A Guardian’s Oath to the Widow – Extended Epilogue


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“Thomas, if you don’t stop fussing, I’m going to throw this broom at you,” Lillian warned, though the corners of her mouth quirked in amusement.

Thomas paused mid-stride, holding a bucket filled with fresh water, his brow furrowed. “I’m not fussing. I’m making sure everything is ready. The last thing we need is to be caught unprepared.”

Lillian rolled her eyes, leaning the broom against the porch railing. “It’s a picnic, not a cattle drive. We’ve packed enough food to feed half the town, and I’ve checked the wagon twice myself.”

Thomas glanced over to where the wagon sat by the barn, its bed stacked with baskets of food and blankets. Roy Jr. was toddling around nearby, chasing after the family dog, Blue, his chubby hands outstretched in delight.

“I just want everything to go smoothly,” Thomas muttered, watching his son with a soft smile. “It’s the first time we’ve taken Roy to the river for a full day, and I know how excited he is about fishing. I want it to be perfect for him.”

Lillian stepped closer, resting a hand on his arm. “It will be perfect, because we’re together. That’s what matters.”

Thomas looked down at her, his expression softening. “You always know the right thing to say, don’t you?”

She grinned. “It’s one of my many talents.”

“Is that so?” he teased, setting the bucket down and sliding his arms around her waist. “What other talents should I know about, Mrs. Bannon?”

She raised an eyebrow, tilting her head as though considering. “Well, there’s my skill with a broom, which you’ve already witnessed. And let’s not forget my exceptional ability to keep you humble.”

Thomas chuckled, his rich laughter echoing across the yard. “You’ve got me there.”

A loud bark interrupted their moment, followed by a squeal of laughter as Blue gently tackled Roy to the ground.

“Da! Blue got me!” Roy called, looking over his shoulder with a wide grin.

“Blue’s a fierce one,” Thomas said, releasing Lillian and crouching to scoop up his son. “Did he win the wrestling match?”

Roy nodded solemnly, his dark curls bouncing. “Blue always wins.”

Lillian joined them, brushing grass off Roy’s little trousers. “Well, it’s a good thing he’s on our side, then.”

Thomas kissed Roy’s cheek and set him down. “Go help your uncle Eli load the wagon, partner. We’ve got a big adventure ahead.”

Roy whooped and ran toward Eli, who was busy organizing the fishing poles.

Lillian leaned against Thomas, watching their son. “It’s hard to believe how much he’s grown. Wasn’t it just yesterday that he was learning to walk?”

Thomas wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Time has a way of sneaking up on us. But it’s days like today that remind me just how lucky we are.”

“Lucky, indeed,” Lillian agreed, her voice soft. “Come on. Let’s get everything packed before Roy decides to climb into the wagon himself.”

The river sparkled like a trail of liquid silver, winding its way through the green expanse of the valley. A cluster of trees provided shade where the Bannons and their small group of friends and family had set up their picnic.

Eli was unpacking baskets while Caleb and Joan arranged blankets on the soft grass. Mae Whittaker was seated on a log, fanning herself with her bonnet and laughing at something Percy had said. Roy Jr., armed with a tiny fishing pole Thomas had carved for him, stood at the water’s edge, his brows furrowed in concentration as Thomas crouched beside him.

“Keep your wrist loose, Roy,” Thomas instructed, guiding his son’s little hand as he cast the line. “Just like that—good job!”

“I did it, Ma!” Roy yelled over his shoulder, his excitement drawing a smile from Lillian, who was busy laying out sandwiches.

“You sure did!” she called back. “Maybe you’ll catch the biggest fish of the day.”

Thomas laughed, adjusting his hat against the sun. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Lillian. Last time I fished here, all I caught was a boot.”

“It’s not the size of the catch that matters,” Caleb chimed in, easing himself onto a blanket. “It’s the story you tell about it later.”

Roy turned to his grandfather figure, wide-eyed. “Can we tell stories, Grandpa Caleb?”

“You bet we can,” Caleb said with a grin. “I’ve got plenty of tales about fishing trips. Why, there was this one time I hooked a catfish so big, it nearly tipped the boat over—”

“Here we go again,” Joan interjected, shaking her head fondly. “Don’t let him fill your head with tall tales, Roy. You know how your Grandpa Caleb loves to exaggerate.”

“I do not exaggerate,” Caleb protested. “I simply… embellish.”

As the group laughed, Lillian joined Thomas and Roy at the water’s edge, a woven basket of snacks in hand. She sat down beside Thomas, handing him a sandwich wrapped in cloth.

“Thought you might be hungry,” she said.

Thomas took the offering with a smile. “You know me too well.”

“I do,” she replied, leaning into his side.

Roy tugged on his father’s sleeve. “Da, do fish like sandwiches?”

Thomas chuckled. “Not this kind, son. But if you want, we can use some leftover bread for bait later.”

Roy’s face lit up with excitement. “Yes, please!”

Lillian watched the interaction with quiet contentment. The sight of Thomas with their son never failed to warm her heart. He was patient and kind, guiding Roy with gentle words and encouraging him at every turn.

As the afternoon wore on, the sound of laughter mingled with the rustling of leaves and the gentle murmur of the river. Roy didn’t catch a single fish, but he didn’t seem to mind.

“Da says it’s not about the fish,” he announced to the group as they packed up their belongings. “It’s about the fun.”

Thomas ruffled his son’s curls, his grin stretching ear to ear. “Smart boy.”

The sun was dipping low on the horizon as the family returned to the ranch, their wagon creaking softly along the dirt path. Roy Jr., now thoroughly worn out from a day of fishing and chasing dragonflies, was nestled against Lillian’s shoulder, his tiny snores the only sound in the otherwise quiet evening.

Thomas drove the wagon with steady hands, glancing occasionally at his wife and son. The contentment he felt was something he never could have imagined a few years ago. The land stretched out around them, vibrant and full of promise, a testament to their hard work and determination.

As they reached the crest of the hill overlooking their ranch, Lillian broke the comfortable silence.

“Do you think it’ll ever stop surprising us?” she asked softly.

“What?” Thomas asked, pulling the reins gently to slow the wagon.

“This life we’ve built,” she replied, gesturing to the ranch below. The barn’s fresh coat of paint gleamed in the fading light, and the fields stretched out like a patchwork quilt. “Every time I see it, I feel like I’m dreaming.”

Thomas smiled, his heart swelling with pride. “It’s not a dream, Lil. It’s real, and it’s ours.”

She shifted slightly, careful not to wake Roy. “Sometimes I wonder if Roy Senior is looking down on us. Do you think he’d be happy with how things have turned out?”

Thomas considered her words, his expression thoughtful. “I think he’d be proud. You’ve honored his legacy, and you’ve made it your own. And more than that, you’ve given this place new life. He’d be happy to see you happy.”

Lillian reached out, covering his hand with hers. “I am happy, Thomas. Happier than I ever thought I could be.”

His grip on her hand tightened slightly, his dark eyes softening. “Me too. You, Roy, this ranch—it’s everything I could ever want.”

They shared a quiet moment, gazing out at the land as the wagon rolled down the hill toward the house. The familiar barks of their dog, Rusty, greeted them as they pulled into the yard. Roy stirred at the sound, blinking sleepily.

“Rusty!” he mumbled, his small voice thick with sleep.

Thomas chuckled as he jumped down from the wagon and helped Lillian out. “He missed you, bud. Let’s get you inside so Ma can put you to bed.”

Roy clung to his mother as they made their way to the house, his little arms wrapping tightly around her neck. The warmth of the home greeted them as they stepped inside, the scent of woodsmoke and the faint aroma of freshly baked bread lingering in the air.

Once Roy was tucked into bed, his stuffed rabbit clutched tightly in one hand, Thomas and Lillian found themselves alone in the quiet of the living room. The fire crackled softly in the hearth, casting a warm glow over the room.

Thomas pulled Lillian into his arms, resting his chin on the top of her head. “Do you ever think about what the future might hold?” he asked, his voice low.

“All the time,” she admitted, her fingers tracing lazy circles on his chest. “But whatever it is, I’m not afraid. Not as long as I have you.”

He kissed the top of her head, his voice filled with quiet determination. “You’ll always have me, Lil. Always.”

The following spring, the ranch was alive with the sights and sounds of renewal. The first foal of the season had been born just days earlier, a lively chestnut colt that seemed to embody the promise of the future. Roy Jr. had taken to calling the colt “Sparky,” a name that stuck as the little horse tottered around the paddock under its mother’s watchful eye.

Thomas stood leaning against the fence, his arms crossed as he watched Sparky play. The colt’s energy and curiosity brought a grin to his face. Behind him, Lillian approached, a basket of freshly picked wildflowers in hand.

“Thought I’d find you here,” she said, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face.

Thomas glanced over his shoulder, smiling warmly. “Couldn’t resist. He’s got good spirit.”

Lillian joined him at the fence, resting her hand on his arm. “He reminds me of someone else I know,” she teased.

“Me? Spirited?” Thomas chuckled, shaking his head. “I think you’ve got the wrong man, Mrs. Bannon.”

She laughed softly, the sound like music to his ears. “You’re more spirited than you give yourself credit for.”

They stood together for a moment, watching the colt gambol across the field. Lillian sighed contentedly, resting her head on Thomas’ shoulder.

“Do you ever think about how far we’ve come?” she asked quietly.

“All the time,” Thomas replied. “Sometimes it feels like yesterday I was just a wanderer trying to figure out my place in the world. Now…” He gestured to the land stretching out before them. “Now, I know exactly where I belong.”

Lillian smiled, her heart full. “You’ve made this place better in so many ways, Thomas. I don’t think I could have done it without you.”

He turned to face her, brushing a thumb gently across her cheek. “You could’ve. You’re stronger than you think, Lil. But I’m glad I could be here with you to do it.”

They shared a tender kiss, the kind that spoke of deep love and unwavering partnership. When they broke apart, Lillian’s eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief.

“Well, Mr. Bannon,” she said, slipping her arm through his, “there’s still plenty of work to be done if we’re going to make this ranch everything we’ve dreamed of.”

He grinned. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

As they walked back toward the house, the late afternoon sun casting golden light over the land, they heard the high-pitched giggle of Roy Jr. The boy came barreling around the corner of the barn, his arms outstretched like wings as Rusty barked happily at his heels.

“Ma! Pa!” Roy called, his face alight with joy. “Sparky’s racing me, and I’m winning!”

Thomas crouched down to scoop his son up as he ran toward them. “Is that so? Well, you’d better watch out—Sparky’s quick.”

Lillian laughed as she leaned into Thomas, her arms wrapping around both of them. Together, they made their way inside, the promise of a bright future ahead of them.

For the Bannons, the challenges of ranch life would always be there, but so too would the love and resilience that bound them together. And as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the land, it was clear that they had everything they needed to face whatever came next—together.

THE END


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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