Epilogue
Temperance didn’t know what she expected of Quail’s Creek. Owen had warned her it was far more rustic than Denver. It wasn’t exactly pretty, full of muddy snow and tree stumps. The creek was murky and rocky and running fast, but the spring grass and bright green leaves were coming in. The air smelled sweet and everyone they passed waved a happy greeting.
It felt welcoming.
Felix and Pearl had arrived at the saloon two weeks ago where they had learned the ropes and took over the running of the saloon. Temperance had left Katherine in charge of her bookkeeping business. Katherine had let a room to Jane and was allowing her to run her clothing shop out of her front parlor. The pair had become fast friends after Jane helped Katherine deliver her healthy baby girl, Dora.
Owen didn’t stop at the small collection of wooden buildings that seemed to form the center of camp. Instead, he took their small wagon up the hillock toward a pair of cabins.
“That bigger one is Virgil and Marigold’s place. This one must be Felix’s.” He had told them that Emmett had milled the lumber, and Felix had lived here with Pearl all winter.
It wasn’t much, just a tiny, one-room shack with a single square window. It was as rough as the room Temperance had shared with Jane and Mavis after she’d been kicked out by Mrs. Pincher. Fortunately, it had a stove, and they’d brought a few other housewares to make it a home. Temperance was excited to learn more about this part of her husband’s life, and they’d begun talking about trying to start a family.
Owen helped her from the wagon, then let Clarence out before he lifted the puppy, Daisy, down to the grass. Daisy barked once and Clarence came back from his sniffing alongside the cabin, waiting for her to catch up before he led her on an explore.
“Hello, stranger!” A woman with auburn hair and a simple gown stepped onto the stoop of the bigger cabin. She waved her tea towel.
“Marigold! Come meet Temperance.”
“My bread is baking. I’ll bring some when it’s ready. Welcome home!”
It felt like home, Temperance thought. Especially when Owen turned and swooped to take her in his arms before he carried her across the threshold.
The End