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The sheriff’s office was quiet, the way it ought to be.
Paperwork lay neatly stacked on his desk, the blotter clean, the wanted notices long out of date. He signed his name one last time, capped the pen, and leaned back in his chair.
There had been a time when the silence would have set his teeth on edge, when he’d been waiting for the sound of boots outside or bad news riding in on the wind. Now it was just… quiet.
A good quiet.
Max stood near the potbellied stove, hat in his hands, turning it slowly by the brim. He’d been lingering a few minutes now, long enough that Eddie knew he wasn’t just waiting for him to leave.
“You heading out?” Max asked.
“In a minute,” Eddie said. “You need something?”
Max hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah. I do, actually.”
Eddie studied him for a second, then gestured toward the chair across the desk. “Sit.”
Max obeyed, perching on the edge of it like a man unaccustomed to taking up space. He cleared his throat.
“I just wanted to say… thank you,” Max said. “For keeping me on. After everything.”
Eddie raised an eyebrow. “You mean after the part where you stood with me when half the county wanted my head?”
Max gave a sheepish smile. “I meant after the part where things got complicated.”
Eddie snorted. “Life’s complicated. That’s not new.”
Max’s expression sobered. “I know I made mistakes. I know I didn’t always see things clear. But when it came down to it, at Oscar’s ranch…” He swallowed. “You trusted me. You didn’t have to.”
Eddie stood and came around the desk, leaning back against it. “I trusted you because you earned it,” he said simply. “You could’ve walked away. You didn’t. You risked your life.”
Max shook his head. “So did you.”
“That’s the job,” Eddie said. “And you did yours. Best deputy a man could ask for.”
Max blinked, then ducked his head. “That means a lot, Eddie.”
“Good,” Eddie said. “Because I meant it.”
They sat in companionable silence, the stove ticking softly as it cooled.
“Well,” Max said finally, standing and settling his hat back on his head. “I won’t keep you. Alice’ll be wondering where you got to.”
Eddie smiled despite himself. “She usually does.”
Max paused at the door. “You did good,” he said. “All of it.”
“So did you,” Eddie replied.
When the door closed behind him, Eddie grabbed his coat and stepped into the street. The air smelled of dust and iron and wood smoke. Familiar. Reassuring.
The walk home didn’t take long. Their house sat just far enough from the center of town to feel private, close enough that Eddie never worried about being out of reach. A year ago it had felt borrowed, temporary, as if the walls might decide they didn’t want him after all.
Now it felt lived in.
Boots by the door. A stack of newspapers on the table. Books everywhere; on shelves, on chairs, piled by Alice’s desk beneath the window. The scent of coffee lingered even in the evening.
He hadn’t even reached the steps when the door opened.
Alice stood there, her eyes bright, her hands clasped together. She was smiling.
“You’re home early,” she said.
“Office was quiet,” Eddie said, watching her closely. “Everything all right?”
She nodded. “Yes. No. I mean… come in.”
She took his hand before he could say anything else, pulling him inside and closing the door behind them. She didn’t speak. Instead, she guided his hand to her stomach and held it there.
The world seemed to still.
Eddie’s breath caught. He looked at her face, searching, and found nothing but joy shining back at him.
“Is this… ?” he started.
“Yes,” Alice said softly. “We’re going to have a baby.”
For a moment, he couldn’t move. The word echoed in his head, big and terrifying and wonderful all at once.
“A baby,” he repeated, stupidly.
Alice laughed, a little breathless. “That’s usually how it works.”
Then it hit him all at once, a rush so strong it made his chest ache. He pulled her into his arms, careful and fierce all at once.
“I don’t know what to say,” he admitted.
She rested her forehead against his. “You don’t have to say anything.”
He pulled back just enough to look at her again. “Are you feeling all right?”
She smiled. “I feel… hopeful.”
That word landed deep. Eddie nodded, swallowing hard.
“There’s something else,” Alice said after a moment.
“More?” he said, smiling faintly. “You’re going to kill me.”
“If it’s a boy,” she said, watching him closely, “I’d like to name him Elijah.”
“Elijah,” he repeated.
She nodded. “If that’s all right.”
He didn’t hesitate. “It’s more than all right.”
Alice’s eyes filled, and he kissed her before the tears could fall.
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.
Yes sir I enjoyed it very much! Greed can get the best of a person, money is not evil but people who will take advantage of others makes it seem that way. Excellent job of weaving the characters together! Thanks cowboy
Hey, thank you! I’m thrilled that you enjoyed this one, hope you will enjoy the next one too! Glad you liked the characters, too!
Another great book you’ve written!! Makes you feel like you are inside the story as one of the characters! Keep on writing the western as long as you have stories to get out!! I read it in two sittings and neglected housework to finish it. I will do it all again for your next book!!!!!
Thank you, Karen, I’m thrilled you enjoyed it so much! Housework never ends, but books do, so I think books are a priority.I’m glad you are sharing my view on the matter, ha ha!
A book that kept me on my toes, trying to guess how Eddie would get out of the trouble he was in and trying to guess what would happen next. Great job with the story plot and defining each character.
Thank you, Margaret. That’s very kind of you! Great compliments!
A great book that was pleasure to read that kept you turning pages to see what happen next. The story was awesome with the epilogue tying it together was great. Looking forward to your next book
Hey Bobbie, thank you for reaching out and letting me know! I’m thrilled you enjoyed this, and thank you for the fantastic compliments. Appreciate both your kind words and your support!