OFFER: A BRAND NEW SERIES AND 2 FREEBIES FOR YOU!
Grab my new series, " Faith and Love on the Frontier", and get 2 FREE novels as a gift! Have a look here!
Caroline
Spring was firmly in the air as Caroline washed the last dish and put it in the rack to dry. Her belly meant that she had to stand a little further from the sink than she did at Christmas, but it was for the happiest reason.
She had prayed for a child, but was also willing to accept that her family would only be the two boys, and she had been happy with that. When she realized she was pregnant, she had fallen to her knees and thanked God.
Arthur had also been overjoyed, kissing her a thousand times and sending his prayers up to the heavens.
The spring breeze blew through the house as Caroline reached for her light shawl. She had been told that walking was important as long as she could in her pregnancy, and today, she had a plan. It was the first nice day in a long time, and she intended to make the most of it.
She picked up the flowers she had picked from the garden earlier that morning, and called out to Samuel that she was just going for a walk. He was inside the house, painting a spot in the cabinet that she was certain that no one but him would ever see. Samuel liked to make himself useful and she knew better than to tell him it was alright to rest now and again. Since he agreed to stay, turning the small shack by the barn into a cozy cabin, she was grateful for anything he wanted to help with. He had claimed that it was just that he was too old to travel now, and it was easier to stay put, but from the amount of chores that he still did, she knew it was just an excuse.
Between Samuel and Eleanor and Edward, Caroline felt like she had the chance to truly experience what it was like to be a newlywed with Arthur. They took long walks in the afternoons when he came in from chores, and sat on the porch for hours, discussing their days, their thoughts and their dreams. She could talk to him forever, and never feel like she was going to be judged for being too practical or too forward. They were truly a match for each other’s minds and he had even agreed to read some of the other books that she had recently purchased, if not just to understand her better. He claimed he didn’t enjoy them, but she saw him smiling to himself as he read, and she knew that he enjoyed the stories of adventures and characters not so different from themselves. Some evenings, they discussed the books, and others, they talked about their plans for the future. In Caroline’s mind, with Arthur by her side, anything was possible. And now that she was firmly with child, there was a whole new world of possibility about to descend on them.
She turned her face towards the sunshine as she walked slowly, moving as her body commanded. She had heard so many stories about being with a child and she had been afraid her time would be filled with sickness or pain. However, she had never felt better, even if she did find she had to move a bit more slowly.
His first stop was at the barn, to check on the animals. Sometimes, she and Arthur took the horses out for a leisurely ride, and although she hadn’t since she found out she was with child, she still stopped by the pet the horses, promising the mare in particular that she would be back soon.
She was lost in her thoughts as she walked over the hill and towards the graveyard. If she had ever felt any sort of way about it, it was now replaced with a feeling of peace. Rebecca’s grave seemed to shine, and Caroline tried to leave a flower there, beside her knitted one, as often as she could. Rebecca had started this family and she would always be grateful to her.
“I wish there was some alternative world where I could have met you,” Caroline said with a smile, as she placed a hand on her belly. “But know that I couldn’t do my best without the plans you left me.”
Her stroll continued, down towards the river. Despite the difficult memories, Arthur seemed to have made peace with it. He had placed a small stone marker near the spot where Daniel had drowned, and Caroline counted that as part of the graveyard, making a point to leave a flower there as well. She asked Arthur to tell her and the boys stories of Daniel from time to time, when he was in a strong enough mood, and she committed them to memory so that she too could remember the young boy that had shaped Arthur into the person he was.
She wished that she had a marker for her mother as well, but that was back in New York. Instead of a marker, though, she remembered her mother in a butterfly or a beautiful bird, signs of God’s miracles and plans everywhere. She felt her presence here more than she ever had in New York.
She walked back towards the ranch slowly, watching as the boys came out from the barn, laughing and chasing each other as Stormy ran at their legs. They looked over and saw her, and waved, motioning that she should come over. She was sure that they had something they wanted to show her that she wouldn’t quite want to see, but she accepted that as part of her new role. Boys would be boys, and she would love them no matter how many dead rats they brought to her attention.
“Thank you, God,” she said softly as she walked towards her chosen children, with her hand on her little one to come. “Thank you for always watching over me, and having a plan. Amen.”
OFFER: A BRAND NEW SERIES AND 2 FREEBIES FOR YOU!
Grab my new series, " Faith and Love on the Frontier", and get 2 FREE novels as a gift! Have a look here!
Hello my dears, I hope you enjoyed the book and the Extended Epilogue! I will be waiting for your comments here. Thank you 🙂
I really liked this story! It was interesting without so much violence! Thank you for writing such a lovely story!
Thank you so much! I’m really glad you enjoyed the story and appreciated its tone. Your kind words mean a lot. 💛
I loved the book. Carolyn and Arthur were such strong caring individuals. Weaving his Mom and Dad and her Dad into the story revealed such a profound and beautiful picture. Thank you.
Thank you so much! I’m so glad you connected with Carolyn and Arthur, and that the family threads made the story feel meaningful to you. Your kind words truly mean a lot. 💛
I really enjoyed this story. All the characters were well written. I liked how they acknowledge grief, and the struggle to move forward. I loved the twins., I wish I could have discovered their age. Thank you for sharing Gods miracles. The book was inspiring.
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m really glad the story and its message touched you, and that the characters—especially the twins—stayed with you. 💛
That’s a lovely note about their age—I appreciate you pointing it out! Thank you for reading and for your encouragement.
I loved this book from start to finish.It was full of wonderful characters, and beautifully written. The grief that the family was feeling I felt was handled with great care. Thankyou Lilah.
Thank you so much for your kind words. 💛 I’m truly glad the story and characters stayed with you, and it means a lot to hear that the family’s grief felt thoughtfully handled. Thank you for reading and for your lovely support!
A really beautiful story, in today’s ugly world.
Thank you for awakening in me, the hope of love overcoming all adversity.
Did Caroline have an equally loved child.
I thank God for his skillful use of your talent
Thank you Lilah
Thank you so much, Brian. 💛 I’m truly glad the story gave you a sense of hope and light—that means a great deal to me.
Caroline’s journey continues beyond the ending you read, and while I can’t say too much without spoiling future stories, I can say she is deeply blessed in her family life. 😊
Thank you again for your kind words and encouragement.