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The stagecoach rumbled into the town of Coeur d’Alene, its wheels kicking up dust as it pulled to a halt. Henry helped Emma down, his eyes alight with joy at being back home. The couple looked around, taking in the familiar sights and smells of the town, feeling an overwhelming sense of contentment.
As they collected their luggage, a bright and cheerful voice rang out from across the street. “Emma! Henry!” Annie called, rushing over to greet them, her face flushed with excitement.
Emma’s face lit up, and she hugged her sister tightly, her eyes twinkling. “Annie! It’s so good to see you again. I’ve missed you so much!”
Annie pulled back, her eyes wide and curious. “Tell me everything! Did you really eat snails in Paris?” she asked, giggling at the thought.
Emma laughed and nodded. “I did! And they were surprisingly delicious.” She looked at Henry, who was grinning, and continued, “And Henry, he was brave enough to try the pressed duck.”
Annie’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Pressed duck? What’s that?”
Henry chimed in, his voice filled with enthusiasm. “Oh, it’s quite a delicacy, Annie. First, they roast the duck, then press it to extract the juices, which are then used to make a rich sauce. They serve it with the breast and a side of potatoes. It’s quite the culinary experience.”
Annie’s mouth watered at the description. “That sounds heavenly. You must try to recreate it here, Emma!”
Emma smiled warmly. “I’ll do my best, though I doubt I can do it justice.”
They continued to chat as they made their way to Annie’s house, their laughter ringing through the air. Once inside, Emma reached into her bag and handed Annie some wrapped packages.
“These are for you,” Emma said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
“These are for you,” Emma said, her eyes sparkling with excitement, her voice filled with anticipation. She handed Annie two carefully wrapped packages, each adorned with delicate ribbons.
Annie’s eyes widened, and she gently took the gifts, curiosity dancing in her eyes. “For me?” she asked, a warm smile spreading across her face.
“Open the smaller one first,” Emma urged, her excitement contagious.
With careful fingers, Annie untied the ribbon and peeled back the paper, revealing a beautiful music box. It was ornate, made of polished wood with intricate carvings of flowers and vines, adorned with shimmering pearls and tiny gemstones. Annie gasped, her eyes filling with wonder as she turned the key and the box began to play a soft, lilting melody.
“It’s from a little shop in Paris,” Emma explained, her voice filled with pride. “The shopkeeper told us it’s a one-of-a-kind piece, handcrafted by a master artisan.”
“It’s exquisite,” Annie whispered, her eyes glued to the music box as it played. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Emma grinned, thrilled by her sister’s reaction. “Now open the other one.”
Annie carefully unwrapped the second package, revealing a stuffed rabbit toy. It was expertly crafted, with soft, velvety fur and sparkling glass eyes that seemed to come alive. The rabbit was dressed in a tiny waistcoat and held a miniature pocket watch, its every detail meticulously designed.
“It’s for your baby son,” Emma said, her voice filled with emotion. “We found it in a German market, made by a toymaker known for his skill and creativity. I thought it would be a perfect keepsake.”
Annie’s eyes welled with tears, and she hugged Emma tightly. “These are the most thoughtful gifts, Emma. Thank you.”
Emma’s face glowed with happiness as she embraced her sister. “We wanted to bring a piece of our journey back to you.”
Henry looked on, contentment in his eyes, proud of his wife’s thoughtfulness. They were home, surrounded by family, and life couldn’t be better.
Later in the day, laughter and chatter filled the room as Annie served up heaping plates of fried chicken and buttery mashed potatoes. The table was adorned with bright wildflowers she had gathered, the centerpiece of a meal that welcomed Emma and Henry home.
George raised his glass, his eyes twinkling as he looked at Emma and Henry. “To family, and to happy homecomings.”
“To family,” they all echoed, clinking glasses and taking sips of sweet wine.
Emma exchanged a knowing glance with Henry, her cheeks flushed with excitement. “We have something to tell you,” she said, her voice filled with anticipation.
Annie and George looked at her, their eyes wide with curiosity.
“We’ve decided to buy a home here in town,” Henry announced, his voice strong and proud. “We want to be close to family. Life wouldn’t be so exciting if we weren’t living near you three.”
Annie’s eyes filled with tears of joy, and she reached across the table to squeeze Emma’s hand. “Oh, Emma! That’s wonderful news. We’re so glad you’ll be close.”
George grinned, clapping Henry on the back. “We’ll help you find the perfect place. This town could use more fine folks like you.”
They spent the rest of the meal discussing potential homes, their excitement growing with each new possibility.
As they finished up with their desserts, the delightful taste of Annie’s homemade pie lingering on their tongues, Henry reached into his pocket and carefully pulled out a pair of fine cigars. He had picked them up on their travels, and he knew George would appreciate them.
Handing one to George, Henry leaned back in his chair, his eyes glinting with a mysterious smile. “I thought we could enjoy these together, my friend.”
George’s eyebrows shot up as he took the cigar, his experienced fingers running along the length of it, feeling the texture and quality. “This is a fine piece indeed, Henry. Is this a celebration of your newfound wealth from those business dealings in Europe?” he asked, his voice filled with curiosity.
Henry laughed, his eyes twinkling with genuine joy. The sound was rich and hearty, echoing the happiness he felt. “Money isn’t everything, George. It’s true, we’ve had some fortunate dealings, but that’s not what’s worth celebrating.”
He looked lovingly at Emma, who was watching him with a knowing smile, her eyes filled with warmth and understanding. The bond between them was strong, a connection that had only deepened during their time away.
“What’s that?” Annie asked, her voice filled with intrigue, sensing there was more to the story.
Henry took a moment, his eyes still fixed on Emma, savoring the joy of what he was about to say. Then he turned back to Annie and George, his face alight with happiness.
“A child,” Emma said softly, her voice filled with emotion, her hand resting on her stomach. “We’re going to have a child.”
Annie’s face lit up, her eyes wide with shock and delight, and she let out a squeal of pure joy, jumping up to hug Emma and Henry. “A baby! Oh, Emma, this is the best news! I’m going to be an aunt!”
The room was filled with laughter and congratulations as they embraced, the happiness in the room palpable. They spent the next hour discussing every detail of the upcoming addition to their family, from baby names and nursery decorations to parenting advice and cherished family traditions.
Emma shared her dreams for their child, her voice filled with love and hope. Henry talked about the future, his words painting a picture of a happy home filled with laughter and joy.
George offered to be the child’s godfather, his voice filled with sincerity and affection, while Annie promised to knit the softest blankets and prepare the biggest celebrations for when the baby arrived.
They talked late into the night, their hearts swelling with love and excitement, each word a testament to the deep bond that united them.
Through it all, Emma and Henry’s hands remained entwined, their love for each other and their unborn child the anchor that held them together.
It was a night of pure joy, a celebration of love and family, and a moment that would be etched in their hearts forever. The laughter continued to resonate through the house as the foursome finally rose from the dining table, their bellies full and hearts content.
They retired to the drawing room, a cozy space with a roaring fireplace that cast a gentle glow over the room. George busied himself tending to the fire, adding logs and stoking the flames until they danced merrily, spreading warmth through the room.
Emma and Henry settled down next to each other, their bodies close, hands intertwined, the spark of love in their eyes undiminished. Annie sat across from them, her eyes bright with curiosity, eagerly awaiting more tales from their wondrous travels.
“So, tell us more about Vienna,” she asked, her voice filled with excitement. “I heard the palaces there are something to behold.”
Emma’s face lit up, and she launched into a vivid description of the Palace, her words painting a picture of golden halls, crystal chandeliers, and beautiful gardens that seemed to stretch for miles. Henry added his thoughts, describing the music that filled the city streets.
They spoke of Venice, of gondola rides through narrow canals, and the rich taste of Italian food that lingered on their tongues. They recounted their visit to Switzerland, of romantic landscapes with snow-capped mountains.
Annie and George listened, enraptured by their stories, each word a window into a world they had never seen. They laughed at Henry’s attempts to dance the waltz, awed by Emma’s courage in trying peculiar dishes, and sighed at the romantic sunset they witnessed on the Amalfi Coast.
The evening wore on, the stories flowing as freely as the wine, each tale a cherished memory, each laugh a bond that drew them closer. The room was filled with love, the warmth of family, and the joy of a shared future in the same town.
As the clock chimed midnight, the conversation began to wind down, the energy of the evening giving way to a peaceful contentment. They sat in comfortable silence, the embers of the fire casting a soft, golden glow, the world outside forgotten.
Henry reached over and took Emma’s hand, his eyes filled with tenderness. “I love you,” he whispered, his voice filled with emotion.
Emma looked up, her eyes meeting his, her love for him shining through. “And I love you, Henry. More than anything in this world.”
They leaned in, their lips meeting in a gentle, lingering kiss, a promise of forever sealed in that simple act of love. Around them, the room seemed to still, time suspended in that perfect moment.
Annie and George watched, smiles on their faces, their hearts full of happiness for the couple they loved so dearly. They were surrounded by their favorite people, in the home they had built together, a place filled with love, laughter, and endless possibilities.
They knew that whatever the future held, they would face it together, as a family. And in that knowledge, they found strength, joy, and a love that would endure, always and forever.
The night ended with soft goodnights, and the warmth of family that lingered long after the room door closed behind them. It was a perfect ending to a perfect day, a memory to be cherished, a love to be celebrated.
And as Emma and Henry retired to their room for the day, they knew that they had found their happily ever after, right here in the town they loved, with the people who mattered most. The adventure had just begun, and they were ready to embrace it, hand in hand, hearts united, forever and always.
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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!
Hello my dears, I hope you enjoyed the book and the Extended Epilogue! I’m looking forward to your comments here. Thank you 🙂
This was a great book I read all your books and.i.lobe them. I look forward to the next one I read.
Thank you so much for your kind words!!
Loved this book Emma and Henry went through a lot but they had a wonderful and happy ending. I really enjoyed this book, you always write such great books. 😍
Thank you so much, I’m so glad to know you enjoyed it!
I enjoyed the growth of the main characters as they met and overcame grief, obstacles, danger. The fact that Henry and Emma were given a second chance added to the story development. I recommend this book.
(Please go back and edit when Henry is learning to milk as only cows can give milk…not heifers.) Take this part out of the responses once you read.
Thank you for your thoughtful feedback! I’m glad you enjoyed the journey of the main characters and found their growth compelling. Your recommendation means a lot.
This book was a wonderful adventure, loved it!
Thank you, dear Sherrie!
This it a very adventurous story. I love the fact that the woman could shoot more accurate than the deputies. Oh and how she could cook. This story made me hungry to try new foods.
Thank you so much dear!
Another wonderful story. I loved it. It had all the seasons of life. From heartache to adventure, danger, love for family and love again for a heartbroken young woman.
Thank you, dear Shannon!
Enjoyed this book, as always. Your story’s are so Real.
Thank you, dear!!