A Pregnant Runaway for the Widowed Rancher – Extended Epilogue

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“You don’t suppose he’s gone and eaten the whole pie, do you?” Clara asked, her laughter ringing out like a bell as she watched Levi stride across the front yard of their ranch.

Levi tipped his hat back and leaned against the fence, a grin tugging at the corners of his lips. “If it was Jeremiah, you can count on it. That boy’s got the appetite of a grizzly. I reckon Alma’ll have to keep an eye on her pantry for years to come.”

Clara rested her hands on her hips, the soft breeze ruffling the apron tied around her waist. The late afternoon sun painted her cheeks with a warm glow, and her smile was as radiant as ever. “I don’t know how he manages it. You’d think after running around all morning, he’d be too tired to think about food, but no, he can polish off half a pie and come asking for more.”

Levi chuckled and pushed himself off the fence. He walked over to Clara and slipped an arm around her waist, pulling her close. “Takes after his ma, don’t you think? I recall someone putting away more than their share of biscuits when we first got married.”

Clara swatted his chest playfully, but her laughter softened the blow. “Levi Coulter, are you saying I have no restraint?”

He leaned down, pressing a kiss to her temple. “I’m saying you’ve got a way of making everything sweeter, even biscuits.”

Clara’s eyes sparkled as she leaned into his embrace, the warmth of his presence wrapping around her like a blanket. She glanced toward the barn, where their two boys, Jeremiah and little Samuel, were undoubtedly up to some kind of mischief. “Speaking of biscuits, did you hear what Alma said about the church social next week?”

Levi raised a brow. “Something about a bake sale, wasn’t it?”

“Exactly. She wants me to bake those honey rolls everyone loves so much. Said it’s for the new schoolhouse fund.”

Levi smiled, his gaze softening as he looked at her. “You’ve got a knack for bringing folks together, Clara. That schoolhouse wouldn’t be half as far along if it weren’t for you.”

Clara blushed, tucking a stray curl behind her ear. “I think it’s more about the jewelry we donated than anything else. Those pieces have done a lot of good for Canyon Springs, Levi. It feels like we’re building something important here.”

“We are,” Levi agreed, his voice steady. “A town, a family, a future. All because of you.”

Clara’s heart swelled, and she tilted her head up to meet his gaze. “All because of us.”

As they stood together, the sounds of their boys’ laughter drifted from the barn, mingling with the rustle of the wind through the prairie grass. The ranch was alive with the promise of tomorrow, and in that moment, Clara knew they had found their place in the wide, untamed West.

“Come on,” Levi said, breaking the silence with a playful nudge. “Let’s go see what those boys are up to before Jeremiah eats his way through next week’s baking supplies.”

Clara laughed, taking his hand as they walked toward the barn, their hearts as full as the bright Texas sky above them.

“Jeremiah Coulter!” Clara called out as they neared the barn, her voice carrying the gentle authority that only a mother could master. “What have you gotten into this time?”

A small, muffled giggle floated from inside the barn, followed by a clattering sound. Levi chuckled, giving Clara’s hand a reassuring squeeze as he stepped ahead to open the wide wooden doors.

Inside, Jeremiah, now seven, was crouched near a stack of crates, his face smeared with what looked suspiciously like molasses. His little brother, Samuel, barely five, stood beside him holding a small pie tin, the evidence of their escapade clear in his sticky fingers.

Levi crossed his arms, trying to suppress a grin. “Let me guess. Alma’s molasses pie didn’t make it back to the kitchen, did it?”

Jeremiah looked up, his wide, innocent eyes gleaming. “We was just checkin’, Pa. Making sure it was good enough for the church social!”

Clara stifled a laugh, her hands on her hips. “And was it good enough?”

“Real good!” Samuel chimed in, his voice high and earnest as he nodded enthusiastically.

Levi shook his head, walking over to crouch beside his sons. “Well, boys, I reckon it’s time for a lesson in honesty. Alma’s been looking for this pie all morning. You think maybe we should own up to it?”

Jeremiah’s face scrunched with guilt, and he hung his head. “We didn’t mean no harm, Pa. Just wanted a taste.”

Clara knelt beside them, placing a gentle hand on Jeremiah’s shoulder. “We know you didn’t mean any harm, sweetheart. But taking something without asking isn’t right, even if it’s just a taste. How about we help Alma make a new one this afternoon? That way, you can learn how it’s done and make it up to her.”

Jeremiah brightened at the idea, nodding eagerly. “I’d like that, Ma. Can I help roll the dough?”

Samuel tugged on Clara’s apron. “And I can stir the molasses!”

Clara smiled, ruffling his hair. “Of course, you can. But first, let’s get you both cleaned up before Alma sees what you’ve done and sends you to muck out the chicken coop.”

Jeremiah groaned dramatically, but he didn’t argue as Levi stood, lifting Samuel into his arms. “Come on, partner,” Levi said, swinging the little boy onto his hip. “Let’s see if we can’t get that molasses out of your hair before it attracts every bee in Canyon Springs.”

Clara laughed, following them toward the house with Jeremiah at her side. As they walked, she marveled at how full her life had become. The days of uncertainty and fear seemed like a distant memory, replaced by a life rich with love, laughter, and the simple joys of family.

Once inside, Alma took one look at the boys and let out a sharp laugh. “Well, I’ll be! I don’t need to ask where that pie went. Jeremiah Coulter, you better hope you’ve got a good explanation!”

“We’re gonna help you make another, Miss Alma,” Jeremiah said quickly, his earnest tone disarming her stern expression.

“Well, you’d better,” Alma replied, planting her hands on her hips. “And it better be the best pie I’ve ever tasted.”

The afternoon passed in a flurry of flour, laughter, and sticky fingers. By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, a fresh pie sat cooling on the windowsill, and Clara couldn’t help but feel grateful for the messy, beautiful life they had built together.

The evening breeze drifted through the open windows of the ranch house, carrying with it the scent of wildflowers from the prairie. After dinner, Clara settled into her favorite chair on the porch, her hands gently resting on her growing belly. The baby was due in a few months, and the boys were already buzzing with excitement over the prospect of a little sister.

Levi joined her a moment later, carrying two steaming mugs of coffee. He handed one to Clara before lowering himself into the chair beside her. For a moment, neither of them spoke, content to watch the sun dip below the horizon in a blaze of orange and purple.

“You know,” Levi said, breaking the silence, “I think the boys are more excited about this baby than we are. Jeremiah’s already been making plans to teach her how to ride.”

Clara laughed, the sound soft and warm. “And Samuel’s been talking about showing her how to bake pies. Though, judging by today’s little incident, we might need to refine his skills a bit before that happens.”

Levi grinned, leaning back in his chair. “They’re good boys. A little mischief now and then just proves they’re healthy and happy. That’s all I could ever hope for.”

Clara looked over at him, her heart swelling with affection. “And that’s because of you, Levi. You’ve given them a home where they feel safe and loved. A home where they can grow into the kind of men we’ll both be proud of.”

Levi reached over, his fingers brushing hers. “It’s not just me, Clara. We built this life together. You’re the heart of this family.”

She smiled, her eyes shimmering with emotion. “It’s hard to believe how much has changed since the day we met. Sometimes I think about the path that brought me here, all the twists and turns, and it feels like a lifetime ago.”

Levi’s expression grew thoughtful as he gazed out at the horizon. “We’ve come a long way, haven’t we? But I wouldn’t change a thing. Every step brought us here. To this porch, this ranch, this family.”

Clara nodded, her fingers tightening around his. “And to think, I was so close to giving up back then. If you hadn’t found me when you did…”

Levi turned to her, his dark eyes warm and steady. “Fate has a funny way of working things out. I wasn’t looking for a second chance, but then you came along and gave me one anyway. I think we saved each other, Clara.”

She leaned her head against his shoulder, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat grounding her. “We did, didn’t we?”

As the stars began to dot the sky, the sound of the boys’ laughter floated out from the barn, where they were helping Alma with the evening chores. Clara and Levi sat in companionable silence, their hands intertwined, watching the night settle over their home.

It wasn’t perfect, this life they’d built, but it was theirs, and it was beautiful.

The sound of tiny footsteps echoed through the house early the next morning, followed by Samuel’s excited voice. “She’s here! Ma, Pa, she’s here!”

Clara stirred, blinking awake to see Jeremiah standing in the doorway, holding a tiny bundle wrapped in a soft quilt. The little girl’s dark eyes peeked out, and her chubby cheeks glowed pink in the morning light.

Levi stood behind Jeremiah, his wide grin softening as he stepped closer to the bed. “Well, good morning, sleepyheads,” he teased, his voice low and gentle. “Look who decided to join us.”

Clara reached out, and Levi carefully transferred the baby into her arms. Her heart swelled as she looked down at their daughter, her tiny fingers curling against Clara’s chest. “She’s perfect,” Clara whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “What should we call her?”

Jeremiah and Samuel bounced with excitement. “Mabel!” Samuel piped up, but Jeremiah shook his head. “No, she needs a strong name. Like Eleanor!”

Clara laughed softly, looking up at Levi. “What do you think?”

Levi sat on the edge of the bed, his hand resting on Clara’s shoulder. “I think she needs a name that reflects everything we’ve been through. Something beautiful and strong, just like her ma.”

Clara smiled, brushing a kiss across their daughter’s forehead. “How about Grace? It feels right.”

Levi nodded, his gaze warm. “Grace it is.”

The boys cheered, already competing over who would teach her to ride first. Clara shook her head fondly. “Let’s make sure she learns to walk before you get her in the saddle,” she teased.

The next few days passed in a happy blur. Friends and neighbors stopped by to meet baby Grace, bringing gifts and well-wishes. Alma was the first to arrive, holding out a basket filled with freshly baked bread and preserves. “This little one is already the talk of Canyon Springs,” she declared, grinning as she rocked Grace gently in her arms.

Janet and Adam arrived next, their hands clasped as they admired the baby. Janet’s belly showed the beginnings of her own journey into motherhood, and the two women exchanged knowing smiles. “Looks like our little ones will grow up together,” Janet said, resting a hand on Clara’s shoulder.

“Family isn’t just who you’re born to,” Levi said later that evening, his voice steady as he watched their growing circle of loved ones. “It’s who you choose to share your life with.”

Clara leaned against him, her heart full. “And we’ve been blessed with the best.”

As the sun set over the ranch, Clara and Levi stood on the porch, baby Grace nestled between them. The boys chased fireflies in the yard, their laughter filling the evening air.

“This is the life I always dreamed of,” Clara said softly, her gaze sweeping across their home and land.

Levi kissed her temple, his arm tightening around her shoulders. “And it’s only the beginning.”

Together, they looked out at the horizon, the future as endless and bright as the Texas sky. They had faced the trials of the past and come out stronger, their love a foundation that nothing could shake. And now, with Grace in their arms and their family around them, the promise of tomorrow felt more certain than ever.

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OFFER: A BRAND NEW SERIES AND 2 FREEBIES FOR YOU!

Grab my new series, "Brave Hearts of the Frontier", and get 2 FREE novels as a gift! Have a look here!

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