From Enemies to Lovebirds in Captivity – Extended Epilogue

5 years later

Lila flopped onto the sofa, breathing a sigh of relief that the mare had given birth, and all was well. She had sluiced her arms in the water from the outside pump but would go and change shortly. There was a shout from the pen built in the corner for a toddler to play safely. The three-year-old was better off away from the mare having a foal. Lila picked him up.

“Come on then, Sammy. You can be released.”

The boy that had more of a resemblance to herself than to Rhett clung around her neck and then wanted to be down. She watched him run after the brown dog that she had taken pity on and taken in. Little Sammy loved the dog and played with him all of the time.

Rhett banged his Stetson outside to take off the dust and came to pour a coffee.

“Is the mare okay?” he asked.

“Absolutely fine and the filly has that lovely dark brown color of her sire as well as her mother. The birth was fairly straightforward. Did you mend the fence?”

“Yes, it wasn’t a bad break. One of the steers had leaned against it. Falcon has gone on to check the rest of the fences.”

“I have a stew on the stove in case I had to stay in the stable, but the others will be here soon.”

“You are a wonderful woman, Lila.” He sat beside her, and she put her head on his shoulder. There was a noise of running feet and a boy of fourteen and his twelve-year-old sister came inside the house.

“Oh, you two are being soppy again,” Hawk said and pretended to be sick. His sister gave him a push and went to see if there was anything to eat.

“Had a good day at school?” Rhett asked and stood up.

“Just normal,”” Hawk answered, ate a piece of bread and looked at Rhett.

“The foal is born,” Lila said, and both of the children took off for the stable. Lila smiled. She went to bring in the toddler who would otherwise follow them to the stable, and Roddy with Callum close behind him came inside for dinner time. The two hands were like family and invaluable around the ranch. They had brought the children from school and been for supplies.

“No problems in town?” Lila asked.

Callum handed her a bag with the supplies she had needed.

“Not a problem, but you might want to know that Hawk and Silver are both doing well. Silver was top of the class according to the teacher.”

“That’s good to know,” Rhett said. “They’ve gone to see the new foal.”

“I’ll have a look after as well. The two of them will come back for dinner,” Roddy added, and smiled as the two youngsters came back as Lila put out plates of stew.

“Where’s Falcon?” Silver asked. “Did he not see the foal born?”

“He has gone checking fences. Summer is working like anything at finishing the big blanket that was ordered. The railroad reaching the town has made a huge difference to both selling things and buying things. We will only have to drive cattle down the road as sale time.”

“It means that your grandparents can visit easily now. We’ll just pick them up at the depot,” Rhett added.

“He wants to see the foal,” Lila answered with a grin. The two children were half Cheyenne and half white and had been left orphaned. Lila knew immediately that she could repay the tribe for her husband and her safety by saving these forlorn children. It had been two years, and she loved them dearly. She looked at them fondly as they finished the fruit pie and shot off back to gaze at the newborn foal.

“Those two fell on their feet when you took them in,” Callum remarked.

“Hawk is a fine rider now,” Roddy added.

“Children bring their love with them,” Lila quoted a saying that she remembered her own gran say. Rhett swept Sammy out of his highchair and swung him high in the air.

“The other two even love you, monster.” He swung the toddler around and Lila protested that he would be sick.

“Close the door so that he can’t get out to the stable.” Roddy closed the door and accepted the coffee that she poured. They talked about work on the ranch and what jobs were best done next.

“You have expanded every year, Boss. Will you keep more again this year?”

“Well, we have enough sheep to provide the wool Lila and Summer need so the cattle can expand more,” Rhett said. The two men were about to leave when Summer came to the door carrying with difficulty a huge woven blanket in gold and brown. Rhett took it from her, and she sat on a chair.

“It’s done. Lila. What do you think? The new weaving machine is much faster than doing everything by hand.”

“Amazing,” Lila said as they spread the heavy cloth between them. “I’ll wipe it with a damp cloth and hang it to dry. Then it can go to the store for the customer.”

She looked at Summer.

“Have you and the children eaten?”

“They are inside waiting for their father to come back. I thought I would just cook something when he arrived.”

“Plenty of stew,” Lila said. “Roddy, run and bring them over please.” The cowboy took off and as he came back with the two little boys that were the image of Falcon, the warrior himself appeared and asked if there was food.

“Have a seat,” Lila said. The two hands went off to do some work and when Falcon sat down, his two sons threw themselves at him.

“There’s a foal,” Lila said with a grin.

“That quick? Good heavens. No trouble?”

“Easy as pie,” she replied. “It’s a filly and the same color as her sire.”

“I’ll be over there when I finish this.”

Lila and Summer had put each of the boys on seats with cushions and helped them to eat some stew. Then there was fruit pie and cream, and Falcon managed two portions of that.

“That was great, Lila. Let’s take the boys to see the newcomer.”

“Might as well take them all,” Rhett said and picked up Sammy. “The other two will be over there.” Everyone except Roddy and Callum went over to the stable, and Summer took hold of the hands of both youngsters. One was four and one two.

“Shush,” she said. “Don’t frighten the baby.” They opened the door and went inside quietly finding Hawk and Silver just hanging over the rails watching the filly totter about on wobbly legs. They all looked at the baby, who went to her mother and started to drink milk.

“You need a name, Lila,” Falcon said.

“Pudding,” Hawk said.

“You are turning into Falcon,” Rhett said.

“Velvet,” Silver suggested.

“She is velvety,” Summer said.

“Okay, Velvet it is” Lila said and ducked under the rail to step beside the mare who was close to Lila and would not mind. She stroked the mare and the filly at the same time to make a start on getting to make the baby feel used to people. Then she left them and came away.

“Beautiful,” Falcon said.

“Now I need to see my gorgeous Princess,” Lila said, and set off for the corral. She felt in her pocket for a small piece of carrot and saw Princess come across to the gate.

“She is everything that you wanted” Rhett whispered in her ear.

“I am one lucky woman,” she replied and went through the gate to see the Palomino that was a product of Falcon’s stallion and mare. Falcon came to stand beside her, and they stroked the staggeringly beautiful mare who was now two years old. Lila looked around for Hawk. He already knew better than to crowd a young animal but came when Lila beckoned.

“Let’s try her again. You are lighter than me.” The young lad nodded and held the rein that was on the halter. Falcon gave him a leg up and he moved the mare gently around the corral. The onlookers held their breath, and Hawk demonstrated to them how you should treat a young horse. He came back by guiding her with his knees, slipped to the ground and put his arms around the mare’s neck.

“Thanks Ma,” he whispered to Lila, and she put an arm on his shoulders.

“I love to see you do that,” she replied.

They left the new foal in peace and quiet with her mother and Lila asked Summer if they were still going to the village.

“Now that Falcon is here, he can babysit. The two of them love that.”

“I will change into riding gear,” Lila said, and the two women met up again at the stable and saddled two mares.

They told the men that they were just going to see Feather and rode off together.

“I love a quiet ride,” Summer said, “and I am glad to finish the blanket. It was a big order.”

“There are two smaller ones still to start but should we dye some wool tomorrow?”

“Seems like a good idea,” Summer replied. “The dyed wool is selling well in the haberdashery and at least we just dye it and dry it.”

“The new weaving machine means that we make more money, and the work is finished quickly,” Lila said. “I am taking some artwork into town the next time I go. We are selling a bit of everything now.”

“Now that we have a wooden house instead of a tepee, I can put pictures on the walls. It was always hangings in the tepee that helped keep us warm.”

“It’s much easier to raise the babies when you have a water pump and walls to keep them safe.”

“I wonder when you find the time to paint pictures.”

“When Sammy has gone to sleep. Rhett likes to sit in an armchair and watch me paint.”

“We are lucky to live here. Rhett and Falcon are good at keeping us safe. Roddy and Callum help as well.”

They rode in silence for a little while and Summer reached across and touched Lila’s arm.

“What?” The Cheyenne woman pointed but said nothing and they both instinctively dropped from the horses and found some cover.

“One man on his own,” Lila whispered. “He has ridden the other way.”

“Let’s get to the village,” Summer said, and they urged their mounts forward.

As they approached the village, Lila thought how amazing it was that the village had grown so much over the last five years.

“There are so many wooden buildings that it looks like a small town,” she said.

“Water pumps and proper buildings.” She paused. “I still expect my mother to be here,” Summer added sadly.

“She is not struggling anymore, and she did see her grandchildren.”

They were at the gate when they saw Tall Tree come and open the gate.

“Hello ladies.”

“Hi, Tall Tree. We were just coming for quick visit to see folks, but we saw a man on horseback riding toward the high rock. He never saw us.”

Tall Tree nodded. “I’ll check,” the tall man said, and strode quickly away to find someone to go with him. They saddled up and rode off. Then Feather came and flung her arms around both of them. She took them into her tepee and made them coffee. News was exchanged. Others came to say hello and they talked about the possibility of making the village a recognized village and permanent.

Tall Tree came back and said they hadn’t seen anyone.

“But we will send a couple of warriors to go with you, just in case there is a problem.”

“We will come over and see you in a few days,” Feather told them. The women hugged each other and when they mounted their horses, Rider and another man came with them. They saw no sign of anyone and reached the ranch safely.

“Come and see Rhett and Falcon,” Lila invited, and the two men dismounted. “We have a new filly just born this morning.”

Hawk saw them and came to take the two mares from Summer and his mother. He put them in the corral and went with the two visitors to see Velvet. Rhett and Falcon went to join them, and Lila found cake and coffee.

Then she opened the bags that Roddy had brought from town and found a letter from the post office.

“This is from your Gran,” she told Sammy, who was playing with some toys on the floor. She read the letter and shouted out with happiness. Then she put the toddler into his pen and ran to the stable waving the paper.

“Mama and Papa are coming next week,” she cried out.

“Oh, how exciting!” Silver said.

“I bet he wants to see the foal,” Rhett added with a grin.

“And Princess,” Lila added.

“Thank goodness the railroad is here. It is so much easier to pick folks up and saves that awful stagecoach ride,” Rider added.

“I forgot to ask how long until the baby,” Lila said.

“Sometime in the next two weeks, I think.”

“If you need help send someone for us,” she replied.

The two braves had just ridden off on the way back to the village when they rode back in and said a rider was approaching.

“Don’t know who,” Rider added.

“Everyone out of sight, and we’ll see who arrives,” Rhett told them. Summer took her own children inside her log cabin. Hawk stayed with Rhett and his father handed him a rifle. They went inside as well. Lila realized as she ushered Silver inside that Hawk was growing up fast.

A man came to the gate and almost fell from his horse.

“Is that—?” Lila said and Rhett finished the sentence for her.

“Harland,” Rhett finished for her and threw open the door to face the man who had wanted to kill him. Hawk caught the door before it closed and followed him outside.

“Oh Lord,” Lila cried as her adopted son faced this man alongside his father. As they reached the gate, she saw Falcon appear as well and then Harland Granger crumpled to the ground. Lila opened the door and saw Rhett put a hand on Hawk’s arm. They knelt beside the man on the ground and Rhett waved her over.

“He’s shot,” he said as Falcon arrived with Roddy and Callum.

“Carry him to the house,” Lila said, and they took him and put him on the sofa. She asked the men to find the wound as there was blood soaked into his clothes. She came back with cloths and whiskey.

The men found the gunshot wound in the leg and they cut away the blood-soaked material. Lila used the whiskey to clean it and saw the glint of metal.

“There is a bullet,” she murmured and, because the man was out cold, she simply used the knife that had cut the material to lift the bullet enough to grab it with her fingers, but it was slippery, and her fingers couldn’t grip it.

“Let my fingers try,” Silver suggested, and Lila felt so proud of the girl even though it was a serious situation. “My hand is smaller than yours.” Lila moved aside to allow Silver to take her position and used the knife to lift the bullet.

“I’ve got it,” Silver said and held up the bullet.

“Well done,” Lila said and cleaned the wound again with whiskey. They wrapped bandages around the leg and sat back as Harland started to moan and waken.

“Stay still, Harland,” he said.

“Margie, Margie,” the man murmured. “I have to get help.”

“Where is she?” Rhett asked. The man that he used to call Uncle opened his eyes. “Beyond the trees.” He paused and looked at Rett again. “I found you. Now I lost Margie.”

“I will backtrack,” Falcon said.

“I’ll come with you,” Hawk added.

“Be careful,” Lila said, as they mounted up and rode away. Harland leaned back when he knew they were going to find her. After some time, he opened his eyes.

“What happened?” Rhett asked.

“We were robbed and both shot. I had to leave her to find help.” He paused and a tear rolled down his cheek. “Surely I will not lose a second wife.”

“Falcon will find her,” Lila tried to keep him calm. It was about an hour later that Silver called to say that Falcon was back. They all rushed outside, and the men carried the woman that the native man was holding into the house. Harland saw that she was still alive. He started to cry properly, and Margie called that she was alright.

“Are you shot?” Lila asked her and the woman actually laughed. They all looked at her as she opened her jacket and showed them a thick leather belt that had taken the bullet and saved her. She was shaken, but staggered across to Harland, and sank down beside him. She kissed his cheek and whispered they would be fine.

Summer returned with a large pot of soup and said they should all eat.

Lila told Margie to eat, and she would feed Harland.

“Thank you so much,” she said to everyone in the room. “Harland was searching for you when we were ambushed and robbed.”

“Well, you found us, but why were you looking?” Rhett asked. The voice of Harland was stronger by then and he looked at Rhett,

“I wanted to apologize,” he answered. “I met Margie, and we married. Life was happy again and I wanted to tell you that you were right. You can tell your Pa.”

“We have a trading post, and it does well, but my son is looking after it while we searched for you.” Margie took Harland’s hand.

“Bart is a good man and treats me like a father,” Harland said. Falcon came forward and Harland looked up.

“I am sorry that I put the axe in your shoulder.” Harland smiled and managed to hold out a hand.

“No hard feelings. When I can get up and walk, we will leave you in peace.”

“I think that you had better stay until you both feel stronger. We’ve made a working ranch here and because Summer and I both make wool and blankets, we have help around the ranch.” Lila told him.

“Who is the young man that helped me onto the horse?” Margie asked.

“Our son Hawk. We adopted both him and his sister, Silver,” Rhett said proudly and put an arm around their shoulders.

“Silver took the bullet out of you,” Lila added to Harland.

“Thank you, young woman,” Harland told her and looked up as there was a cry from upstairs. Lila ran up and brought Sammy down to see the visitors.

“This is our youngest, Sammy, who is three now,” Rhett announced and held the baby up in the air, Sammy screaming with delight.

“After your own Pa, I see,” Harland smiled.

“We’ll get out of the way,” Roddy said, and the men, along with Summer, left them to settle in with their surprise guests.

Lila made up a guest room and by the end of the day, things were sorted out and Harland was feeling better. The older couple moved to the bedroom.

Rhett took Lila out to the garden to talk.

She was a little worried.

“I am going to sit and guard us through the night. I will ask one of the men to relieve me. I know he has apologized but he did plot to kill me, and I will not take chances with you and the children.”

She reached up and stroked his cheek.

“I love you, Rhett. Don’t let Hawk take a watch. He will offer and he is not old enough yet.”

“I’ll ask Roddy and Callum and tell Falcon what we are doing.”

He went off to tell the others and Lila gathered some vegetables, as she was in the garden anyway, and went back inside.

Lila saw that the visitors were comfortable and went into the bedroom where she had moved the cradle and Sammy.

Rhett locked the front door but left the back one for Callum and Roddy to relieve him on watch. He put a comfortable chair on the landing and settled with a blanket to keep him warm. The other two men took over in turns and when Lila woke, Rhett was peacefully asleep beside her.

She kissed his nose and slid out of bed to let him catch up the sleep that he lost. She told Roddy that he could go, and she would make breakfast.

Their visitors insisted on leaving after breakfast, and although they were all sorry about the past, Lila was glad to see them go. Her three children and Rhett were not in danger and that was the most important thing in the world to her. The three other men and Summer agreed, and work on the ranch fell into a normal routine.

In the evening, Rhett and Lila were side by side on the sofa.

“The filly is wonderful,” he said and knew that she had something on her mind.

“We can keep more cattle,” she added and then looked serious. There was something that she wanted to talk about.

“I can’t read your mind this time,” he remarked and saw her smile. “What is it?”

“We have three wonderful kids but,” she patted her tummy.

“You mean that we might have another?”

“Do you mind?”

“Mind?”” he asked. “I love it. I love you, and I love what we do here together.”

“I do as well but four children. Can we manage?”

“Oh, Lila,” he said, “you and the kids on our own spread. It’s my wildest dreams.” He held her face between his hands and kissed her gently on the lips. The same magic still happened when they came together, and it was all that they both wanted. The world spun, the music played in their heads, and they became that one unit instead of two people.

“Happy ever after, Rhett. I love you in this world and the next. I guess we are being soppy again, as Hawk would say.

THE END