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Several years later
Cassidy stood close to Mae, unable to keep the massive smile off of her face. They had all worked so hard to make this day a reality and now it had finally arrived. It seemed like all the women from not just the women’s group, but the whole town were gathered together. A short distance away, their children played in a field, small cries of delight occasionally making their way over to them. She and Austin had been blessed with not only their four-year-old daughter Lily, but three-year-old Beau as well.
Cassidy smiled at as Lily, and Mae’s daughter Francie, twirled around holding each other’s hands and laughing, while Beau was busy running back and forth chasing a rabbit. She sighed in pleasure watching them playing and having fun like that. It made her feel like she was giving them the childhood they deserved, the kind she never had the opportunity to experience for herself.
In front of the crowd was a small building that had been carefully built by capable hands over the past few months. It wasn’t anything overly fancy or ornate, just simple wooden structure with a large central room inside.
Perhaps someday, if things went well, they could split it into rooms or even add on a whole other room, but for now, it was more than enough to get them started.
Mae nudged her forward. “Go on, make the announcement.”
“Are you sure that I should be the one to make it?”
“There’s no one that could be better suited to it. You worked so hard to make this happen.”
“It wasn’t just me,” Cassidy insisted. “It took all of us to make this happen.”
“But you were the one who found the money for it.”
“By that logic, we should be thanking David and Silas,” she chuckled, rolling her eyes. “Technically the money came from that account.”
Mae smiled fondly. “Just go make your speech. Everyone is waiting for it.”
Cassidy smiled then stepped onto the porch of the small schoolhouse that had been carefully constructed over the past few months. The second she stepped out, the crowd fell silent, eyes turning to her.
To her surprise, her nerves almost immediately fell away, leaving behind only her joy at the situation. “I want to start by thanking all of you for coming,” she began. “Today is a big day for Driftwood. Because of the hard work of everyone here, we have been able to build a school unlike anything our community has had before. The school will be open to anyone, regardless of family, circumstance, and most importantly, gender. We want to build a place boys and girls can work hard to learn and better themselves on equal terms.”
A few claps went through the crowd, emboldening her further. She was glad to have her community supporting the project. While she knew at least some of them had been on board to get it this far—building the structure alone had been a huge undertaking—let alone figuring out a curriculum, organizing classes, and everything else that went into running a school, Cassidy had still been worried.
Their town was small, and people had their prejudices and biases. There was no telling if people would actually be as accommodating as they claimed when they first got started.
Now, though, that they were finally there, and the school was about to open its doors to the first group of students, she could really see that they accepted what she was trying to build. She could only hope that as people started seeing the results, the few that still weren’t quite as on board would come around with enough time. They could prove themselves; she knew it.
“Our town went through a lot a few years ago, but we didn’t let it weaken us and we didn’t let it stop us. We came out the other side stronger than before. Now, I’m glad the money David Harlow had taken as a bribe, meant to weaken our community, could be turned into something that can strengthen our community.” She deliberately referred to him by name… not as her late husband.
“Now, I would like to present to you, our new teacher, Mrs. Mae Avery.”
Mae stepped forward with a bright but slightly tight smile on her face. “I’m afraid I don’t have much to say since I wasn’t planning on making any kind of statement,” she said, discreetly shooting Cassidy a pointed look. “But I do want to say how excited I am to start my time here and to get to know each and every one of my future students. I look forward to seeing all of you soon.”
A round of applause went through the crowd before they were motioned forward to come take a look at the school.
As they dispersed, Jacob and Austin walked over to Cassidy and Mae. Cassidy smiled as her husband pressed a kiss to her cheek.
“You did amazing up there,” he said. “I’m so proud of you.”
Cassidy shook her head. “Mae’s the one who deserves the praise. Now that the school is built and set to open, she’s the one that’s going to be doing the hard work.”
“Like you aren’t also working hard,” Austin said, pressing another kiss to her cheek. “Tell me, am I going to be in your next novel?”
She bit her lip, looking away. “Wouldn’t you like to know.”
“I would. I’m so proud of you for getting your short story published and even more proud that it grew into something more. Now, we’re talking about your second book. You’re really turning this into something. It’s amazing to watch.”
Cassidy flushed, looking away, despite Austin’s best efforts, she still wasn’t used to hearing praise so regularly. “You’ll just have to read it to find out, won’t you?”
“I can’t wait.”
“I just hope people like it.”
“They’re going to love it,” Mae insisted. “Cassidy, your first novel was a resounding success. I just know this one is going to be too.”
Cassidy smiled as they turned their attention to the clearing where their children had been playing during the speeches. “I’m glad you all think so.”
“I was worried I would miss you,” a voice called from behind them.
Cassidy turned to see Halona and Timothy coming toward them, a bright smile on her face and a basket in her arms.
“Can I go play with the others?” her son asked, looking up at her with big eyes.
“Of course.”
He raced off before the words had left her lips. Halona chuckled and approached Cassidy.
“We weren’t sure if you’d be able to come,” Cassidy said, embracing the woman. “It’s only been a few weeks since you opened your restaurant, but we all know just how busy it keeps you.”
“I almost didn’t make it, but I can finish cleaning up from the lunch rush when I get back. I didn’t want to miss seeing you,” she said, holding out the basket.
“What’s all this?”
“Just a little thank you for all your hard work.”
Cassidy shook her head. “You didn’t need to do all this.”
“I know, but I wanted to. I’m glad that my child, and all the children in town will have a safe place to learn. You’re opening so many doors for all of them.” Before Cassidy could try to deflect the compliment, Halona turned to Mae. “There’s one for you too, to officially welcome you as the new teacher, but I couldn’t carry both of them, so you need to come by the restaurant later to pick it up.”
“Thank you so much!” Mae beamed. “I can stop by on our way home.”
The five of them stood around and continued talking for a long time.
“It’s really nice to see you all like this,” Mae smiled, looking between everyone. “Since the children came along everyone’s work picked up, we don’t get the opportunity to talk like this as often as I would like.”
“You see them every month at the women’s meeting, don’t you?” Jacob asked.
“Of course we do, but it isn’t the same.”
Cassidy nodded in agreement before she lit up. “We should set up monthly dinners. Surely there’s a day every month we’re all free. We can take turns hosting it and I’m sure the children would love it.”
“They sure do seem to get along well,” Halona grinned. “I would love that if you were serious.”
“Of course I’m serious!”
As the women started to work out a day to start their new tradition, Cassidy noticed her husband getting quiet, a thoughtful look on his face. She did her best to catch Mae’s eye across the group.
She nodded in understanding. Once Halona and her son had left, Mae turned to Cassidy and Austin. “Why don’t Jacob and I walk the kids back when they’re done playing.”
“You don’t mind?” Cassidy said before Austin could say a word.
“Not at all. Besides, I’d hate to end their fun earlier than we have to.”
“Thank you,” she grabbed Austin’s arm. “We’ll see you back at the farm.”
As the pair walked along, Cassidy looked up at Austin. “You seem like you have something on your mind,” she said.
“Is that why you rushed me out of there?” he chuckled.
“I wouldn’t say I rushed you exactly.”
“No, of course not,” he said, but Cassidy didn’t need to look at him to know that he was rolling his eyes.
“It just seemed like you might have something on your mind, and I wanted to see if you needed to talk about any of it.”
“I’m just really happy,” he said, giving her a smile so gentle it was hard to believe. “I sometimes can’t believe I really get to have all of this.”
Cassidy laced their fingers together. “I know. I feel the same way. Before I met you, I was content to just get by. As long as I had my writing and a roof over my head, I thought I could be satisfied. Now, I can’t believe I didn’t know all of this was even an option. Even the rail line is picking back up, and led by you!”
“It’s going a lot easier now that we’ve found a route that won’t take it through tribal lands, and I’m happy about it, but it pales in relation to what you and I have built together.” Austin pressed a kiss to the back of her hand.
“I feel the same way.”
Austin hummed, his eyes gazing at some distant point Cassidy couldn’t hope to see. “When I first came here, it wasn’t for a happy reason. I wasn’t sure what I thought I was going to find here, but I was positive it was going to be something terrible.”
Cassidy opened her mouth to say something, but the look he gave her was enough to silence whatever it might have been.
“I thought my time here would be one of the worst things I would ever have to go through in my life. I knew something was wrong with Beau’s death and I knew that I needed to get justice for him, so I made myself come anyway despite all my fears and worries. Then I got here, and things immediately took an unexpected turn with my accident. If you hadn’t found me, that might have been the end of me right there, but you did find me.”
Cassidy warmed at his words and the expression on his face, waiting for him to continue.
After a moment, he did. “You saved me, not just from my injuries, but also in so many other ways. You’ve brought so much happiness and purpose into my life that I didn’t even know I was missing.”
“In that sense, you saved me too, more than I could ever say.”
Austin’s eyes flickered back up to the sky. “I can’t help but feel like this was Beau still finding a way to look after me even after he was gone.”
“That’s a really nice way to think about it all.”
“Thank you,” he said, eyes still in the sky. Even if the words were technically spoken to her, Cassidy knew that in so many ways they weren’t for her, but for Beau. She felt honored to get to be so close to him in such a vulnerable moment.
“Come on,” he said, squeezing her hand. “Let’s go home.”
The pair walked into the sunlight, hand in hand. While the walk home was almost over, their life together was only just beginning and neither of them could wait to see where they would go next.
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 Cassidy and Austin’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! ♥️📚
How do you do it Ms Hales? You had this story all wrapped up in love, lies, plots, plans, sadness, challenges, trust, doubt « « life »in a nut shell! A beautifully , amazingly written story of the frontier & its ranches, horses, communities & landscapes! Loved it! I never ever miss out on a book Leslie Hales! Gif Bless you!
Thank you so much, Judette! Your kind words truly mean the world. I’m so glad the story resonated with you and that you enjoyed the frontier, the ranches, and the characters. Your support always warms my heart! 💛
Wonderful story! Lots of life happening in that little town and you had the characters to be a huge part of it. Family, friendships, bad guys, good guys, fear, hope, death and new life — all together in a full picture of life in the 1800’s. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Pat! I’m delighted that you enjoyed the story and felt the town and its characters came alive. I really appreciate your thoughtful words about the family, friendships, and all the ups and downs, it means a lot to hear that the story’s world felt complete and vivid to you.
Awesome story. There was some drama, people being hurt, fear, death, and new life. I couldn’t put it down. Read the complete book in one sitting. Keep writing these wonderful stories.
Thank you so much, Rita! I’m thrilled the story kept you turning the pages and in one sitting, no less! It means a lot to hear that the mix of drama, suspense, and hope resonated with you. Your encouragement to keep writing is truly appreciated and inspires me to keep creating more stories like this.
What can I say but it is another great story. I’ve only recently started reading western fiction. But I am truly hooked. It is all I have been reading lately and enjoying every moment. Never realized there was such good reading in a western. Thank you for such a good book. I enjoyed every bit of the reading though I was a little worried at the end thinking they were going to get blown up. What an ending you had. Great great book. Thank you, joan
Thank you so much, Joan! I’m thrilled to hear you’ve discovered a love for western fiction and even more that this story kept you hooked from start to finish. I completely understand that anxious moment near the end; I’m glad the ending worked out in a way that stayed exciting without being too stressful. Your kind words mean so much, and I truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience with the book.