Epilogue

The last few days had been a happy blur for Louise. Cecil loved her, and she was free to love him.

They spent every possible hour together sorting out the details of their future.

“I still want to nurse,” she said.

“As you should. Dobie and I will manage on our own if you need to be away. I’d like to set up a blacksmith shop wherever we are. Eventually, maybe we’ll get a farm.”

Louise had to be certain Cecil understood her commitment to nursing. “What will we do when babies come?”

“If the good Lord shall so bless us, we’ll work out something that satisfies us both. I will never ask you to stop being a nurse. It would be like asking you to stop being yourself.” They’d kissed at that point.

They told Dobie their plans.

“Mama said God would give me a new mama and papa.” He’d perched in Louise’s lap, and Cecil had wrapped his arms around them both. “I’m glad it’s you.”

Louise had never done more than glance at the little journal Dobie’s mother left, but one evening, she and Cecil opened it.

The woman penned a few shaky words to her son, telling of her love for him. And his father’s love. His birth date was given. As he’d said, he’d soon be six. There was a list of now-deceased relatives. The boy’s family came from England. With no living relatives?—

“It’s sad,” Louise said. “But we won’t have any trouble adopting him.” She hugged Cecil. “My joy is complete. Almost.”

“Almost?”

“We aren’t married yet.”

They’d discussed options. They could wait until they reached the fort, which would likely be another month or more. Or they could make their way to the nearest town, as the other couples had done. Although they both agreed there was no rush, she felt an urgency to seal their union legally. Not that she thought he would change his mind. And she certainly wasn’t changing hers. But she’d seen the puzzled look on Dobie’s face when they went their separate ways at bedtime. She told Cecil her concerns.

“I’ve noticed, too. There’s no reason to delay.”

Two days later, Joe led the way into a decent-sized town. Apart from the wedding, everyone was anxious to mail letters and replenish supplies.

Marnie produced a dress fine enough for a wedding, and the travelers made their way to the church. The preacher welcomed them. His wife played the pump organ as Louise grasped Cecil’s hand. It took only a few minutes and a few words for them to be declared husband and wife.

The preacher smiled at their obvious joy. “I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Miller.”

Their friends and family clapped.

Dobie stood before them, joy in his smile. “Now I have a new mama and papa, just like Mama said.”

Cecil lifted the boy into his arms, and Louise joined in hugging him, blinking furiously to stop her tears from falling.

Cecil’s smile was a little watery. “I never dreamed I could be so blessed. God has given me more than I dared ask and more than I ever imagined.”

“Amen,” Louise whispered.

Surrounded by their family and friends and bathed in love, they exited the church to go to the shops.

In the general store, they purchased new clothes for Dobie. Cecil and Louise kept him between them as they looked around.

She gasped, stopping before a picture of the rolling hills. Orange flowers nestled in a hollow next to a silvery blue stream. And in beautiful letters was the verse Cecil had referred to. Unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20).

“It’s like God has sent us a special message,” she whispered.

Cecil drew her close, his hand on Dobie’s shoulder. “It sure does.” He lifted the picture from its hook and brought it to the counter to pay for it.

“To remember this day,” he said.

“I’ll never forget it.” Louise’s heart overflowed with love and gratitude. “Thank You, God.” They returned to the wagons while the others continued with their purchases.

The three of them admired the picture. Then Louise wrapped it carefully in a blanket and stowed it in her crate.

Dobie put on his new brown shirt, denim overalls, and sturdy boots.

“New clothes. New mama and papa.” He squealed his happiness.

Louise and Cecil smiled at each other. It was the beginning of their lives together, and she could think of no better way to celebrate than to kiss Cecil again.

Dobie looked longingly at them. Cecil swept him off the ground, and he and Louise planted kisses on his cheeks.

“‘The Lord hath done great things for us,’” she murmured.

“‘Whereof we are glad.’” Cecil’s strong voice rang across the rippling grass and filled her heart to overflowing.