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Two Years Later
“Jesse, are you going to stand there all day, or are you going to help me with these apples?”
Laura May’s voice was light, teasing as she stood under the branches of the old apple tree in the yard, her hands on her hips. The late afternoon sun bathed the orchard in a golden glow, casting long shadows across the land they now called home. A soft summer breeze ruffled her skirts as she waited for her husband’s reply.
Jesse leaned against the fence, arms crossed over his chest, a lazy smile playing on his lips. “Well now, Mrs. Tate, I reckon you’re doin’ just fine on your own. But if you insist, I suppose I can lend a hand.”
He pushed off the fence and strode toward her, taking the woven basket from where it sat at her feet. As she reached up to pluck a ripe apple from the tree, Jesse caught her by the waist, spinning her around before setting her back down with a laugh.
“Jesse Tate, you put me down this instant!” Laura May scolded, though she was laughing as well.
Jesse chuckled, his blue-gray eyes warm with affection. “I just like reminding you how lucky I am, that’s all.”
Laura May smoothed her skirts, her gaze softening. “Well, if you’re feeling so lucky, then you won’t mind carrying this basket back to the house while I check on dinner.”
Jesse lifted the basket with ease, tipping his hat to her. “Yes, ma’am.”
As they walked back toward the house, the distant laughter of children carried on the breeze. At the top of the hill, near the barn, two little boys were chasing each other, their bare feet kicking up dust as they played. Jesse and Laura May slowed their steps, watching the scene unfold.
“They look happy,” Laura May murmured, a note of pride in her voice.
Jesse nodded, shifting the basket in his hands. “They are. And it’s all thanks to you, darlin’.”
It had been nearly two years since they had married, and in that time, they had worked hard to rebuild Laura May’s grandfather’s land, turning it into a place of warmth and love. More importantly, they had opened their home to those who needed it most.
Their sons, Samuel and Ben, had come to them nearly a year ago, two orphaned brothers with nowhere else to go. From the moment Laura May had held them in her arms, she knew they belonged with them. Jesse hadn’t needed any convincing.
“We did it together,” Laura May reminded him, slipping her hand into his. “And we’re not done yet.”
Jesse smiled, pressing a kiss to her temple. “No, ma’am, we surely aren’t.”
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, they stood for a moment, hand in hand, watching their boys play, knowing their family was only just beginning to grow.
The dinner table was alive with laughter, the warm glow of the oil lamps casting a golden hue over the room. Samuel, the elder of the two boys at just eight years old, was telling a grand story about how he and Ben had tried to build a fort near the barn that afternoon.
“And then the whole thing just fell right over!” Samuel threw his hands in the air for emphasis, grinning widely.
Ben, who was six, nodded solemnly, his small hands gripping his spoon. “It was ‘cause you didn’t tie the knots tight enough,” he said, his voice full of importance.
Jesse chuckled, reaching for another slice of cornbread. “Sounds like you boys are gonna need a bit more practice with your knots.”
Laura May smiled as she watched them, her heart full. The farmhouse had felt empty before the boys came, but now there was never a quiet moment—and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
As the conversation carried on, there was a knock at the door. Jesse wiped his hands on his napkin and stood, exchanging a glance with Laura May before heading to answer it.
When he opened the door, he found Sheriff Walker standing on the porch, his hat in his hands. The lawman had aged some in the past two years, but his presence was still as steady as ever.
“Evenin’, Jesse,” the sheriff said, nodding. “I hope I’m not interruptin’ your supper.”
“Not at all,” Jesse replied, stepping aside. “Come on in.”
The sheriff shook his head. “I won’t stay long. Just wanted to let you know—I got word from the prison this morning. Jack and Jake still got another three, maybe four years left before they can even think about gettin’ out.”
Jesse’s jaw tightened slightly, but he nodded. “Good to know.”
The sheriff sighed. “I know it don’t change much now, but Jack’s aunt wrote to me not long ago. She said she still prays Jasper—er, Jake—will turn his life around when he gets out. She thinks he’s had time to think on his choices.”
Jesse exhaled, rubbing a hand across the back of his neck. “His aunt’s a good woman. I hope for her sake he does.”
Sheriff Walker nodded. “Just figured you’d want to know. I’ll let you get back to your family.”
Jesse thanked him and watched as the lawman disappeared into the night before closing the door behind him. When he turned back toward the table, Laura May was watching him with gentle concern.
“Everything alright?” she asked softly.
Jesse walked over and placed a kiss on the top of her head before sitting back down. “Yeah, darlin’. Just news I already figured was comin’.”
Laura May reached for his hand beneath the table and squeezed it. “Then let’s not waste another thought on it tonight.”
Jesse smiled, looking around at his family, the warmth of the home they had built wrapping around him like a familiar embrace.
“That’s a fine idea,” he murmured, squeezing her hand in return.
The afternoon sun cast long golden rays over the rolling fields as Laura May knelt by the garden, her hands deep in the soil as she gently patted down the fresh seedlings. The scent of wildflowers drifted through the warm summer air, and in the distance, the boys’ laughter rang out as they chased each other near the barn.
“You’ll have dirt up to your elbows by the time you’re done,” Jesse teased as he walked up behind her, carrying a pail of water.
Laura May turned her head with a smile. “That’s the plan,” she said, brushing a loose curl from her cheek. “It’s the only way to make sure these tomatoes take root.”
Jesse chuckled and crouched beside her, watching as she carefully adjusted one of the seedlings. “You’ve got a knack for it, darlin’.”
She sat back on her heels, looking up at him with a twinkle in her green eyes. “Well, I reckon I’ve had good practice these last two years.”
Jesse reached over, brushing a bit of soil from her cheek. “You’ve been real busy, what with the boys and the mine and the school. Hard to believe it’s already been two years since we got married.”
Laura May sighed contentedly. “Hard to believe everything turned out the way it did.”
“Not all of it was easy,” Jesse admitted, glancing toward the barn where Samuel and Ben were now working together to stack some wooden crates. “But I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
Laura May smiled, following his gaze. “Neither would I.”
As she turned back to the garden, the sound of hoofbeats echoed down the dirt road. Jesse looked up to see a familiar carriage approaching, kicking up dust in the warm afternoon light.
“Looks like your friend’s here,” he remarked.
Laura May stood, dusting off her skirts as the carriage came to a stop in front of the house. The door swung open, and out stepped Betsy, her cheeks flushed from the journey.
“Betsy!” Laura May beamed, rushing over to embrace her.
“Now, don’t squeeze the breath outta me!” Betsy laughed, hugging her back. “I come with news, and I reckon you’re gonna want to hear it.”
Jesse leaned against the fence, watching the two women with amusement. “News, huh? Hope it’s good.”
Betsy grinned. “It sure is. My brother’s heading west to start up a new homestead, and he’s bringing along a whole wagon train of families lookin’ for a fresh start. That means new folks in Lake View soon enough.”
Laura May’s eyes widened with excitement. “That’s wonderful! We’ve been sayin’ for ages that the town could use more families.”
Jesse nodded, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “New folks mean more kids for the school. And more hands for the mine, if they’re willin’ to work.”
Betsy clapped her hands together. “That’s what I was thinkin’. And, Laura May, some of them are families with orphans… lookin’ for a fresh start, just like you and Jesse gave Samuel and Ben.”
Laura May’s heart squeezed in her chest. She turned to Jesse, who was already watching her with knowing eyes.
“What do you think, darlin’?” Jesse asked softly.
Laura May swallowed the lump in her throat. “I think… I think we might have room for one more.”
Betsy beamed. “I had a feeling you’d say that.”
Jesse wrapped an arm around his wife’s shoulders, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “Guess we better start gettin’ ready.”
Laura May leaned into him, a joyful tear slipping down her cheek. Their family was already full of love—but there was always room for more.
The town of Lake View had never been busier. Wagons rolled down the main street, bringing new settlers looking for opportunity. Children ran excitedly between the buildings, their laughter mingling with the sounds of blacksmiths hammering iron and merchants calling out their wares.
Laura May stood near the schoolhouse steps, watching as families gathered in the town square. The town committee had arranged a welcome gathering for the newcomers, and nearly everyone had turned up to lend a hand.
Jesse stepped beside her, his hand finding hers as they took in the sight of the bustling street. “Looks like we’ve got ourselves a real town now,” he murmured.
Laura May squeezed his fingers. “It sure does.”
Betsy appeared from the crowd, waving them over. “Come quick, there’s someone I want you to meet!”
Jesse and Laura May exchanged a look before following her through the crowd. Near one of the supply wagons, a woman stood with two small children—a boy and a girl, both with wide, uncertain eyes.
“This is Mrs. Calloway,” Betsy introduced. “She lost her husband on the journey out here. She’s lookin’ for work, but she’s worried about what to do with the little ones.”
Laura May’s heart ached at the weary expression on the woman’s face. She knew that feeling—the fear of the unknown, the struggle to hold things together when everything seemed uncertain.
The little boy clutched his sister’s hand tightly, staring up at Laura May and Jesse. His face was smudged with dust, but there was a fierce protectiveness in his young eyes.
Jesse crouched down to their level. “What’s your name, son?”
“Tommy,” the boy answered, chin held high. “And this is Annie. I take care of her.”
Laura May felt a lump form in her throat. She glanced at Mrs. Calloway, who blinked back tears.
“I can work, I promise,” the woman said, her voice trembling. “I’ll do whatever I have to, but I just need to know my children are safe while I do it.”
Jesse stood, glancing at Laura May. “What do you think, darlin’?”
Laura May already knew the answer. She knelt before the children, brushing a gentle hand over Annie’s soft curls. “Would you two like to come stay with us for a while? We’ve got plenty of room, and I make a mean apple pie.”
Tommy’s gaze flickered between Laura May and Jesse, suspicion warring with hope in his young eyes. Then, slowly, he nodded. “Alright. But only if I can help with the chores.”
Jesse chuckled, ruffling the boy’s hair. “We’ll see about that.”
Mrs. Calloway let out a shuddering breath of relief. “Thank you,” she whispered, her hands clutching her chest.
Laura May stood, wrapping an arm around the woman’s shoulders. “You’re not alone anymore. We take care of our own here.”
Jesse’s hand found Laura May’s once more, squeezing it gently. As they turned back toward their home, with Tommy and Annie following behind, Laura May felt a warmth spread through her heart.
Their family had grown once again.
And somehow, she knew it wouldn’t be the last time.
OFFER: A BRAND NEW SERIES AND 2 FREEBIES FOR YOU!
Grab my new series, "Western Brides and True Loves", and get 2 FREE novels as a gift! Have a look here!
Greetings, dear readers! I trust you relished the blissful conclusion of Laura May and Jesse’s love story. Let’s reminisce together—what was the most heartwarming moment in their romantic journey? Share your thoughts with me, for I cherish your input! ♥️📚
Lots of interesting events in the main story. Finally Jesse and Laura May had their happy ending. A detail in extended epilogue Jesse’s last name was Rivett in main story same as his cousin Jack that was the one hounding Laura May. Some confusion about the names in extended epilogue. Jake and Thomas Lincoln were the two jailed for their roles in dynamiting the silver mine where Lyle Brooks met his death.