Two Hearts, Lost and Found – Extended Epilogue

4 years later

Maryanne was in the now extended garden. She was picking pea pods from the plants scrambling up the netting at the side of the house and helped or hindered by three-year-old twin boys. They were blond with a hint of ginger, and she shouted at them

“If you touch that new pot, you can go back to bed.” The sweet face of Eddie poked through the plants.

“It wasn’t me, Mama..”

“It was me,” the voice of his identical brother called as he staggered on his young legs with a plant pot and a plant that was crooked. He dumped it at her feet, and she laughed and came down beside them.

“Is this for me?” The little Joseph smiled his father’s smile, and she clutched both boys to her. “Well, it is a lovely thought, but if you do it again, make sure it is straight, and the soil is pressed down to make sure it does not fall over.” She showed them what she meant and went for water. “It can go beside the gate so that we see it grow.” She put the wild daisy that he had scratched from the ground in a good spot and told them they could help her with these peas and then go in for a piece of cake.

They tried their best and then went to take the peas inside. The garden had been pushed out into the yard where flowers were everywhere, and she had kept the vegetables to the original plot. A small gate led out into the yard, and Susan was walking across.

“Granny. Granny,” the two little voices shouted, and Maryanne opened the gate to let them bombard her mother-in-law.

“Granny has gingerbread,” she said, and the four of them climbed the steps and went inside.

The kitchen table had been joined by another as both Maryanne and Susan now baked, more or less, all of the time for Fred to sell. When Sam had been shown the design on paper, he had made them three cooling racks, and two of those were against the wall. The other was in Susan’s kitchen that was also a permanent work space.

The whole business set up by Fred and Sam had grown enormously. None of them were quite sure why but as Edith had married Sam and moved into his house, her mom was a huge help to all of them and shared the baby minding with Susan. Rose had given birth a year ago to a little girl. They called her Susanna Rose, and Fred adored her. In fact, the baby was so used to her adoring friends and relatives that she already started to say names of them all. Rose was back to working in the store with the baby in a crib alongside. She was mobile now, and Sam was building a pen to keep her in one place.

Eddie and Joseph took their gingerbread to the porch steps, and Susan flopped into a chair.

“Heaven help us. Why did we offer to make these cakes?” Maryanne sat in an armchair.

“It pays well, though.”

Maryanne heard the twins shout and knew Josie was coming across the yard. He came in with a boy under each arm, and they squealed with delight.

“Oo, gingerbread,” he said and helped himself to a piece. Maryanne poured him a coffee.

“Young stock fine?” she asked as he had been out checking them.

“Yes. The ones we crossed are getting better each year. Calvin did us a favor there. I left the others to start bringing them in. I hate branding, but it has to be done.”

“Did you spot Emma and Gemma?” Maryanne asked, and he nodded his head.

“They are fine and good moms. Still keeping an eye on the youngsters even though they are big now.

“When they were born after Calvin left the twelve with us, I just loved them so much, but you cannot have pet cows.”

“They are pets, really, even though they have given us good calves two years running. They come to be spoken to, and I guess they will not be going anywhere. They are not far away from the house.”

“I really need a ride out in the next few days. Baking is great and makes money, but I need to breathe sometimes.”

“Tomorrow,” Josie suggested. “I really do not want to start branding straightaway.”

“The men can take in the bread and cake for us tonight if you let them go early,” Susan joined in.

“It is quite useful to have hands that ride in each day.” Then she added that Luke was a miss.

“But he and Rosie are helping her dad and enjoying it,” Josie answered. “He will end up running the mill.” He laughed. “Did you know that her mom has taught him how to crack a bullwhip?”

“Good Lord,” Susan answered. “She never forgot those skills. I guess he will go in for a competition at the next rodeo.”

Marcus came and knocked as he came inside.

“Gotta visitor.” The sheriff was right behind him, and he had a letter.

“Oh, is this bad news or good news?” Josie asked, and Susan offered both men coffee and gingerbread.

“Don’t know because it is not for you,” Lonnie said and handed over a letter to Maryanne.

“Oh dear. Why would anyone write to me?”

“Open it and see?” Josie suggested, and she slit open the envelope. She looked down the letter to the end and saw her brother Carson’s signature. Then she went back and read it. She looked up.

“Dad died about two years ago,” she told them. Mom and the last two girls at home are fine and have a good place to live. This is from Carson. He says my other brother has moved on with a good job, and he wonders if there is work where we are for himself.”

She looked up. “I have written from time to time to tell them where I am, but nobody has written back before.”

“If they moved, maybe the letters never reached them,” the sheriff suggested. “Is there an address for him?” She read it out.

“What shall I say?” Maryanne asked Josie.

“Well, we can sure find him work. Do you want to see him?” She smiled and nodded.

“He was the one who took on the responsibility for me when I answered Fred’s ad.”

“Write back and tell him where we are.” The sheriff added that she should tell him to find the sheriff first and bring him to you.

“Perhaps you should prepare him for the fact that he has two nephews,” Susan added as the two in question were looking hopefully at the gingerbread.

“No more gingerbread or you won’t eat your dinner,” Maryanne told them, and they went outside. Then she looked at Marcus. “Is it ready?” He nodded and looked slightly nervous.

“Marcus is making the dinner?” Lonnie Logan asked in amazement.

“The next step in this darn business of my brother. Marcus always cooked for the hands, and he likes it. Someone remembered his specialty pie, and we are trying it before it goes on sale,” Josie told him.

“Plenty for one more place,” Marcus said. “I do actually like cooking.”

“Won’t say no to that, thanks,” the sheriff said, and Marcus told them he would bring over the pies. Maryanne took the roasting vegetables out of the oven and found plates. Susan found cutlery, and they were ready with the twins on chairs with cushions ready and waiting. The two big pies went on the table along with a jug of gravy, and Marcus sliced into the first one.

“Oh, my Lord, that is so good,” the sheriff said, and Marcus obligingly gave him another helping. “If you sell that, you will make yourself rich.”

“It’s the peppers, I think, and some herbs mixed with the chopped lamb. If it is a regular thing, I will treat myself to a mincer.”

“Lamb is such a change. We are used to steak on a ranch,” Maryanne said. “You would have to order it in from the sheep farmer, especially if it was a regular item in the store.”

“What do you all think?” Marcus asked.

“I would say yes,” Lonnie told him. The others agreed, and Marcus said he would go and feed the other hands. He took away the remains of the pies.

“I think he is happy with his own little bungalow,” Susan said. “He really does love cooking.”

“Thanks for the meal,” the sheriff said. “I hope your brother finds what he wants.” The family went back to discussing her brother, and she decided to write a letter back and send it by Pony Express to the railroad. Susan cleared away, and Maryanne found the paper and pen. She nibbled the end and wrote to her brother.

The hands took it into town along with the cake for the store. She said that Marcus was happy to do the pies and asked them to tell Fred.

The following day, Josie came back after checking the stock and brought Bravo for her to ride. She left the twins with granny and pulled a Stetson onto her head. The two of them rode out onto the plain and smiled at each other.

“This is the best bit of being on a ranch,” she said and pointed to the two cows that had stayed after Calvin had left them. They stay very close to home.”

“What do you think,” he asked, “of building another bungalow or a bunkhouse for more hands to stay?”

“Why?” she asked in return.

“Might keep more this next year and expand a bit.”

“How much of a bit?” He grinned and reached out for her hand. “I love you, Maryanne.”

“How big?” she repeated and squeezed his fingers.

“Buy some in to blend with the cross that we already have and keep some of the next lot of calves. Two hundred more head?”

“Two hundred?” He nodded.

“We can handle it, but they would all calve, and then we would need more help.”

“You are the expert. If you think it will work, it’s okay with me.” Then she kicked at Bravo. ”Race you to the butte.” He let her have a start and then took the stallion into a gallop. They arrived at the butte laughing and slid from the horses to stand and look out over the plains. He dropped an arm around her shoulders.

“Now tell me what is worrying you about your brother.”

“Nothing gets past you,” she sighed. “I hope he doesn’t think I abandoned the family.”

“He says they are settled, and he must want to see you.”

“I wonder what sort of job he is looking for. He will be twenty-two now.”

“Come on. I need to go back down the other side to check the fences are sound.” They enjoyed the ride back, and she went to see Dora, who had not liked being left behind. Her young filly was looking pretty. They had talked with Mister Ferry about having a foal from her. He was happy to be a part of the discussion, and his daughter had brought him several times to see the foal and the garden. The man was very frail nowadays but still gave her advice on gardening, and the roses prospered as he had predicted.

The next day, they heard that the pies were a great success, and Marlene sent Gloria to the store to ask if they could order some. Gloria was now seventeen and proving a great help in the kitchen. The cook was training her well, and they had good ideas.

During the next week, Josie had meetings with the hands and told them about hoping to expand.

“If we do that, are any of you prepared to live here. We can build either a bunkhouse or another bungalow. Marcus’ house seems to be turning into another kitchen for my brother’s store.”

The men said they were happy to be residents and agreed to help build a bunkhouse. Marcus advised that the bunkhouse would need a kitchen of its own, and they all went outside to work out the best place for it.

“We would need to dig down and find the water to pump up,” Marcus remarked. They decided where they would like the new building and agreed to test dig for water. The twins followed along with mom and dad, and the men were good with them. For the next week, they did test pits for water and found it. The plans were to go ahead. Maryanne had no word from her brother.

Then a young man turned up at the door with the sheriff. She shaded her eyes and ran over to the gate.

“Carson? Is it really you?” The man slid from his horse and held out his arms for his sister. They hugged and hugged and then stood back and looked each other over. Josie saw them and was introduced.

“And these are your nephews, Eddie and Joseph.”

“And this is your niece, Emmeline, and her mom, Caroline.” He waved a hand back to the track, and the sheriff went back to bring in a young woman with her daughter sitting on the one horse.

“Caroline? My little sister, Caroline? I cannot believe it.” She rushed over to the girl and lifted the two-year-old down. Then Caroline slipped from the horse, and Maryanne clutched her to her heart and seemed that she would never let her go.

By this time, Susan had joined them and was ushering them all towards the house.

Caroline took Maryanne’s hand.

“You always looked after us, and Carson said that you still would.” The girl started to cry, and the two-year-old looked distressed.

“Inside,” Maryanne said, and Susan picked up the toddler and shushed her as they went. Lemonade and cake helped when they were inside and the little one squashed against her mom on the sofa.

“Now tell me what is wrong,” Maryanne demanded. Caroline wiped her eyes and looked at Carson. He nodded encouragement, and she turned back to Maryanne.

“I am not married,” she said and left it at that.

“So?” Maryanne prompted.

“Mom didn’t want her around with the baby. I found a place and looked after them, but we need to find somewhere that she feels…” He was lost for words.

“Wanted,” Susan said quietly.

Caroline nodded, but the tears still lay on her cheeks.

“Well, do you want me to go back and tell my mother once again what a fool she is?” Maryanne said and walked around the room. Josie held out his arms, and she went to him.

“You know what I think,” he said quietly. She squeezed his hand.

“Caroline and Emmeline,” Maryanne went over and held out her arms. “We want both of you.”

Susan came and joined them.

“This ranch has never turned away anyone that needed our help, and we are not about to start now.”

“I need work as well,” Carson added. “I don’t mind what it is.”

“Can you ride?” Josie asked, and the man nodded.

“You’re hired,” he grinned and held out a hand. “We are building a new bunkhouse, and we need all the help we can get.”

“But I am not married,” Caroline persisted. “Mom says it is the worst thing for a girl. People will hate me.”

“Oh, my Lord,” Maryanne exploded. “I feel like going and telling her what I think. She never had the sense to leave a man that drank the money away and hit his children. The woman is an idiot.” For the first time, Caroline smiled.

“Is it alright here then?”

“Accidents happen anywhere, Caroline. If you love your family, you deal with it.” Susan was as mad at the mother as Maryanne was.

“And we have a lot of that. You and the little one can stay here, and Marcus will let Carson use his spare room until we build the bunkhouse,” Maryanne added.

“Thank goodness I wrote to you,” Carson said and sat down with relief on the nearest chair.

“I think I am done here,” the sheriff said and snatched a piece of cake as he left.

“Come and meet Marcus and the rest of them,” Josie said to Carson, and the women looked at each other when they were alone.

“Let me tell you,” Susan said, “that your mother should have looked after you. You made a mistake, and lots of women pay for that mistake all of their lives.” She paused and looked into the air. Then took a breath. “My own mother was in the same situation as yourself. She and my granny would have fought anyone who said anything about me. Then I met Edward, and I was the luckiest woman in the world.”

“And I first saw Josie when I was thirteen. We never forgot each other. It’s a long story with a happy ending.”

“You could still meet a man to love both you and your daughter,” Susan added.

“In the meantime, can you cook or bake?”

“Yes. I like to cook but often never had the money to buy food.”

“We are all slaves to my other son and his desire to have the biggest store in town. Maryanne bakes bread. We both make cakes.”

“Susan makes pickles, and now Marcus is making pies. We never seem to stop.”

“Sounds wonderful,” Caroline said and lifted Emmeline to her lap.

“Are we right, Edward?” Susan asked the empty air and a rose petal landed on Emmeline’s head. Susan burst into tears, and Caroline sat wondering why.

“Food,” Maryanne said. “What does Emmeline like?”

“Eggs.” Susan and Maryanne were so used to working in both kitchens that Susan found the eggs and started to cook. There was bacon, eggs, fresh bread, and cake for afterward. The twins managed to eat more even though it was not long since they had eaten. Josie brought Carson back to a huge plate of food and took a coffee himself.

“We got another worker, Maryanne,” he said.

Then more visitors arrived in the shape of Gloria and Marlene. Caroline shrank back into her seat, but Maryanne was having none of it.

“Meet my sister, Caroline, and her daughter, Emmeline,” she said. Marlene shook hands and looked for Gloria. The seventeen-year-old was deep in conversation with Carson Williams even though they had just met.

“Oh, Lord,” Marlene whispered, and Maryanne smiled at her.

“Gloria, take Carson over to talk pies with Marcus please,” Marlene had not run a hotel for more years than she cared to remember without learning about folk. The two of them went out with Gloria talking nineteen to the dozen and Carson just listening with a goofy expression on his face.

“Can I just test something, Marlene?” The woman nodded. “If Gloria had a baby before she was married, what would you do?”

“Love it. It would be my grandchild,” Marlene did not even have to think about it.

“Thank you,” Maryanne said. The newcomers settled into the ranch, and Carson soon became one of the crew. Emmeline was fussed by everyone and became part of the babies group that they all looked after. Gradually Caroline realized that she was welcome and that she could make a new life. She added another element to the cooking for Fred. She was crossing the yard when a visitor arrived, and she went to the gate to let him in. He slipped from his horse and asked for Maryanne.

Caroline took him to the house and called for her sister. When she came to the door, she stood stock still and gasped. Banjo Jills was standing next to her sister.

“Not armed,” he said and lifted his jacket to show her that it was true. She saw Josie hurrying across the yard and relaxed.

“Come inside,” she said, and he let Caroline walk ahead of him. Josie followed them up the steps.

“Not armed,” Banjo repeated. “Done my time. Free to start again, and I am going to find a little house to take things easy.”

“So, why are you here?” Josie queried.

“Two reasons. I am going to sell the land where the house burned down, and I thought you might like to know that in advance. Maybe you need grazing land. If you do, we can work out a decent price.”

“And the second reason?” Josie said, and he knew the answer. Banjo Jills winked.

“Just wanted to check she was alright.” Maryanne laughed and gave him a hug.

“Sit and have a coffee.”

“And tell us what your price would be,” Josie added. He looked at Maryanne, and she said that Susan should be part of this. The three of them together arranged a deal with the ex-robber, and Josie rode into town with him to find a lawyer.

In the evening, Josie and Maryanne rode out quietly to look at the sunset and stood together without any words. Then Josie asked if they had done the right thing.

“Your dad would not have let it happen if it was not the right thing to do.” Josie wrapped his arms around her and then took her lips with his own. The magic was still there, and they both knew that it always would be.

“Happy ever after, my darling,” Josie told her.

“The crush I had on you is as strong as ever,” she smiled and was happy in his arms.

THE END

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