Epilogue

Mia

Mia got up and walked out of the bedroom and into the living room early Sunday morning. It was a bit chilly, so she put a few pieces of wood on the fire. Within minutes, flames flared up and filled the house with warmth. Then, she went out to the kitchen and put on some coffee. While it was brewing, she tiptoed to the rocking chair in the living room and checked the clothes she had made for everyone. Today was the day of the barn raising and dance, and she wanted her family to look wonderful.

"Good morning," Caleb said as he walked out of the bedroom, shirtless. "You look wonderful this morning."

"And so do you." She smiled as she pulled him in for a hug.

He patted her back, and then whispered into her hair. "Do I smell coffee?"

"You do. I'll pour us some."

He nodded. "So, how late were you up last night?"

"I'm not sure." She shrugged. "But I finished everything for today."

"Mia, thank you for all the hard work you've been doing." Caleb smiled as he took the coffee she offered him. "But be sure to get some rest and take care of yourself, too."

"I will."

"So, French toast?"

She chuckled. "I think we have enough time."

Together, they fixed French toast and then they got the children up. The children came out, rubbing their sleepy eyes. They were delighted when they heard that their parents had made French toast and scampered quickly to their seats at the table.

After their family breakfast, which had become a ritual once again, they cleaned up the children and dressed them in their new clothes. Hailey and Mia's dresses were pale pink with little blue buds, and Caleb and Shane's clothes matched in crisp white shirts and dark gray vests and matching trousers. Mia then combed Hailey's hair into a high ponytail and tied it off with a matching pink ribbon. She had enough material left over to make herself a matching reticule and gloves. Then, she pulled her hair up and pinned the curls in place, and added a hat that matched the outfit perfectly.

"Well! You look wonderful!" Caleb beamed, taking in his family. The children giggled, and then he gave Mia a kiss on the cheek. "You look beautiful."

She blushed. "Thank you." Then, she raised an eyebrow mischievously. "And you look very handsome."

He pulled down on his vest. "You like it? My lovely wife made it for me."

She laughed, and they all slipped on their coats, piled into the buckboard, and headed off to church.

When they arrived, she walked with the children to the pew in the front row and Caleb greeted the parishioners, as usual. She looked around, and Kenzie was shaking Caleb's hand. Then, she spotted Mia and walked over to her.

"Good morning!" Kenzie greeted Mia happily as she gave her an air kiss over her cheek.

"Good morning! It's so good to see you!" Mia chirped, pulling her in for a hug.

Kenzie smiled. "I wouldn't miss it." Then she looked at hers and the children's clothes. "Well, well! Don't you look nice! I love the new clothes!" Then she leaned in conspiratorially. "If you ever decide that you'd like to make clothes for a living, I'd love for you to come work for me."

Mia grinned as a sense of pride filled her chest. "Thank you, but I think I have my work cut out for me at present, just making clothes for my family."

Kenzie shrugged. "Well, it was worth a try! But if you ever change your mind, you know where to find me."

Mia laughed. "I'll keep it in mind." Although she had only known Kenzie for a short time, she liked her very much. "So, are you coming to our house after church for the barn raising today?"

"Of course!" Kenzie smiled as she leaned in conspiratorially. "Do you think I would miss the chance to dance with such handsome men?"

Mia laughed. "I'll see you after church."

Kenzie nodded, and then walked over to talk to Gabriella.

Mia went on to greet Mrs. Jenkins, Madison and Wyatt, and more. This Sunday morning, the church was packed full. Caleb gave a wonderful sermon, thanking God for all the blessings in their lives.

And Mia knew that he was right. Even though their barn had burned down, it didn't matter. What mattered most was that they had each other. She had a lot to be thankful for, the top one being… a family.

After the service was over, they headed to their farm in a long caravan. When they arrived, the men got right to work raising the barn, while the women set up the food. Before long, the kitchen counters and the dining table were filled with food.

Later that night, there was a brand-new barn where the old one stood, much bigger than the one before. When everything was finished, the band started playing and couples started swirling expertly around the floor.

Then Ella and Colton walked around the corner of the house, carrying the babies. Mia saw them right away and hurried over.

"Ella, you look great!" Mia beamed as she kissed her cheek. "Come here! You both can sit over here."

The men had brought the chairs from the church, along with some tables. Ella looked fully recovered. The ladies of the church all crowded around the babies and told Ella how wonderful she looked.

Everyone was there—Gabriella and Dirk, Madison and Wyatt, Kenzie, Mrs. Jenkins, and so many other people. Mia didn't know them all but was looking forward to getting to know them. Whiskey River really was a place of community and family, where everyone pulled together when needed, and Mia felt very lucky to be a part of it.

"Would you like to dance?"

Mia looked up, and Caleb was smiling. "I'd love to."

"What were you thinking about just then?" Caleb asked as he led her out onto the new barn floor.

Mia smiled as she let her husband lead her around the floor. "I was just thinking of how lucky I am to be a part of this community here in Whiskey River."

"I'm the lucky one." A smile lit his lips. "I'm very lucky to have you as my wife."

Mrs. Jenkins let the children go, and they ran out onto the dance floor to them. Mia and Caleb scooped them into their arms as they continue dancing.

Shane struggled to get down, and Caleb set him on his feet. But instead of running away, he tugged on Mia's skirt to attract her attention. She bent down and looked into his eyes.

"May I have this dance?" he asked, wise beyond his years.

"I'd love to." Mia was momentarily taken aback, but then handed Hailey to her father and took her new son's hands. As they swayed to the music, Caleb and Hailey swayed beside them. Then, Shane looked up at her and smiled. "I love you, Ma."

Tears came to her eyes as she replied, "I love you, too, son." She looked in Caleb's eyes, misty with tears. "I'm lucky to have this family," Mia added as the four of them danced together.

"We both are," Caleb agreed as he spun her and his children around.

The night was magical as the stars began to make their appearance in the darkening sky. And Mia knew it was true. They were lucky to have each other, and to be a part of the wonderful community of Whiskey River.