Epilogue

Epilogue

Freemont, Montana, Spring 1881

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this company, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony, which is an honorable estate instituted of God in the time of man's innocency, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and His church…"

Reverend McGuire was saying, reading the words of introduction to the marriage service from the open prayer book he held in his hand.

Tara and Kyle stood in front of him, and behind them a sizable congregation had filled the mission church to witness that happy day. In their vows, Tara and Kyle promised their fidelity to one another for the rest of their lives, promising to honor and cherish one another, and to live in love and harmony. To make those promises brought tears to Tara's eyes as she thought back over all they had been through to arrive at this moment.

"God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favor look upon you, and fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace; that ye may so live together in this life, that in the world to come ye may have life everlasting. Amen," Reverend McGuire said.

After this final blessing was pronounced, the couple turned to one another and shared a kiss.

"I love you," Kyle whispered before pressing his lips to hers.

"And I love you," Tara replied.

Reverend McGuire closed his prayer book, and a round of applause broke out in the church. As the newly married couple turned, they were faced with the smiling faces of their friends and well-wishers. The Fentons were there—Gina in a new bonnet, with Randy next to her—and the contingent from the clinic, too—Doctor Reardon, Katie, and Peter with his sister Marilyn.

Many of her former patients had turned out to wish them well, along with friends from the town, including Louisa Bennett from the coffeehouse and men from the saloon who had known her father. The fact he had not been there to walk her down the aisle had been a sadness, but Thomas had taken his place, escorting Tara to the church in a trap pulled by Stanley, and reminding Kyle of his solemn duties.

"You take good care of her," he had said, and Kyle had promised he would do so.

But being surrounded by her friends—and the friends she called her family—had brought home the fact of Kyle's sacrifice. He was thousands of miles from home, and without any of his family there to witness the happy occasion. Despite the things his brother had done, Tara knew Kyle missed him, and she felt certain he was thinking of those things he had left behind, even as the two of them now looked to the future.

"I'm sorry there's no one here for you," Tara said, but he shook his head.

"They're all here for both of us, aren't they? Besides, this is my home now. I knew what I was leaving behind, and I'm glad of it. This is where I want to be, Tara. Right here, with you," he replied, offering her his arm.

She smiled at him, taking his arm as they made their procession down the aisle, receiving the congratulations of everyone they passed.

"That was so beautiful, Tara. I was crying the whole way through," Gina said, catching Tara's arm as they passed.

"It's true. She was," Randy said, leaning over to offer his congratulations.

"It's your turn next," Tara replied.

With the extra donations gifted to the Christmas food drive, enough money had been raised to ensure the future of the school. There was now no question of Randy leaving Freemont, and he had finally done what he should have done months ago and proposed to Gina. The date of their wedding was set for after Easter, and Tara had promised to help her best friend with the preparations, including making her dress.

"I know… and seeing the two of you up there reminded me how close it is," Ginas replied.

The congregation filed out after the happy couple, and Tara and Kyle stepped onto the church steps and into the sunshine. The thaw had come early, and the first of the spring flowers had already appeared on the grass outside the church. New life was coming forth, and it wouldn't be long before the valley was transformed from a snow-covered landscape into a green and verdant land.

There was a sweet scent in the air, and to Tara's delight, a small group of well-wishers had gathered outside to throw rice and confetti over them as they walked toward the waiting trap, now decorated with ribbons and flowers. Stanley was waiting patiently, and as they approached, he snorted and let out a loud whinny.

"I think that's his way of saying congratulations," Tara said, smiling as she patted Stanley's back.

They were about to climb into the cart, which was to take them to the coffeehouse for the next part of the celebration, when a commotion at the door of the church caused them both to turn. To Tara's horror, Tiffany had collapsed on the steps, and Doctor Reardon and Katie were at her side.

"Tiffany, what's wrong?" Tara exclaimed, hurrying to Tiffany's side.

"It's the baby coming—these things don't wait for anyone," Doctor Reardon said, and Peter and Katie helped Tiffany to her feet as Thomas looked on in shock.

"It's coming now?" he said, staring at the scene in disbelief.

"Right now—and right here, if we don't get her to the clinic," Doctor Reardon replied.

The cart was requisitioned, and Tara and the others helped Tiffany onto the boards as Kyle took charge of Thomas.

"We'll follow behind, Sheriff," he said, nodding to Tara, who climbed in next to Tiffany.

"Oh, Tara, I'm so sorry. I'm spoiling everything," Tiffany said, but Tara shook her head and smiled, taking hold of Tiffany's hand.

"A baby never spoils anything. It's a gift from God, and it seems your baby wanted to join the celebrations," she said.

They set off in the direction of the clinic, and by three o'clock that afternoon, Tiffany had delivered a healthy baby boy.

"What are you going to name him?" Gina asked, as the wedding party stood around the bed.

Tiffany looked up at Thomas, who still had a look of disbelief on his face, as though he could not comprehend the fact the baby was his.

"What do you think, Thomas?" she asked.

Thomas glanced at Tara, who herself had several ideas in mind, and smiled.

"We're going to name him after the man I admired the most, sadly no longer with us. We'll call him Malachi," he said.

A tear rose in Tara's eye and she smiled at Thomas, raising her hand to her mouth to prevent herself from sobbing. Malachi was her father's name, and to know the baby was to be named after him was the greatest of honors.

"That's so kind of you," Tara replied.

"If it wasn't for your father, I wouldn't be the man I am today. He was my mentor growing up. There was no better man in Freemont than Malachi Culden, and he left behind his legacy in you, Tara. If my son grows up to be half the person you are, I'll be glad of it," Thomas replied, and there was now much rejoicing in the birth of baby Malachi—the most perfect of wedding gifts.

"And you'll be Godmother, of course," Tiffany said—another privilege Tara was only too pleased to accept.

Later, she and Kyle walked back to the homestead together hand in hand. It hadn't been quite the wedding celebration they had expected, but it had been a joyous one all the same.

"When you placed that advertisement, did you think it would end up like this?" Kyle asked.

Tara smiled. "I don't think I had any idea how it would turn out. I didn't think anyone would take it seriously, I suppose. I had some strange replies. And then yours," she said. "I remember the first letter you sent me. It was different from the others."

"How so?" he asked.

"The others told me what they wanted from me. Yours had no expectations about it. You just told me who you were and left me to make up my own mind. I liked that," Tara replied. "And John Smith was the same. I had to make up my own mind about him. He was a stranger. But right from the start, I felt like I knew him. And I did."

Kyle nodded, smiling as he leaned over and kissed Tara on the cheek.

"I didn't know what to think when I got your first letter. Actually, I was surprised you even replied. I remember reading it through—you told me about Freemont and your work as a nurse. I wondered how someone like you could ever be interested in a man like me," he replied.

Tara rested her head on his shoulder as they walked.

"None of that matters now, though, does it? We won't ever be troubled by Skeeter Layton again—the judge said he won't be out of jail for another twenty years. And we don't have to worry about remembering the past, either," she said. "All that matters is the future. Our future."

Memories were important, she knew, but to live in the past would bring with it only disappointment in the future. Together, they had a chance to make new memories, beginning with this—the happiness of their wedding day. In placing her advertisement, Tara had taken a risk, and it was risk she was now grateful for, despite the twists and turns of the past few months. Together, they would look to the future, and all that lay ahead.

"You won't hear any arguments from me," Kyle replied, and, looking up at him, Tara smiled.

"Nor from me." she replied. "I don't care if you're Kyle Patrick or John Smith. I fell in love with both, and I'm just glad they both feel the same way about me."

THE END?