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“Are you sure you’re ready for this, Ma?”
Darcy looked up from her saddlebag and smiled at Abigail, whose toddler clung to her skirts. “Abby, I’ve been ready for this journey for years.” She stood, dusting off her hands, and gave her daughter a reassuring look. “You and Nathan will keep the ranch running just fine while we’re gone.”
Abigail’s eyes shone with pride, though there was a hint of concern behind them. “I know we will. But it’s a long trip, and you two ain’t as young as you used to be.”
Darcy chuckled, brushing a few stray hairs back from her forehead. “We might be a little older, but we’re tougher than ever.”
Sam came up behind her, his laughter booming across the yard. “Speak for yourself, woman! I’m just as spry as I was in my twenties.” He gave Abigail’s husband, Nathan, a playful nudge. “But if this one here doesn’t take care of my granddaughter and my girl, he’ll have me to answer to.”
Nathan grinned, clearly used to Sam’s teasing by now. “Don’t worry, sir. I wouldn’t dream of doing anything less.”
Abigail shook her head, a soft smile playing at her lips as she gathered her little one into her arms. “You two drive me crazy sometimes. But I’m glad you’re still able to do this together.”
Darcy’s gaze softened as she watched Sam lift their bags onto the horses. The man he’d become over the past ten years was a far cry from the brooding, solitary figure she’d first met. He laughed more now, his eyes brighter, and the deep furrows of pain that once lined his face had eased into something warmer, lighter.
“Well,” Sam said, turning toward them with a wide grin, “it’s about time we hit the trail. Can’t have these horses getting restless.”
Darcy nodded, her heart swelling with a mixture of excitement and nostalgia. The ranch had been their home for so long, a place of healing and love, but it was time to spread their wings once again. She reached out to Abigail, squeezing her hand gently. “You’ve got this, Abby. You’re a strong woman, just like your Pa raised you to be.”
Abigail’s eyes welled up with tears, but she blinked them away quickly. “I learned from the best.”
With a final hug and a kiss on Abigail’s cheek, Darcy turned toward her horse. She swung herself up into the saddle with a practiced ease, her body remembering the years of riding the open plains.
Sam mounted beside her, tipping his hat to Nathan and Abigail. “You take care of everything while we’re gone, now.”
“We will,” Nathan promised, his arm wrapped around Abigail’s waist. “You two just focus on your journey.”
Darcy took a deep breath, the cool morning air filling her lungs as she looked out toward the horizon. This was it. A new adventure, a new chapter in their lives. She glanced at Sam, who met her gaze with a grin.
“Ready?” he asked.
“Always,” she replied, and with a gentle nudge, they were off, riding toward the unknown once more.
The wind whipped through Darcy’s hair as she and Sam galloped across the wild, untamed landscape of Montana. The familiar thrum of hooves against the earth echoed in the air, a rhythm that felt like home to her. Side by side, they rode, the vast open plains stretching before them, endless and free.
Behind them, eight of their finest horses ran in the open, their manes flowing like banners in the wind. Darcy smiled at the sight of them, their prized animals moving as one with the land, muscles rippling under sleek coats. These horses had become a source of pride for her and Sam over the years, each one carefully bred and trained under their care.
“How’s it feel to be back out here like this?” Sam called out over the wind, his grin wide and free.
“Like I never left!” Darcy shouted back, laughter bubbling up from her chest. She felt alive out here, the weight of everyday worries lifting as they rode fast and wild across the rugged terrain.
Montana had always been her home, but there was something about this trip—this journey—that made her heart soar. They were bound for Minnesota, a long ride ahead, but Darcy felt ready for it. It wasn’t just about the horse show they were attending; it was about something deeper for both of them. A journey toward closure, a chance for Sam to finally lay the past to rest.
“They’re looking good, aren’t they?” Sam nodded toward the horses running freely behind them.
“Better than good,” Darcy replied, her chest swelling with pride. “They’re magnificent.”
The plan had been in place for months. They were to travel to Minnesota, where a grand horse show awaited them in a few weeks. Darcy was excited to show off their prized stock, but she knew the real reason for this trip was something much more personal for Sam.
He had spoken of it only briefly over the years, in those quiet moments late at night when they lay together, watching the stars through the window of their ranch house. His parents’ graves, left in a poor, forgotten cemetery, had weighed on him for years. This trip was his way of honoring them, of giving them the proper rest they deserved.
“We’ll get them ready for the show soon enough,” Sam said, pulling his horse up to a steady trot. “But first, there’s something I need to do.”
Darcy nodded, understanding without the need for words. She looked out across the vast plains once more, feeling the peace that came with the open space, the endless sky above them. This land, so wild and beautiful, had been their refuge for years. Now, they were heading to a place where Sam could finally find some peace of his own.
“We’ll make it,” she said softly, as if speaking to the wind.
“I know,” Sam replied, his voice filled with quiet certainty.
They rode together, the horses running free beside them, and for the first time in years, Darcy felt the promise of something new and hopeful on the horizon. Minnesota awaited them, but so did a future full of possibilities. They were no longer bound by the past, but riding boldly into whatever came next.
***
The skies had turned gray by the time they reached the cemetery in Minnesota. A fine drizzle began to fall, and the air smelled fresh, though somber, as Sam and Darcy dismounted. The horses pawed at the earth restlessly, sensing the shift in mood.
Sam stood in silence for a moment, his eyes scanning the dilapidated graveyard. It was overgrown with weeds, the headstones worn and forgotten. The place had an eerie stillness to it, and Darcy could feel the weight of what this visit meant to Sam.
“This is it,” he said quietly, his voice thick with emotion. “This is where they’ve been all these years.”
Darcy stepped closer to him, her heart heavy for the man she loved. She knew this moment was not just about cleaning up a neglected grave; it was about Sam finally coming face to face with his past, a past that had shaped so much of who he was.
Together, they walked toward the small plot where Sam’s parents were buried. The simple wooden markers, barely legible now, were all that stood to honor the people who had given him life. The rain began to pick up, and Darcy watched as Sam knelt down, pulling the overgrown grass away from the graves with his bare hands.
“They didn’t have much,” Sam said, his voice distant, as if he were speaking more to the ghosts of his parents than to Darcy. “This was the best they could do—one step up from a pauper’s grave. My father… he did his best, but after losing everything, there wasn’t much left for them.”
Darcy knelt beside him, helping clear the weeds. Her hands moved gently over the soil, feeling the weight of Sam’s grief through the earth itself.
“I’m sorry they had to rest here for so long,” Sam continued, his voice faltering. “They deserved better.”
“They’re proud of you, Sam,” Darcy said softly. “You’ve given them everything they couldn’t have in life. And now, you’re giving them peace.”
He nodded, though his eyes were wet with unspoken tears. The rain mingled with the drops on his face, and for a long moment, they worked in silence, clearing away the remnants of neglect from the graves.
The next day, Sam’s extended family gathered at the cemetery, bringing with them a sense of closure and unity that Darcy hadn’t expected. Sam’s cousins, aunts, uncles, and even a few old family friends stood in the rain, paying their respects as a simple but heartfelt ceremony was held.
Darcy stood quietly by Sam’s side, overwhelmed by the sheer number of people who had come. She had never been a part of such a large gathering, and the warmth and camaraderie of Sam’s family touched her deeply. They all shared stories of his parents, of their struggles and their joys, and Darcy could feel the weight lifting from Sam’s shoulders as the memories flowed.
Once the ceremony ended, the men Sam had hired began the work of moving his parents’ remains to a proper cemetery, one that would honor their memory. It was a bittersweet moment, but as Darcy glanced at Sam, she could see the peace in his eyes. He had finally laid his past to rest.
That evening, they gathered for a large family dinner, the noise of laughter and conversation filling the room. Darcy found herself caught up in the warmth of it all, though at times, the sheer volume of the gathering overwhelmed her. Sam’s family had welcomed her with open arms, treating her as one of their own, and she felt the love and acceptance in every word, every gesture.
As the evening wore on, Darcy caught Sam’s eye across the table, and they shared a quiet smile. This journey had been difficult, but necessary. Together, they had faced the past and found peace. And now, they were ready for the next chapter.
*
Weeks later, the grand horse show in Minnesota was in full swing, and Darcy could feel the excitement buzzing in the air as they prepared their horses for the event.
The massive field was bustling with activity, filled with riders, trainers, and spectators from all over. Horses of every breed and color were being groomed, saddled, and paraded, and Darcy’s heart swelled with pride as she looked over their prized horses, standing tall and regal in the early morning light.
Sam was by her side, his hands steady as he adjusted the reins on one of their finest stallions. “Well, look at this place,” he said with a smile. “Quite a sight, isn’t it?”
Darcy nodded, the energy of the event invigorating her. “It is. I’d say we’re in good company.”
Sam chuckled. “Good company? Darlin’, we’ve got the best horses here. Just you wait.”
She smiled at his confidence, her gaze traveling over the eight beautiful horses they had brought with them. Each one was a testament to the life they’d built together—strong, graceful, and full of spirit.
As they finished preparing the horses, Sam turned to her with a curious look in his eyes. “You know, you’ve always had a way with these animals. I never asked before, but why do you love them so much?”
Darcy paused, caught off guard by the question. She looked down at the horse she was brushing, her fingers running gently through its mane, and for a moment, she was lost in thought. The memories of Jacob, her father, came rushing back—the days they spent together on the ranch, their shared love for the animals that had been such an integral part of their lives.
She didn’t answer right away. Instead, she stepped closer to Sam and placed a gentle kiss on his lips, surprising him with her quiet gesture. When she pulled back, she smiled, her eyes soft with emotion.
“It’s because of Jacob,” she said finally, her voice tender. “Horses were the first love he and I shared. When I brush them, when I ride them… it reminds me of him. It’s like he’s still with me, in every stride they take.”
Sam’s expression softened, and he reached for her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “That’s beautiful, Darcy.”
She smiled through the sudden lump in her throat, feeling the warmth of Sam’s presence beside her. “Every time I’m with them, it’s like a part of him is still alive. And I know he’s proud of what we’ve built here. I feel it every day.”
They stood in comfortable silence for a moment, surrounded by the sounds of the show—the whinnying of horses, the murmurs of the crowd—but it felt like they were in their own world.
“You know,” Sam said after a while, his tone lightening, “I’d say he’s proud of you for a lot more than just the horses.”
Darcy chuckled, her heart full. “Well, I couldn’t have done any of it without you.”
“Don’t sell yourself short,” Sam teased, his grin spreading wide. “But I’m glad to be along for the ride.”
As the show began, they led their horses into the ring, the bright Minnesota sun shining down on them. Darcy felt the familiar thrill of competition, but more than that, she felt the deep contentment of a life well-lived, full of love, loss, and new beginnings.
With Sam by her side, and the memory of Jacob close to her heart, Darcy knew that whatever the future held, they would face it together—strong, free, and ready for the next adventure.
OFFER: A BRAND NEW SERIES AND 2 FREEBIES FOR YOU!
Grab my new series, "Grit and Glory on the Frontier", and get 2 FREE novels as a gift! Have a look here!
Hello there, I really hope you liked my new western adventure story and the extended epilogue! I would be very happy to read your thoughts below.
It was a different western and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I love a new adventure and you provided it.
Thank you.
Thank you so much for your kind words and support, Margean!
Good writing, good reading. Keep at it and give us more
Thank you so much for your kind words and support, Charles!
A wonderful story. It’s amazing how they came together at odds with each other. With all of the freezing weather they still persevered until they brought justice for the losses of loved ones.
Thank you so much for your kind words and support, Nancy! So glad you enjoyed the story!
This was an excellent read. No dull moments but clean through out, which I definitely appreciate. It is great to find an author who can write such a fine story. Thanks!!
Nice……Thank you.
Nice…….Thank you.