The Sparkle in Her Eyes – Extended Epilogue

Laura stepped out of the office and hurried down the path to the busy street. There were so many people, she had to search for Jensen in the crowd. She’d been covering the Grand Provo Parade, an annual event put on since the founding of the Brigham Young Academy. In the two years Laura had covered the event, she always found plenty to write about to keep readers interested. 

She spotted Jensen across the street, leaning against a lamp post, looking as handsome as ever. He was dressed in a business suit, and she always loved it when he dressed that way. 

“Jensen!” she called out, lifting one hand in the air to wave at him. 

He looked over at her and smiled. 

Laura had to make her way through the crowd filling the street. She nodded and smiled at them, recognizing a few, but there were too many people in Provo for her to know everyone. It wasn’t like Cottage Grove in that respect. 

“There’s my beautiful wife,” Jensen stated, holding out one arm so he could give her a hug when she got close. She pressed up against him, lifted up on her toes, and placed a warm kiss on his lips. 

“Hello, my darling. Are you having fun observing the spectators?” 

“Just making sure no one causes trouble, dear,” Jensen replied, moving his gaze out over the crowd. 

“If anyone can prevent a crime, it’s you.” She gave him another kiss before stepping back to look him in the eye. “I have some news for you, Jensen.”

Her excitement had to be showing on her face. How could it not? She couldn’t wait to tell him. 

He raised his eyebrows and gave her an affectionate look. “You just came out of the doctor’s office. I think I might be able to guess what that news might be.”

She was delighted by the happiness in his voice. “Oh, please, let me tell you.” She used a pleading voice, making him laugh. “Pleeeease…”

“All right. I couldn’t possibly guess what you have to tell me. Exciting news, eh? Well, let’s have it!”

Laura giggled. “We’re going to have a baby!”

Jensen opened his mouth and eyes wide and sucked in air, pretending to be completely shocked. They both laughed and he hugged her tight. 

“That is wonderful! I’m so happy!” Jensen hugged her for a good thirty seconds before pulling away from her. Her heart slammed in her chest, thoughts whirling through her mind. “I’m taking you to lunch to celebrate. And we’ll get ice cream! And cake, if you want. Whatever you want!”

Laura took his hand and squeezed it. “That sounds lovely!”

Their favorite restaurant was just up a few blocks from where they were. They had settled into a nice neighborhood in Provo, with Jensen continuing his work as a detective and Laura starting as a journalist for the newspaper. She was well-known after the two years they had been there, not just because she was the detective’s wife but because of her own skill and talent. She’d made many friends. It was hard to believe the city was so different than her hometown of Cottage Grove.

She missed it, though, and planned to visit in the next few days to give everyone there her good news. That was another thing she wanted to talk to Jensen about. 

They were seated before she brought the subject up. She was aware that Jensen was working on an important case but was hoping it would be wrapped up soon so they could go together. Over the last two years, they had formed a partnership. Laura helped Jensen investigate as an outsider—a very observant outsider—and he would help her write the facts out for her news stories. 

“How is the case going?” she asked, deciding to start out with general questions and lead up to what she wanted to ask.

Jensen settled back in the chair, looking up at the waitress and giving her their drink orders before answering Laura. “Not as good as I’d like. It seems like we’re just running up against a wall no matter which direction we turn. Plus, we have the family members crawling all over us to solve it, find their property, and get justice for the victim.”

“So, it’s not just a simple robbery, I guess.”

Jensen shook his head. “No. There’s not enough information yet for you to have anything to write about, though. I don’t think it would be prudent to be giving anything away to the public. The criminal probably reads newspapers, too. If you start writing about it, there’s a good chance you’d be in danger. I don’t want that, especially now.”

Laura snickered softly. “So before, you wouldn’t have been concerned.”

Jensen gave her a narrow look. “You know full well your safety is my number one concern. Now I have two family members to be concerned about. I don’t want you putting yourself in any danger.”

“I don’t want to stop doing what I’m doing because I’m going to have a baby,” Laura said firmly. “I need to be able to continue doing what I love. I won’t be happy if I’m not allowed to help you investigate the cases. I don’t write—well, I can’t write them as well when I don’t help you solve it.”

Jensen nodded. “I understand. But you’re going to have to be cautious. And I’m going to insist you take a few months off after the baby is born. You’ll need to bond with him.”

“Or her.”

Jensen grinned. “Yes. Of course. Or her.”

Laura ate until she couldn’t eat any more. They joked about it when she asked him if she could have his roll. 

“You sure you have room for that? I know you’re eating for two, but surely there’s less room in there than there was.”

Laura laughed but still took his bread and stuffed half of it in her mouth.

“I’m just hungry today,” she said, covering her mouth to say the words because she still had food in her mouth.

He looked highly amused. “You can eat as much as you want, dear. I will love you no matter how big you get.”

They left the restaurant an hour later and headed to the station to give the good news to Knox and the other detectives. They all knew and liked Laura, showing her proper respect whenever she was there, whether Jensen was around or not. 

Jensen got to the door first and opened it for her, swinging his arm to usher her in. It was quiet in the building and the first person Laura spotted was Knox, sitting behind a desk in a room with large windows. 

“There’s Knox,” she said, heading straight for the assistant’s office. He must have heard her voice because he looked up from the papers he was reading and gazed directly at her. 

“Howdy!” he called out, standing up as the two of them entered the office. “You look happy today. How are you?” 

He came around his desk, his arms outstretched. Laura went to receive his hug, smiling wide. 

“I have some news, Mr. Assistant Detective,” she said, coyly, flicking her eyes to Jensen. He looked just like a new father should, in her opinion. As far as she was concerned, he was was glowing with pride. 

“I am anxious to hear it.” Knox raised his eyebrows, also looking at Jensen.

Laura didn’t say anything. At first, she was excited to tell everyone. But when it came to Jensen’s coworkers, especially his friend and assistant, she felt that privilege should be given to him. 

“Tell him, sweetheart,” she urged him quietly. 

Jensen’s face lit up, making her heart warm over. He turned his big grin to Knox. “We’re going to have a baby! Our first child!”

“What?” Knox reacted as if he’d been told they were now millionaires. “That is fantastic news! I am so happy for you both!”

To Laura’s surprise, Knox grabbed Jensen by the shoulders and pulled him into a hug, slapping the younger man on the back. 

“Thank you, thank you.”

Knox stepped back and turned to Laura. He tilted his head to the side and held his arms out once more for another big hug. “Laura. Come here, Momma. Wonderful news. Wonderful. So happy for you, really.”

When he was done giving his congratulations, he stepped back and surveyed them both. Laura studied him at the same time, wondering why he looked so overjoyed. Their baby was big news, but he looked like he was about to jump out of his skin. 

“I was waiting for you to come back, boss,” he said, his tone somewhat anxious. “We’ve got more good news for you. I think you’re not going to forget this day for a while.”

Laura looked at Jensen and then back at Knox. “What is it?” she asked when it looked like Jensen wasn’t going to ask the question. 

Knox’s smile grew even bigger. He settled his eyes on Jensen. “We got him. We got the murderer. Found the jewels and the other stolen property.”

Jensen’s eyebrows pulled together. He looked a bit confused. Laura was confused, too. The last she’d heard, there was no leads on the case. 

“How did that happen?” Jensen asked. “Where is he? Is he here in the jail?”

“Yes. His name is Byron Daniels. He did some work on the property as a drifter about six months ago and has been camped out in the woods nearby ever since the job ended. He’s been watching them. Waited until the right moment.”

“But why did he kill Mr. Lochlan?”

Knox shook his head. “You’ll have to talk to him and get all the information. The men picked him up after two boys who were out hunting found him sleeping. Found his campsite. They told a deputy and he was brought in. He confessed, boss.”

Jensen looked stunned. “He confessed?”

“Yep.”

Jensen turned his eyes to Laura, speechless. He shook his head. “I can’t believe the case is over just like that. I don’t think I’ve ever had one resolved like that before. Feels like it’s not really true. You aren’t pulling my leg, are you, Knox?”

Knox shook his head emphatically. “No, sir. Just happened this morning while you were out with Laura.”

“Well, I’ll be.” Jensen shook his head again, stepping toward Laura. 

The only thing Laura could think about while listening to the two men was that her prayer had been answered. She’d wanted the case to be resolved so her husband could be free to go back to Cottage Grove with her. And here it was, solved.

“Jensen,” she said softly, her heart beating hard, “can we go back to Cottage Grove for a few days? Maybe a week? Now that the case is over, I would really like to go and tell my mom and Danny and Tina. And everyone else. Can we go?”

Jensen nodded without hesitation. “Yes, of course! What wonderful timing. Here I was just telling you we had nothing and now the case is over. I…” He laughed. “I still can’t believe it!”

Knox cleared his throat and the two looked over at him. 

“Would you two mind a third wheel? There’s, uh, someone in Cottage Grove I’d like to see.”

Laura gazed at the man, curiously. He had to be talking about a woman. 

“Is that so?” she asked.

“Do tell us more,” Jensen added.

Knox chuckled. “I’ve been corresponding with someone there since we left. We’ve only made a couple trips back and it’s been… six months since last time?”

“You are deliberately holding out on us,” Laura teased him, placing her hands firmly on her hips. “Tell us who you’re talking about.” 

She went through a mental tally of the ladies Knox had encountered in his time in Cottage Grove and couldn’t think of anyone the assistant detective might be talking about. 

Knox took another few moments before he revealed his secret.

“It’s Beatrice. Bell. We’ve been corresponding for the last two years. I’d like to see if she would care to move here to Provo. If not, I might be staying in Cottage Grove, transferring permanently.”

“Oh!” Jensen exclaimed, sounding delighted. He slapped Knox on the back. “She’s a lovely woman! And while I would normally be pretty upset about losing a good right-hand man like yourself, I am willing to sacrifice in the name of love.”

Laura laughed. “Jensen, you are such a softhearted man.”

“I am that,” Jensen replied with a nod. “Can’t be any other way.”

***

The next morning, Laura, Jensen, and Knox arrived in Cottage Grove to no fanfare or welcome. There hadn’t been time to let anyone know they were coming. 

They were gratified, however, when everyone who looked their way as they rode into town called to them in greeting, recognizing them.

“Let’s go to my mother’s first,” Laura told the men. She was anxious to get there, even though there were people trying to get their attention. “I’m weary from the ride.”

“Are you okay?” Jensen sounded so worried. Laura laughed inside, thinking this was probably just the beginning of him being overprotective of her. She didn’t mind. He was everything she wanted in a man and wouldn’t trade him for anyone in the world.

“I’m fine, Jensen,” she said. “I’m just tired. So much excitement, I couldn’t really get any sleep last night. And that long ride this morning.” She shook her head. “Don’t you worry so much about me. I’ve been in dangerous situations and you want to be worried because I’m tired…” 

He just smiled at her lovingly. 

They rode up to the Cabot house and left their horses out front. It didn’t look much different than it had when Laura left two years before. Danny, at seventeen, was taking proper care of the place, doing repairs and making sure the landscaping was kept up to his mother’s satisfaction. Laura knew because her mother had written to her frequently. She’d even gotten a few letters from Danny himself but they were always short and sweet, telling her he missed her and wishing her a good whatever holiday it was.

“Looks like they might have another visitor,” Jensen said, glancing at a small black buggy beside the house. The horses looked restless, their tails swishing back and forth, their heads bobbing up and down.

“I know who that is,” Laura said, sliding her eyes to Knox. “And the coincidences around here are falling like raindrops.”

Knox immediately caught on to what she was saying and smiled wide. “That’s…”

She nodded when he didn’t finish the sentence. 

He laughed. “Well, let’s get on in there. I’d like to see Bea as soon as I can. And your ma and sister and brother will be delighted to see you. Let’s go!”

Looking like a bouncy little boy, Knox bounded up the steps and crossed the porch to the front door. The moment he got there, the door was flung open and a happy-looking Alice Cabot almost ran into Andrew Knox. 

“Oh!” Alice looked up at Knox and began to laugh. “I am so sorry, I didn’t know you were right there. Oh, my goodness! Laura! Jensen! How wonderful to see you! Come in, come in!” 

Alice gushed over her daughter and the detectives, pulling the men in by their hands and grabbing her daughter in a warm hug. 

“So good to see you, Laura. Look at you!”

“Mama! You look beautiful!”

Alice pulled on Laura’s arm so she would go toward the living room. She moved to step behind the men and patted them on their backs, gently pushing them in the same direction.

“Bea is here! I know she’ll want to see you, Detective Knox!”

Laura joined the men when they laughed and Knox said over his shoulder, “You can call me Andy, Mrs. Cabot.”

“It’s Alice. How wonderful, how wonderful!”

Laura’s heart sang with joy as she went into the living room to see her brother, sister, and Bea waiting for them. 

It was hugs all around, with lots of laughter and greetings. Laura tried not to look at Bea and Knox when they encountered each other but she couldn’t help it. She was so happy the two of them had found each other. And from the look on her mother’s face when she looked at the couple, she knew about it already. 

She hadn’t known her mother and Beatrice were friends, though it wasn’t surprising. 

“Since this is a surprise,” Alice announced loudly, getting the attention of everyone in the room, “I don’t have anything prepared to eat. We can go into town or we can stay here and I’ll make something for us all so we can enjoy a good meal together. I know you must be hungry for a solid breakfast after your long ride. What would you like to do, Laura?”

Everyone looked at her. Laura swept her eyes around the room, taking in the beaming faces around her. She had never felt so loved, never had so much love for others, as she did right in that moment. She could almost cry. But she held her composure and responded to her mother in a quiet voice.

“I want to stay here with my family,” she said. “I want to enjoy the love and happiness and friendship and kindness… I’m so proud to be here with all of you. And to let you know that this is only the beginning of something amazing. I’m going to have a baby—Jensen and I are going to be parents.”

The room erupted in cheers and congratulations. It only took a few seconds to break down Laura’s composure. She was in tears as her family hugged her and Jensen. 

She saw a long, happy future ahead with her husband and the many, many children she hoped they would have.     

THE END

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