A Gracious Love to Redefine Her – Extended Epilogue

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“Can you believe the weather lately? It’s so hot, I dread walking home.” Erica was shaking her head.

“I know it. I believe this is the hottest it has been since I arrived in town.” May hated the heat that they had been plagued with every single day for the last couple of weeks.

“Will the two of you be coming tomorrow?” Theresa asked.

“I don’t know. Pa wants help with the corn tomorrow.” Erica looked disappointed.

“I don’t think I’ll be able to come either. Wesley and I are building a coop for the new chickens,” May said.

She thought back to the day when Theresa refused to talk to her or Erica. Ever since the wedding, it was as if Theresa had been a new person. She wasn’t the same as she used to be at all.

She now contributed to the conversations, offering jokes and interesting topics to discuss. She had grown in confidence and had become sweet and kind.

May stood and put the garment she was sewing away. “I should get going. I think that Wesley will be waiting for me soon if he isn’t already.”

“I envy you,” Theresa said with a shake of her head. “I hope that one day I marry a man who is half as attentive as Wesley.

“Me too,” Erica said with a giggle.

“You already have a man who is just as good as Wesley,” Theresa said with a look of jealousy.

May giggled, knowing exactly who Theresa was talking about. Everyone in town knew that Erica and Charlie had been seeing each other. May tried not to pry much, but from what Erica and Charlie had told her, things were going well, and they were enjoying each other’s company immensely.

“You know, I believe that there will be a wedding soon,” May said with a suggestive wink in Erica’s direction.

“I can’t wait to make another wedding dress. They are my favorites.” Theresa had a look of longing in her eyes.

“I’ll see the two of you tomorrow.” May gave them both a grin and a little wave before going out the door. The hot Texas sun beat down on her, making her dread the walk to hers and Wesley’s horses. She wanted to get home and out of the heat as quickly as possible.

It didn’t matter that it was evening. The heat was still ruthless.

“There you are. I thought you’d never be out,” Wesley said with a grin from where he was leaning on a post across the street. May stopped and stared at him for a moment. Seeing him standing there reminded her of old times, good times. The times when she had gotten to know Wesley, and they had fallen in love.

“Well, I didn’t want you to be waiting out here for me. The heat is practically suffocating me.”

Wesley’s eyebrows knit together in what seemed to be a look of concern. “Are you all right? Do you need to rest?”

May shook her head with a smile. “No, I am perfectly fine. Stop worrying so much about me.”
Wesley walked over to her and wrapped his arm around her waist. “It is my job to worry about you, or should I say, the two of you?” Wesley’s hand brushed over May’s growing belly, and she looked down at it in awe.

Inside of her, she was carrying their very own little child. She had found out nearly three months ago that she was pregnant and had a feeling it would be a girl. Maybe it was because of the dream she’d had in the woods the time she had been kidnapped, or maybe it was just a feeling. It didn’t matter.

She wasn’t going to say anything until the baby was born. If it was a girl, she would know that she had been right.

“What are you thinking about?” Wesley leaned over and planted a gentle kiss on the top of her head. It was something that he did often, and something that May loved.

“Just thinking.”

“About what? The first time we watched the sun set together?” Wesley paused in the middle of the street and stared off to where the sun was sinking below the horizon, disappearing from within its halo of orange and red colors.

“That is a nice memory. I will always treasure that time. When I fell in love with you, I never would have imagined that this was where we would end up.” May shook her head in quiet awe.

She looked back at everything they had done and accomplished together with love and fondness.
There had been moments of fear, heartbreak, and suffering, but they had all led to this moment of perfect love, and to her, it would always be worth it.

“Would you do anything any differently?” May asked, staring up at him.

“No, well, except for not losing you in the forest for a day. That, I would have definitely done differently.”

“Would you really have done that differently?” May said with a little teasing grin. “You know, if I hadn’t almost died, maybe we wouldn’t have realized just how much we loved each other.

Wesley squeezed her a little closer to him. ‘We would have realized it. I know I already had, and I would have bothered you till you did too.”

They had arrived at the stables where they left their horses and wagon. They had stopped riding individually since May had found out she was pregnant. They wanted to keep the baby as safe and comfortable as possible, and Wesley believed that riding the horse alone was too risky and dangerous for May.

Besides the little house that they shared on the edge of the town wasn’t far.It was only a ten-minute ride. They could probably walk there except that the horses needed exercise.

Wesley helped her up into the wagon gently. May didn’t need the help, but she always let him do it anyway. She knew that he was worried about her and the baby, and it was his way of helping them both.

They started the ride home, and May smiled up at the remnants of sun in the sky. Things couldn’t be better for her and Wesley. She loved every single second that they passed together. If anything, she had only come to love him more since their wedding day six months ago.
“Have you heard any news about the gang?” May asked after a moment.

“Yes, all of them will stay locked up for the rest of their lives. We have nothing to worry about. They are wanted in several states for more crimes than you can count.” Wesley reached over with his free hand and squeezed her hand.

“I’m glad. They deserve it. I hope that one day they realize what they did was wrong.”

“Me too,” Wesley agreed softly.

“How is your new apprentice doing in the shop?” May knew that Wesley had accepted a new apprentice recently. It was something he needed since the town had continued to grow exponentially, and there was more work than ever.

“He’s doing good. You know, I still can’t believe just how big my business is going. Did you hear that Hank opened up his own shop today?”

“He did?” I’m happy for him!” May smiled. She had been hearing that Hank was working on opening a wood mill with Wesley’s help. She was very happy for Hank. She as well as Wesley had hoped that he would turn his life around, and it seemed that it was finally happening.

“Me too, I always hoped that he would find an honest profession, a way to make an honest living for himself. I am glad that he finally is doing that. It took a lot for him to start doing that, and I am sure that it helps knowing that the sheriff would probably arrest him if he ever tried to leave or do something bad again.”

“Yes, I am sure it helps. But I think that Hank will realize that it is a life he wants for himself if he gives it a chance.”

“You’re right.” Wesley nodded to her. “I think you are right about a lot of things. Hopefully, soon Hank will start to see the rewards of living an honest life. Have you forgiven him for the part he played in everything that happened?”

May nodded. “I really have. You know, for a long time I thought I couldn’t forgive him for putting me and my brother in danger, but then I realized that it was part of what brought us together and then I realized that I had to forgive him and nothing good would come from not forgiving him.”

“I’m glad. He is family after all.” Wesley looked thoughtful.

“Yes, he is, and family is important. If I have learned anything from the events of the last year, it is that.”

May reached over and gave Wesley’s hand a squeeze. She had a family that seemed to be growing bigger every day, and there was nothing that could be better or more perfect in any way.

—*—

Charlie whistled a happy tune as he walked toward the sheriff’s office. It had taken him a long time and a lot of talks with Erica, his sister, and himself to be sure of the decision he was about to make.

When he had moved to this town, he had been resigned to give up being a man of the law forever. He had thought that no one could be ready to be his wife with those responsibilities.

After Lily, he had thought that he needed to be a different man to attract a woman. But the last several months had helped him realize that he needed to find the woman that was all right with who he was as a person.

Who he was as a person was a protector, someone who was always looking out for others, upholding the law and following the law. He was meant to be a sheriff, or even a deputy. It was part of who he was.

Reaching the sheriff’s office, he entered without asking. The sheriff was sitting in his usual position, leaning back in his chair with his feet propped up and a newspaper in front of his face.
When Charlie walked in and sat down across from him, he immediately sat up straight and set the newspaper down.

“I wasn’t expecting to see you in town today, Charlie. What can I do for you?”

“I’ve decided to accept your offer, that is if it is still on the table.” The sheriff had offered him a job as a deputy. There were two other deputies, and with Charlie, that would make three. With the growing number of people that had been coming, there had been more crime. The sheriff insisted that he could use someone else on the team.

Also, Charlie had heard rumors that in the next couple of years, a new sheriff would be chosen from among the deputies. He had worked himself up from the bottom once before, and he was sure he could do it again.

“Do you really mean that, son?” The sheriff looked almost excited. “I was very much hoping that you would accept the offer. You have quite the reputation back home where you come from.”

Charlie found himself grinning from ear to ear. “It’s an honor to help with this town’s safety, sir.”

“Welcome to the team.” The sheriff rustled around in the things on his desk and produced a badge; he slid it across the wooden surface to Charlie. “Here you are, your very own badge.”
Charlie couldn’t help feeling immense pride and belonging as he pinned the badge to his belt.
He was back where he belonged. He stood and shook the sheriff’s hand. “Thank you, sir. You won’t regret it.”

“I know I won’t. You’re a good man, Charlie.”

Charlie gave the sheriff a half wave before leaving the sheriff’s office. Once he was outside, he paused a moment, letting the moment wash over him. He looked down at his badge and thought of how proud his parents would be of him right now.

He wished that he could go to them, show them what he had done, but he knew he couldn’t.

Instead, he could do the next best thing, which was to share it with those closest to him.

He knew that Erica would leave work any moment now. They had started seeing each other nearly every other day. Charlie knew that they had moved fast, but he couldn’t help it.

He wouldn’t ever admit it to his sister, but she couldn’t have been more right about Erica for him. At first, he had tried to deny his attraction to her, but it had become too difficult.

She had a kind heart and a quick, witty mind. She was always there, watching him, waiting for a moment with him, and most of all, she loved the idea of him being a sheriff once more.

He waited just outside the door of the seamstress shop. Peering into the window, he could see that May had already left for the day. Erica was finishing putting her things away. She wouldn’t be long now.

When she stepped out the door, her face lit up with happiness. “Charlie, what are you doing here?”

“I wanted to show you something.”

“What is that?” Erica looked intrigued and curious.

“You don’t see anything different?” Charlie prompted. He would have to admit that he felt like a child, showing off his new treasure to his parents. If Erica didn’t spot his new badge, he was going to be disappointed.

She looked him up and down, and then recognition spread over her features.

“You did it! You’re a deputy now, aren’t you?” “Yes, I am. The sheriff gave me the position.”

“I am so happy for you,” Erica squealed. Charlie couldn’t explain the pride he felt in seeing her so overjoyed for his success.

“Do you have a little time. I thought we might go over and visit Wesley and May for a few minutes, tell them the good news.”

Erica looked conflicted for a moment. “I have to get home, but you know what? This is a special occasion, so let’s do it.”

Charlie smiled, and the two of them walked down the street. Wesley and May’s home was a walkable distance, and also, it would give them a chance to talk.

“When can I come over and meet your parents? I think it’s about time, don’t you?” Charlie asked abruptly. He had wanted to ask her so many times before, but it had never been the perfect time.

“Are you sure you want to meet them? What if my father doesn’t approve of you?”

“Well then, I suppose he will just have to get used to me and get to know me little by little until he loves me like a son.”

Erica giggled. “I think he will love you. Why don’t you come over on Sunday for brunch? I think my mother would be delighted.”

“It sounds like a plan.” Charlie paused. “Erica, I’ve been wanting to tell you … I just hope you know how much your friendship means to me, and how much …” Charlie paused, searching for just the right words.

Erica was watching him, hope and curiosity sparkling in her beautiful eyes.

“How much I really care for you. I hope that you know that,” Charlie said at last.

“You know, soon after I met your sister, she was convinced that we would make a good match.” Erica was shaking her head. “I think she was right. I know, Charlie, and I hope you know I feel the same way.”

Charlie nodded. He felt a stirring of a different feeling deep down in his heart. He knew that he was falling in love with Erica, slowly but surely. Maybe he wasn’t ready to tell her that yet, but soon he would be. Soon, he would tell her how much she really meant and ask her to be his wife.

It was a strange thing to think that if he had never been hurt back in their old town, they would have never moved here, and he and his sister would have never found the loves of their lives.

He looked up at the sky. God was watching out for him and his family. Even though they had suffered hardships and pain, they had also experienced blessings, love, and laughter. They had food on their table, a roof over their heads, and jobs to support them.

His family was blessed and loved, and he knew that. Charlie sighed. He hoped that he never forgot that, no matter how hard the times got.

“We’re here,” Erica said happily.

Charlie looked up and realized she was right. Here they were at his sister’s home. It was a strange thing, her living so far away from him now, but it was a good thing.

Their lives were moving forward, and he knew that no matter what happened, they would always be there for one another, to love each other, and to protect each other, no matter what.

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