Epilogue

Sam paced the living room, tossing a log into the fire every few minutes. The fireplace roared with dancing flames, but Sam hardly heard a sound.

All he could hear were the cries from his wife, coming from the bedroom.

He had fought for his country, faced down outlaws, taken a bullet to the shoulder, and even once faced a cougar, but he couldn't imagine surviving this for much longer, Knowing that Livvy was suffering and he couldn't help her, made him feel powerless.

Frustration coursed through his veins as he stomped back and forth once more.

"Sam, your growlin' like a sore-footed bear, and stompin' around won't make that babe come quicker," Aggie said, passing by him with another bucket of hot water.

"How's she doing?" Sam's

"That gal's got more grit than anyone I know. She's doin' just fine. It might not sound like it to you, but she is. Women have been birthin' babes since the beginning of time."

Sam shook his head. "Women have died in childbirth since the beginning of time, too," he muttered under his breath.

"I heard that, Sam Wright," Aggie admonished before heading toward the bedroom again.

Sam drew in a deep breath and let it out with a controlled sigh. "Just breathe," he reminded himself as he picked up his pacing.

Olivia's cries suddenly intensified before everything went completely silent. Sam held his breath as if fearing that if he let it go, something bad would happen. He waited for a brief moment, but it felt like hours before the door finally opened.

"Congratulations, Sam. You and Olivia have a sweet baby girl," Aggie announced before closing the door again.

Sam let out his breath and cast his gaze heavenward. "Thank you, Lord. Thank you for the safe delivery of my daughter and my wife."

The door opened a second time, but this time Aggie didn't close it behind her. "Sam, your daughter would like to meet you."

Thirty minutes ago, Sam would have barged into the room without a second thought. But now that the baby was here, a rush of emotions clogged his throat, slowing his steps. From the moment, they learned Olivia was expecting, they savored every flutter, every kick, every swollen ankle, and every odd food craving together. And together they would love, cherish, and raise this baby…the first of many…he hoped.

Stepping into the room, he turned his gaze toward Olivia and saw how exhausted yet elated she seemed.

He'd never thought he be a father but he'd also never planned on falling in love so easily. Unexpectedly, the verse from Jeremiah popped into his mind. He knew it was one of his wife's favorite quotes, and it now seemed so fitting. For I know the plans I have for you; plans to prosper and not to harm you.

He was prospering indeed. After Montana Nelson's bullet tore up his shoulder, he realized it was time to put his lawman days behind him and focus on building up his herd. In February, a month after Doc Adams found him fit, he gave his notice to Mayor Milford and married Olivia.

His herd was growing, and so was his family.

"Congratulations, Papa," Doc Adams said as he placed the squalling bundle in his arms.

Until Sam looked into his daughter's eyes, he had never known that love could happen so quickly or so intensely. He'd give his own life to protect her from anything and anyone that meant her harm.

"She's beautiful, isn't she?" Olivia asked from the bed.

Doc Adams and Aggie disappeared into the hallway, giving the new family time alone. Sam moved toward her and took a seat on the bed near Olivia. "She's perfect." He leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on her lips. "Just like her mama."

Olivia smiled at him. "I love you, Sam Knight."

"Nope. I love you more, Mrs. Knight," he said simply. "Have you come up with a name?"

Olivia nodded. "I've gone back and forth with it, but I'm certain now what I want to name her."

"Are you planning to share it with me or keep it a secret?"

Laughing at his teasing, Olivia leaned forward and adjusted the blanket around the baby. "As our firstborn, I want her to share in the inheritance of the ranch with any brothers or sisters who might come along, and she needs the right name to do that," she informed him. "So, I'd like to name her Samantha Faith. Samantha after you, and Faith because I believe it was our mutual reliance on the Lord's plan that He knew what He was doing when He brought our hearts together."

If Sam could be any prouder of his wife, he wasn't aware of it. He brushed his knuckles across the baby's downy cheek. "Welcome to the world, Samantha Faith Knight." As if she understood every word, she turned her head in his direction, opened her eyes, and stared at him.

"She's got blue eyes," Sam crowed, "just like her mama."

Aggie came back into the room just in time to overhear his comment. "All babies have blue eyes when they're first born, Sam," she pronounced. "Maybe they'll stay blue…and then again maybe they won't."

"Her eyes will stay blue," Sam insisted.

"Just because you believe it, Sam Knight, don't always make it so. Now, hand me the wee one. Doc Adams wants to give her the once-over before he leaves."

Gingerly, Sam placed the baby in Aggie's arms. "Here you go. Be careful and support her head."

Aggie rolled her eyes. "As if I didn't know how to take care of a babe with my own little one asleep at home in his father's arms."

With Aggie and the baby gone, Sam turned to Olivia and reached for her hand. "I know that look. What's on your mind, wife?"

Olivia let out a sigh of contentment. "Today is the happiest day of my life. Knowing I have you, Samantha, and our very dear friends is something I'd always hoped for but never thought I'd be so blessed with."

Sam stretched out beside his wife on the bed. "We'll give thanks every day for our blessings, and we'll pray for more every night."

"More blessings or more babies?"

Snuggling deeper into the mattress, Sam chuckled. "Babies, of course. I never thought I'd want a big family but that was before I met you."

Olivia's eyelashes fluttered once. "Can we at least wait until I forget the pain I just went through before we begin planning our second child?"

"Sure. And while we wait, we'll enjoy every minute of raising Samantha."

"Does that include diaper changes and settling her when she's fussy in the middle of the night?" Olivia asked hopefully.

Sam touched his lips to hers. "Unlike my parents, I intend to be there every step of every day." He paused and searched Olivia's gaze. "I'm so happy we both took that leap of faith after you found out you weren't going to marry Nate Forester or else we never would be where we are now."

Olivia yawned, exhausted from the last several hours meshed her fingers with Sam's. "In a happy and most blessed place."