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“Do you think they’ll ever run out of energy?” Tabitha laughed, her eyes following Emma as the little girl dashed across the open field, her wild curls bouncing in the afternoon sun. Beside her, Jake stood with his arms crossed, a wide grin on his face as he watched their four-year-old daughter chase after Ben, who was already halfway up a small hill, his chubby legs working hard to keep him ahead of his older sister.
“Not a chance,” Jake replied, shaking his head. “She’s got your spirit, that one. And Ben… well, he’s just a whirlwind of trouble, isn’t he?”
Tabitha smiled, leaning into Jake as they stood at the edge of the field near their home. The air was crisp with the scent of pine and fresh earth, a reminder of how far they’d come since that tumultuous time five years ago. Arrow, Colorado, had transformed alongside them—no longer a place of danger but a thriving town filled with laughter, new beginnings, and family.
“Do you remember when we first brought Emma out here?” Tabitha asked, her voice soft as she watched their children play. “She was so small, so quiet. Now look at her, running wild.”
“She was small,” Jake agreed, wrapping an arm around her waist. “But she’s always had that fire in her. Just like her ma.”
Tabitha tilted her head up, smiling at Jake’s playful smirk. She could see how much being a father had changed him. Once the stoic sheriff, always on edge, always watching for danger, Jake now wore his role as a father with ease. His heart had softened in ways she could never have imagined, and yet, he was still the man who made her feel safe.
“Think we’ll ever get a quiet day again?” she teased, glancing up at him. “Between Emma’s curiosity and Ben’s mischievous streak, I swear they’re going to wear us out before long.”
Jake chuckled, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” he said. “They’re a handful, sure, but they’re ours. And I like knowing that Arrow gets to hear their laughter. It’s a different kind of noise than what we used to deal with.”
Tabitha nodded, her mind drifting back to those early days. The fear, the uncertainty of Wesley’s pursuit, and the lingering shadows of her past had long since given way to something so much brighter. The nightmares had ceased, replaced by dreams of their growing family and a town that had become their haven.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a golden glow over the landscape, Emma’s giggles filled the air, and Ben let out a triumphant shout as he reached the top of the hill. “Mama, look!” he cried, waving his arms.
Jake and Tabitha shared a look of pure joy. “We better go rescue him before he tries to take a tumble down,” Jake said, his voice light with affection.
“Or before Emma tries to catch him,” Tabitha added with a laugh, stepping forward. “You take Ben, and I’ll catch our little adventurer.”
“Deal,” Jake said, already striding toward the hill.
As she reached Emma and scooped her into her arms, Tabitha smiled at the sound of her daughter’s delighted squeal. Life in Arrow had never been more perfect. And there, in the warmth of the setting sun, Tabitha felt the true peace that came with finding the life she had always dreamed of.
***
“Well, look at you, Debbie Thompson,” Will said with a grin as he watched his wife sweep through the doorway of their home, her apron dusted with flour and her cheeks rosy from the kitchen heat. “Did you bake enough pies for the whole town again?”
Debbie laughed, wiping her hands on her apron. “I might’ve gotten carried away,” she admitted, giving Will a playful look. “But with Alice’s friends coming over after school, I thought it couldn’t hurt to have a few extra. You know how those girls love their sweets.”
Will leaned back in his chair, shaking his head fondly. “You spoil them, but I’m not complaining. Those pies of yours are famous from here to Silver City.”
Debbie smiled, her heart swelling as she looked around their cozy home. It had taken time, but after everything they’d been through, she finally felt settled—happy even. Will had been her rock, steady and true, and their marriage was a blessing she hadn’t dared to hope for back in those difficult days.
“Where’s Alice?” Will asked, glancing toward the stairs.
“Still finishing up her schoolwork,” Debbie said, moving to sit beside him. “She’s been studying hard lately. Wants to impress Miss Kline, I think.”
Will nodded, pride evident in his expression. “She’s got a good head on her shoulders, that one. Smart as a whip and just as determined.”
Debbie’s smile softened as she thought of her daughter. Alice had grown so much since they had first come to Arrow—now fifteen, she was blossoming into a young woman, full of hope and promise. The darkness that had once clouded their lives had lifted, and in its place was a bright future, filled with love and opportunity.
“I can’t believe how grown-up she is,” Debbie murmured, her eyes misting. “Seems like just yesterday she was playing with her dolls, and now she’s talking about helping at the school and maybe even teaching one day.”
“She’s got that spark in her,” Will said, his voice gentle. “Just like her mother.”
Debbie blushed, nudging him playfully. “You’re sweet, Will Thompson. But I think she’s got more of you in her than you realize.”
Will chuckled, taking her hand and pressing a kiss to her knuckles. “Well, either way, I’m proud of her. And I’m proud of us. We’ve built something good here, Debbie. A real family.”
Debbie leaned into him, her heart full. “I never thought I’d find this kind of happiness,” she confessed softly. “Not after everything with Howard, but… you’ve made me believe in love again, Will.”
Will’s eyes softened as he cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing gently across her skin. “You deserved it all along, Debbie. And now, we’ve got our chance at something real. You, me, and Alice—we’re a family, and we’re going to keep building this life together.”
Just then, Alice bounded down the stairs, her eyes bright with excitement. “Ma, can I go see Miss Kline tomorrow? She said I could help her with some of the younger children in class, and I want to show her the new books I got from Mrs. Easton.”
Debbie smiled, her heart swelling with pride. “Of course, sweetheart. You’re growing into quite the young lady, aren’t you?”
Alice beamed, then threw her arms around her mother in a quick hug before rushing to grab her things for the day ahead.
As Debbie watched her daughter’s excitement, she felt a deep sense of contentment settle over her. This was the life she had always wanted—one filled with love, laughter, and hope for the future.
Turning to Will, she smiled softly. “I’m so glad we’re here.”
Will squeezed her hand gently, his eyes shining with love. “Me too, Debbie. Me too.”
And with that, they sat together in the warm glow of their home, knowing that whatever the future held, they would face it as a family—stronger and happier than ever before.
***
“Well, what do you think? Should we try our luck again?” Jake asked, his voice echoing slightly in the quiet clearing as he knelt down to examine the soil beneath him. He turned over a small rock, then glanced back at Tabitha, who was leaning against the fence, a playful smile on her face.
“Jake, we’ve been out here five times already,” Tabitha teased, crossing her arms. “And each time, we come back with more dirt on our boots than gold in our pockets.”
Jake chuckled, dusting his hands off on his trousers as he stood up. “Maybe. But you never know what might be waiting for us out here. After all, your father’s map hasn’t been wrong so far.”
Tabitha sighed, her gaze drifting over the rolling landscape of her old family ranch. It was wild and overgrown now, but there was something comforting about the place—a connection to her past that she couldn’t quite let go of. And with Jake by her side, each visit felt less like a journey into old memories and more like an adventure they were sharing together.
“I suppose you’re right,” she said, pushing away from the fence and walking toward him. “Though, if we do find something, I hope it’s not another broken shovel. I’m still not over that last one.”
Jake laughed, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her close. “I promise, if we strike gold, I’ll buy you the finest shovel in all of Colorado.”
Tabitha swatted him playfully. “I’ll hold you to that, Sheriff.”
Their banter filled the quiet air as they wandered the familiar terrain. It had become a sort of tradition for them—returning to the land that had once caused Tabitha so much heartache. But now, it was a place of peace, where they could explore without the weight of the past bearing down on them. Each time they came, they would bring Emma and Ben, letting the children run wild in the fields while they talked about the future.
Today, however, it was just the two of them, and the quiet gave Tabitha a chance to reflect on everything that had happened since she’d first returned to Arrow. The ranch, with all its hidden secrets, had nearly torn her life apart. But standing here now, with Jake at her side, she realized how far they had come—and how much they had built together.
“Jake,” she said softly, turning to look at him. “Do you ever think about what might have happened if we hadn’t found that map?”
Jake paused, considering her words for a moment. “Honestly? I think about it sometimes. But not in the way you’d expect.”
Tabitha raised an eyebrow, curious. “Oh?”
Jake smiled, his eyes softening as he looked down at her. “Sure, that map led us to a little gold, and maybe it’ll lead us to more. But that’s not what matters most. If we hadn’t found it, if we hadn’t struck gold… I still would’ve had everything I ever wanted right here.” He touched her cheek gently, his thumb tracing the line of her jaw. “You. Emma. Ben. Our family. That’s the real treasure, Tabitha.”
Tabitha’s heart swelled at his words, her eyes misting with emotion. “You always know just what to say.”
Jake leaned down and kissed her gently. “That’s because it’s the truth,” he whispered against her lips.
Just as they pulled apart, something caught Tabitha’s eye. A glint in the dirt near where Jake had been digging moments ago. She knelt down, brushing the earth aside with her fingers until she revealed a small nugget of gold, nestled in the soil like a long-forgotten secret.
“Jake,” she breathed, holding it up to the sunlight.
Jake crouched beside her, his eyes widening as he took the nugget from her hand. “Well, I’ll be,” he said, turning it over in his palm. “Looks like your father’s map was right after all.”
Tabitha stared at the nugget, a mix of disbelief and awe filling her chest. After all these years, the land had finally given up its secret.
“It’s real,” she whispered, her voice trembling with a mix of excitement and wonder. “We really found it.”
Jake grinned, pulling her into his arms. “We sure did,” he said. “And this is just the beginning.”
As they stood there, holding each other close, the weight of the discovery began to sink in. They weren’t just standing on a piece of land anymore—they were standing on a new chapter of their lives, one filled with possibilities they had only ever dreamed of.
“You really think we’re ready for this?” Tabitha asked, her voice light but tinged with excitement. She glanced at Jake, who was inspecting the freshly unearthed nugget of gold with a mixture of awe and satisfaction.
Jake chuckled, his blue eyes crinkling at the corners. “Ready or not, darlin’, it looks like we’re heading into a whole new adventure.” He slipped the gold nugget into his pocket and turned to her, taking her hands in his. “But we’re not doing this the way people might expect. We’ve got a good life here, Tabitha. I don’t want anything to change that.”
Tabitha smiled, her heart warmed by his words. “I couldn’t agree more. This land—it’s been through so much. And so have we. But I think… this is a gift. One that will help us secure our children’s future and give back to the community.”
Jake nodded thoughtfully. “That’s exactly what I was thinking. We don’t need to chase riches. What we have is already more valuable than anything gold could buy. But we can use it to make life better for our family, for Arrow.”
They stood for a moment in silence, the wind rustling through the trees as the late afternoon sun bathed them in its golden light. It was a moment of peace, a confirmation that they were on the right path—together.
When they returned to Arrow later that evening, they were greeted by the familiar sight of their children playing outside the house. Emma, ever the explorer, was teaching Ben how to skip rocks across the small creek near their home. Her curls bounced as she demonstrated, and Ben, with his chubby little hands, attempted to mimic his older sister’s movements, resulting in a splash that soaked both of them.
“Look, Mama! Papa!” Emma shouted, her voice full of pride. “I taught Ben how to skip a rock! Well… kind of.”
Tabitha laughed, kneeling down to hug her children. “You’re doing a wonderful job, Emma. And Ben, you’ll get the hang of it soon enough.” She ruffled his sandy hair, and he giggled, throwing his arms around her.
Jake stood back for a moment, watching his family with a deep sense of contentment. This—right here—was all he had ever wanted. A family. A home. And a town that had become a beacon of hope and strength.
As they settled in for the evening, the conversation turned to Debbie and Will. The couple had been over for dinner just a few nights before, and it had been clear to anyone who saw them that their love had only grown stronger since they’d married. Debbie’s warmth and energy seemed to radiate in everything she did, and Will, always the steadfast deputy, had softened considerably in her presence.
“I saw Debbie and Alice on the way back from town today,” Tabitha said as she stirred a pot on the stove. “Alice looks so grown-up now. Can you believe she’s fifteen?”
Jake shook his head, leaning against the doorframe. “Time flies, doesn’t it? Feels like just yesterday she was a little girl running around with the other kids. Now she’s talking about helping at the school.”
“She’s going to be a wonderful teacher someday,” Tabitha said with a smile. “Just like her mother. Debbie’s really come into her own since everything that happened with Howard.”
Jake nodded, his expression serious for a moment. “They’ve come a long way. Will told me the other day how grateful he is that Debbie and Alice are safe and happy. It’s not often that people get a second chance like they have.”
“They’ve made the most of it,” Tabitha said softly. “And I’m so happy for them. Alice deserves to grow up in a home full of love.”
Jake crossed the room to stand beside her, wrapping his arms around her waist. “And they’ve got us, too. This town… it’s become something special because everyone looks out for each other. We’ve all built something worth protecting.”
As they ate dinner with their children, the conversation turned once again to the discovery at Tabitha’s old ranch. They had shared the news with Debbie and Will, who were both excited for what it could mean—not just for Jake and Tabitha, but for the entire community.
“We’ll have to approach it carefully,” Tabitha said as she wiped Ben’s hands after dinner. “I don’t want anyone thinking we’re changing just because we’ve found some gold. This town has been our home through thick and thin, and I want it to stay that way.”
Jake smiled at her, nodding. “You don’t have to worry about that. We’ll handle it like we always do—with honesty and care. We’ve got a future here, and it’s not just about the gold. It’s about what we’ve built.”
Over the next few weeks, word spread slowly about the discovery on the old Kline ranch, but true to their promise, Jake and Tabitha kept things modest. They worked with trusted members of the community to figure out how best to manage the newfound wealth, always with an eye on making sure the town and its people benefited.
Wesley and Howard’s names, once whispered in fear, were now simply footnotes in the town’s history. Both men remained in prison, serving out their sentences for the crimes they had committed. Their downfall was a reminder of justice and the strength of Arrow’s community. Life had moved on without them, and peace had taken root.
One afternoon, while sitting on their porch watching the sunset, Tabitha turned to Jake. “Do you think we’ll ever leave Arrow?” she asked, her voice soft.
Jake looked out over the landscape, the colors of the setting sun casting a golden glow over the horizon. He shook his head. “No. This is where we’re meant to be. This is our home.”
Tabitha smiled, leaning her head on his shoulder. “I feel the same way. I can’t imagine being anywhere else.”
As the years stretched before them, filled with the promise of new adventures, Jake and Tabitha knew that whatever came their way, they would face it together. Their love, their family, and their town—those were the true treasures in their lives.
And as they watched their children run through the fields, their laughter ringing out in the cool evening air, Jake and Tabitha felt nothing but gratitude for the life they had built—one filled with love, hope, and the golden shadows of a bright future.
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!
My dearest readers, I would love to hear your thoughts on this book and the extended epilogue. Looking forward to your comments! 💗
I enjoyed this book very much. There was a lot of adventure and romance. I was glad that they had two children and that Will and her mother got married.
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m thrilled you enjoyed the adventure, romance, and the family connections. It means a lot to know those moments resonated with you!
Enjoyed Tabitha & Jakes story! So much going on i had a hard time putting it down! Romance, adventure& mystery!! I loved how Tabitha was with her class & how she cared so much 4 the kids!! Lots of interesting characters in this story!!!
The Epilogue was awesome .. Did Debbie become a teacher??
Thank you for another great story!
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m thrilled you enjoyed Tabitha and Jake’s story and appreciated her dedication to her class. As for Debbie, I’ll leave that as a little mystery for readers to ponder! Your support means the world to me!
Riveting page turning story. Tabitha was too quick to fall for Wesley’s charisma when she was still mourning her father’s death. Debbie also fell into trap listening to charming words from Howard without really knowing him. Jake is honest straight arrow hero with Will a close second. Jake’s verbalizing about the importance of happy, loving family is the true treasure of life.
Thank you Ms Ellen Knightley
Thank you so much for your thoughtful feedback! I’m glad you found the story captivating. It’s interesting to hear your perspective on Tabitha and Debbie’s choices—I aimed to highlight the complexity of emotions in difficult times. I’m thrilled you connected with Jake and his values. Your kind words mean a lot!
This is a wonderful story with interesting characters that find love and happiness
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m thrilled you enjoyed the story and the characters’ journey to love and happiness. Your support means a lot!
A good story with a great plot and characters.
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m thrilled to hear you enjoyed the story and characters. Your support means a lot!
Wonderful story. There was mystery, bad guys, a fantastic sheriff and his deputy. The bad guys got what they deserved and the ladies got their men. The way the town came together was amazing.
Thank you so much! I’m thrilled you enjoyed the mix of mystery, justice, and romance. It was wonderful bringing the town’s unity to life, and I’m glad it resonated with you.
What an exciting and interesting story. So good to see Tabitha move to a new place and make so many new and wonderful friends.
Thank you so much! I’m thrilled you enjoyed seeing Tabitha’s journey and her new friendships unfold. Your support means a lot!
Loved this book, it is full of excitement, bravery, kindness and many twists and turns. If you love books with all that, you will not be disappointed with this one. I have never been disappointed in any of Ellen’s books.
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m thrilled to hear you enjoyed the book and found it full of excitement and twists. Your support means the world to me, and I’m glad you’ve loved all of Ellen’s books!