Epilogue

Denver

The biscuits were burning again, and never had Ben smelled anything sweeter.

After numerous attempts, Lisbeth had finally learned to use the wood stove. Except when her mind wasn’t occupied with other matters.

He loved those other matters.

Drew Cameron had taken Sarah Ann and Henry to town, and Ben and Lisbeth used the opportunity to engage in building their family—and taking great pleasure in doing so. After a delightfully sensual romp in bed—in the middle of the day—she lay naked, snuggled in his arms, nibbling on the back of his hand. But then she started sniffing the air, too, and suddenly she sprang from their double bed.

“God’s toothache,” she uttered in dismay as he looked on contentedly.

He would give up biscuits any day in return for a rare lazy afternoon with her. Their small ranch lay outside the growing city, a perfect spot for raising Sarah Ann’s swelling company of animals, and breeding a few horses. Lisbeth’s Shadow was in demand, and while they couldn’t command Grand National winner fees, stud fees were welcome to help build their small stable.

Ben had hung his shingle in Denver six months ago, and he had a growing list of clients. He had just finished a trial that had proved very rewarding, winning back a mining claim for a man dispossessed by a large mining company. And he’d had a few other small successes, too. He wrote wills, checked claims, and represented only those defendants he believed in. He’d even saved one innocent man from hanging.

Diablo, now a struggling rancher in North Texas, had written to him. His first child had been born and named Ben. The gesture had been both unexpected and touching. Ben had held the letter in his hand for a long time before relinquishing it to a curious Lisbeth.

He’d never been so content. Though he couldn’t save the whole world as he’d once wanted to do, perhaps he could help just a little bit of it.

And Lisbeth and Sarah Ann gave color and joy to everything he did. As did Annabelle with all her children, Henry who still looked after them all, and Peppermint, Shadow, and Bailey, and his old horse from his marshaling days. There were more animals now: chickens and pigs and an elderly mule that had been abandoned. A new refugee seemed to appear every day.

And Drew. Drew had come to America with them, had helped restore the dilapidated ranch they’d purchased. He would be leaving in a couple of days, though, and Ben would regret it. They had become good friends. Drew had finally told Lisbeth that they were brother and sister, and it was almost as if she’d known.

Now Drew planned to seek his own fortune. He wouldn’t tell Ben or Lisbeth how or where, but Ben knew his brother-in-law was a chameleon who could fit in nearly everywhere.

Lisbeth returned from the kitchen. “The biscuits are burned,” she said happily enough, landing down on top of him. “Are you sure you aren’t disappointed ye dinna marry Fiona?”

“Aye,” he answered. “I’ll take you over biscuits any day.”

“Will you take two of us?” she asked with a twinkle in her eyes.

It took a moment for her meaning to register.

“Two?”

“Two,” she confirmed.

He seemed puzzled at first, then he grinned. “Ah, well, what’s another mouth to feed?” And his lips spread into a wide smile.

“Think about a trip back to Scotland,” she said with an impish grin.

He had promised one every three years. Ben closed his eyes. Just remembering the logistics of the last trip made him tired. It had been no easy matter, and he didn’t want to think about doing it again. Or maybe he did. It had been the finest trip he’d ever had, having married Lisbeth two days before they left in a double ceremony with Hugh and Barbara.

“I love you, little Scot,” he said.

Lisbeth touched his face with a gentleness that always humbled him. “Thank you,” she said, “for loving me.”

It was the other way around, but they could have argued that point for years. Instead, Ben kissed her slowly, still bewildered by the good fortune that had come his way.

Then they heard a bark. A very loud bark.

And a meow from under their bed.

They both grabbed for their clothes.

Ben and Lisbeth smiled at each other. The fam’bly was back.

And they were about to hear some news.