​Extended Epilogue

EIGHT WEEKS LATER…

It was incredible to Rosie how hard it was to get Jeff to take a rest after all that had transpired just a couple months before. The day after the ordeal with Tobias had ended, Jeff was ordered by Doc Wilder to take at least a week’s worth of rest to allow all of the swelling he had sustained to subside. He had two cracked ribs, a substantial concussion, and an overall sense of fatigue from having engaged in the whole ordeal with Tobias. But and as she came to learn well, Jeff did what Jeff was going to do, and merely a day after all the madness had subsided, he was working alongside Buck to repair the damage to the home and the ranch.

As for Tobias Cox, he was sentenced to be hanged for crimes he committed in Arizona. Jeff, now the newly elected Sheriff, had seen to it that Tobias was sent away from Brookmeade as swiftly as humanly possible. Tobias’ tenure as the town’s infamous outlaw had gone on long enough, and he wanted to see to it that he was quickly shuffled out and dumped into the lap of the Phoenix Sheriff’s office where he was quickly secured with a noose and shuffled off of his mortal coil.

The saloon that Tobias had been the proprietor of was quickly dismantled, and Tracy, having stayed in Brookmeade with the other soiled doves, used the money that Rosie had given her to purchase the property and turn it into something she had always aspired to own: a bookstore. The day it was finally opened, this day, was when Rosie Quin first made her journey back into town to see what Tracy and the others had done with a place that once was associated with pain and hardship and subsequently replaced with joy and knowledge.

Rosie, riding on horseback with Avie seated in the saddle with her, nearly cried when she rode up to the former saloon and saw that the entire aesthetic had changed and looked virtually nothing like it did before.

“Where are we going, Rosie?” Avie asked with an inquisitive expression.

“Right there!” Rosie said, pointing to the bookstore. “We’re going to visit some old friends of mine. They just opened up a bookstore.”

Avie perched up on the saddle, biting her lip and looking on curiously at the bookstore. The entire establishment had been repainted, the brown and tan colors changed to blue and green. It was more welcoming, more open. A line was stretching around the corner with people trying to get inside, a wooden sign over the top of the entire place that read “Safe Haven Bookstore” presented proudly on top.

Rosie smiled. Well done, Tracy… Well done…

She pulled the horse up to the front of the bookstore, sliding off the saddle, gently helping Avie off the saddle, and then tethering the horse to the post. She grabbed Avie by the hand and walked into the store, the entire establishment filled with people. Nothing about it looked the same. The layout was different. Where there was a bar counter now stood a series of bookshelves lined with hard copies of various literature from around the world. Where there were tables where drunkards once sat and cursed and gambled there were couches and plush leather chairs where men, women, and children all sat and read the finest books available.

The sight put a smile on Rosie’s face as she walked through with Avie who was lighting up as she took a look around, practically jumping up and down as she pointed around with glee.

“Look at all these people!” Avie said. “There are so many!”

Rosie nodded, nothing from her past reminiscent in the four walls of the new establishment. “Yes,” she said with a huge beam stretching from ear to ear. “Yes, there certainly are.”

Rosie scanned for signs of Tracy, finding it hard to discern who was who based on the sheer amount of people that were inside. But after a moment, a familiar voice called out “Rosie!” from behind her and caused her to turn.

Rosie saw Tracy as soon as she turned, standing there with a glowing expression on her face. Rosie couldn’t help but remark how different she looked, at how vibrant her skin was and how her pretty her prairie dress was—crisp and neat and hugging her body.

Rosie and Tracy hugged, both of them laughing with delight as they embraced.

“Oh, Rosie,” Tracy said. “Oh, Rosie, it is so good to see you!”

Rosie wiped the tears from her eyes. “It’s amazing to see you. You look absolutely divine.”

They parted the hug, Tracy gestured around: “What do you think?”

“I think it’s incredible, Tracy. I can’t recognize the place.”

Tracy nodded. “It took a lot of work. I didn’t think we’d be able to pull it off.”

“The other girls are in business with you?”

Tracy smiled. “The money that Jeff gave us helped more than enough.”

“I’m surprised you stayed in Brookmeade. I thought you would have gone far away from here.”

“We were going to,” Tracy said. “We thought long and hard about it. But … I don’t know, something compelled us to stay. We wanted to … change things. We wanted to turn this place into something better than it was before.”

“You certainly pulled it off. I can’t tell you how proud I am of you.”

They hugged again; Rosie was thrilled to be back in Tracy’s company. Rosie turned and nodded to Avie. “I’d like you to meet someone,” she said. “Someone very special.”

Tracy stooped down to Avie’s level. “And who might this little girl be?”

“This is Avie Kiney. She’s Jeff Kiney’s daughter.”

Tracy extended her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Kiney. My name is Tracy.”

Avie, shy though still excited, rested her little hand in Tracy’s. “It’s nice to meet you, Tracy.”

“Would you like to take a look around? Pick out something you like?”

Avie’s eyes lit up. “Really?”

Tracy nodded. “Go on. Pick something out.”

Rosie held up a single finger to Avie. “Only one thing, dear. Then come right back. Don’t go anywhere where I can’t see you.”

Avie nodded dutifully. “Yes, Rosie. I won’t.”

“Go on then.”

Avie ran toward the shelves, mesmerized by all of the books and taking her time to peruse each one.

Rosie laughed. “She’s not old enough to read. I wonder what she’ll end up picking out.”

Tracy rested her palm against Rosie’s back and began rubbing small circles. “Look at you,” she said. “I would have never imagined seeing you being … well, a mother.”

Rosie shuddered at the comment. “Oh, I’m not her mother. I’m just … well, I guess I’m not sure what I am.”

Tracy laughed. “No, you’re definitely her mother. Make no mistake about that.”

They began walking through the bookstore, Tracy pointing out the things that had changed and the things she still planned on changing. After catching up on the details of how she went about changing the saloon to its current state, Tracy asked, “How are you and Jeff?”

“We’re good,” Rosie said. “I’m living on the ranch now.”

“So … when is the wedding going to be?”

Rosie bit her lip, smiling as she did. “I don’t know. But I think he’s going to ask soon.”

“And how are you feeling? I mean, after everything that happened?”

“Much better, most certainly. It took some time for certain feelings to wear off, but I’m much better, nonetheless. How about you? I trust that you’re doing better.”

Tracy nodded. “We all are. We were elated to hear of Tobias’ fate, him and that other monster. I’m just thrilled the whole ordeal is over.”

“Aren’t we all? Things have certainly changed for the better, without a shred of a doubt.”

“What about the Lockheeds? Are they doing well?”

“Lewis has healed, though he still is a little weary. Jeff actually made him one of his deputies not long ago. Sheriff Duger, the other man who was hurt, just left recently to retire in another part of the state.”

“I hear that Jeff took over his duties,” Tracy said. “I would have never thought in a million years that would have been possible, though it makes complete sense that he would be the one to take over.”

“He enjoys it. He’s quite happy. And the town feels much safer now that he’s in charge of upholding the law.”

Tracy perked up as she took a gander toward the door. “Speak of the devil,” she said as she nodded toward it.

Rosie turned, faced the door and saw Jeff standing there with Lewis Lockheed at his side. Both men wore their badges on their lapels, and removed their hats as they ducked inside and sauntered up to Rosie and Tracy.

“Hello, my dear,” Jeff said as he leaned in and kissed Rosie on the cheek.

Rosie always loved seeing Jeff. The look in his eyes every time he saw her was nothing short of amorous. She could tell when he looked at her, that he was completely head over heels with her. It made her feel alive, full, complete.

“Ms. Tracy,” Jeff said as he nodded. “A pleasure to see you.”

“Likewise,” Rosie said, while noticing Tracy tossing a curious glance toward Lewis.

“I, uh … don’t think that we met,” Tracy said.

Lewis Lockheed was wide-eyed as he looked at Tracy, swallowing as he extended his hand and said: “Lockheed. Lewis. My name is Lockheed. I mean, my name is Lewis Lockheed, ma’am.”

Rosie looked to Jeff, both of them stifling a smile as the young man struggled.

Tracy shook his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Lockheed.”

Lewis smiled. “Call me Lewis. Please.”

“I’ve heard a little bit about you and what you did for Ms. Rosie hear. You have my thanks for helping someone so dear to me.”

Lewis waved his hand dismissively through the air. “It was my pleasure.”

Rosie watched as Tracy and Lewis shifted their weight nervously, their flirtatious and curious nature starting to get the better of them.

“Would you, uh,” Tracy said, “like to take a look around?”

Lewis nodded enthusiastically. “Very much so. I’d like that.”

Tracy led the way, Lewis following after her with a huge grin on his face.

“Well,” Jeff said, coming up alongside Rosie. “It looks like love is in the air.”

Rosie laughed. “It appears so, my dear.”

Jeff looked around. “Where’s Avie?”

“She’s over there near that bookshelf. Tracy’s letting her pick out a book.”

Jeff squinted. “She can’t read yet, though.”

Rosie shrugged. “I know. She’s just happy to be here. We can’t stay long, though. Crissie is preparing supper and we’ll have to get back soon. I just wanted to stop by and bid my thanks to Tracy.”

Jeff gestured around the bookstore with his hat. “She did an incredible job. I’m glad this place looks nothing like it did before.”

“So am I… How’s work? Busy day?”

Jeff shook his head. “No, thank God. Brookmeade is a silent town, for once, as it always should have been. The only serious trouble we had today were a couple of kids throwing rocks at the general store.”

Rosie hooked her arm around Jeff’s. “I trust you locked them up,” she said.

“A life sentence. Sheriff Kiney doesn’t take kindly to that sort of thing.”

Rosie laughed as she led Jeff by the arm through the bookstore. “Good…”

Jeff sighed. “Look how far we’ve come,” he said. “For a moment, I thought we might never make it out of this town alive.”

“Me either. But I always had faith in you, love. If anyone could have guided us out of this, it was you.”

“You gave me strength. You were the one that motivated me.” Jeff turned Rosie around, wrapping his arms around her waist and looking her in the eye. “Look at you,” he said. “You’re not the woman that came to the ranch a few months ago. You look … different.”

Rosie squinted curiously. “In a good way?”

“Of course. In the best of ways. There’s a glow about you, a smile that I never saw before on your face, even when you were at your best.”

Rosie rested her head against Jeff’s chest. “I can say the same about you. You look … happy, my love. Fulfilled.”

Jeff gingerly kissed Rosie’s forehead. “Because I am, Rosie Quin. And it’s all because of you.”

They held on for a few moments, breathing easy and taking a look around at the display of joy and wonder being put on throughout the bookstore. Avie ran up to them, a book in her hand, holding it up for Jeff to see.

“Daddy!” Avie exclaimed. “I got a book!”

“That’s lovely, dear!” Jeff said, scooping up Avie into his arms. “Perhaps Rosie will read it to you.”

“Did you ask yet?” Avie said.

Rosie looked at Jeff curiously. “Ask what?”

Jeff smiled, placing Avie down and ushering her aside. “I think now is as good a time as any,” he said.

Rosie cocked her head to the side, a sliver of a smile creeping into her lips. “What’s going on, Jeff? Is everything all right?”

Jeff nodded. “Everything is more than all right … and that’s the point. Nothing has ever been as wonderful as it’s been these past few months. A light has returned not only to this town but to both of our lives.” He turned and addressed everyone in the store. “Can I have everyone’s attention, please?”

Rosie’s heart raced. Is he … is he going to do it?

All heads turned and laid eyes on Jeff and Rosie.

“Rosie Quin,” Jeff said lovingly. “I care for you more than I can express. You know I love you, and I know you love me … and I don’t want to waste any more time on words when actions can speak much louder.”

Rosie brought a hand to her mouth as Jeff got down on one knee and a collective gasp gathering around the room as he produced a small diamond ring from his pocket and held it out in front of her.

“Rosie Quin,” Jeff said. “I want you to grant me the honor of being my wife.”

Rosie wasted no time, eagerly shouting out “Yes!” before jumping into Jeff’s arms and causing an uproar of cheers and claps to resound throughout the bookstore. Jeff then slipped the ring onto her finger, tears of joy gathering in her eyes as they kissed.

***

Jeff laughed as Crissie adjusted the bow on top of Avie’s head, Avie was dressed in a cornflower blue flower girl dress and was pulling at the bow despite Crissie’s pleas for her not to.

“This took me thirty minutes, dear!” Crissie said. “Quit fussing with it!”

“I want to play with it, Gandma!” Avie protested. “Please?”

“You can play with it once the ceremony is over. But not yet.”

Jeff leaned against the doorframe of his and Rosie’s room, currently being used by Crissie and Avie as they went about preparing themselves for the ceremony. Jeff was dressed in a three-piece suit, his hair neatly combed back and his heart beating through his chest.

“Jeff, dear,” Crissie said. “Are you okay?”

Jeff nodded. He felt a tug in his stomach, a yearning to do something he had not done in quite some time. “Yes,” he said. “I just need to do something quickly before we start…”

Minutes later, he wandered outside of the house. The guests were gathered in the fields in back, eagerly awaiting the start of the wedding which was just moments away. Jeff looked over his shoulder to make sure no eyes were on him his he walked toward the area where his deceased wife was buried, the wind blowing a sweet aroma in the air as the sun glimmered brightly against the crystal blue skies overhead.

Jeff came up to the headstone, perching down on one knee as he removed a few stray leaves that had blown over the gravesite. “Hello, darling,” he said softly. “I’m sorry. I know I haven’t been here in a while. Things have been a bit hectic recently.” He paused, looking at the stone and seeing her face. “I still miss you; you know. Every day. I’m … I’m happy. I never thought I would be … but I still miss you. I thought for the longest time that I would never get over that. I thought … I even thought that if I found a new love, I’d somehow … forget about you … but I haven’t.”

He closed his eyes, the wind tickling the back of his neck. He imagined it was her fingers, gently stroking him reassuringly.

“Avie is doing well,” Jeff said. “She looks more and more like you every day. And she’s smart. She is so smart. I just wish that you could be here. I wish you could see what an intelligent and beautiful young woman she is turning into… And you would approve of Rosie, love. I just know that you would. She is so kind to everyone. She goes above and beyond. But I hope you don’t think that I’ve replaced you. That will never, ever happen. My heart has just … merely grown in size. I’ve found the ability to have someone else in my life. But you will always be my first love, my angel. Always.” He pointed to his heart. “And you will always live in here.” He pointed to his mind. “And you will always live in here.”

Jeff waited, smiling fondly at the headstone before kissing two of his fingers, reaching forward, and placing them on the headstone.

“I’ll be around,” he said. “And I know you will, too.”

Jeff stood, drawing a deep breath as he walked toward the house, adjusted his cuffs, and prepared to say “I do” to the woman who had brought him out of the deepest pits of despair.

***

Rosie stood just outside the door leading out to the procession. Over thirty people were in attendance, dressed in their best attire and congregated in the golden fields of hay that had been cleared and cut for the ceremony. They were seated in wooden chairs, three to a row, six rows in total. Rosie was elated and blushing when she saw all those who were in attendance: the Lockheeds, Tracy, the other women who used to work at the saloon, a gaggle of others who loved and supported Rosie and the rest of the Kiney family.

Rosie felt Crissie coming up behind her, resting her palms on the shoulders of her white dress that she had stitched together herself. There were wonderful floral patterns throughout that were subtle yet still gave the dress a resplendent aesthetic.

“Are you ready, Rosie?” Crissie inquired with a smile.

Rosie breathed deep. “I am. I am just so nervous. I never thought this day would come.”

Crissie brushed a loose strand of hair behind Rosie’s ear, having assisted her in braiding it in an intricate pattern earlier that morning. “You’re going to do so well,” she said. “I am so proud of you. This is your day. Embrace it. Enjoy it.”

They hugged, Crissie rubbing her back as Rosie caught Jeff approaching the altar, where Buck stood with a bible in his hands, ready and smiling gleefully as he waited for Rosie to arrive.

“Okay,” Crissie said, breaking the embrace. “It’s time.” She turned around. “Come here, Avie dear.”

Avie, a woven basket with flowers clutched in her hands, briskly walked up to Crissie. “I’m ready!” she said.

Rosie, clutching her bouquet in her hands, puffed her chest and stood in the doorway and stepped out into the light as the guests in attendance stood, removed their hats, and turned to face her. This is your day, Rosie’s mind pondered. This is what you were always hoping for…

Avie headed out first, looking at the guests with a timid but still enthusiastic expression as she began to drop small handfuls of pedals onto the ground. The guests in attendance smiled and gasped lightly with delight as she walked through, Avie working her way up to the altar before walking up to Jeff and wrapping her arms around his leg.

Rosie stepped out, walking in slow strides as the guests watched her pass through. She looked regal, nothing short of the vision of a princess as she blushed with delight and saw the amazed and even jealous faces of a few of those in attendance. But no matter what anyone there felt, Rosie knew that all those in attendance were happy. Happy to be there, happy to support her, happy to have an occasion that finally arrived to mark the end of the reign of terror in Brookmeade.

As Rosie came within a few feet of Jeff, she saw his eyes well up with tears. She saw how thrilled he was, how enamored he was to be able to call her his wife. Seeing him and seeing his reaction and joy was like being in a dream, one that she had thought of since they first met such a long time ago. It was a fairy tale, perhaps the best moment of her entire life.

She came to Jeff, handing her bouquet to Avie who stood beside her as Jeff reached out, too. He placed Rosie’s hands into his and squeezed delicately.

“Hi,” he said.

“Hi,” she said.

They smiled, unable to help themselves as Buck opened his bible and read out loud.

“Today,” Buck said. “Is an occasion that we can all relish being a part of. These two people standing before us have been through the most turbulent trials that one could imagine facing. When one says that a married couple must fight to survive—these two have done it in every sense imaginable. I cannot imagine two people more deserving of a day like today, and it should not be one prolonged any longer than necessary.”

Buck nodded to Jeff who removed a pair of wedding bands from his pocket. One was thick, the gold band wide and clearly meant for Jeff’s hands. The other was more delicate but still forged from the same type of gold that Rosie’s was.

“Jeff,” Buck said, “Rosie.” He turned to Jeff. “Do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to old, in sickness and in health as long as you both shall live?”

Jeff nodded. “I do.”

“And Rosie… Do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health as long as you both shall live?”

Rosie nodded. “I do.”

Buck motioned to Jeff. “The rings…”

Rosie held out her hand, her fingers delicately  waiting for Jeff to put on the band.

“Jeff,” Buck said. “Repeat after me: With this ring, I thee wed.”

“With this ring,” Jeff said as he slipped the band onto Rosie’s finger. “I thee wed.”

“Rosie,” Buck said, taking the other ring from Buck and placing it in her hand. “Repeat after me: With this ring, I thee wed.”

“With this ring,” Rosie repeated as she placed the ring on Jeff’s finger. “I thee wed.”

“Now,” Buck said, “with the power vested in me, on this glorious day of union that we all share together, I now pronounce you man and wife.”

Jeff smiled. Rosie smiled. Jeff pulled her in close, brought his lips to hers, and kissed her. The entire procession erupted in applause, everyone standing and clapping as the kiss seemed to stretch into eternity in the most pleasant and splendid of ways.

Once the ceremony had completed, the guests all gathered in the barn, which had been cleared out and set up with tables, food, drinks, and a separate table for the various handmade gifts that had been brought for the bride and groom. A small band, consisting of an acoustic guitar player, a violinist, and a banjo player, began to play knee-slapping and foot-tapping music that caused the guests to engage each other and the dance floor with delight. Rosie and Jeff watched on from the table at the head of the barn.

They said nothing for most of the time, holding hands and feeling as if they were molded together. Rosie rested her head against Jeff’s shoulder most of the time as they watched their guests living life to the fullest. The music was intoxicating, the atmosphere around the barn like nothing they had ever experienced before. The evening felt lost in time, filled with their friends and family partaking in food and drink and dancing themselves silly as day turned to night and the stars began to twinkle vibrantly overhead.

Rosie and Jeff watched as Avie, who was clapping her hands and becoming the life of the party, danced and skipped her way to the music as she traded off partnering with each guest in attendance. Jeff laughed as his daughter danced to her hearts delight, and Buck, who had tasted his first sip of liquor in years, regaled the male members of the ceremony in attendance with tales of war, survival, and love with incredible amounts of gesticulation, and a fit of hiccups that others could not help but be amused at.

The party lasted seemingly forever, with no one showing signs of fatigue at any given point. Eventually, the festivities did die down, Avie, exhausting herself from all of her dancing, was taken to bed, and the Kiney ranch was cleared out of everyone but Rosie and Jeff. Crissie and Buck, taking to Brookmeade with Avie for the evening to give Jeff and Rosie their privacy, were the last ones to bid them goodbye before Jeff and Rosie retreated to the back bedroom, their hearts racing with eager anticipation as they came to the bedroom door, slipped inside, and closed it softly behind them.

***

Jeff felt the heat from Rosie’s hands as he removed his shirt and let her rest them on his chest. She felt him breathe in and out, the two of them moving close together as they delicately stripped off each other’s garb and held one another close.

They kissed, the heat radiating off of their bodies as they danced and coiled their arms around one another. Slowly, they moved to the bed, lying on their sides as they closed their eyes and continued kissing one another for what seemed like hours. It started slow, soft: a pace that was teasing yet still engaged. Then it intensified, the speed of their lip-locking turning into nothing shy of a fever.

Eventually, they moved under the covers, their two bodies becoming one. Like their wedding ceremony, it seemed to last for an eternity. They rolled over each other, limbs entwined, and mouths agape and beyond expressing anything they were feeling with words. Their bodies spoke for them.

They opened their eyes, Jeff cupping Rosie’s face and kissing nearly every inch of her before she turned around and did the exact same. They moved in unison, their flesh goosing from the intensity of the pleasure they were experiencing that grew and grew before arriving on the cusp of an earth-shaking vibration that left their bodies trembling. They interlaced their fingers, Jeff holding Rosie’s hands above her head against the pillow and squeezing tighter as they felt that proverbial moment just seconds away from arriving.

Jeff pressed his forehead delicately against Rosie as they felt the moment arrive, Rosie looking into his eyes, both of them unblinking as they beamed proudly with pleasured bodies and hearts filled with love. The air become hotter, their kissing became more intense, and in the same moment they felt the shared release of sheer ecstasy before lying back on their sides and holding each other tight.

“I love you, Jeff Kiney,” Rosie said, moving in closer and embracing his warmth like he was the only man on earth.

Jeff kissed her once more. “I love you, Rosie Kiney,” he said in reply before nuzzling against her bosom and feeling himself slowly drifting off to sleep.

As Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Kiney held each other for the duration of the night, a shimmering display of stars shone brightly in the sky and shone down on the ranch like it was the center of the world. Jeff and Rosie said nothing more as they slowly drifted into a slumber, free of pain, guilt, remorse, turmoil, and tragedy as a new chapter in their lives began, and both they—a pair of individuals who had experienced more strife and struggles than most people had—were finally, finally at peace.