Ellie remained at the railing and watched Joshua until he was just a dot on the horizon. She took a deep relieving breath and turned to look at her father. “That was really nice of you, Pa. I’m so happy you want to give Joshua a chance to show what a kind of man he really is.”
He nodded. “I think we’ve all felt he wasn’t anything like his Pa and brother.”
Ty, perched on the railing next to Ellie and cleared his throat. “On the topic of giving a person a chance, I have a question for you, Ben.” Ty’s voice held a nervous tremble. “How would you feel about me marrying your daughter?”
Ellie gasped aloud, turning wide eyes to Ty.
A furrow creased his brow as he returned her gaze. “What? Did I do it wrong again? I did, didn’t I? I should have asked you first. Oh, I can’t get anything right. For the life of me, I thought you knew how I felt, that I love you, and want to—”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake.” Ellie placed a silencing finger to Ty’s lips and looked to her Pa. “I hope what I’m about to do doesn’t stun you, but I think I can assume your answer is yes, Pa. I know mine is.”
The happiness she saw in his eyes was answer enough. He had his daughter back, and her marriage to Ty would give Pa that son she always imagined he wanted. This had to be the happiest day of her life.
She turned, locked her arms around Ty’s neck, and silenced him with a kiss. When his shocked body relaxed, Ellie pulled away and gazed lovingly into his eyes. “It sounds like it’s your turn to issue a challenge and I gladly accept…but this time there will be no guns involved.”
Epilogue
Five Years Later
Ellie sat next to, Ty, enjoying the newly installed bench along the outside wall of the house. It was his anniversary gift to her so that the entire family could enjoy the beauty of Fountainhead from the porch. Luckily, the ranch and most of the surrounding land had escaped the ravages of war. Only a few buildings, like the inn next to the Rock House and the Bon Air Springs Hotel had been destroyed, most likely by northern sympathizers.
For the most part, the fighting had only consisted of occasional skirmishes in and around Sparta. Many men who had joined the county’s regiment and traveled to the battlefront were injured or killed. Words etched in the stone of Sunset Rock were a testament to those who didn’t come home. Ellie was grimly reminded of them each time she passed by nature’s monument on the way into town. Those who did return probably carried memories to haunt them forever.
Ty had stayed on the mountain in case it became necessary to protect the homestead, but constant fear kept Ellie fraught with worry he would be ordered to duty. Luckily, General Lee had surrendered to Grant, putting an end to the useless waste of life and property.
Ellie raised her eyes skyward and praised God for sparing her friends and family. The sound of happy giggles drew her from her prayer.
Little Rose sat at Grandpa Ben’s feet, piling one wooden block atop another. The toy was something he picked up at the mercantile on his last trip into town—typical since he was determined to spoil her rotten. She had more toys than Ellie had ever owned.
Ben sat in his well-worn rocker, beaming over his first grandchild. “I swear she gets prettier every day.” He bent over, helping the little one stack a perfect column.
A devious smile tugged at Ellie’s mouth. “Are you gonna have a fit if Rosie decides to be a tomboy, too?”
Pa pulled Rosie up onto his lap. “She can do whatever she wants and she’ll get no complaints from me.” He kissed her cheek.
Her little bow-shaped lips pulled into a smile. She loved her Paw-Paw just as much as he loved her.
Ellie’s heart warmed at the sight of the two of them together. For so many years she’d assumed Pa wanted a son over a daughter, spent too much time worrying about something that wasn’t even true Her own jealous insecurities had robbed her of so much time.
Now watching him with Rosie, it was plain that age and a granddaughter had softened his gruffness. Ellie’s children would never have to wonder how he felt about them. She’d been blind not to notice what had been right in front of her own face.
Ty reached over and patted Ellie’s swollen belly. “Think we’ll get a boy this time, Ben?”
Ben shrugged. “Don’t make no difference to me. I’ll be tickled with whatever the rabbit leaves under the lettuce leaf.”
Ellie tossed her head back and laughed. “If only it was that easy. Don’t you remember how long it took to bring Rosie into the world?”
Cook came out the kitchen door, balancing a laundry basket on her hip. She stopped and tousled Rosie’s penny-colored curls. “They say the second babe comes easier and faster, so let’s keep our fingers crossed. According to Doc Smith’s calculations, this child should be here before the month is up.”
Ellie took a deep breath and placed her hand on her stomach. A fall baby. Already most of the tree leaves were tinged with oranges and reds, while others were golden yellow. The cool weather was a welcome relief from the hot and humid Tennessee summer, and having a second child in October would be Ellie’s reward for carrying a babe during those horridly hot months.
Being with child made the summer months pass even more slowly than usual.
Since marrying Ty, so much had changed—but nothing so much as Ellie. She no longer fretted over silly things; instead she devoted herself to her husband and daughter.
Soon she’d have another child to care for, and that suited her just fine. Who would have thought she’d ever trade her denims for comfortable cotton dresses?
Certainly not her.
Maybe all those years of Pa’s wishing and Cook’s influence had paid off. Ellie smiled.
The baby gave a healthy kick that jolted Ellie. She glanced at Ty, amused by the wonder in his sparkling eyes as he saw the movement of his child. What a wonderful father he’d turned out to be.
His daughter was his pride and joy, and Ellie had no choice but to relent when Daddy had insisted the little one be named Rose. Although the name hadn’t suited Ellie, it seemed perfect to name their beautiful daughter after a delicate flower and the sweet woman who helped raise her mother.
This period of expectancy had been even more special than the first because Joshua and Betty Jo would be welcoming their first child at about the same time. It had been a satisfying feeling for Ellie to lend an experienced ear to Betty Jo’s fears about being a first-time mother.
Ellie certainly never expected to be the one giving motherly advice. Their children would grow up together and be friends, and that was a comforting feeling.
Working for Ben, Joshua had earned enough money for a deposit toward the house and land he had shared with his father and brother.
Jeb was still in prison and Dude had served a short time in jail and then disappeared. Joshua never spoke of them, and out of respect, Ellie never asked. The nightmare with Jeb was best forgotten.
Since Betty Jo had had a crush on Joshua since that fall festival so long ago, their marriage came as no surprise. It was nice to have a friend close by, and since he worked both spreads, Ellie saw Betty Jo often.
“Isn’t that right, Ellie?” Ben’s voice pulled her from her reverie.
“Sorry, Pa, I guess I drifted off somewhere. Isn’t what right?”
“That you used to fight me tooth and nail about dressing like a lady, even when you were just a wee thing.”
“Yes, you’re right,” She chuckled. “I was a troublesome child, and I’m sorry for that. I just hope my children aren’t as bull-headed.”
Ty and Ben’s voices blended in a duet of laughter.
Ty patted her hand. “Me, too, darlin’, me too.”
Ellie’s lips thinned; she drew herself up straight over her rounded stomach. “Well, I’ve changed. Look at me. I dare say you can’t accuse me of being a tomboy now.”
“Well, not entirely, anyhow.” Ty glanced at Ellie and then to Ben as he bent and lifted the hem of her powder-blue dress, revealing the comfortable worn and scuffed
boots she wore beneath.
Feeling a hot flush creep into her cheeks, she smacked the material from his hand, allowing her dress to fall back into place. She screwed her face into a mocking smile. “I’m getting there,” she said. “Just bear with me, I’m a slow bloomer.”
Ty chuckled and pulled her close. Even after all this time, the feel of being in his muscular arms gave her a fluttery feeling. His warm breath caressed the side of her face as he responded, “My darlin’, no matter how slow you bloom, you’re always gonna be my Sparta Rose.”
About the Author
Born and raised in California, Ginger and husband Kelly, who happens to be her greatest fan, moved to Tennessee in 2004. Overcoming culture shock took a while, but she continues to write, finding inspiration in the vast number of southern historical areas. She’s multi-published in several genres, but her favorite remains historical romance with a western flavor. Besides writing and promoting her work, she always manages to find time to enjoy her grandson, Spencer. The cheerful and patient way he deals with his autistic challenges inspires her to keep doing what she loves—being an author and his Nee Nee!
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