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Six Years Later
“Mama! Mama, look what I found!”
Lily turned at the familiar high-pitched voice, shielding her eyes against the late morning sun as she glanced down the path. Melissa was running toward her, her tiny boots kicking up dust, her auburn braids bouncing with each step. In her small hands, she held something up triumphantly.
Lily smiled, steadying herself as her daughter barreled into her skirts. “What is it this time, sweetheart?”
Melissa beamed, holding up a small green insect, its delicate legs twitching in the air. “A praying mantis! He was sitting right on a log, just waitin’ for me to pick him up.”
Lily chuckled, crouching down to examine the little creature. “He’s a fine one. Do you know what the Cherokee believe about the mantis?”
Melissa’s brown eyes widened. “Is it somethin’ good?”
Lily nodded. “They say when the mantis appears, it reminds us to be patient, to listen more than we speak, and to wait for the right moment to act.”
Melissa pursed her lips, clearly considering her mother’s words. Then, she grinned. “Well, I think he’s here to tell me that you should hurry up and come see the new pony Papa got me.”
Lily laughed, smoothing a hand over her daughter’s hair. “Is that so?”
Before Melissa could reply, the sound of hooves and wagon wheels clattering over the dirt road drew their attention. Lily turned to see a large wagon cresting the hill, flanked by several riders. Waha rode at the front, guiding the team with ease, while Enoli rode beside him, his sharp eyes scanning the landscape.
Melissa gasped. “Uncle Enoli!” She jumped in place, waving both arms. “Uncle Waha!”
The wagon rolled to a stop in front of them, dust settling around its wheels. Enoli dismounted first, swinging down with ease, his rifle strapped across his back. He barely had time to turn before Melissa launched herself at him.
“Uncle Enoli, you’re back!”
He caught her with a mock grunt, lifting her easily into his arms. “I was only gone two weeks, and already you’ve grown another inch.”
Melissa giggled. “I been eatin’ all my food, just like you said!”
Waha dismounted as well, dusting off his pants as he surveyed the bustling construction behind Lily. His deep-set eyes held approval as he took in the progress. “The houses are coming along faster than I expected.”
Lily nodded. “The men have been working from sunrise to sundown. Another few months, and we’ll have enough homes built for every family.”
Enoli set Melissa down and gestured toward the wagon. “We’ve loaded up supplies for the run south. Food, blankets, medicine—everything we could fit. The others are ready to move.”
Lily felt the weight of responsibility settle on her shoulders. This was more than just a mission; it was a lifeline to those who had been left with nothing. “Be careful,” she told him. “There’s been more trouble near the borders of Indian Territory. I don’t trust the soldiers to leave you be.”
Waha smirked. “Then it’s a good thing they won’t see us.”
Enoli reached out and clasped Lily’s hand. “We’ll return before the next full moon.”
She squeezed his hand, her heart swelling with pride and worry. “Ride swift and return safely.”
As Enoli and Waha mounted up once more, Melissa ran after them, waving wildly as the group set off.
Lily watched until the dust settled, then turned toward the row of half-built houses stretching across the land.
“You look like a man who could use a drink.”
Lily’s voice was light, teasing, as she stepped up to where Sam was working. He was stripped down to his undershirt, his sleeves rolled high as he hoisted a heavy wooden beam onto the frame of the house. Sweat clung to his brow, and his muscles flexed as he set the beam into place.
Sam glanced down at her, grinning despite the exhaustion in his eyes. “That obvious, huh?”
She lifted the canteen in her hand. “Well, I wouldn’t say you look worse than a man lost in the desert, but I figured you might appreciate this.”
He let out a breath, wiping his forehead with his sleeve before taking the canteen from her. Tilting his head back, he drank deep, the muscles in his throat moving with each swallow. When he lowered it, he let out a satisfied sigh. “Best thing I’ve had all day.”
Melissa, who had been lingering behind her mother, suddenly sprinted forward and tugged at Sam’s pant leg. “Papa! Come see what I found!”
Sam set the canteen aside and crouched down to her level. “Another critter?”
Melissa nodded eagerly. “I named him Hopper!”
Sam raised an eyebrow. “Hopper, huh? What kind of critter are we talkin’ about?”
Melissa beamed and opened her small hands to reveal a fat little frog, its legs twitching. “He jumped right into my bucket! Can I keep him?”
Sam chuckled, glancing at Lily. “What do you think, Mama?”
Lily sighed dramatically, placing her hands on her hips. “We already got three chickens, a pony, and a dog. Now we’re keeping frogs too?”
Melissa pouted. “Please? He’s real friendly.”
Sam ruffled her hair. “You can keep him for a bit, but he belongs outside, all right?”
Melissa nodded eagerly. “I’ll take real good care of him!” Then, clutching her new pet, she ran off toward the shade of a nearby tree.
Lily turned back to Sam, watching as he stretched his shoulders and picked up his hammer. “You sure you don’t regret leaving the Pinkertons?”
Sam smirked, resting the hammer against his shoulder. “If I was still with them, I’d be chasing criminals through the dust instead of building a home for my family. You tell me which one sounds better.”
She smiled, stepping closer and running her hand down his arm. “I guess I just never thought I’d see you settle down.”
His expression softened as he cupped her chin with calloused fingers. “I never had a reason to before.”
Lily leaned into his touch, her heart swelling with warmth. The life they were building here, together—it was more than she ever thought she’d have.
Sam glanced toward the half-built house and sighed. “Still a lot of work left to do, though.”
Lily grinned. “Then I suppose I should let you get back to it.”
As she turned to walk away, Sam caught her wrist and pulled her into him, pressing a kiss to her lips that was slow and lingering. When he finally pulled away, he whispered, “Don’t go too far, Mrs. MacLeod.”
Lily smirked, her heart full. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
“Mama, hurry! The sun’s going down!”
Melissa’s excited voice rang through the warm evening air as she tugged at Lily’s hand, trying to pull her along faster. Lily laughed, letting her daughter drag her toward the back porch, where Sam was already waiting.
The late spring sky was painted in streaks of deep orange and soft lavender, the sun sinking low over the vast prairie beyond their home. The warm breeze carried the scent of fresh earth and sawdust, a reminder of all the work that had gone into this place.
Sam leaned against one of the porch posts, arms crossed over his chest, watching them with an amused smirk. “You’d think the sunset was gonna disappear if she didn’t get here in time.”
Melissa stomped her little foot. “It’s special! You said we could watch it together.”
Sam chuckled, lifting her up with ease and settling her onto his hip. “And we will, pumpkin. No need to get all riled up.”
Lily stepped up beside them, resting her hand on Sam’s back as he gazed out at the land stretching endlessly before them. This place, this home, was theirs. A place where Melissa could grow up running wild and free, where Enoli had a place of his own, where their tribe was building a future.
Melissa sighed happily. “It looks like the whole sky’s on fire.”
Sam nodded. “Best view in the world.” He turned his head slightly, looking down at Lily. “You happy, sweetheart?”
Lily met his gaze, warmth spreading through her chest. “Happier than I ever thought I’d be.”
Sam shifted Melissa so he could wrap an arm around Lily’s waist, pulling her close. “Told you I’d build you a home.”
She smiled, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. “You built more than a home, Sam. You built a life.”
Melissa leaned her head against Sam’s shoulder, her eyelids growing heavy. “We got a good life, don’t we?”
Sam kissed the top of her head. “The best.”
As the last sliver of sun dipped below the horizon, they stood together, watching the sky fade to dusk. Lily rested her head against Sam’s chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart.
She had spent so much of her life searching—searching for a place, for a purpose, for something to hold on to. And now, standing here with her husband and daughter, she realized she had finally found it.
She was home.
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.
I really did like this story! It kept me interested all the way through! I like the extended because I was wondering what was going to happen to Lily’s tribe. Thank you for a great story! Looking forward to reading more of your books!
Thank you so much for your kind words and support, Dorothy! So glad you enjoyed the story!
Loved the book but I thought she was planning to name her daughter Ava after her mother?
Thank you, Cecilia! I am glad you enjoyed this! She did, originally. But her mom wasn’t exactly the easiest person, so, who knows? I’m guessing she changed her mind.
The story was real good. I hope that you will continue the story as there is more room for it to grow. Thank as it is and was a good story
Thank you so much for your kind words and support, Jay!
Very good book! Kept my interest the entire way. Most westerns you can guess the ending and all the major turns, this one was refreshingly different. Highly recommend!
Thank you so much for your feedback and support, Tim! I’m so glad you enjoyed the story!
I liked the book, and I also was wondering about Lily’s tribe, so a very nice
Finish to a good story, I’m not sure I could forgive Lily’s brother Walt, so
kudo’s to her,
Thank you so much for your kind support and feedback! Glad you enjoyed it!