Warming the Widow’s Frozen Heart – Extended Epilogue

Three Years Later

Gideon sat on his horse atop a high bluff overlooking the Holland ranch which had grown considerably and was still growing. He’d never expected such blessings, but the Lord had showered him in them. And he was beyond grateful. 

Below him, fat red and white cattle grazed on lush grass. Most of the cows already had calves by their side. Every year, the herd had grown, nearly doubling in size each spring with the birth of new calves.

He was proud of what they’d accomplished so far. Not for him, but for what they would leave their family someday. It felt good knowing they were growing a legacy to leave behind them that would benefit their children. And even beyond that. Someday their grandchildren would play and run across the pastures and eventually take over the ranch. 

After a bit, he turned his horse and rode back toward the ranch house. He didn’t rush, riding at a calm walk as he looked for anything out of place. His gaze swept across the pasture land and the barns. 

Further on, beyond the woods, he had new neighbors, Virgil and Abigail. They’d bought the property as soon as they married which Gideon was very happy about. It was nice having family next door.

He rode across the field, toward the ranch house, but he reined up his horse to watch the twins. At eight years old, they had grown a lot. They were happy, fun loving children and a pleasure to be around. Each one of them held a hand of their little sister, Maggie. Who at eighteen months old, kept them busy trying to keep up with her on her many adventures around the yard.

Maggie spied Scraps and headed for him. Scraps rolled onto his back and stuck his legs up in the air for a belly rub. Maggie scratched his belly and laughed when he kicked his hind leg. A moment later, Sadie, a pretty brown and white fluffy dog bounded from the barn, barking and wagging her tail, with three lookalike puppies trailing her.

Martha came outside and stepped off the porch to empty a basin of water. She smiled and lifted her hand in greeting. They were expecting another baby, or possibly another set of twins, according to the doctor. And she was already very big.

He waved back and grinned, but he didn’t ride on into the yard. He just sat there watching the children play. Finally, he rode on and then dismounted and walked over to Martha. He placed one hand on her stomach. “Is the little one kicking today?”

“You know it,” she said and smiled. “That baby’s going to make an appearance soon.”

He gently rubbed her belly. “I rode into town earlier, and I have some good news,” he said.

“And what might that be? Good news is always welcome at this home,” Martha said with a smile.

“Well, it seems that Trigger Martin has finally confessed the names of some of his former gang members. Several of them, actually. And since we were the ones who brought him in, the reward money for his capture and the capture of his gang members will eventually come to us.”

“Are you serious?” Martha said.

“Yes. We can put that money away for the children’s education.”

“That’s fantastic,” Martha said. “I never even considered such a thing might be possible.”

“Neither did I,” he said. “I was too busy being thankful that we didn’t have to worry about Martin any longer. I hope they lock him up and throw away the key.”

“I can hardly believe this,” she said. “If our children want to be a teacher or doctor, they’ll be able to have the proper schooling. They can go to any school they want.”

“It’s another blessing we’ve been given,” he said. “I feel like the luckiest man in the world.”

“And I feel like the luckiest woman,” she said. “We have a nice home, our beautiful children, extended family, and each other. I can’t think of a single thing that could make our lives any better.”

“No,” he said, “but I’ve been thinking about something for a while.”

“What?”

“I’ve been thinking about talking to the minister and some of the men in town about finding ways to help the community’s poorer families. I feel like we’ve been so blessed that I want to find a way to give back.”

“I think that’s beautiful,” she said. “And a wonderful idea. I’ll help any way I can.”

****

Five more months passed, and Martha had grown so big she was having a hard time getting around, and she had a pretty good idea what that meant. The baby was due any time and she would be happy for him or her to arrive. She was more than tired of waddling around, puffing and panting for breath.

Martha scattered shelled corn for their flock of chickens and watched with amusement as the clucking fowl raced to peck up the kernels. She collected the eggs and made her way back to the house.

She barely made it inside to rest for a few minutes when the first sharp pain squeezed her stomach like a vice. She grabbed the table and held on until the pain passed.  She plopped onto a chair and waited with dread for the next contraction to hit. She knew how much pain the next few hours would bring.

She put her hands on her stomach and called, “Gideon, where are you?”

He came in from the parlor. “Are you all right?”

“It’s time, you need to go fetch the doctor. The baby’s coming,” she gasped.

“Let’s get you to bed,” he said, then I’ll go.

“I can get myself to bed. You go fetch the doctor. I really don’t want to do this by myself.”

“Are you sure you don’t want me to help you first?” He looked indecisive.

“Gideon, I’m all right. Just take the kids and go to town and get the doctor.” His nervousness was cute. He should know that everything would be fine.  Another pain hit her but she carefully controlled her reaction. Seeing it would just make him worry, and she didn’t want that.

All right. He gave her a quick kiss and went to get the children ready to go.

As soon as he was moving, she went into the bedroom and changed into her nightclothes.

She didn’t lie down though. Instead, she walked about the bedroom, waiting for Gideon and the kids to leave. 

The minute she heard the door open and close, she left the bedroom and started walking around the house. The sooner the baby came, the better. Walking sometimes helped, besides it might help with the contractions when they hit.

She wished Abigail was there with her. She considered going outside and walking around the yard. No one was there she wouldn’t be seen and scolded by anyone for being out there. It was nice and warm out, the sun would feel good.

Gideon might still be at the barn hitching up the horse to the buggy. No, going outside wasn’t a good idea unless she waited long enough to make sure he was on his way.

If he saw her, he would worry about her being outside, fearing something would happen while he was away. He had become over protective, which sometimes was nice, but childbirth was something she knew more about that he did.

She turned and walked back through the house. Recently, she’d been having bad leg cramps. They would cease once the baby came. She didn’t know why it happened, but she’d experienced it with the birth of their daughter two years ago.

She was about to turn for another stroll through the house when someone tapped on the front door.

Martha altered her course and went to see who was there. Now was not the time for company. She peeped out the window and spied Abigail, large herself with her first child, standing on the porch.

With a big grin on her face, Martha opened the door.

“Boy am I glad to see you,” Martha said. “The baby’s on the way.”

“Oh, my Lord,  on Abigail’s arm. “Calm down. Yes, he went for the doctor. Everything’s fine. I’m just trying to walk and move things along.”

“Should you be doing that?” Abigail said.

“It isn’t going to hurt anything.” Another contraction hit and she sucked in her breath until the vise of pain released her. “That was a bad one. Maybe I should get off my feet.”

Hovering her like a mother hen, Abigail fussed as they headed for the bedroom. 

Martha made herself as comfortable as she could and braced herself for the next wave of pain.

Abigail paced around the room.

“Have a seat and relax,” Martha said. “I’m getting worn out just watching you.”

Abigail plopped down in the chair closest to the bed. “I’m sorry. It’s just that it’s stressful.”

Martha understood. Abigail was close to her due date and she was seeing what she would soon experience.

As the mantel clock ticked off the minutes and then an hour, Abigail wiped the sweat from Martha’s forehead with a wet cloth.

Martha’s contractions were now coming a little closer together.

Finally, she heard the door open and heavy footfalls come toward the bedroom. Doctor Williams had arrived.

She breathed a sigh of relief.

“Thank heavens,” Abigail said. “I didn’t think he’d ever get here.”

“Everything’s fine,” Martha said right before another hard contraction hit her, and she groaned and arched her back.

The doctor came into the room. “How are you coming along, Martha?”

“The pains are coming closer together now,” she said.

“Well, that baby isn’t too far then,” he said.

As time ticked by and the pain became worse, the doctor finally told her to start pushing when the pain hit.

“Come on, honey,” Abigail said. “Just a little longer and you’ll hold that sweet baby in your arms.” She wiped Martha’s face and kept encouraging her as the time kept ticking away but the baby still didn’t come.

The pain was so great that Martha could barely think straight. She was starting to think she was going to die before the child arrived.

“Push, Martha,” the doctor said. “The baby’s crowning.”

Finally, she pushed as hard as she could.

“Come on, just a bit more,” the doctor said with a smile. “It won’t be long now.”

She did her best, and finally, with one more hard push, the baby came into the world.

“You have a beautiful new son,” the doctor said.

“A son,” Martha whispered with joy.

She needed rest, but it would have to wait. Her baby needed her first.

The doctor brought the swaddled baby to her and she reached out for him. She held him in her arms, rocking him gently.

She was about to call for Gideon when another terrible pain locked in a vise of pain. “Oh!”

“What’s wrong?” Abigail said.

“I’m not done,” Martha said.

“What?” the doctor said. “Are you having another contraction?”

She nodded and closed her eyes against the pain.

“All right, Martha,” the doctor said. “You’re going to go back to pushing with the contractions. This one won’t take long.”

The doctor looked at Abigail. “You take the baby.”

She nodded and gently took Martha’s son into her arms.

“All right. Are you ready, Martha?”

She nodded and waited for the next band of pain to encircle her. And it wasn’t long before the pain came. Martha braced herself and tried to ride out the pain.

But the doctor was right, the second baby was going to come quickly. After about twenty minutes the doctor said, “The baby’s coming. Keep pushing.”

She did and with the very last of her strength, she pushed as hard as she could.

The doctor said, “The baby’s coming. One more push, Martha.”

She didn’t think she could, but she tried one last time.

“You have another son,” the doctor said.

He brought the baby to her and Martha cradled the baby close. Abigail brought her first son to her and placed him on the other side.

She couldn’t believe they had twins. Two beautiful little boys.

“Would you like Gideon to come in now?” Abigail said.

Martha nodded. “Don’t tell him they are twins. Let it be a surprise.”

“All right,” Abigail said and grinned. She went to fetch Gideon.

Martha needed rest, but not before she spent some time with the babies and tended them. And she wanted Gideon to see his sons.

A few moments later, she heard Gideon’s heavy footfalls coming down the hall toward the bedroom.

The doctor closed his bag. “Martha, I’m going to be going soon. Do you have any questions?”

She smiled at him. “No, I’ve done this before.”

“I know,” he said. “I just wanted to be sure.” He grabbed his black bag and headed out. He met Gideon at the doorway. 

“Congratulations,” he said to Gideon. “You’re going to be a busy man.” Chuckling, he made his way out.

Abigail stood in the doorway for a moment. “I’ll be back when Gideon finishes visiting. 

“All right,” Martha said.

Gideon came into the room and stopped dead in his tracks. His mouth dropped open.  

For a moment, Martha thought he might faint. But then a large grin broke over his face. “I can’t believe it.

“Boys,” she said.

He rushed to her and knelt beside the bed. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine,” she said and giggled. “Come see them. We need to name them.”

“They’re beautiful,” he said with wonder in his voice.

“Want to hold one?” Martha said.

“Yes.” He grinned. “I still can’t believe it.”

She gently gave him the older twin. “What should we call him?”

He looked intently at the infant for a moment. “Let’s call him Christian, and his brother Cody. Do you like those names?”

“I love them,” she said. She was surprised he hadn’t wanted to name the older one after himself. But she would agree with any name he liked.

“Our family is growing,” he said and chuckled. 

“Our wonderful children,” she said.

“I never knew what happiness was before you came into my life,” he said. “Now I know. It’s family, and love, and living a good, honest life. I couldn’t have asked for anything better, or anyone better.”

“Love and family is everything to me,” she said.

“Pretty soon we’ll have to build onto the house if we keep doing this,” he said and quirked up the corners of his lips.

“It’s happened twice,” she said, “so it isn’t out of the question of happening again.”

He gazed at the infant in his arms. “He’s so little, but so perfect.”

“It’s amazing, isn’t it?”

He nodded. “The evidence of our love for one another.” He spoke with awe in his voice.

“I know,” she said. “I hope we live to be so old we have more grandchildren than we know what to do with.”

“As do I,” he said and chuckled. “I don’t know what I did to have so many blessings, but I’m thankful for each one of them.” He gazed into her eyes. “I’m especially thankful for you. I was an unhappy man, and you changed me into someone else. Someone I like much better.”

“The power of love can heal wounds that nothing else can,” she said.

The baby gurgled in his arms. “Is he hungry?”

She smiled. “Maybe. He’ll let us know when he’s ready.”

Gideon gently stroked the infant’s head. “He’s a little miracle, isn’t he?”

“All children are,” she said. “And a gift from Heaven.”

He settled deeper into the chair. “You were a gift from Heaven, too. I can’t imagine what my life would be like now if you hadn’t walked into it.”

“And I can’t imagine what my life would have been like if I hadn’t lost a horse the day of the storm. Sometimes I wonder if those people eventually made it to their destination.”

“Hopefully, they did,” he said. 

She smiled. “They didn’t know it, but they were part of a blessing I was going to receive. Sometimes you think something terrible is happening to you, but later it all makes sense.”

He took her hand and while cradling the baby with his other arm. “You’re right about that. The Lord gives us the things we need, even when we can’t see it at the time.” He squeezed her hand. “I love you so much. I couldn’t imagine life without you.”

“I love you, too, Gideon. And I always will.”

“What do you think the future will bring?” he said as he gazed at the child in his arms.

“Whatever it is, it will be good,” she said and smiled.

“You know the property on the other side of us is going up for sale,” he said.

“No. I didn’t. Are the Johnson’s moving away?”

He nodded. “I was thinking maybe we should by it. The house and barns are in good shape. We could rent the house and a little bit of land and run more cattle on the pasture land.”

“That might not be a bad idea,” Martha said. “We have so many cattle now that we could use the land.”

“We could leave our children a cattle empire someday.”

She smiled up at him. “I’ll leave the decision to you. I know you’ll do what’s best for our family.”

He bent and kissed his son’s head. “Let’s do it.”

She smiled. “Whatever you want to do, I’m with you all the way.”

And she meant it. He and her children were everything. Warmth filled her. Life was beautiful and it would only be better with time.