Epilogue

One Year Later

 

“Wagons Ho!” Jack snapped the lines that led to the four oxen and we were off, lurching ahead, along with the more than two dozen wagons in our troop.

The numbers had increased this summer for the Boseman trip, making the town of Sweetwater proud.

I snuggled against my new husband’s shoulder, delighted we’d chosen to make the trek for our belated honeymoon even though we’d married at Christmastime at Rose Cabin.

I sighed with all the happy thoughts that spilled in, thinking how lovely it had been with the cabin decorated for the wedding. We now had photos of our family on our mantel in the new home we’d built near the Red River, made up by the wedding photographer to look just like the old tintypes of the original settlers, Sadie and Seth.

It was nice to be leaving behind the world that zoomed along at a thousand miles an hour, as it seemed to since we both signed up with Country Star Music Productions. This past year had been crazy wonderful, filled with so many new experiences my head was still reeling. Life hadn’t turned out like I had planned; instead, it had become ten times better.

A sense of rightness filled my soul at us taking time off from the music business for this journey, to once more feel connected to my great ancestor Sadie Rose Winslow and her husband Seth. Because I too had a secret to share with Jack on this trip, like she’d had over a century ago.

I just hoped I didn’t experience the same intense morning sickness. Just in case, I had brought along some dry bread and crackers. Oh, and of course, cousin Rose’s famous oatmeal raisin cookies. A gal can’t be too prepared.

The Wild Roses were now so popular after Jack and I gave them the boost they needed to get the recognition the original band members deserved. Once this baby came, they’d be on their own. I felt no guilt. They were more than ready to fly.

Jack and I could still write their music for them if they wished. I couldn’t imagine raising our child anywhere but Sweetwater. No child of mine is going on the road or being left in anyone else’s care. Plus, they deserve to be raised in the magic that is Sweetwater so they could follow their hearts one fine day.

“How you doing, beautiful?” Jack asked, turning those devastatingly blue eyes my way.

He was the most steadfast man imaginable, helping our band through each and every crisis with aplomb.

“Great. Wondering if it will rain today? Or if our baby will have your blue eyes?”

He stilled. It seemed, at that moment, the whole world hushed while Jack stared at me.

“Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

“Hmm. Apparently so.”

His expression shifted, his whole face shining with such belief it took my breath clear away. “You have no idea how much I love you right now.”

“I love you, Jack, ’til the sun doesn’t shine and the moon doesn’t rise. For every day of our lives, I will with all my heart. As I will our new baby. In about six months, according to Doc Stone.” Sweetwater hadn’t taken away my wings. It had given me wings.

“I don’t think I can wait that long.”

I chuckled. “Not to worry. The time will fly by. There’s so much to do. If it’s a girl, I want to call her Sadie.”

“If it’s a boy?”

“You choose, but I’ve always been partial to the name Jack.”

Lucky poked her head through the canvas opening behind us, nudging my shoulder. I reached around and patted her. “Don’t worry, you’ll still be my baby too.”

She chuffed softly.

Streaks of purple light reached up to kiss the sky to the east, the sun announcing its warming presence. A new day, a new way. The best way for our growing family.