An Endless Love to Remember – Extended Epilogue

“Jed! Jedidiah Marsden, you little limb of Satan, you come back here with that!”

Nothing but a giggle, then the pounding of footsteps. In the opposite direction.

“I mean it! I will go cut a willow switch this very instant and let you know what for!”

Clearly the miscreant was unconcerned by such a threat. Another giggle, off in the distance, then silence as the four-year-old sped away.

Vickie emerged from the kitchen, carrying a great pan of fresh-picked string beans to be worked up, and took a chair at the back yard table where Aunt Sophie had often been inclined to sit. “What is that child up to now?”

“Oh, Vic, he stole—he actually sneaked behind my back and stole—both—not one, but both—of my balls of yarn. Just as I was about to start another square of the afghan you asked for.”

Leah Holcomb, a rather colorless young farm girl hired as live-in help at the Yellowstar, spoke in aggrieved tones. And rightfully so. The four children on this ranch—all spoiled within an inch of their lives, she claimed—were doing their best to put her into an early grave.

“Well, at least it isn’t something dangerous, like the scissors or your knitting needles.” The mistress of the house was apt to take naughtiness perpetrated by one of her beloved brood with a very large grain of salt. “And I suppose Annalisa was following right along behind him.”

“Sure, she was,” sniffed Leah. “They’ll be into some other devilment by now, mark my words.”

Vickie, already beginning to break off the ends of each plump bean and snap the rest into pieces, shook her head with some dismay, but smiled regardless. “You’d never know they’re only a year apart, would you? Never mind, Leah, Sam is digging up some more space for us in the garden. He’ll keep an eye on them.”

“Uh-huh.” Some degree of doubt there, as if Leah had had experience with their father’s caretaking in the past, and found it wanting.

“I checked on the twins before I came out.” Only the tiny tick-tick sound intruded for a minute, while she busily continued her work. “Both are sleeping like angels. I envy them, the little darlings.”

Planning and running and chores continued all day, from before light till can’t see, and Vickie vastly appreciated Sam’s decree that she ought to hire someone to help out, even though she had originally fought against it.

“Aunt Sophie managed this place like a charm. Everything clean, all in order, details clicking along as smoothly as a clock. She was only one woman. How is it I seem unable to keep up?”

“Aunt Sophie didn’t have four kids to eat up her time and energy,” said Sam shrewdly. “And I don’t much like the way you’re lookin’ now the twins have arrived. Peaked, that’s what you are.”

“Well, I never. If you don’t like my looks, Mr. Marsden, kindly recall that you are the one responsible for those four children.”

“Oh, no, you don’t.” He had reached over to clamp his palm around the nape of her neck, holding her tight. “Takes two, remember?” Then, as so often happened when they two were alone together and the fireworks were beginning to start, his eyes got that glazed, cloudy look that betokened ardor, and his voice went husky. “Wanna try for a fifth?”

Laughing, she had pushed him away. “Oh, go play rancher and take care of the cows.”

Daniel and Grace, the eighteen-month-olds, continued slumbering long enough that the never-ending kitchen work could continue. Vickie was busy from the time she set foot out of bed until she collapsed back into that bed late at night.

She wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Many changes had come along in the five years since their marriage.

Riley had taken some time to test his new son-in-law, to allow him what he needed to get settled and learn how to run a huge concern like the Yellowstar Ranch. Then, with a silent sigh of relief, he had semi-retired, handing over most of the reins to Sam but keeping his hand in for advice and consultation.

He had discovered that he would rather spend time with his grandchildren. And his wife.

One truly surprising event had involved the senior Marsdens.

Some three years ago, Buckley, while deeply and fully as drunk as a lord—and enjoying every minute of it— coming home sometime after midnight, had taken a fall off his horse. Straight into Vestigo River. His body had lain there for hours, until Matthew had gone out searching.

Not long after the funeral, Matthew had married his pretty little widow, Abigail, and she and Rosalie had moved onto the Marsden farm. Because things-in-law—especially female things-in-law—don’t do well at sharing the territory of a limited living space, not long after that, Mariah moved out.

Right to the Yellowstar, by specific invitation.

Not Sam’s. Nor Vickie’s.

Riley’s.

Who knew? Who could have guessed?

They were married almost immediately, in a small private ceremony at the house. It took hardly any time at all for a new, compact, one-story house to be built on the property, close enough to the hub of activity yet far enough away for privacy.

Both had been remarkably happy ever since.

It was amazing, what unusual partnerships could be formed by the human species.

“And when is your sister s’posed to get here?” Leah, finishing up the last of the dinner dishes, wanted to know.

“Oh, any time now.” Vickie’s back was beginning to ache—a typical symptom at this hour of the day. Standing at the kitchen table to fold laundry just unpegged from the line—most of it miniscule garments and diapers—seemed to aggravate the pain, so she sat. Ah. Relief. “I was just about over the moon when her letter came a few weeks ago. She and her husband will rent a rig at the livery and drive out on their own, so we won’t have to worry about picking them up.”

Leah felt comfortable enough, even as employee, to click her tongue. “You people are the worst I’ve ever seen about stickin’ close to this place. Never would set a foot anywhere else, if somethin’ didn’t force you to go out now and then.”

“What can I say?” Vickie smiled. “We like it here.”

“Musta been a real blow when your aunt passed on.”

Struck, Vickie paused, smoothing one hand over a white handkerchief edged in lace, one of many that Sophie had bequeathed to her. “It was,” she agreed softly. “She was truly a special woman—our foster mother—and we all miss her terribly.”

Sophie had enjoyed nearly five years of life in Boston, returning to all that she had loved in the distant past, and accompanying Jessie on the various rounds of their social circle before succumbing to the ravages of heart disease some six months before. Happily, she had lived to see her elder niece fall in love with an educator in the Massachusetts school system, marry, and settle into a home of her own.

Vickie and Leah, with some additional help from Lydia on occasion, had been working to put the house in order for her sister’s visit. Much as she had wanted to attend the Boston wedding, it simply wasn’t feasible. It would be wonderful to see Jessica again, and spend some time renewing their sisterly relationship. Perhaps she and her husband—practically newlyweds, for that matter—would be able to stay for a month or so.

“Oh, that’s Daniel, fussin’ upstairs. I’ll just go up and check on him, all right?”

“That’s absolutely all right, Leah. Thank you.”

With a smile, Vickie momentarily abandoned her laundry to add fresh vegetables to the beef roast cooking in the oven. Much as Leah was beginning to grumble about the deliberate mischief of that little hell-raiser (Jedidiah), and his able accomplice (Annalisa), she adored the twins and would, Vickie firmly believed, walk barefoot over hot burning coals for their sake. Although why anyone would demand such an incredible piece of business made no sense at all.

But the twins were walking now, and beginning to cause quite a lot of mischief on their own. No doubt Leah would soon be adding their names to her list of naughty children.

The sudden slam of the kitchen door caught Vickie’s attention and she turned from the stove.

“Look who I found hangin’ around the front,” Sam, moving forward to greet her with a kiss, announced jovially. “Told ’em not to stand on ceremony, and to come on to the back like always.”

“Jessie!”

For a few minutes, a whirl of noisy, clamorous confusion reigned in the spacious room. The sisters came together with fervent embraces and a clucking of phrases that sounded like hens chattering away; the two small hell-raisers themselves, both with incredibly dirty faces and hands, darted in and out between the women’s skirts (and leaving visible evidence of their presence); Sam hung back, a little overwhelmed, with another tall, well-dressed man who could only be Jessica’s husband.

Finally, things calmed down enough that the children could be rounded up and sent off to Leah’s care so introductions could be made. Dennis O’Hara, smiling, took a few steps to be included in Vickie’s effusive hug.

“Oh, dear, I do apologize, Dennis. It’s just that I haven’t seen Jess in so long—” She paused for an affectionate look, then continued with dismay, “My goodness gracious, what have those children gotten in, to leave such a mess all over our guests’ clothing? Sam, you were supposed to—”

“Diggin’,” explained Sam succinctly. “They wanted to help in the garden.”

Dennis, as fair-haired as his wife but blessed with keen eyes the color of clover, began to chuckle. “Pray think nothing of it, Vickie. I may address you by your first name, may I not, since we are now kinsmen? I am a teacher. Believe me, I am quite used to all that little ones can get into. And spread about.”

With a broad grin, Sam invited everyone into the parlor. “You’re bein’ mighty generous, Dennis. Come on, let’s go get comfortable. You’d probably like to have some food and drink and relax. Tell me all about your trip west.”

As the men wandered away, both talking together as if they were friends of long standing, Jessie embraced her sister again. Both needed the services of their ready handkerchiefs to mop up the tears. “Oh, Vic, I’ve missed you so! You’re looking well—so strong and healthy. And what a family!”

“Here, let’s get coffee into the silver service—no matter what Sam says, for the moment we’ll treat both of you like company. And I have apple bread all sliced, and some raisin scones. Then we can catch up.”
It was a deeply pleasurable, deeply emotional evening.

If Vickie had felt even the slightest twinge of caution concerning Jessica’s character—and the possibility of old grudges still holding forth—that was quickly dispelled. She took great interest in renewing her acquaintance with the great house and the changes that had ensued, while exhibiting not even a hint of regret for leaving it. She expressed admiration for a new arrangement of furniture in this room or that, and new paint colors and paper for the neglected walls. Aunt Sophie’s former studio had been converted into a nursery for the growing Marsden offspring, and that met with her absolute approval.

“Oh, she would be so pleased to see what you’ve done here. And how well you are, dear Vic.”

Supper in the dining room had been planned to include Riley and Mariah but none of the children, despite Jedidiah’s vociferous protests.

“Oh, Mama, wanna sit with big people!” the boy complained, just as he overturned a glass of milk on the kitchen table.

“Big people,” repeated Annalisa solemnly around the thumb in her mouth, as always agreeing with her big brother.

“You’ll have plenty of time to become a nuisance to your aunt and uncle tomorrow,” Vickie, moving quickly to clean up the mess, assured them. “But tonight is for grown-ups. And once you’ve had your own meal, and are settled in bed, either Papa or I will come up to read you some stories.”

Which only proved that, much as she loved and catered to her little ones, she could put her foot down when necessary.

After the feast had been demolished, almost to the last potato skin and the last bit of carrot, the group retired once again to the parlor where windows stood open to the evening’s concert of crickets and birdsong, and kerosene lamps added light and cozy warmth to the air.

“There have been some changes in town during the last five years,” commented Jessica, as she put her fork into the gooey chocolate cake Leah had baked and frosted for dessert.

“For the positive,” Sam agreed. “It helps havin’ somebody progressive as mayor.”

Vickie smiled. “My husband—(would she ever grow weary of using those two words?)—was delighted when his old friend Beau Draper was elected to the office. You’ll notice some improvements here and there.”

“Indeed. And the old Chronicle newspaper office—up and running again.”

A slight shadow of remorse slanted across Vickie’s expressive face. “It was hard to see Val leave as he did, and I shall always blame myself a little for that. However—” she brightened, “he writes to me occasionally, and he’s doing quite well.”

“Still in the newspaper business,” contributed Sam. Seemingly ever in attune with his wife’s moods, he slipped one hand over hers, in understanding. “Reckon he couldn’t get it outta his blood. Anyway, he’s all settled in St. Louis, gettin’ involved, last we heard, in a dockworker’s strike, and up to his eyeballs in dirty politics.”

Riley chuckled. “That boy could go far. Could be a big fish in a big pond. A rabble-rouser from the word go, and sometimes that’s just what we need.”

“I’m not sure, Papa. I think he enjoys shaking up the powers that be wherever he happens to take residence.”

“And your other son, Matthew, has assumed running the farm?” Jessica politely turned to Mariah to ask about extended family.

“He has, and doing well, also, thank you. Got himself a real nice partner in life, and a stepdaughter growing up fast. In fact—” her tone lowered, as if to make the telling more confidential, “I don’t believe he’d take it amiss to let you in on their news. He and Abigail are expecting their own little angel, come late fall.”

A flurry of laughter and excited congratulations greeted this announcement. What better report than that a happy marriage would result in another child to bind the couple together?

“That’s wonderful, Mariah. I hope Dennis and I will get to visit with them while we’re here. I so enjoy hearing about all the good things that are happening here around Whistle Creek.”

Oh, yes, a changed character for sure. Vickie exchanged a glance of relief and thanksgiving with her mate; in it, she saw the twinkle of his humor. Hard to believe the state of desperation to which she had been reduced a mere five years ago, the utter hopelessness with which she had decided to abandon all that was so important to her, including this strong, stalwart man.

How far all of them had come since then!

“And you still have so many of the same people working for you,” added Jessica, after another sip of tea. “That speaks a lot for being the boss of such an enterprise.”

“Dunno about the speakin’ part,” Sam had to modestly declaim, “but we’ve hired on a couple more men. Land is flourishin’, herds are growin’. And, of course, Vic couldn’t get along without Lydia and Leah. Salt of the earth, both of ’em.”

“More coffee, anyone?” Vickie asked lightly. “Another slice of cake? But enough about all this, Jess. The ranch and its doings have been monopolizing the conversation. Please, do tell us how you and Dennis met, and all about your wedding, and your home. Letters are a poor substitute for talking face to face.”

“Oh, my. Well.” Laughing a little, Jessica settled her skirts in the old flirtatious way—which immediately captured her husband’s rapt attention—and considered. “I first saw Dennis in church, sitting in a pew across the aisle, and I immediately whispered to Aunt Sophie that there was a very handsome man, and I intended to marry him.”

Vickie joined in the laughter. “Poor Aunt Sophie must have been scandalized.”

“Not a bit of it. She assured me she was acquainted with his family, that he possessed upstanding moral fiber, and she would be delighted to give me away!”

More laughter, until Dennis interrupted.

“Now there, my dear, I must disagree. You’ve got the story turned about. Because I saw you first, and I immediately whispered to my mother that there was this beautiful girl, and I meant to marry her as soon as possible.”

Once again Vickie happily picked up the thread. “And what did your mother say?”

“She asked,” Dennis, upon whose face had appeared the most tender, amorous expression, raised his wife’s hand to his lips, “if she would have enough time to order a new dress for the wedding.”

With a chuckle, Riley, whose physical condition had improved under his own wife’s concern and care to the extent that pain no longer so completely ruled his existence, glanced her way. “See, you young folks thinks us old codgers ain’t got no time for romance. When, truth is, we’re already livin’ it.”

Jessica, who was seated on a chair beside his, leaned over to kiss his clean-shaven cheek. “Absolutely right, Papa. And who better to set us young folks an example? At any rate, with everyone’s blessing, Dennis and I chose a date, made the arrangements, joined our two families, and—well, here we are.” She sent a beam of blithe high spirits around the room.

The elegant mantle clock, a wedding gift from the Marsdens, began a soft chiming to signal the hour. Subconsciously, silently, everyone counted.

“Nine o’clock!” realized Vickie. “Oh, we have kept such a late night. And those little scalawags upstairs will be out of bed at six in the morning—or before. As wonderful as this gathering has been, shall we continue in the morning?”

“Oh, that must mean you’ll put us up here?” wondered Dennis, with a twinkle.

“Go on with you, we expected you would stay,” Vickie protested with mock indignation.

Sam, having finished his dessert while looking around hopefully for more, agreed. “Yeah, got your rig and horses all put away, and a couple of the men carried your baggage upstairs to the room you’ll be stayin’ in.”

“Your old bedroom,” added Vickie, reaching out a hand to her sister.

“That’s wonderful,” Jessica said with real enthusiasm. “We shall sleep soundly there, surrounded by happy memories. By the by, Vic, besides her estate, which Aunt Sophie divided between the two of us, she also gave me a few personal mementoes to bring back whenever I got a chance to see you again. One is a lovely cameo brooch—a favorite of hers, I believe.”

As always emotion could still take precedence to all else for Vickie, so she couldn’t hold back the few tears that darkened her lashes. “I remember that. Dear Aunt Sophie. What she gave to every one of us!”

“And the legacy she left behind,” said her sister quietly. “On that note, I wonder…” She glanced toward her husband with the raised brows of a question, and he answered with a nod. “I have something else to share with you, Vic.”

“Of course. Anything.”

“Well…” Having come so far, there was no turning back. “Dennis and I have been discussing things for a long while, and we’ve come to a decision. You see, he has no siblings, and his parents do a lot of traveling…”

“An extraordinary amount,” he supplemented with a grin. “A disgraceful amount. And most of it overseas.”

“So, we—“ she drew in a deep breath, while everyone waited, “we’ve decided to move back here to the Hill Country!”

Vickie let out a shriek. “Oh, Jess, you couldn’t have said anything that would make me happier! What splendid news!”

“That isn’t the half of it.” Another quick glance at her husband, and another encouraging nod, in return. “We noticed, driving through the Creek, that the school is quite rundown and in need of a lot of work. So we stopped to have a little talk with this mayor friend of yours, and a couple of his council members.”

“Yes?”

“Dennis, here, has set the wheels in motion. The children in this area need a functioning educational system, do they not? Well, Dennis knows all about that. We’re going to buy the building, restore what must be fixed, and open the doors in time for the fall session.”

One more shriek, which had every occupant of the parlor clutching his and her afflicted ears.

“And,” Jessica paused again for effect, although she was sounding slightly breathless with excitement, “it will be named the Sophie Clark Center of Learning.”

“Oh, Jessie!”

The waterworks began in earnest then, from all three women in the room. Even Riley looked a little teary-eyed.

Sam and Dennis pretended, man-like, to be unaffected at all.

“Reckon this might go on for some time,” opined Sam, glancing around. “Lemme tell you, when these gals get goin’, a feller might just’s well stay outta their way. Whaddya say to a good cigar outside, and a snootful of redeye? And then, I can give you all sorts of advice about dealin’ with the city fathers in Whistle Creek. They ain’t half-bad, most, but they can run off on a tangent. You wanna get anything done, you just…”

Sam’s voice died away as they disappeared through the hall and out the kitchen.

The sisters joined hands.

Five years of living and loving, five years of experiences to talk over and confer about.

Many more years of all that for the future.

THE END

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