’t wanted to leave Minerston unprepared.
Still whistling, Theo dismounted once he reached the back porch. It had been recently swept. He was considering taking the horse right over to the barn before stepping inside.
A loud thump came from within the house.
His heart skipped a beat. What was that supposed to be? What had happened to his wife?
“Nora!” he called.
Scrambling to get the horse tied, Theo hurriedly ran up the stairs to barge through the door. His hands balled into fists as he prepared for trouble. There was no one in the back hall, so he raced into the kitchen.
“Nora?” he cried out worriedly.
He heard a small squeak and then caught sight of her only a few yards away in the corner of the kitchen. His wife was seated on a cabinet with a grim smile on her face. Dropping his hands down to his sides, he hurried over.
“What happened?” Theo demanded. “Are you all right?”
She started to shake her head before nodding with a sigh. Her arms wrapped around his neck as he reached her side. “I’m fine, just embarrassed.”
Hearing the annoyance in her tone, Theo coughed to hold back a chuckle. She didn’t particularly take well to certain teasing lately, and he wanted to be sensitive. Unable to completely understand her situation, he just wanted to be of help to her.
“I’m sorry,” he said after a minute.
Her body shuddered as she gave a big sigh. “No, you’re not. You’re trying not to laugh, but I suppose that’s fine. This just means that you have to help me out more than usual. I dropped the pot that I was trying to get down. I had been hoping to have something prepared for an early supper, but I don’t know where the time has gone.”
“I can pick up the pot for you,” he reassured her. “And anything else you might need. That also means you need to stop climbing things.”
She moved away, and he grudgingly let her. She smelled like blackberries and saddle oil. One of her hands crept up from his neck into his hair, so she tousled a strand while giving him a pout.
But he wouldn’t let that break him.
“I mean it.”
“You can’t tell me what to do,” she whined playfully. “What if I need something up high? I spent years climbing trees taller than our house.”
He chuckled this time, unable to help himself. Tugging a strand of hair from her face to tuck it gently behind her ear, he gave her a caring smile. “Yes, I’ve seen you do that. But it’s a little harder when you’re carrying someone. So, until then, I think it’s a fair ask that you relent with the climbing.”
When she huffed, it fluttered his hair. “Fine. But only if you kiss me.”
That wouldn’t be a problem. He moved his hands from around her swollen belly to around her so he was as close as he could be to her. He was still smiling when she kissed his nose and then his lips.
Nora was sweeter than honey. She was soft and firm in all the right places. Every day, he fell more in love with her. They had been together for three years, and he still marveled over the fact that they were together. She challenged him, encouraged him, and loved him. All Theo wanted was to be with her and give her everything she wanted and needed.
Suddenly remembering something, he stepped back to mutter under his breath.
How could he have forgotten? There was a list in his pocket. “You asked for supplies this morning,” Theo recalled with a groan. “I completely forgot.”
The concern in her expression faded with a roll of her eyes. “So? That was not a good enough reason to stop kissing me. Besides, my Pia and uncle brought supplies.”
Following her gesture, Theo looked to the kitchen table. He hadn’t noticed it upon entering since he was so focused on his wife. To his surprise, it was completely crowded with baskets. They all appeared to be filled with food. Dried meat, cornmeal, and more. There was even a set of colorful blankets and other cloth in one corner.
The tension in his shoulders faded. That was more than enough stuff to last them through the winter.
“They’re leaving?” he asked gently.
She sighed, leaning forward to rest her cheek on his shoulder. “Yes. They’ll be going into the Arizona area for the winter. I can’t believe how fast time is moving lately. It seems like they just arrived. They don’t even know if they’ll come this far northwest again.”
Hearing the hint of sadness in her voice, he faced her again to shower her in gentle, loving kisses. “I’m sorry,” he murmured. “No matter where they go, they’re family. We’ll always find a way to see them again. I promise.”
“I know.” She sniffed and paused to wipe a hand across her brow. “I know. I’ll be fine. I have everything I need right here. The ranch, my memories with them, and now you.”
Theo nodded in agreement. “Now me. And I’m not going anywhere.”
Inhaling and then exhaling, Nora was able to put a smile on her face. His heart skipped a beat as she continued playing with his hair. She knew it was his weakness with her. “Thank goodness. Although you know what would be nice? Having this child out. I’m getting impatient.”
He decided to finally help her down. There was something delightful about her being higher on the cabinet like this, but he wanted to make sure that she was safe and didn’t somehow take a tumble.
“Any day now,” he promised. “And then we’ll meet him.”
“Or her,” she said teasingly.
A grin made its way up to his face. “She’s going to be a perfect little terror.”
“Terrifically beautiful. And smart, too.”
He kept his arms around her waist, and she still hung on around his neck as they teased one another about the child that was due that very week. It had been torture for the last month, worrying he would come home to have lost her somehow. But now, they were going to be together and were prepared for the arrival of their first child.
With any luck, they would have a brood of them someday.
Playfully talking about their future had quickly become a favorite pastime for him and Nora, especially because they were able to bring so much of it to life. They had the ranch, they had healed themselves, and one another, and they were growing their family.
Warmth flooded through Theo as he admired his wife. She was fierce and intelligent and generous and kind. He hoped that their children were just like her.
“It’s going to be wonderful,” Nora said with a soft smile. “Don’t you think?”
Theo touched his nose to hers. “I know it,” he assured her softly.
And then he finished his words with a tender kiss. He put a hand on her belly and felt the baby kick. Still smiling, he pressed his lips to his wife’s sweetly.
This was a perfect moment. It brought radiant joy to his soul, knowing that there would be more days like this for them in the nearby future. Everything was going to be perfect for them in the coming days.
As long as they were together, everything would be just right.
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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 dears, I hope you enjoyed the book and the Extended Epilogue! I will be waiting for your comments here. Thank you 🙂
truly enjoyed reading and did not want to put it down.
Thank you my dear Mary! So glad you loved it!
This was truly a wonderful yet
unique novel for sure!
Praises go to you my dear Carol
for writing such a brilliant western novel.
I can’t thank you enough for your kind words, my dear Allen! It warms my heart!
What a fun read. So positive and up lifting. Thank you for your imagination! So clean, honoring and left me feeling great añd a smile on my face. Which come to think about it all your books do. Thank you.
Thanks, Elizabeth!
Really enjoyed the book. Thank you.
It is me that should be thanking you for all your kind support!
It was so sad the story ended.
All good things eventually come to an end 😉 But that’s exactly why we enjoy them!
I really enjoyed the book. It had a great story line. There were enough twists and turns that one couldn’t perceive the whole UT come. The only thing I didn’t like was the extended epilogue. I would preferred just another chapter instead of having to miss getting the extended epilogue up loaded to read.
Thank you my dear Donna! I hope this didn’t ruin your reading experience overall!
Bobbie
I enjoyed this book so much. It was exciting, full of adventure and sweetness as each learned to depend and trust and love each other. They were in a real fight against wickedness. Thank you for a real and great story.
I should be the one thanking you for all your kind support! It is indeed what gives me inspiration and courage to keep going!
Loved this story. Only one complaint – it ended way too soon. I would have loved to have read more about their life on their ranch and the baby about to be born.
Thank you my dear Carolyn! It is true that all good things eventually end! I leave the rest for your imagination! 🙂
I really enjoyed the book. I didn’t want to put it down.
Glad you enjoyed it as much my dear! 🙂
I love the story. Very nice to read a very special love story. Thank you. Love your books !!
I should be the one thanking you for all your support! I am glad you love the story! Don’t miss the new release!
I love your style of writing. Your
characters are always interesting and fresh.
I liked Nora being rescued by indigenous people and that she was lovingly raised by them.
The plot was very good. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Nora and Theo and their adventures.
Thank you kindly my dear Sue! I try to make every story and character special! I am glad you liked it!
I loved this book and the Extended epilogue….in fact I actually love all your books…..
Thank you so much my dear Linda! I feel grateful for reading all these heartwarming comments!
Enjoyed this storie. I love happy endings.
Everyone love happy endings! And I most of all love to see delighted readers’ comments! Thank you!
I always enjoy all your books and this one is no exception!!
Thank you so much my dear Barbara! Your comment warms my heart!
An excellent story I couldn’t wait to find out what came next Thanks
Thank you, dear Jennie, for your heartwarming feedback 🌺
I love the way that you always tie up all the loose ends of the story. Always a guaranteed happy ending. You describe everything in so much detail. I feel like I am their and can see exactly what you are describing. You are such a gifted writer with always exciting yet clean storylines. Thank you!!!😊
Thank you so much for this heartwarming comment dear Virginia ❤️ I am always inspired by such loving support!
I truly enjoyed your book. Lots of action and ending on such a swe3t note. Thank you for sharing your talent.
Thank you for your lovely support dear Ella! It really means a lot to me!
This was a wonderful book. It was hard to put down.
Loved it cannot wait to read the next one
Thank you so much dear Margaret! 😍
How wonderful & entertaining with so much happening. Lots of danger from the greed and selfishness of the true criminals. This book has so many surprises – good and not so good and I never really knew what was going to happen next.
The EE is a nice way to ‘settle’ down and enjoy this couple together and having a baby.
Absolutely loved the extended epilogue. It tied all the loose ends together for a very,very happy ending. This whole book was one of my absolute favorite book of yours. So much action and so many unexpected twists and turns. Truth be told I read this same book in 2019 and just reread it again now in 2023. It was very much worth a second read. Just my own personal opinion. !!!!
Thank you so much dear Virginia! I am truly humbled by your sweet comment! The novel though was published in 2021 so you can’t have read it back in 2019 😅
Thank you so much dear Bets! 😍
I love the story and I wish that her Indian family and tribe were to stay in the ranch and the other story extends on to that story line . I love your books and there stories
♥️ I am so glad you enjoyed it as much dear Nancy! Thank you!
Great story I read your books and you keep writing even more intriguing things keep up the great WORK.
Thank you so much my dear Melony! Your support and feedback is what keeps me improving! ❤️
I did enjoy your story Carol. You showed how a life of cruelty and greed did not bring the happiness that a caring and kind community could.
Thank you so much my dear Maureen! I always try to embellish my stories with deeper meanings! I am glad you enjoyed it!
I really enjoyed this book. Not only the trials faced by whites, but also a glimpse of the struggles of the indian tribes. Having learned your own family are the culprits causing all of the trouble, it is not a pretty picture, and is hard to believe. Sometimes you must follow your heart to find your answers. Enjoy!
Thank you so much my dear Mary! I am glad you enjoyed it!
You have written a veru good story and it is a very intriguing story
My sincerest thanks my dear Gwen! I am really happy you liked the book!
I loved this book. I have been down with Vivid all week and this book has helped me through some of the difficult times. Thank you!
I am so glad you enjoyed it my dear! Stay strong in body and spirit! Wish you the best!
Wow! What a heartwarming, tender and adventurous story. I couldn’t put it down (staying up way too late to finish it)! I loved it!
Thank you so much my dear Diane! I hope it worthed the sleepless time! 🙂
When a child is rescued from horrific fire that took the lives of her family, she learns love from another family. Eventually, she tries find the truth, now that she is an adult. She meets a person who she assumed was part of the family fire, does everything to prove otherwise. Together, they start to unravel the tangle of lies, deceit, and even murder. Words fly off the pages to reveal the real culprits.
I hope you really enjoyed the book my dear Bonnie!
Such a unique storyline. A very good read. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Thank you so much my dear Cyndie! I am so thrilled with your comment!
A great heart warming and riveting story told as only Carol Colyer can do. The extended epilogue was a great way to close the book. Thank you.
Thank you my dear Patricia! Your kind words warm my heart!
I loved this book. It was exciting and a heartwarming love story. I was especially happy that justice was served and the town could heal and grow again thanks to Nora and Theo.
Thank you my dear Karen, I am really happy you enjoyed the read and left you with a positive vibe! That was my plan after all!
I was enthralled with this story. So true, settlers killed, the original settlers of this country run from place as we stole their land. The hard work they were ALL doing to make just a small place of their own. They were counting on a God in heaven to help their survival. A novel yes, but history!
Thank you so much for your encouraging words my dear Robin! I indeed try to be as historically accurate as I can and also touch important matters with my stories! I hope you enjoy my next books as much!
I LOVED YOUR STORY. THE CHARACTERS WERE SO INTERESTING. I HAD TROUBLE PUTTING THE BOOK DOWN, STAYING UP MUCH TOO LATE. THANKS CAROL.
Thank you so much for your lovely feedback, dear Nanette!
Loved it. Read it in one day. Very interesting story line. I will seek out your other books, Carol. Thanks for the GREAT day of reading. Avid Reader
Thank you, dear reader! I’m humbled by your kind comment! Stay tuned for more fascinating stories!
I couldn’t put the book down. It went everywhere with me. I have read a lot of your books, and they are all easy to read, Iits impossible to choose a favourite. I’m about to download some more because I’m going on holiday for two weeks. I better download a few actually
Thank you so much my dear Chris! Your kind comment put a smile on my face! I really hope you enjoy the rest of my stories as much! Take care and enjoy your vacations!
Very good book
Thank you kindly my dear Barbara!
This was one of my favorite stories. So many carefully introduced interactions between families, adopted families, different people groups, neighbors
My dear Kathleen! Your kind comments keep warming my heart! ❤️
A wonderful book full of interesting characters loved reading
Thank you kindly my dear Gwen! I am glad you liked it 🥰
This was a great book. I really enjoyed it. Such a great story line to see such heartache and tragedy bring these two people together and on the process make the evil people pay for their misdeeds.
Thank you dear Shannon! I am glad you liked it! 😊
Dear Carol, another delightful book. I didn’t want to put it down. I read while I walked the treadmill, while I ate my lunch and dinner.
Thank you so much dear Eleanor! 🥰 Your loving support means the world to me!
I was bothered that I might have to endure Nora’s Indian family being slaughtered as so many were and was hesitant about reading this story. You cannot imagine how delighted I was when not only were they not slaughtered but were able help them, attend the wedding, and be a part of their lives 3 years later! This story was unusually beautiful with many unexpected occurrences. THANK YOU for a great read!!!!
I am glad the story resonated with you! I love happy endings so I try hard to implement them in my stories as well!