Epilogue
Alaska sat beside Ezra on their porch swing, a late evening breeze softly blowing over them, lifting her hair and cooling her face after the heat of the day.
She loved this time of evening when the kids had been put to be and it was just she and Ezra on the swing together, softly talking, touching and sometimes just sitting in an easy silence, their fingers entwined, her tucked under his arm, the soft creak of the swing’s springs and the night sounds floating in familiar ease on the North Dakota prairie.
She felt the baby move, and smiled as Ezra put his hand over the spot. Feeling his child move hadn’t gotten old for him.
“You were right about Phoebe and Tillman.” Her words were easy and soft.
He grunted. “I wish I could have gotten them together when I was in college, but Tillman...” His voice trailed off and then he said, “I guess it just wasn’t the right time. God knows.”
“He does. Maybe Tillman wouldn’t be content to be here in North Dakota on Sweet View Ranch if he hadn’t lost everything first.”
“True. And maybe he’ll appreciate Phoebe even more, since he knows how terrible a marriage can be with the wrong woman.”
“True.” She paused as the baby settled down, Ezra’s big hand stroking gently over her stomach, as though calming the little one, even in utero. “But just because that worked out...what you’ve done with Tobias is a little more extreme.”
“Mmm.” Ezra’s hand didn’t stop. “I have a peace about it. I know it’s...not something anyone would suggest a man do, and I know it’s a risk. Tobias is a good man-”
“And if it works out, we could lose him.”
“Or our ranch will get bigger. The Hall spread borders ours on the northern side.” He sighed. “I’m not doing it for the potential benefits to the ranch, though.”
“I know.” She turned, putting her lips on the cords of his neck. “I know that better than anyone. You love this ranch and see to its welfare because it supports your siblings, but there is nothing in the world you love better than your family.”
“And that’s you, first and foremost, along with our children.”
Ezra had never once acted like her children were not his also. She would love him forever for that alone, but there were so many other things to admire in the man she married, his character and integrity, his perseverance and faith, his godly attitude that had him going to God first about everything, and of course, the tender way he loved her...she could go on and on.
“I love you, Ezra.” She closed her eyes and snuggled closer. “And I trust you. If you think this idea with Tobias is going to give him a happily ever after, I believe it, even though I can’t see how.”
“I bet Tobias will have an epic love story. A story so big a whole book could be written about it and romance readers everywhere will sigh and swoon and laugh and be amazed all over again at how God works and the beauty He can make out of a complete mess when we take our lives and put them in the palm of His hand. Tobias has done that. Let’s watch God work.”
Ezra’s faith never failed to inspire her. She ran a hand over his chest and around his side, grateful forever that God moved to allow this man to take a chance on someone like her. God had used him to totally change her life. And she knew Ezra was correct - God would work all things out for Tobias’s good and God’s glory and the story would, indeed, be epic.