Heart of Integrity (Hearts of the West, #2)

Epilogue

“And it is my great pleasure to announce that the Lone Pine post office is once again open!”

The moderately-sized crowd that had gathered for the grand re-opening broke into applause.

“AndI would like to invite our resident postmistress to come up and say a few words. Miss Kelly?”

Susan glanced at Ifor, who gave her an encouraging squeeze. She made her way up to where the sheriff stood. He nodded at her and motioned for her to proceed.

Her heart hammered as she looked at all the people staring expectantly at her. She glanced back at the sheriff, who gave her an encouraging nod. The mayor had been killed in the earthquake, so for the past few months, the sheriff had been doing more than just his own job.

“Thank you, Sheriff Clifton.” She turned to face the crowd. “I am so glad that our little post office is once again open and ready to receive your letters and parcels. We have all been through such a lot as a community these past few months, since the quake which claimed around ten percent of our population. But I have been absolutely delighted to have been a part of the restoration with all of you. We’ve all come together and worked as one to rebuild our community—our home. And as we celebrate each new reopening over the coming weeks, let’s give thanks to God for sustaining us and for blessing us with each other, and with this place we all call home. This place…where we all belong.”

The crowd cheered and applauded.

“And it is my deep honor to read to you the plaque that will be affixed to the front wall of the post office. It reads, ‘Rebuilt in memory of Mrs. Opal Gray, who loved Lone Pine and all its inhabitants.’” She swallowed, tears pricking her eyes. “I cannot wait to see all the new plaques affixed to all the new buildings that have yet to be restored. And I know that Ispeak for all of us when I say that I don’t think we could’ve settled on a finer tribute than to rebuild each place in memory of one of the dear people we lost. This way, their legacy will live on, and we shall carry their memories with us as we go about our everyday lives. Thank you, again.”

The crowd applauded loudly.She glanced at Ifor, who beamed at her with tender admiration. His father stood next to him, a huge smile on his face as he applauded, too. He’d made a miraculous recovery, according to Dr. Reed. And she was truly glad. Through his example, she was learning more every day about what a father’s love ought to look like. And she was deeply grateful.

The sheriff thanked her publicly as she made her way back to Ifor.

“Well done, cariad. You were marvelous.” He kissed her forehead.

“Marvelous, indeed!” Ifor’s father chimed in.

Susan exhaled, glad to be one of the crowd again. “I still think someone else should’ve given the speech.”

Ifor chuckled. “Now, now. The sheriff thought it only fitting that you do it, and Iagree with him wholeheartedly.”

Susan smiled. “And, how might your own speech be coming along?”

Ifor’s eyes twinkled. “Ah. You mean the one for our wedding? Haven’t even started it yet.”

Susan gaped at him. “Ifor Morgan! I hope you’re joking—the wedding’s in two weeks!”

Ifor laughed—that rumbling melodic sound that was her favorite thing to hear. “I am indeed joking. I wrote it ages ago. And I am truly glad it is only two weeks until our wedding, for these past four months have seemed like an age.” He stroked her hair. “I cannot wait to call you Mrs. Morgan.”

She smiled and embraced him, nestling her head against his chest. It had taken crossing an ocean to find where she truly belonged—with him.

A voice accompanied a tap on her shoulder.“Well done, Miss Kelly—you spoke very well.”

She turned. “Thank you, Timothy.” She smiled.

She could never see Timothy without thinking of her father. He’d been tried for John Murphy’s death, and the verdict had come back as manslaughter rather than murder, which had saved him from the hangman’s noose. But he’d served hardly above a month in prison before he’d escaped. The deputy sheriff had been on duty at the time—and had been fired not long after. And just like that, her father had disappeared as quickly as he’dturned up.

She still missed Opal—Ifor did, too—but she was so grateful to have known her, and for the part that Opal had played in leading her to the Lord.

Step by step, she was leaving all her old ways of thinking and acting behind.

Just as, brick by brick, they were all rebuilding what had been lost in the earthquake.

But as she clung tightly to Ifor, she couldn’t help smiling and thanking God for what had been found.

Home. Belonging.

And alove that nothing in this world could shake.