Her Last Hope For Happiness – Extended Epilogue

Two years later

Owen Pelham had his granddaughter on his knee, and she was wriggling to be down on the ground.

“Let her down, Dad. She will be fine.” Owen lowered the little girl, with straight hair like her dad, onto the rug on the floor. She staggered to her feet and shouted for the dog. Hunter was very good with the little one and came over, wagging his tail. She used his back to steady herself and then put her arms around his neck. Hunter was very patient, and then when Laura plopped down onto her bottom, he took his chance and headed off outside. Melissa closed the door to stop Laura from trying to follow him. She always tried to do everything at high speed and often fell down because of that.

“Like her mother,” James observed and handed Owen a beer.

“My wife would have loved her granddaughter so much.”

Melissa picked up her daughter and sat beside the two men.

“My mom was Laura Amy, but we left out the Amy.”

“Laura suits her,” Owen replied. “She looks like her dad but is going to be like her mom with all of this high-speed movement.”

The three of them were enjoying a rare piece of quiet to sit and talk. Owen had just arrived to stay
with them and was catching up on the news.

“Would you like to visit the hospital this afternoon?” James asked, and his father-in-law nodded.

“Yes, please.”

“The place is still a bit of a building site, but the bulk of the work is done, and we will be able to offer rest and recovery time. Older people seem to be very keen on that idea, and thankfully, the coughing sickness is not so bad now.” James told him. “I have taken on a young doctor to help me out. Michael likes running the business side of the hospital, but I could not keep riding back and forth all of the time. Young George seems to be happy to stay there most of the time but comes over to take some of the patients here as well.”

“What about Reno and his family?”

“Liliana was very nervous there after the fright with Edwin Gaunt. Reno has a job in town, and they have a house. Liliana is working in the bakery and likes that. Kelly likes the twins to be out of town and enjoying the fresh air and space. The girls are five now and will have to start coming in to go to school,” Melissa explained.

“How did Daniel and his mother take the shock of the court case?” Melissa told him that they had taken the death penalty in their stride.

“I think they expected it. There were witnesses that saw him shoot people, and there was no other possible result, really.” She paused. “Fortunately, Daniel was already trying to build another way of life, and his mother had been more or less a prisoner in her own home. He says that Sylvia and Libby may come and visit.”

“Yes, I spoke to them, and they are looking forward to it.”

“It will be good to see Libby again and meet her husband. They will have a family get-together.
Marrying Jasmine has been good for Daniel. She is making that place so successful that you would not believe.”

“I have to see them later because there is a race meeting to be arranged. The carriage racing made someone suggest horse racing, and now there is a proper course for them to run. It has given Daniel a new business to plan and organize. The old days seem to be behind him.”

James stood up and said they could go to see the hospital.

“I feel guilty taking my share of the profits while the rest of you do all of the work,” Owen told them.

“Come and see the extensions that we have built using your money as well.” James grinned.

Melissa picked up the toddler and waved her dad and husband off.

“Time for a sleep, Laura, my little wonder girl,” she said and kissed the little one on the nose. Laura giggled and grabbed at her mom’s hair. She settled for her nap, and Melissa sat and told her a little story as the girl’s eyes closed and she could tiptoe away. She took the pie out of the range and covered it with a cloth.

Melissa tidied up the kitchen and went to change her clothes. Going down to see Jasmine and Daniel always made her dress up a little. They had dragged the saloon up to date, and it was like walking into a very good hotel. Laura woke up, and Melissa tidied her daughter as well and told the little girl they were going to see Aunty Jasmine. Laura jumped up and down. The dog was locked in the house, and she called through to Col to say where she was going.

The town is different altogether from the one I came to two years ago, she thought.

Melissa spoke to almost everyone she passed, as the doctor’s wife was known to them all. She looked in some store windows and arrived at the saloon, which was not a saloon any longer and was now called ‘The Castle Hotel’. Melissa always smiled when she looked at the sign. Jasmine was very sure that the old reputation was long gone.

Where before the double doors swung open and patrons stepped into the bar, there was now a wall that provided a foyer with a reception desk. There were tubs with greenery, and the seats were velvet covered in a rather good-looking dark green. Jasmine was talking to one of her staff and then saw who was visiting.

“Laura,” she called and held out her arms. Despite the elegant and understated dress, the little girl was swept up and carried through into the private quarters. Melissa smiled and followed. Daniel was at a desk and stood up. He gave Melissa a hug, and Jasmine found the box of toys that she kept especially for the toddler. Laura sat on the beautiful rug in front of the fire and started to drag everything out of the box.

“I am just organizing this next race meeting,” Daniel told her. “Are you and James happy to be the ones to look after the ticket-buying visitors?”

“Of course, we are. It is a chance to dress up and try to be elegant.”

He gave her a piece of paper with the dates and times on it and asked if they had seen the new building yet. She shook her head.

“Come on. Jasmine can watch her favorite little person, and you can see the great job that Mattie has done.”

“This place looks amazing. You married a clever woman, Daniel.” He smiled and agreed. Then he took his own carriage that was behind the hotel and helped her onto the seat. The piece of land that Daniel had the foresight to buy straight after that first carriage race was surrounded by a white fence.

“Pearl Peaks is coming up in the world. This is smart,” Melissa said and then was taken aback by the rooms that were designed for special visitors to watch the races from verandas that were high enough to let you see above the crowds. There was a private bar and two booths where the people could place bets. The seats and tables were made to look as if they came from some stately mansion, and there were velvet drapes at the doors.

“Daniel, this is just so much more than I thought it would be. Do I see Jasmine’s hand in these decorations?”

“You do. The woman is good at making things look good.”

“You make a great team. This will make history in Pearl Peaks, and for the next meeting, they will be clamoring for tickets.”

“That is what we are hoping. If you, James, and your dad, if he is here, could act as hosts, it leaves Jasmine free to check that the food and drinks are taken care of, and I can move around and keep an eye on the betting.” He grinned. “We will give you two percent of the takings.”

“We would do it for nothing. It will be exciting.”

“If you had not come to Pearl Peaks, Melissa, I might still be trying to be a tough bar owner. You were the only person who ever just made me feel like part of the town. I owe you, and so does my mother. She led a dreadful life at the mine.”

“Goodness. That makes me feel quite overcome. I just met someone who liked racing carriages.”

“And look where it brought us.”

“It is wonderful. Dad will write it all up for the journals in Boston as well. He will make it known all over the place.”

“And,” Daniel paused. “I wanted to tell you that my Aunt Silvie with Libby and her husband will be here as well.”

“That is just the best news ever.”

He drove her back to the hotel, and she collected her daughter from Aunty Jasmine. Aunty Jasmine’s rather good dress was now smeared with cream, and the tell-tale cream was around the lips of the toddler. Jasmine found a damp cloth and cleaned her visitor’s face.

“Come on, Laura. We have lots to tell your dad.” Melissa took the little girl by the hand and turned to Jasmine. “I love what you have made of the racetrack building. It will be a great day out for everyone.”

***
Back at the house, she put the vegetables and pie in the stove to heat up and made some gravy. Col, Val, and the boys arrived back shortly before her dad and James. They all sat around the table as Val and Melissa served everyone.

Jimmy was quite big by then but still needed a cushion. He was always a quiet and well-behaved child. He copied what the two older boys did with everything.

“I love this with everyone around the table,” Melissa said, “and I have been to see the new racetrack building.”

“I would like to go if they are driving carriages,” Jamie said.

“Okay, okay,” Melissa said and laughed. “You can learn to drive my little carriage. We will fix up a time to do that.”

“Oh, Lord. Are you sure, Melissa?” Val asked. “That little carriage means a lot to you.”

“It had a baptism of fire with the night that I charged at Edwin Gaunt, and it cleans up nicely.” She looked at both boys. “If you want to try it, we can show Josh first and then Jamie later on. Okay?”

James shook his head and ate his dinner.

“You cannot go to the race meeting yet,” Col told the lads. “You are not old enough.”

“I have a request from Daniel and Jasmine,” she told her dad and James. They want to three of us to act as hosts in the new building so that they can see to the food, drinks, and everything else.”

“Betting you mean?” Jamie asked. “If I give you my money, will you put it on Willie McGregor? I know he is racing, and he is really good.”

“Where on earth do you pick up this stuff?” Val asked.

“His brother sits next to me at school.”

Melissa described the very posh-looking rooms that had been made for people who bought tickets to be in there.

“My friend Libby and her husband and mom will be visiting as well. Libby’s mom, Silvie, is Daniel’s aunt and Edwin Gaunt’s sister. She would have nothing to do with her brother but now that he is gone, they are having a family reunion.”

“That is good news,” Val said.

“She is a pleasant woman,” Owen said. “I did hear that they were coming to visit.”

“And,” Melissa added, “Daniel wondered if you would write the race meeting up for the journals.”

“It would be my pleasure,” Owen said.

“I will offer to babysit Laura,” Val said, “and then you can enjoy yourself and not worry.”

“Thanks, Val.”

They chattered on about racing in general, and Jamie was a font of information about the way Willie McGregor trained.

“I’ll put the bet on for you,” James offered. The lad smiled.

“Put one on for yourself. He really thinks he will win.”

“I will,” James said.

Col and Val took the boys all home.

“What did you think about the hospital, Dad?” Melissa asked, and Owen said that he would start to write up an account of it straight away.

“I was so impressed with what you have all done. The extension is twice the size that I thought it would be.”

“And we sent you the accounts. You know what it cost,” James added. “We have a few people already booked in for rest and care after operations or illnesses. That is what I intended in the first place.”

“George is keen as well,” Owen observed. “I liked his attitude.”

“He is a good doctor and has heard about some of the latest developments in medicine that I had missed.”

“I wonder when Libby will arrive,” Melissa said as she cleared away.

“In time for the race meeting, I gather,” James said as he went to see who was in the waiting room.

Owen sat at the desk and prepared to start writing when James came back in and with him was his old assistant Arthur Carmody.

“Goodness me,” Melissa exclaimed. “This is unexpected.”

“He says that he needs to talk and explain,” James said. “Take a seat, Arthur. We can always be polite and listen.”

The man nodded, perched on the edge of a chair, and said that he hoped that was what James would say. They all waited to see what he would say. He cleared his throat.

“I had a very light sentence because I was made to do what I did when Gaunt threatened my mother. She would have gone to jail for stealing from him, and he used that as a threat. I thought, at first, that there was no harm in passing on information and keeping my mom safe.” He went on to say that she had moved to another town and had a job.

“I will go and join her when I have asked you to listen to me here.” They all waited, and Melissa picked up her daughter and held her on her knee. The dog was sitting by her feet but had a keen eye on the visitor. Arthur put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a little bag. He tipped out the
contents and showed them four nuggets of gold. Melissa gasped.

“I think that is worth a lot of money,” Owen said. Arthur nodded and told them how much.
“It is part of what was stolen from the mine. If you can give it to Daniel and his mother, I will leave and feel better that I have paid back what was stolen. In fact, a lot more than was stolen. My mom only took a small gold bracelet. We have now paid that back.”

“We can certainly give it back to Daniel and his mother. Do you want to come with us?” James offered to go there immediately. Arthur was very doubtful, but James persuaded him to come with them and repeat the story. The three of them walked down the main street to many a strange glance. Where once upon a time, people would have treated Arthur as a friend, it was noticeable that nobody offered a greeting.

“I shouldn’t have come,” he said.

“We will go and find Daniel first. He will be in the hotel. You are doing the right thing,” James said as they turned into the Castle Hotel. Jasmine was at the reception desk and went straightaway to find her husband.

“Arthur has some things to tell you and your mom. Can you come with us?”

“Of course,” Daniel said and picked his hat off the stand.

The four of them turned down the side of the buildings that led to where Daniel’s house stood along the way from Molly’s. His mother opened the door and gasped when she saw who was with them.

“Let us in, Mom,” Daniel said and allowed the others to go in front of him. They took seats in the living room. Melissa could not help but cast a glance at the pictures on the walls.

“Spit it out, Arthur,” Daniel said, playing the tough guy role that was normal for him just a year or so ago.

“Go on. Tell them what you told us,” James encouraged, and Arthur took out the little bag and put the gold nuggets onto the small table beside his seat. Mrs. Gaunt gasped and gripped the arms of her chair. Daniel stepped over and picked one of them up.

“They are the real thing. Where did this come from?”

“Part of the gold that was taken from the mine shaft. It was given to me to keep quiet, and I have not used any of it since. After what happened after my mother took the gold bracelet, I want none of your gold. I am returning it to you and leaving to go and join my mother in her new home.”

“But what happened after your mother stole the bracelet?”

“You didn’t know that he threatened to kill her if I did not do as he wanted? I gave him news and information, and in the end, I helped him try and use the doctor here as a hostage.” He paused. “I am sorry. You have the gold that I had back, and I hope it helps. I did my year in jail, and I can start again.” Arthur stood up, and Daniel blocked his way.

A look of fear ran across Arthur’s face, but Daniel smiled and held out a hand.

“Thanks,” he said. “We will use it to help folks that need it. Good luck with the new life.”

Arthur breathed a sigh of relief and stood up.

“Thank you,” Mrs. Gaunt said, and Daniel showed him to the door.

“Well, that is just amazing,” Melissa added. “You never really know how people feel.”

“Take it away,” Daniel’s mother said. “I don’t want it. Use it as you said, for people who need help.”

Daniel put the small pieces back into the little bag and tucked it in his pocket. The three of them left the woman to her knitting and went back to let Jasmine in on the new turn of events.

When they arrived back home, Owen was writing at the desk, and Laura was asleep on the sofa.
“I think I could make a story out of all of this,” Owen said. “It’s not my usual type of journalism, but it might be worth a try.” He stood up and stretched. “What did they say to Arthur?”

“I guess it ties up another loose end after the mine was abandoned and Gaunt was caught.”

“Michael did go and check all of the shafts and said that they were all worked out. Mr. Gaunt would have come to the end of the road there anyway.” James went to check on the two patients that he had recovering from operations, and Melissa went to start the next meal.

***

The next two weeks were pretty uneventful. Owen helped where he could. The hospital extension was cleaned up and furnished as there were people booked in for the following week. Melissa was feeling excited as the day drew closer when Libby and Silvie were due to arrive. Talking to Jasmine, she realized that the woman was really nervous about making a good impression on her in-laws.

“Jasmine, this place is marvelous. It is as good as anything in Boston. Silvis is a really nice woman. They will enjoy the race meeting as well.”

“I am nervous about that as well,” Jasmine confessed.

“Chance to dress up,” Melissa said. “I bought a rather elegant dark red dress.”

As they were talking, one of the girls came and said there were visitors asking for her and Daniel, and when they looked out, Libby and her mom were standing in the foyer with a rather handsome man. Melissa flew out of the private quarters and hurled herself at Libby. The two women hugged each other, cried tears, and then Melissa hugged Silvie as well. Christian Melville, Libby’s husband, was introduced, and then Daniel came forward.

“Aunt Silvie?” he queried and introduced his wife as well.

“I will leave you to your family,” Melissa said. “We will have to have a proper get-together.”

She ran home to tell James the news and plan when they could have the guests for a meal. The week was a whirl of eating, talking, visiting, and planning, and then the race meeting was upon them.

Christian was roped in by Daniel to help with the organization, and suddenly, Melissa found that it was good to have Libby and Silvie to help with the hosting.

The new pavilion to watch the racing in comfort and style was an enormous hit, and in between races, there was chatter, food, and drink.

Libby wanted to put a bet on the final race.

“Put it on Willie McGregor. I have a spy on the inside.” Melissa went to find some money as well and put a sizable amount on the advice of young Jamie. They stood at one of the viewpoints and watched the riders line up. She put another one on for Val, who was bravely holding the fort at home.

The race was billed as the big race of the day, and there was great excitement as people strained to see how their favorite was faring. The horses had to do four laps of the track. The jockeys had something to wear that made them stand out to their supporters, and the ribbon went up to a flying start. Willie McGregor had on a yellow shirt that was easy to see and he looked as if he was not really trying. He stayed in the first two or three horses but was not making any effort. At least that was what Melissa thought. She gripped Libby’s arm, and the two of them held their breath.

“Come on, Willie,” Melissa whispered to herself. “Don’t let us down.” The third lap had the three in front move further away from the others, and as they reached the long stretch towards the finish line, Willie kicked the horse and flicked his whip against the side of the animal. The horse simply stretched his stride and seemed to not make any real push, but he strode away from his two nearest rivals as Willie urged him forward and flashed through the winning posts well ahead.

“Oh, Lord. He won. We won. Jamie was right,” Melissa did a little dance around Libby and dragged her to the man doing the wagers. She saw James and waved him over.

“Help me cash these in,” she said. “I am not sure what to do.” James took the tickets that she had, and as the man paid out for each one, he handed the money to his wife.

“What on earth did you put all of these on for?”

“One for Jamie. One for Val and one for me.”

There was a sound of cheering, and Willie McGregor was carried into the room. Someone pushed a drink into his hand, and he had a huge grin on his face. The people who had wagered on him winning were jubilant. Eventually, Melissa was able to be close enough to say well done and thank you.

“I wanted to just have a word, Mrs. Carson,” the jockey said, and Melissa looked worried.

“Have I done something wrong?”

He shook his head and laughed. “I am guessing that Jamie told you to bet on me winning.” She nodded, and he went on to say the lad talked all the time about horses, racing, and carriages. “My dad has a horse that we are not racing.”

He is a high-stepping young gelding that is a bit too small to ride in a race, but as a carriage horse, he might be what you are looking for.”

“Oh, my Lord. How old? What color? What is the price?”

Willie laughed and said that he could come and see what the horse was like. “It is a dappled-grey and quite a smart looker. My dad will sort the price.”

“Can I come tomorrow?” she asked and glanced at James. He smiled and took her hand.

“We will come over in the morning and see your dad.” Willie lifted his glass and was pulled away by his pals. Melissa did a little jump up and down.

“Behave yourself, Melissa Carson,” her husband said but squeezed her arm to show he was excited as well. “I think you won enough to buy several horses.” He patted his pocket. “I placed a bet as well.”

When the people had all gone, and the family managed to make it home, they found Col, Val, Josh, and Jamie waiting for them.

“It was a great day and a huge success, and guess what? Willie won.” She handed Jamie the winnings, and his jaw dropped open at the amount.

“I never had that much money before.”

“And I put one on for Josh,” James said and handed over another amount.

“Gee, thanks, Doc.” Val was pleased to see the boys so happy, and then Melissa held out notes to Val as well.

“I did one for you stuck here babysitting.”

“Oh, my Lord. I can buy some new curtains.”

“And apparently, young Jamie, you told your pal that we were looking for a carriage horse,” James added, and Jamie nodded.

“The grey is a beauty. I tried it on the ranch.” He glanced at Val. “I was careful, honestly. The horse is young and will need some training, but he is a handsome horse and looks wonderful.”

“We’re going over tomorrow,” Melissa said.

“You want to come, Jamie?” James asked, and the lad beamed all over his face.

“Do you need a babysitter again?” Val asked. “I can cook Sunday dinner here.”

“That will be perfect,” Melissa replied. “I can’t wait.”

The next morning, Val arrived with her family and let Melissa. James and Jamie set off on horseback. Jamie knew a shortcut, and they arrived at the ranch gates. There were horses in several paddocks, and it was clear that the ranch was breeding good stock.

Mac McGregor showed them to a corral behind the house and brought out the dappled grey. The horse had a fine-cut chiseled face with a dark mane and tail. Melissa fell in love at first sight, and James knew they would buy the horse. They hitched it to a small carriage, and she climbed aboard.

Melissa did what she enjoyed so much and found that she had an audience of ranch hands all watching the moves. She brought the carriage back with a beaming smile and looked at James.

“You like him?”
She nodded and climbed down to give the horse a pat and a hug.

“How much?” James asked and handed over the cash.

“Has he got a name?” Melissa asked.

“Silver,” Jamie told her, and she handed the reins to the lad ad looked at the ranch owner. “Can he have a drive?”

“He already had several goes with this particular horse. I am waiting until he leaves school to offer him a job.”

“One month more, Mr. McGregor. I will be here the next day.” The man laughed and waved him off.

“The lad is a natural,” he replied.

They took the horse home on a leading rein and ate the Sunday dinner that Val had ready for them.

Jamie told her about his job. He was over the moon with that.

The horse was inspected and admired by her dad as well as everyone else.

“What a great day,” Melissa said. By the end of the great day, they were all tired out, and finally, she and James were talking quietly over a sleeping Laura.

“Are you happy, Mrs. Carson?” he asked her, and she put her arms around his neck and reached up to kiss him.

“The happiest woman in the world. I have a wonderful husband, a beautiful daughter, and the horse that I had thought I would never find.”

“I love to see you happy,” he told her and kissed her lips with his heart in the gesture.

“I love you more than words can say,” she told him when their lips parted.

“I am a lucky man. It still gives me a wonderful feeling when you say that. I love you more every day.” He kissed her on the forehead and carried her to the bed.

THE END

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