A Seamstress to Steal the Logger’s Heart – Extended Epilogue

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Three Years Later

“We’re going to be late! Alma if you don’t listen,” Jessa growled, trying to put a simple linen dress over her daughter’s head. At nearly three years old, Alma Reed was a little heathen, in Jessa’s estimation, but she loved her dearly.

Currently, she was trying to run away as Jessa dressed her. Alma had a wild streak a mile wide, and Jessa struggled with her daughter’s free spirit.

Clark always said, “You were punished with a child just like you” and Jessa couldn’t deny it.

“If you’ll hurry you can see your buddy Eli,” Hudson said, walking into the bedroom where his frazzled wife was trying to wrangle their child.

“Eli!” Alma clapped her hands and went still, letting Jessa put the dress on.

Jessa glared at Hudson. “She only ever listens to you, I swear.”

“She’s high-spirited. Like her mother,” he said, smiling and kissing Jessa’s cheek.

“If we miss them, I’ll never forgive myself,” Jessa said as Hudson walked outside to finish tying the horses to the wagon they were taking into town.

“We’ll hurry. We’ll make it,” Hudson said calmly, and Jessa put Alma in the wagon and jumped up next to her. Hudson got in next, pushing the horses forward quickly in a trot.

Jessa really would never forgive herself if they missed their friends. She was already heartbroken that they were leaving. She knew everyone deserved a fresh start, but she couldn’t help missing who had become her best friend.

When they arrived at the train station, Jessa jumped down out of the wagon and raced to the platform, where Minnie had her hand to her forehead, shading her eyes as she looked around.

She smiled when she saw Jessa. “You made it!”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world. You’ll write, won’t you?” Jessa pleaded, taking Minnie’s hands in her own. Minnie pulled her close into a tight hug as Hudson and Patrick said their goodbyes, Hudson holding Alma on his hip.

“Every week,” Minnie promised. “Patrick already has work as a horse trainer, and I’ll be at the house with Eli all alone most of the time. You have to come and visit when Alma is older.”

“Of course,” Jessa promised.

“Where is Clark?”

“Pa wanted to be here, but he had work.”

“That’s all right,” Minnie said, smiling. “Tell him I said goodbye.”

“I will. Oh, Minnie, do you really have to go?” Jessa asked, pouting slightly, tears welling in her eyes.

Minnie sighed. “Patrick wants a fresh start, somewhere we won’t be gossiped about. You know how people are here.”

Jessa spared a glance at Marguerite, who had toned down the gossip a lot, but still caused problems in town on occasion. Though they were friends, that didn’t always mean they saw eye to eye.

“Sorry about the gossip,” Marguerite said, hearing the conversation. “I don’t spread it, but I hear it.”

“I know you do,” Minnie said calmly, and leaned over to hug Marguerite, too. “I’ll miss you.”

“You shouldn’t even be here! You’re supposed to be on bedrest,” Jessa scolded her friend.

Marguerite rubbed a hand across her swollen belly. “He’ll be here soon enough, and then I’ll be stuck in the house with dirty diapers and crying,” she joked.

Jessa couldn’t help the tears streaming down her face as she hugged Minnie again. “Don’t be a stranger.”

“How could I? You lot are my only family.” She gave Jessa a small smile and Hudson leaned over and spontaneously kissed Minnie’s cheek. She giggled, putting her hand to where he’d kissed her. “I think that’s the most affection you’ve ever shown me.”

Jessa laughed through her tears as Minnie stepped onto the train. Patrick and Eli were on her heels and Alma wiggled down out of her father’s arms, rushing to the boy.

“Eli Eli Eli!” she chanted, and the young boy chuckled, reaching down to give her a big hug.

“I’ll miss you, Alma,” he said smartly, being precocious for his age.

Alma’s lip stuck out and Jessa felt alarmed, knowing her daughter was about to throw a tantrum. She wailed as Patrick pulled Eli away from her and Jessa picked her up.

“It’s okay, honey,” she said quietly. “We’ll visit.”

Hudson put his arm around both Alma and Jessa, watching as the train departed and everyone shouted their goodbyes. “A fresh start will be good for them,” Hudson said.

Jessa sniffled. “I know. I’ll just miss them terribly.”

Hudson nodded. “It’s all right, though, we’ve got your Pa and Alma will make new friends when she starts school.”

Jessa frowned, tears still trickling down her cheeks. “Don’t mention that, I’ll start crying all over again. She’s getting so big.”

“I not big,” Alma said, and Hudson and Jessa laughed.

It was just nearing sunset as Minnie, Patrick, and Eli drove away from them, and Jessa couldn’t help feeling nostalgic as the pink and purple hues stretched across the sky.

“They’ll see the same sunsets that we do,” Hudson murmured close to Jessa’s ears. “They’ll be with us every time they see it.”

Jessa nodded, leaning against him. She looked at the train and then back up at the sky.

It was bittersweet, but she was also glad for Minnie and Patrick. They headed for Northern California, with wide open spaces and plenty of horses for Patrick to train. It was a few days wagon ride, but Jessa was determined to make the trip once they got settled.

They deserved the world, and Jessa knew that they were looking for what she already had.

A true home.

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Grab my new series, "Brave Hearts of the Frontier", and get 5 FREE novels as a gift! Have a look here!

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