Epilogue
July 4, 1876
The Centennial celebration in Roses Briar was a treat for the senses. However, Roseanna Sherman Danbury Chauncy wasn’t the least bit interested in the food, the pageantry, or the crowds. Instead, her startling bluebelle eyes were fixed on the black cloud of smoke heralding the oncoming locomotive.
For the first time in nearly a decade, seven of the eight Sherman children would be together again.
The youngest, Lincoln – or Linc for short – was the first off the chuffing steel horse, and the nine-year-old looked around, his eyes wary. Bobby, who insisted on being called by his given name, Robert, was the next off, only turning back to lend a hand to Polly. Merry, Lucy, and Robin followed, their happy faces glowing even brighter when they caught sight of Roseanna and her family.
“Another sister,” Linc groaned, enduring the crushing hug he received as soon as Roseanna could catch him.
“Manners, Lincoln,” Winifred Stanton corrected as she stepped from the passenger car.
“Yes, Mama,” the boy dutifully replied, allowing Roseanna to smooth the unruly blonde hair from his forehead.
“We are so grateful to you, Mrs. Stanton,” the overly emotional woman whispered when her littlest brother’s adoptive mother drew near.
The vibrant redhead fixed an indulgent smile on Linc and replied in a soft, Southern drawl, “My family calls me Winnie.”
Family , Roseanna mused before searching the smiling faces. Edgar Sherman’s bouquet of bluebelles was almost complete. But the last of their missing number couldn’t be ignored. Nicolet , her mind cried. Where are you?