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One Year Later
Elsa twitched back the curtain and brightened.
“Ahh, here come the newlyweds!” she called over her shoulder to the guests already present.
At once, Sarah materialized at her shoulder.
“Alice and Samuel? Oh, how lovely,” she said, her eyes glittering. “This will be the first Sunday dinner we’ve shared since the wedding.”
Alice and Samuel’s quiet betrothal had turned into a quiet wedding, celebrated a month ago by their closest friends. Elsa had been there, of course, and kept her hand placed on her stomach as if she were guarding a secret.
They weren’t telling anybody the news just yet. It would take away from Sarah’s moment.
Sarah’s belly was jutting out already. She’d made it clear that she hoped for a girl, and Thomas made it equally clear that he did not care whether he had a son, a daughter, or a set of triplets, so long as his baby and his wife were safe. Lucas privately confided to Elsa that Sarah and Thomas had wanted children for years, and their trip to Oregon had represented a fresh start. Like most fresh starts, it was rewarded with new things—in this case, a baby.
Alice and Samuel walked hand in hand, the setting sun casting long shadows in front of them. Sarah disappeared into the room behind them, doing something beside the oven. Elsa leaned against the wall, watching her friends approach.
Their house was new, barely six months old. Alice and Samuel’s home was still only half-finished, but somehow nobody seemed to care much. There was time to get these things done.
Yes, she thought, with a pleasant shiver. We have all the time in the world.
Often, Lucas’ parents joined them on a Sunday, but today they were having a quiet little supper at home to celebrate their anniversary. Elsa had offered to cook, but they had insisted that it was tradition—they stayed quietly at home and together worked to cook something new for supper. It was a sweet tradition, and Elsa found herself looking forward to the new traditions that she and Lucas would build together.
A yelp of laughter and the clatter of something falling made her flinch, and she turned to find that Lucy had upset the basket of firewood by the stove. Giggling, Beth was hastily helping her sister pile up the firewood again. Lucas watched them, stirring the gravy, a faint smile on his face. He met Elsa’s eyes over the children’s heads and winked at her.
Beth and Lucy seemed to double in size every month, or so it seemed. While both of their parents were short, it seemed likely that those girls would be long. Ruby had mournfully admitted that her father’s side of the family were all like giants, and apparently, the girls were going to take after them.
It already seemed like a hundred years ago that a valuable cargo of diamonds, worth a sea of blood, had been hidden in a small doll. Was it Beth’s doll that had held the diamonds, or Lucy’s?
It didn’t much matter.
Lucas said something to Thomas, who happily took his place at the stove, and walked over to his wife.
“You seem preoccupied,” Lucas murmured, wrapping his arms around her. “Have you read the letter yet? The one that Eli brought on his visit last week?”
At the reminder of the letter, Elsa’s skin prickled. She recalled how her stomach had dropped when she recognized the handwriting.
“You mean Wade’s letter?” she murmured. “I haven’t. Not yet. Perhaps I shouldn’t. What if it’s all curses and anger? Oh, I’m being cowardly.”
“You aren’t a coward,” Lucas insisted. “It’s your choice. “If you want to, we can throw the letter in the fire tonight. Or perhaps when our friends have gone, I’ll read it to you. If he begins to insult you, I’ll simply stop reading.”
Elsa considered that, then she closed her eyes and shook her head.
“No, I…I have to read it. I’m going to read it now, then I can enjoy our supper with a light heart.”
Reaching into her pocket, she withdrew the crumpled envelope with her name scrawled on it. Wade had never had good handwriting, and it seemed to have gotten worse. Holding her breath, she tore open the letter and began to read.
Dear Elsa,
Or should I call you May? I know you so little, it seems, you might as well be a stranger. Paper and ink is hard to come by here in jail, so I’ll only write a short letter until I know for sure you’ll read my letters.
I don’t dare hope that you’ll write back.
How did we fall so far? Or rather, how did I fall so far? I was so proud of myself once. Do you remember the stories I once told you, of Robin Hood and his merry men, stealing from those who had much and giving to those who had little? Well, that was how I saw myself. We had nothing, and so I took from those who had plenty to feed us, clothe us, and pay for us. When did I stop being Robin Hood and become a murderer?
I ask for forgiveness. I don’t know whether you’ll be likely to give it. Or whether your husband will, considering that he lost his wife and unborn child because of me. Yes, I know you are married. Eli writes to me, and he’s even visited me a few times. He has forgiven me, or so he says. I do not deserve it.
I do not deserve any forgiveness. My crimes pile up on top of me, suffocating me. I do not expect to ever be released from jail, and I suppose that I am lucky not to have hanged.
Will you forgive me, Sister? If not, I will understand. I can never undo what I’ve done. I hope you will write back. I would like us to be like brother and sister once again, at least a little.
I hope to hear from you.
All my love, Your Brother,
Wade
Elsa pressed a hand over her mouth and was surprised to find hot tears escaping down her cheeks.
“I…I think that he is sorry,” she stammered. “He says he can never undo what he’s done, but I…I think he regrets it. All of it.”
“Do you want to write to him?” Lucas whispered, wrapping his arms tighter around her.
She nodded wordlessly.
Lucas nodded in reply and kissed her temple.
“Then you must write,” he answered simply.
In the silence that followed, laughter and chatter from their friends, gathered in the kitchen, drifted out toward them.
“We’re having music later, Lucas,” Sarah called. “Care to join?”
“I’ll dust off my harmonica,” he called back, and smiled down at Elsa, his eyes crinkling. “Well? Shall we join them?”
She stood up on her tiptoes to kiss him on the lips.
“I’d like that. Oh, and in case I forgot to tell you today, I love you.”
He chuckled, kissing her back with more fervor. His hand dropped, two fingertips pressing against the top of her belly. Was it her imagination, or did the baby squirm a little?
“I know that I haven’t forgotten to tell you today,” he murmured, “But I’ll say it anyway. I love you too, Elsa-May.”
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Hello my dears, I hope you enjoyed the book and the Extended Epilogue! I will be waiting for your comments here. Thank you 🙂
It was a great story & the diamonds added a little intrigue to the tale!
Thank you so much, Donna! I’m really glad you enjoyed the story, and I’m happy the diamonds added a bit of intrigue for you. I truly appreciate your kind words!
Oh yes! This was one of the best books I have read this past year. The plot so deep and exciting that it kept me glued to the story as if I was on the Oregon trail myself. When an author can make a reader place themselves in the story, that is a certain proof of an excellent writer and their book!
Thank you so much, Elaine. Your words truly mean the world to me. Knowing the story pulled you in so deeply that you felt like you were on the Oregon Trail yourself is the highest compliment an author can receive. I’m honored you connected with the journey and the depth of the plot, and I’m incredibly grateful you took the time to share such a generous and encouraging response.
I also found myself IN the story! I traveled along with May and felt her fear at Wade and his gang. I questioned the rattling doll until the diamonds were explained, then I worried along with the others who knew. This story was real to
Me and I enjoyed it immensely! Wish I could know more about their life in he new town! Might you write a sequel? It could never be as exciting! Thank you for the great adventure!!
Thank you so much, Donna. I’m truly touched that you felt so immersed in the story and shared May’s journey so closely. Your kind words mean a great deal to me, and I’m grateful you enjoyed the adventure. I love knowing readers are curious about what comes next—it’s the best compliment an author can receive, and I’ll certainly keep it in mind.
I agree with this reader. This was a great book to read. It really kept me interested and the plot twists were amazing. I would love to read more about happened as they began their new lives in this new state. Also about the other travelers.
Thank you so much, Doniesa! 💛 I’m thrilled you enjoyed the plot twists and stayed hooked throughout. It’s wonderful to hear you’re curious about the characters’ next adventures, who knows, it might happen!
Love your books very much. I did enjoyed reading them
Thank you so much, Mattie! I’m thrilled to hear you enjoyed them, it really means a lot!
Loved your book, it had so many adventures and a great ending.
Thank you so much, Jacki! I’m so glad you enjoyed the adventures and the ending!
Wow ! Now that was a story I couldn’t put down till the end.Its 1:00 in the morning,I should have been in bed hours ago. Love books that won’t let you put them down.Going to read another of your stories tomorrow.
Melodine, this absolutely made my night, though I hope you still got some sleep! 😊 I’m so thrilled the story kept you turning pages until the very end. Thank you for reading, and I’m beyond grateful you’re diving into another one tomorrow. That truly means the world to me! 💛
I loved the story so much going on kept you guessing who she really was. I’m glad Lucas n May were married at the end.
Thanks so much, Marie! I’m so glad you enjoyed the story and were happy with Lucas and May’s ending too! 💛
Hi, what a beautiful !
I am looking forward to hearing what happens next!
I’m so glad I finally was able to get the Extended Epilogue!
I don’t know why it takes many tries.
Thank you for writing them!!
I thought I wrote “beautiful ending “ the word disappeared somehow.
Thank you for clarifying, Cathy, and for your beautiful words! I really appreciate it 😊
Thank you so much, Cathy! I’m really happy you were able to get the extended epilogue in the end 😊 I truly appreciate your kind words and I’m so glad you’re enjoying the story and looking forward to what happens next. Thank you for reading and for your support!
A very good story so glad there was a happy ending
Thank you so much, Gwen! I’m really glad you enjoyed the story and the happy ending, it means a lot to hear that.
A good story. Interesting characters. Different plot twist was welcomed. Thank you.
Thank you, Pat. I’m really glad you enjoyed the story and connected with the characters. I’m especially happy to hear the plot twist worked for you. I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts, it truly means a lot.
Love all your stories,hard to put down.
Happy New year.
Thank you so much, Marsha! I’m thrilled you’re enjoying the stories, they’re written with readers like you in mind. Wishing you a very Happy New Year! ✨📚
I enjoyed the story. The first 2/3 was kind of slow, but the wagon train to Oregon was slow. The tension and action toward the end made up for any previous slowness. I also liked the Extended Epilogue. A surprise there.
There were a couple things that annoyed me. You have a difficult with grammar, especially perfect tense verbs. Also “Hey” for. “Hi” was not used then. That is very recent. When I was a very little girl, if anyone said,”Hey,” they were told, “ Hay is for horses.” Even when I as in school, it was improper English.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment, Bonnie. I’m really glad you enjoyed the story, especially the later tension and the extended epilogue. I truly appreciate you taking the time to share such detailed feedback, it’s always helpful and part of the process of continuing to improve. Thank you again for reading and for your honesty.
I enjoyed the story. The first 2/3 was kind of slow, but the wagon train to Oregon was slow. The tension and action toward the end made up for any previous slowness. I also liked the Extended Epilogue. A surprise there.
There were a couple things that annoyed me. You have a difficulty with grammar, especially perfect tense verbs. Also “Hey” for “Hi” was not used then. That is very recent. When I was a very little girl, if anyone said,”Hey,” they were told, “ Hay is for horses.” Even when I as in school, it was improper English.
It is so refreshing to read a story with hope and trouble of the man made type but always someone can take the higher road and do what’s right. It was a very enjoyable story with enough question to want to read on.
Thank you so much, Doris, for your thoughtful and encouraging words. 💛 I’m so glad the sense of hope and the choice to take the higher road resonated with you, that theme was very important to me. Hearing that the questions kept you reading and that you found the story enjoyable truly means a lot. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience! 📚✨
Very good book. Couldn’t put it down.
Thank you so much, Mary! I’m thrilled to hear you couldn’t put it down, that truly means the world to me! 💛