The Secret Behind Their Bond – Extended Epilogue

One year later

Tilly patted her expanding tummy and wondered if Sarah was right, and it would be a boy. She still repeated that her mom said girls were a bigger bump at the front and boys were more to the back. Tilly was sitting on the veranda and looking across to her dad’s original ranch house. She saw Granya and Nia come out together and head towards her.

“Girls’ gossip together,” she said out loud. Nia and Carlos were close to getting married, and she knew Nia was excited, but there was something bothering her friend, and she wanted to know what it was.

“Lemonade or sarsaparilla?” she asked, and they both chose sarsaparilla. Tilly had lemonade herself.

“Everything okay?” she asked. 

“Horses all fine, and I did some work with Polly and Cally, but I didn’t have time for Eva,” Granya said.

“Eddie will do her and Turk later. I do miss riding now that I am getting closer to having the baby.

 “Something to look forward to. It only took me two or three weeks before I could manage Bets.”

“And where is my wonderful namesake?” Tilly asked.

“Helping Uncle Josh.” Granya laughed. “She actually makes him smile. Especially when she tries to run and then sits down with a sudden bump.”
“How are the wedding plans?” Tilly asked Nia. “There is something that is bothering you.”

“Well, not me so much, but Carlos is a bit scared of living in my apartment in your dad’s house.”

“If it was temporary, would it suit him better?” Tilly asked.

“Temporary?”

“What if Ben thought it was a good idea to build another bungalow beside Mary and Sarah?”

“Oh,” Nia said.

“Sounds like a good idea to me,” Granya put in.

“Has Ben mentioned it?” Nia queried. 

Tilly shook her head. “No, but that is because nobody suggested it to him. I will do that today.”

“The law lost two good men in Carlos and Eddie,” Granya said.

“But the danger would have upset Nia. I think I could have lived with it if Eddie really wanted to be a sheriff, but he had done enough.”

“And he is so good with the horses.”

“Did you have a look at Bets today?” Tilly asked, and Granya said that she had checked the mare, and it was probably another couple of weeks.

“Typical. I bet the baby and the foal all happen at the same time.” Tilly sighed. “Still I shouldn’t complain. The extra bedroom is built, and it is not long to wait now.”

“I saw Jean Craster in town, and her son is enjoying Jumbo now. The lad seems to be quite a good rider,” Nia said. 

“Blue settled well to work as well once he knew the saddle came with treats.” Tilly laughed.

“I do enjoy finding out what makes them tick. The two new boys are responding well, but you and Eddie will have to do the riding for a while.”

“That is my pleasure,” Granya said.

“Oh, look. My brother is going into the house. Sit and have your drinks, girls.”

Tilly went across to the ranch house and found her brother looking for something to eat.

“That cold pie looks quite appetising,” she said and took a slice for herself. They sat at the kitchen table, and Ben looked at his sister.

“And what is the problem?”  

Tilly smiled at him. “Apparently, Carlos is a bit concerned about living in Nia’s apartment with you and Dad downstairs. I think he feels like he would be in the way.”

“I can understand that, but …” he frowned, “what can I do about it?”

“I just wondered if the ranch could stand the cost of building another bungalow like Mary’s. It would be there even if they left and somebody else needed it.”

“If Carlos would do a lot of the building work, we could do what we did with your house. I guess it would be a living room, kitchen, and two bedrooms.”

“And a garden. Nia likes to grow her herbs and things.”

“The real cost is the wood because we have the land and the labour. I will check back what we paid out for yours and then run it past Dad.”

“Thanks,” she hesitated, and he raised an eyebrow. “I can see the time coming when Granya might be the lady of the house. It would make that possible as well.”

“You are asking if I am going to marry her.” 

Tilly smiled. “You and I know each other so well, Ben. It was so obvious from when she arrived that you found her attractive. Little Tilly adores you.”

Her brother nodded. “We talk a lot, and I haven’t got the courage to actually say the words. I am pretty sure she feels the same.”

Tilly smiled and stood up to go back home. She squeezed his shoulder.

“You will have to say it because she still thinks that we took her in and helped her when she needed it.” She laughed as she reached the door. “You will always eat well.”

Tilly went back to her own bungalow, which was quite large as she had added two extra bedrooms so that the family could expand, and there was room for Eddie’s uncle to stay. She sank into an armchair.

“Ben will see what the wood cost for here and run it past Dad. If Ben says we can afford it, Dad will say yes. A bungalow next to Mary with a garden. Would that work for you and Carlos?”

“It would be wonderful. Carlos would do most of the building work.” Tilly said that Ben had said they could do what they had done when building this one.

The two girls went away, and Tilly went to talk to the horses that she could no longer ride. She knew that Turk liked Eddie but missed the contact with herself. The big gelding came across to see her. Morris and Major were both out with the crew. She knew the steak and vegetables were in the oven and decided to have a little training with Cally. The mare was a big favourite with Tilly, and her cream mane and tail were always being brushed. The bay looked spectacular and came when called.

Tilly was teaching the youngster to ground tie so that if the reins were dropped, the horse stayed in one place and did not wander. It was something she could do without riding and was putting that time to good use with all the youngsters. It was a lovely morning, the sun was warm on her back, and she was about to put Cally into the corral again when she saw a man arrive at the gate. It was not someone she recognized. 

They had lived without the threat of robberies now for over a year, so she walked over to see what the man wanted. He tipped his hat to her, and she thought he was extraordinarily handsome.

“Mornin’ Ma’am,” he said, “I am looking for Granya Gallon, and I am told she lives here.”

“I will find someone to talk to you,” Tilly replied without showing that she was concerned. From Granya’s description, this was Mickey Draper. Ben, thankfully was still in the study, and she told him who was at the gate. 

“I will talk to him. Go and tell Granya. If she wants to talk to him, she can, but if not, I will send him packing.” Ben went out to walk to the gate, and Tilly hurried to the cookhouse. She was explaining to Granya when she heard the sound of the crew returning and was glad.

“Come with me, and I will talk to him,” Granya said. “I will tell him to his face that he is not welcome.” The two women walked over to the gate, and the man with Ben took off his hat with a very gallant gesture and smiled a brilliant smile at Granya. Tilly assumed this had always worked in the past, but it was not working now. Granya was a very different woman a year on from when she had arrived at the ranch.

“Granya, you look wonderful. I have missed you so much. How is the baby?”

“The baby is fine, and so am I. You are not part of my life or hers.” She stood very close to Ben and he dropped an arm around her shoulders.

Mickey Draper held out a hand.

“I made a lot of mistakes in the past. We should be married and give the little one a life together.”

“Pfft,” Tilly could not help saying and felt Eddie come to stand beside her. She glanced around and saw that her dad and Carlos were both walking towards them as well. There did not seem to be danger from the visitor. He was not a gunslinger or someone who used violence, but she could tell from the quick glances he gave to the ranch that he was someone after an easy buck.

Ben took the lead as his dad and Carlos arrived.

“You have just asked my fiancée to marry you, but I am afraid she is already spoken for. She is still a free woman of course. She can go away with you if she chooses to.” 

Granya covered the shock of suddenly becoming Ben’s fiancée very well, and Tilly stepped up on the other side of her from Ben. She knew she was right about how much Granya had grown in the last year. The woman stepped forward and right up to Mickey Draper. She poked a finger in his chest and told him exactly what she thought of a man who left a woman to fend for herself and her child.

“These people were my saviors. Little Tilly will never be your daughter, and I would never go away with you again. I was foolish before but once bitten and all that. Go away, Mickey Draper, and never come back.” She took a breath. “I hate everything about you.”

The man changed in an instant, and a nasty look came over his face.

“But you would marry the ranch owner. What a little gold digger.”

Ben stepped forward and gave the man the most amazing uppercut to the jaw. His head snapped back with a horrible cracking sound, and he stumbled back and fell to the floor. Eddie drew the gun from his holster and pointed it at the man on the ground. Carlos did the same, and Ben rubbed his knuckles but had the clenched fist ready if the man came back for more. Mickey Draper was an opportunist and not a fighter. He struggled to his feet, and Tilly opened the gate.

“Get out,” she said. The man took the reins of his horse and walked away, leading the animal. Tilly turned around to see if Granya was okay. Josh had arrived and Nia, and the group was all concerned about the woman that had become part of the ranch household.

Ben took the initiative and held both of Granya’s hands.

“I was not making it up, Granya. Would you do me the honor of marrying me, please?”

There was a stillness in the air as they looked at the woman at the center of this little drama. “You must know that I have almost asked many a time and been a coward. Will you please become Mrs Carver, and I can adopt Tilly?”

Granya looked from one to the other, and Ben bit his lip.

“Tell him, for heaven’s sake,” Tilly urged. “The man cannot stand the uncertainty.” Granya smiled as she looked at Ben and nodded her head. She put her arms around him and told him the answer was yes. There was an outburst of clapping and cheering and the rest of the crew came over to hear what the fuss was about. Tilly hugged them both. Everyone shook Ben’s hand, and Garth Carver held out his arms to welcome his daughter-in-law. There were tears and laughter and lots of jokes as they went back to the cookhouse, and Ben swept little Tilly into is arms.

Find us all a drink, Josh,” Garth called out, and the place was packed with everyone accepting a shot of whiskey to celebrate the news.

Tilly suddenly doubled over with pain and shouted out loud. Granya was there in an instant.

“Bed,” she said. 

“Let me carry her,” Eddie said, and he picked his wife up in his arms and strode across to the house.

Nia and Granya went into action and collected all the things that Tilly had put ready anyway. Eddie stayed beside Tilly and held her hand each time the pains came.

“I think it will be early,” Tilly managed and shouted out again. He felt guilty but was relieved when Nia pushed him out of the bedroom. Life on the ranch was supposed to be working as normal, but to be truthful, they were all listening for any news. Eddie had a path made in the carpet by the time he had paced for four hours. Carlos came to keep him company, and Ben popped in and out. In the course of the four hours, Ben managed to talk about building a bungalow for Carlos and Nia, and the plans filled in the time that seemed endless.

Then there was a baby cry from the bedroom, and Eddie could wait no longer. He burst into the room and saw Nia hand a wrapped bundle to Tilly, and he ran to sit on the edge of the bed.

“A boy,” Granya said. “Congratulations, Dad.”

Eddie looked at the tiny bundle that was his son, and tears sprang to his eyes. 

“Hold him,” Tilly whispered, and Eddie gingerly took the newborn into his hands. Nia and Granya tactfully left them alone, and the two new parents gazed at their firstborn.

“Daniel Garth Hodge,” Tilly said, “Welcome to the world.”

“Oh Till, thank you. I wish I could have taken the pain for you.”

“It is over and forgotten,” she told him. “We have a new rider to train.” That made him laugh, and he handed the baby back to her. Nia came back and said that she needed to feed the little one. She shooed Eddie away to tell the crew, and Dannyboy Hodge took his first feed.

The cradles had been made in advance this time, and when the baby settled, Nia sent Eddie in with some soup for Tilly, and they were left alone.

“Just Bets to look forward to now. Mac Denver says he is interested if it is a stallion.” Tilly’s mind had gone back to the business now that the birth was over.

“Whoa, whoa,” Eddie said. “You are taking it easy for at least two weeks.”

For three days, she did stay in bed and was secretly glad to rest, but she had put on some clothes on day four and gone into the living room with Danny in the cradle with rockers on the bottom. She took coffee onto the porch and took in the view. There was hammering going on out of sight, and she guessed that would be the new bungalow. It was only three weeks to the wedding. 

Eddie was coming across to join her with Turk on a rein in his hand. She smiled and went to the gate to speak to her two favourite men. Turk snuffled and snickered and generally showed her that she was missed, and she went back to find him a treat. When she came back and offered the carrot, she pointed out to Eddie that someone was at the gate.

“Good Lord, it never stops these days,” he said, but they went to see who was there, and it was a smartly dressed woman of about Tilly’s age or maybe a little younger who looked vaguely familiar.

“Hello, Tilly,” she said and smiled as Tilly looked unsure. “Albert Goodwin’s sister, Bertha.”

“Good heavens, come in,” Tilly said. “Come and sit on the porch and tell me why you are here.”

“I am married to a lovely man I met when I was working as a maid. He is now a butler to the family, and I am part-time in the house.”

“I am glad things worked out for you. Do you know where your younger brothers and sisters are now?”

“Two of them, I know, and we are in touch again, and I have met up with Albert.”

“Is he out of jail?” Eddie asked, and she nodded.

“Did his time and has a regular job. He wanted you to know that he had done that and was keeping away from anything crooked.” She paused. “He was not sure what sort of welcome he would get.”

“I am just glad he is okay,” Tilly said. “We were all at school together. I knew you looked familiar but could not quite place you.”

“I was younger than you and Albert. Would you talk to him if he was here?”

“He is outside there, isn’t he?” Eddie asked, and she nodded. Eddie went striding away to the gate and shouted.

“Albert, you great idiot, come and talk to me.” The man came out leading two horses and tied them to the rails. Then Eddie went and gave him one of those awkward man hugs. They punched each other on the arms and laughed and joked to cover the emotion.

“Come to our new house and see Tilly and my son.”

“Your son, Good Lord. How long have I been away?”

Tilly saw him coming and ran to hold out her arms. Truth to tell, they had always been fond of Albert, and it was good to see him out of jail and apparently happy. Others saw that someone had arrived, and Eddie sent someone to bring the boss.

Garth came over, and Albert held out a hand. The boss shook it.

“Just wanted you to know that I did my time and now have a proper job.”

“Doing what?” Garth asked.

“Delivery driver for the railroad,” Albert told them. “I like it.”

“And he found me and then we found our two younger sisters,” Bertha added.

“That is wonderful news,” Garth told him. “I am glad you let us know. If you need a cowhand job again, get in touch.” Albert said that being out on the road suited him fine.

“If you are out this way, we could sit on the porch like the old days and talk about anything and everything,” Eddie told him.

“Sounds good,” Albert said. “Is this baby like Eddie or is it good-looking?” Tilly laughed and took him and his sister in to see Dannyboy. The baby was cooed over, and then Albert and his sister took their leave.

“I will come back for an evening chat,” Albert told Eddie.

“I am not a deputy. We can talk about anything you like.” The two men shook hands, and Tilly hugged Bertha. They watched them ride away and went inside.

“I am glad about that,” Tilly said. “I always liked him, and he did help us catch the gang.”

Then Granya ran in and banged on the door.

“Bets,” she said and ran away again.

“Oh Lord,” Tilly cried, saw that Danny was asleep, and ran to the stable.

“I put her in the big stall because she was unhappy outside,” Granya told them and pointed to the liquid coming from the rear end of the mare. 

Eddie and Tilly both stepped into the pen and looked at the rear end. Bets looked around as well, and Tilly talked to her and stroked her nose.

“Soon be over, Babe,” she told her.

“One leg out and not two,” Eddie said. “I will have to push it back and try and catch both feet.”

“Granya ask Ben to come and to find that fine rope.” Granya ran to do as Tilly asked, and Eddie was trying to put the leg back far enough to feel for the other. It was hard work, and he was glad when Ben appeared with the thin rope. He managed to get his hand inside and grunted that he found the other hoof.

“Rope,” he said, and Ben handed him the rope looped ready to be pulled tight. Between them, they eased out two hooves and slipped the noose around them.

“Push Bets,” Tilly whispered and held the mare steady as nature did the pushing and the two men eased out the foal with the rope and released the noose as soon as the baby was on the straw of the stall.

Bets turned to nuzzle at the foal, and with the miracle that was nature, the little one struggled to its feet.

“It’s a boy,” Granya observed.

“And very like his dad, if I am not mistaken,” Tilly said. I will have to feed Dannyboy.” She ran to clean her hands and found Nia rocking the cradle and Dannyboy sound asleep.

“It is a stallion,” Tilly exclaimed and took the baby to have a drink. Nia shook her head and went away.

Later Tilly and Eddie stood as they always had in the evenings and looked over the door to see the new boy standing close to his mom.

“We are so lucky,” Eddie observed.

“Luckiest people in the world,” Tilly agreed. Then she added that they should find a true Palomino to mate to Polly. We could get that line back again, and they would sell really well.”

“Oh dear Lord,” Eddie said. He picked her up and went to the house. “Have some free time. Enjoy our little Danny, and I will cook you something good.” She smiled and put her feet up on the sofa.

“I love you, Eddie Hodge.” 

He looked across.

“Love ya right back, Tilly Hodge. 

“Happy ever after, Dad,” she said and picked up Dannyboy. He slept on, and Tilly kissed his little nose.

THE END

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