“I know I am late. I am sorry but I had something important to do. Find Sarah please.”
Sarah came running even as he asked Scott to find her.
“Bear, you are here? I thought something had happened to you. Oh thank God you are safe.”
He nearly lost balance as she flung herself into his arms, tears streaming down her face. Surely she hadn’t thought he’d deserted her? Hadn’t she learned to put her past behind her?
“Sarah, I am sorry I was late but I had a little bit of trouble finding your present.”
“My present?”
‘Well you can’t give another person as a present but I thought you might like an extra guest at our wedding. He took a bit of persuading.”
“Who?”
Bear stood back and pushed Johnny forward. Sarah went white, then red before reaching for the boy.
“Johnny. How glad I am to see you. You have grown so much.”
Bear hid a grin, his wife to be was a bad liar. The boy had grown in height but he was skin and bone, slowly starving to death. He must have worked all hours in the mine.
“That man kidnapped me and then the Indian said I had to come. I don’t know why you want me here.” Johnny looked at the ground sullenly making Sarah want to pull the seven year old close but she had to move carefully.
“Almanzo, you were part of this surprise? Thank you.”
Almanzo bowed before wrapping his arm around Tilly’s shoulders. “Bear knew where the town was and the name of the boy but for obvious reasons, he couldn’t go near the village to look for him. It took some persuading to get him to come with us.”
“Johnny, I am so glad you came. I wanted to say I was sorry. For not helping your ma. I behaved very selfishly that night. I had my reasons but I always wondered how you were.”
“I am fine.” Johnny looked around him, at the tables groaning with food in particular. “This is a nice place. No idea why you came to Tyrell’s pit?”
“Neither do I, Johnny but I was a different girl back then. At least I met Bear, and you. That made it worth it.”
Johnny didn’t look too convinced. Sarah looked from the boy to the man who would become her husband. Bear nodded, a wide smile on his face.
“Johnny, would you like to come and live here? We could use a hand around the place. We are going to rear horses for the army. We need a strong man. “
‘Depends on what you are paying,” the boy said obviously pretending to be disinterested but Sarah had seen the spark in his eyes.
The adults grinned at the words coming from the seven year old boy.
“How about three good meals a day and a roof over your head. A nice bed of your own. Maybe some friends to play with when the chores are done. Would that work?”
Johnny spat on his hand and held it out to Sarah. “Deal.” Sarah giggled before picking Johnny up and spinning him around. “Right young man, your first job is to accompany my little sisters to my wedding.”
“Can I have something to eat first?” Johnny asked, hope written all over his face. “Girls are hard work.”
“No, you can’t young man. The Reverend has been waiting long enough. Come along everyone.”
Jo shepherded the family over to the apple trees. This was where the ceremony would be held.
* * *
Bear reached for Sarah and together they made their way towards the gathering.
“I am sorry I was late.”
“You’re forgiven. I can’t believe you and Almanzo worked together to bring Johnny here.”
“Why not? We both love you.” Bear kissed Sarah soundly. “I know how much you regret not helping his ma. At least now, maybe we can put all the regrets behind us.”
Sarah blinked rapidly, he guessed to keep the tears at bay. He kissed her gently on each eye trying to show her how much he loved her.
Then he took her hand and together they walked to the Preacher and said their vows. Whatever the future brought, they were no longer alone.
Character List
Hughes Homestead
Rick Hughes (deceased)
Jo Hughes nee Thompson - his wife
Nancy & Lena Hughes - their six year old twins
Adopted three trail orphans
Sarah Hughes - 18 - Rick’s niece eloped with Edwin Morgan
Carrie Hughes - 14 - Rick’s niece
Almanzo Price - 18 now married to Tilly
Bridget Murphy - housekeeper
Jones Homestead
Scott Jones (former Boss of Wagon Train – Indian name He Who Runs)
Becky Jones nee Thompson - his wife
Jake and Ruth - six year old twins
Willie – six months old
Clarke Homestead
David Clarke
Eva Clarke nee Thompson - his wife
Patrick known as Pat - 7 1/2 years
Samuel known as Sam - 4 1/2 years
Thompson Homestead
Paddy Thompson
Della Thompson, his wife
Indians
Walking Tall
Mia – Almanzo’s half sister.
Also by Rachel Wesson
Trail of Hearts - Oregon Trail Series
Oregon Bound (book 1)
Oregon Dreams (book 2)
Oregon Destiny (book 3)
Oregon Discovery (book 4)
Oregon Disaster (book 5)
12 Days of Christmas - co -authored series.
The Maid - book 8
Clover Springs Mail Order Brides
Katie (Book 1)
Mary (Book 2)
Sorcha (Book 3)
Emer (Book 4)
Laura (Book 5)
Ellen (Book 6)
Thanksgiving in Clover Springs (book 7)
Christmas in Clover Springs (book8)
Erin (Book 9)
Eleanor (book 10)
Cathy (book 11)
Clover Springs East
New York Bound (book 1)
New York Storm (book 2)
New York Hope (book 3)
Writing as Ellie Keaton
Women & War (World War II fiction)
Gracie
Penny
Molly