Texas Rose

by Jolene Faye

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  "Cole, where are we going," Sybil laughed softly as she buttoned her shirt back and snuggled her now full and sleeping daughter back to her chest. "Feeding on the go isn't much fun," she joked as she reached up and touched the softness of the scarf tied around her eyes, "especially when I can't see anything!" The weight of his arm dropped over her shoulders and slid down her back as he pulled her close and laughed. "We're almost there and it's a surprise, you're not supposed to see anything yet," he chuckled as he pulled the wagon to a stop. "It's about time, everyone has been waiting," Jed's kindly old voice greeted them as Sybil sat back in the darkness of her blindfold and huffed. "What are you two up to? Is this what y'all have been disappearing for the last couple of months," she questioned as she felt Cole lift the baby from her arms. "You'll see my love," Cole's deep voice pressed to her ear before the wagon shook and he stepped down, "sit here for a minute let me check everything is ready." Sybil sat quietly as she heard the men's footsteps shuffle away from the wagon. She had heard the soft rush of the river as they passed and knew they hadn't headed into town. "Cole," she called out in the darkness of her blindfold and listened to the hurried shuffle of footsteps approaching her. "Yes my love," he questioned with a light chuckle as he grabbed her hands. Helping her step from the wagon, Cole pulled her tight into his arms and pressed his lips to hers. Since the wedding and the birth of Lily, she had truly been happy for the first time in her life. "I sure hope that is my husband since I can't see anything," she teased as his lips separated from hers. His hard deep laughter filled her ears as he wrapped his arm around her waist and guided her forward. Cole twisted her this way and that, being careful not to let her fall as they walked. Sybil sighed as they stopped and he wrapped his arms back around her waist, "Come on my love. I can't see anything." Cole chuckled softly as he pulled the cloth from her eyes and quickly turned her around. Sybil's eyes adjusted slowly to the fading evening light as she focused on the rocks around the burrow. The rose bush she had planted that winter was in full bloom, surrounding one side of the boulder etched with the crude rose. Her breath caught in her throat as she trailed over the burrow to the other side where a cluster of beautiful red lilies bloomed surrounding the boulder on the other side framing a crude etching of a lily. "Oh Cole," she sniffled as she stood there staring at the display, "it's beautiful." His arms tightened around her waist as he pressed against her back and whispered softly into her ear, "Not as beautiful as the Honeybee that nurtured the Rose and the Lily." A collective of 'awws' set Sybil on her heels as she turned quickly toward Cole and the sounds. Her eyes widened and tears sprang forth as she gazed over Cole's shoulder at all her family standing in front of a large newly built cabin.

  As evening set in and Sybil walked around refilling everyone's coffee cups, Cole wrapped his arms around her and kissed her softly. "So do you really like the new place my love," he questioned as they turned and watched Jed and Mabel Jenkins whispering quietly in the corner of the big living room. "I do. I love it," she assured as she pulled him to her once again. Standing there in the loving embrace of his arms, Sybil bathed in the happiness that had become her life. She'd married the man who'd fell into her life and her heart, they were watching their children grow, and her entire family was here with them to enjoy the warmth of their new house. Life couldn't get any better, she thought as she hugged her husband close. "Hmm," she hummed softly as she peeked over Cole's shoulder toward the large stone fireplace. Cole turned slowly and followed her gaze toward Robert, then toward his sister walking back from the kitchen. "Hmm indeed," he whispered as he grabbed Sybil's hand and they walked toward the fireplace. "Sam," Cole called and motioned his sister toward them as Sybil hugged Robert and made small talk. "Oh Robert," she smiled softly as Cole's sister approached, "Have you met Samantha? Samantha Marshal meet Robert Wilks." Sybil slipped back into Cole's arms as Samantha blushed and took Robert's extended hand. "Hello," Robert's eyes sparkled as Sybil and Cole turned walking away. Laughing softly as they stepped through the front door, Cole pulled Sybil into his arms once more and kissed her softly. "The home of Cole, Sybil, Lily and our little Texas Rose," he chuckled as Sybil turned pressing her back against his chest while they watched the sunset through the trees.