Epilogue

Vincent

Six-Months Later….

Because of Vincent's testimony and help, the members of the Holloway Gang were all arrested and given a fair trial. Vincent testified and they received their just sentence. In exchange for his testimony, Vincent was given a full pardon for any crimes he had committed.

However, Vincent realized that if it weren't for meeting Sissy, he might have been hanging right along with the other three gang members. Luckily, he hadn't been a member of the gang for long and hadn't participated in some of the robberies that the others had. But if he hadn't met Sissy, he may not have changed his ways.

Meeting Sissy had changed his life.

After the trial in Laramie, U.S. Marshall Daniel Dorsey shook his hand. "You're now free to leave Whiskey River if you want. But make sure to thank Sheriff Clark and the others who stood up for you."

Vincent nodded. "I will." Then, he looked over at Sissy and smiled, holding her hand. "But something tells me that we're going to stay in Whiskey River."

Since the day that Elmer Webster had come with the U.S. Marshall, they hadn't heard from him since and Vincent and Sissy had been able to live in peace.

The U.S. Marshall nodded and leaned in conspiratorially, looking him in the eye. "You've been given a second chance, son. Make good use of it."

Vincent slipped his arm around Sissy's waist and pulled her close. "I intend to. Thank you, Marshall."

The U.S. Marshall nodded. "Come with me. I have something else to discuss with you."

Vincent and Sissy followed him into the Marshall's Office, and he sat behind a desk and motioned toward two chairs in front. "Please, sit." When they were seated, he slid a few papers to him across the desk.

"What's this?" Vincent asked, looking up.

The Marshall sighed. "You need to sign these papers to get the reward." He folded his hands as he looked between them, a crease forming between his eyes. "There was a bounty on the head of each of the Holloway Gang members, which will go to you and your wife."

Vincent pushed the paper back to him. "We can't take that—"

"You can and you will." U.S. Marshall Dorsey gave him a stern look. "It's a chance to start over. Just make sure to stay on the straight and narrow and make something of yourself."

Daniel pointed to the papers to sign. When they were finished, he gathered the papers and slipped them into an envelope, then he handed them a bag filled with money, making Vincent feel as if he had just robbed a bank.

"Now…." The U.S. Marshall stood. "Don't squander the money, make good use of it, and use it to build a good life for yourselves."

Vincent gave Sissy's hand a gentle squeeze. "We will."

Sissy

On their way back to Whiskey River in their buckboard, the sun was shining, wildflowers dotted the landscape, and a gentle breeze blew across the land, cooling off the hot June day. It was a far cry from the frantic sleigh ride Sissy had endured when she first traveled to Whiskey River this past winter. But now, she was going home.

"Sissy, with this money along with what I've saved, we can buy a bigger house now." He glanced over at her. "Would you like a ranch, a farm, a spread, or just a bigger house?"

"Well, I have something to tell you." She bit her lower lip and released it, wringing her hands, not sure what he was going to say when she told him.

Vincent pulled the buckboard to a stop on the side of the road and pulled the brake. "What is it?" A crease formed between his eyes as he waited.

"I'm going to have a baby." Sissy's eyebrows rose, awaiting his reaction, hoping that he would think this was good news.

"Are you serious?" Vincent's voice rose several octaves.

"Yes, I didn't want to tell you until after the trial—"

He pulled her close and his lips descended upon hers as passion overtook them both.

"You aren't mad?" Sissy asked, her heart soaring. "I thought we would wait to have children until we were ready, but it looks like God has other plans."

"Mad? Oh, heavens no!" He chuckled, pulling her close again. "But I was wanting to talk to you about something."

"Oh?" Sissy froze, fearing the worst.

Vincent let out a deep breath. "What would you think if I became a deputy? Eventually, I could be a sheriff."

Sissy's head snapped up. "Is that what you want?"

He nodded. "I'd rather be on the right side of the law, and I have the skills needed. I didn't tell you, but Daxton offered me the job as deputy, and I told him I'd think about it. I wanted to talk to you about it first."

Sissy placed her hand on his cheek, forcing him to look into her eyes. "I think it's a good idea, if that's what you want. Don't worry. Something tells me we're going to be just fine."

As they drove home, Sissy realized that they had come full circle. Vincent had gone from being an outlaw to a deputy, and she had gone from being a preacher's daughter to a wife and, soon to be, mother. As she leaned her head against her husband's arm, she wondered what the future held. But something told her it was going to be good.

The End

Check out other books in the

Whiskey River Brides Series

By: Theresa Oliver