An Innocent Love’s Wildflower – Extended Epilogue

Rebecca leaned back against the boulder. She loved it at the lake. It was more peaceful than ever.

Well, aside from the party.

After more than twelve years of marriage, Rebecca had seen Kyle experience so many things. He had gone from helping out at his father’s ranch to pursuing his dream to work as a deputy.

Now, he was finally the sheriff. And as the sheriff, he had just cracked his biggest case yet.

Rebecca was so proud of him. She had always been proud of him, but this only went to show that he was a brave man for more than just the result that he got in the case, but for having known that he was made for this role. He was brave enough to step out and try to have the career that he had always wanted.

Once everything had come together, and they had managed to get the guilty culprit behind bars, Rebecca had immediately gone to planning.

She had enlisted the help of Melanie and her aunt. Each of the women had done everything that they could to assist her.

After inviting everyone in town, it was clear that the party was going to be a big event.

Now, the fire was raging, the men and women were enjoying themselves in conversation, and there was music playing. A celebration it was, indeed.

“Good heavens, I wish I had someone to throw me a party like this,” Mr. Whitehall said, coming over to Rebecca.

“My husband is more than deserving of it,” she replied.

“That is certainly the truth. A better man there never was. I think he should be rewarded in the greatest of ways, to be sure. Anyway, we are all delighted to be here and to celebrate him,” he said, taking his leave.

She was approached by many others, expressing a similar sentiment.

“Your husband is absolutely the hero of our town.”

“I cannot imagine what we would do without him.”

“To think that he was able to solve even this case!”

And on and on they went, reminding Rebecca that she had chosen a man who was known for his heart, for his diligence, and for his integrity. She was proud of all that he had accomplished for himself, for their family, and for the people of their town.

More than ever, she remembered that this was home. A home she had left, but returned to. Because it was not just the town that made it home. It was Kyle. He was the place she would always be.

She mingled among all of the men and women, waiting for Tom.

Tom was the one who had helped her to keep Kyle in the dark about it all. Of course, being married to a sheriff, it was hard to keep her secrets.

Finally, however, Tom and Kyle arrived.

Everyone grew quiet as Melanie made her bird call in signal, while watching from the crest over the lake.

And as Tom and Kyle came over that crest, everyone erupted into a roar of cheering and shouts and whistles and hollers, thanking Kyle for his efforts and for how hard he worked to keep their town safe.
Rebecca watched him, standing in astonishment, not moving, but allowing his eyes to take in the scene.
Finally, she began to walk toward him as the noise began to settle. She slipped her hand into his and turned toward the people of the town.

“Thank you all for coming out this afternoon, for taking the time to celebrate my beloved husband, our most excellent sheriff!” she exclaimed.

They cheered again before she put up a hand to signal that she wanted to say more.

“As many of you know, my husband had to work hard for this, to end up in this role. The man who he first put behind bars is still there, after all this time, because he stole from hard-working people. After that, Kyle Jenkins was known in California and in Wyoming for his efforts,” she said.

“And, while I call him husband and our children call him father, I know that you all know him to be our hard-working sheriff. Today, we celebrate the work that he does. We thank him for protecting us and keeping our town safe,” she continued.

“And, finally, we thank the Lord. We give thanks to our God who enabled Kyle to do these things, our God who ensured that we were protected from all harm, that we are able to get through the difficulties of this life. To him be all the honor!” Rebecca exclaimed.

The noise ensued again, thanking the Lord, thanking Kyle, and finally, settled into the noise of a community who was gathered together in excitement and joy.

“I can’t believe you did all of this for me,” Kyle said, turning to Rebecca.

“I had to. You have worked so hard to keep us all safe, to make sure that everyone in this town is cared for. What was I meant to do? Forget about it all? Let it pass?” Rebecca asked.

“I just didn’t expect that you would go to such lengths. And I am pretty disappointed in myself,” Kyle said.
“What? Why?” Rebecca asked, panicked.

“Because you must have done so much work for this and yet, somehow, I never figured it out,” Kyle said, laughing at himself.

“Ah, yes, well, that was not easy,” she said. “You shouldn’t be disappointed in yourself. We worked very hard to prevent you from finding out.”

“Is that so?” Kyle asked.

“It is, indeed. I can’t tell you how difficult it was,” she said.

“I’m glad to hear it. I thought that maybe I was losing my skill,” Kyle said with a laugh.

“Anyway, what do you think?” she asked.

“I think you have gone above and beyond. And how did you get all of this arranged?” he asked.

“Many people were willing to help. Everyone is so grateful for all that you do that they were perfectly happy to assist me. All of the food was prepared by women in town who want to thank you for helping them feel safe at night. And those tables over there? Mr. Sanders, Mr. Guthrie, and Mr. Osprey all took part in building them. The Wilson family chopped the wood for the fire and Tom was in charge of making sure that you didn’t find out any part of it,” she told him.

“I’m astonished. Then again, you always leave me astonished. I shouldn’t ever doubt you,” Kyle said.

“No, you shouldn’t. I do—sometimes—know what I’m doing,” she said, giving a sweet and flirtatious smile.

“You are also still the most beautiful woman I have ever known in all the world,” Kyle said.

“Hardly. You know how years have affected my beauty,” Rebecca said, very matter-of-factly.

“You? No, my love. Years have not touched you,” Kyle said.

Rebecca loved hearing these sweet words from her husband. He was always so devoted, even when they had been through twelve years of marriage and all the complications and struggles that had come with it.
He still treated her as though she was the most incredible woman in the whole world.

The celebration continued, and Rebecca laughed and danced with her husband before settling with a few of the ladies to chat.

They were always going on about different things in town, especially in regards to the younger generation and about who was going to marry who someday.

“Well, the Wilson girl is certainly going to marry the Guthrie boy,” her aunt said.

“I thought they were already courting,” Melanie said.

“Exactly. They aren’t yet, but you would think so,” her aunt said.

“And what about Madeline Guthrie? Once her brother is married, she is next. Quite a beautiful young woman. She is, what, eighteen now?” Mrs. Meyer asked.

“Yes, eighteen. I expect she and Miller’s son will end up together, but that’s just my suspicion. He is a little bit older, but a nice young man,” her aunt added.

Rebecca had plenty of her own suspicions as far as the young adults of the town. There were also cousins and friends who lived outside of their town who were constantly being brought in and matched up, paired away with one or another.

But they were not the young men and women that Rebecca had been considering. Although marriage was a long way off, there were others in whom she was invested.

As she was talking and laughing with them, Rebecca saw her son, Ezra. He was off and away, sitting with Naomi. Just the two of them, outside of the main party but within an easy distance.

Tom and Melanie’s daughter was only a year younger than her own son. She knew that they got along well and that they understood one another.

Ezra was a good young man. She had always hoped that she and Kyle would raise their children well, but in the end, it had not been difficult.

He was an obedient, reserved young man. Sometimes she worried that he did not have enough fun because he was always so devoted to bettering himself through study and discourse.

But when he saw Naomi, he would light up. His face would brighten, his eyes widen, and his entire demeanor would shift into one of excitement and joy.

As she watched the two of them, Melanie shifted closer to her.

“I know what you’re thinking,” she said.

“You do?” Rebecca asked.

“Based on every story you have ever told me about you and Kyle as children, coming to this lake? I think it is fairly obvious what must be on your mind,” Melanie said.

“Maybe …” Rebecca said. “Forgive me. I know they are still so young. It just warms my heart to see them together like this. You know, I would love our children to be a match one day.”

“As would I. You have no reason to apologize. I think they would be a perfect match as well. And it would make me so happy to see them together because it would mean that we could be family,” Melanie said.

Rebecca looked at her, hurt.

“You know what I mean. We are sisters, yes, but only because of our own mother and father marrying one another … we have no real relation between us by blood. But we could share a grandchild,” Melanie said, grinning.

They eyed one another for a moment before bursting into laughter.

“Well, I am glad that we have secured their future,” Rebecca said, acknowledging that it was silly to arrange all of this when they were so young. She had every intention of encouraging the two to grow toward one another over the years, but she couldn’t be so eager now, and Melanie clearly felt the same.

They were sweet children, just ten and eleven years of age. But they had a lifetime ahead, one that Rebecca was confident would be full of the same honest love and devotion that she and her husband had, that Melanie and Tom had as well.

Her other two children, Eli and Marianna were off playing with other kids. All of them had bright futures ahead, every child that was in the town. Every child who was protected by Kyle’s work.

Rebecca looked up and saw Kyle walking toward her, after having been entertained by many of his friends and others who wanted to thank him for his service to the community.

“My love, how is your afternoon?” Rebecca asked, although the sun was beginning to set and evening was well underway.

“It is perfect, my dear. You have done me a great honor, you know. I can’t imagine enjoying this any more than I have,” he said, taking a seat next to her while the other women continued their conversation without her.

“I’m glad to hear it,” Rebecca said.

“I saw you watching Ezra and Naomi,” he said.

“Oh? Melanie and I were just talking about them,” she said.

“And about the fact that they look just like we did? Sitting at the edge of the lake, spending time together, caring about one another?” Kyle asked.

“Yes, exactly. We were saying that it would be silly to try and arrange something when they are this young, but how we both have our hopes set on it,” Rebecca said.

“I don’t think there is anything wrong with that. We were only a year or two older than they when we first professed our love. And that was on the day you told me you were leaving. Before that, we had years together, much like they have,” Kyle said.

“That was my thinking,” Rebecca said.

Kyle watched them and smiled, putting his arm around Rebecca.

“Can you wait for just a moment?” Rebecca asked him.

Kyle nodded, and she turned to Melanie.

“Do you mind watching our kids for me? Probably for an hour?” she asked.

“Of course. Don’t think of it. In fact, you two need to celebrate. Why don’t we just take them back home with us later? You and Kyle can come and get them tonight or even tomorrow,” she offered.

Rebecca thought about having a bit of time alone with Kyle and how wonderful it would be.

“That would be ideal. It will probably be tonight, but if it is too late, and you are all asleep, we will come at once in the morning,” she promised.

With that, Rebecca stood and took Kyle’s hand.

“What’s this all about?” he asked.

“I have a surprise for you,” she said.

Rebecca led Kyle past the rest of the party and along the lake until they reached an area that most people avoided. There were bushes and trees and all manner of foliage.

“Here?” Kyle asked.

“Just trust me,” Rebecca said.

She led him a little bit further and found the inlet that she had discovered as an eleven-year-old.

“See? It’s perfect. We have a little bit of privacy, and we can just be here, at the lake. I wanted you to have a party, and we may go back to it at any point. But I want a few minutes with you. Alone. Here,” she said.

“It’s perfect,” Kyle said.

They took a seat and stared over the water, seeing the bonfire reflected off the lake and still hearing the ruckus noise of everyone who was continuing the celebration.

“I’m glad you brought me to this spot. As wonderful as the party is and as thankful as I am for what you arranged, nothing makes me happier than sitting with you,” Kyle said.

“Really? You are happy to just be here with me?” she asked, teasing him with her preening and searching for the compliment.

“Exactly, my love. Nothing makes me happier,” he said.

“Then I am glad we came to this spot. There is nothing I enjoy more, either. I love to be here, with you, in your arms,” Rebecca said.

They had been through so much to get back here, to get back to the lake and just be together. Twelve years together, ten years apart, and now twelve years of marriage, it was all a sequence of events that reminded Rebecca that the Lord was always looking out for them, and they could trust in his wisdom.

“Have you heard from your mother lately?” Kyle asked.

“I have. She and my stepfather are doing well. He sold the mine, and they are living off a vast profit. She said they will be coming to visit soon because he isn’t sure how much longer he will feel strong enough to travel,” Rebecca said.

“We would love to have them come,” Kyle said.

“And I know they would love to see their grandchildren. You know, we have had a wonderful journey, but sometimes I feel like the best is still ahead of us,” Rebecca said.

“Really? I hope so. Why do you think that?” Kyle asked.

“Because, when I look at our children, I see their futures. I think about the fact that we will get to see them grow and flourish. But I also think about how much I have seen you already do that. And, if you have done so much in twelve years, what more will you do in the next twelve and the twelve after that?” Rebecca asked him.

“You have too much faith in me,” he said, laughing.

“Not at all. I have faith in the Lord, who has appointed you to do these things. He is the one who is capable of bringing it all together,” Rebecca said.

“On that point, you are very right,” Kyle said.

She smiled and sighed, leaning her head into Kyle’s chest and listening to his heartbeat. The Lord truly had been good to them. He had given them everything they could ever have wanted, and he allowed them a life together that was more than Rebecca had ever dreamt of.

She thought about who she was as a younger woman. A woman eager to marry, even to the point of nearly marrying someone who was not suited for her.

But the Lord had stopped that from happening. He had sent Kyle back into her life, and they had been restored to one another.

“Do you really think Ezra and Naomi are going to fall in love and marry one day?” Kyle asked.

“I don’t know. I hope so, but that is only a hope,” she said.

“And, if that hope comes to pass?” Kyle asked.

“I will thank the Lord in the same way as I will thank him for whomever Eli marries and whomever Marianne marries. Because he is the one that we trust,” she said.

“Yes, he is. And, Lord, we thank you for all of this goodness,” Kyle prayed.

“Amen,” Rebecca said.

“Amen,” Kyle repeated.

She looked to her husband, and he gazed at her in return as he sealed their love with a kiss.

THE END

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