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A year had swept by like a swift spring river since Jason and Liza had settled into their new life in the bustling town on the edge of the San Francisco territory. The sun cast long shadows across the porch of their ranch house, where Liza sat comfortably nestled into a rocking chair, her hands resting gently on her slightly swollen belly. Beside her, Jason leaned against the railing, his eyes scanning the horizon with a contented sigh.
“Hard to believe it’s been a whole year since we rolled into town,” Jason mused, turning to smile at Liza, whose radiant glow was enhanced by the gentle flush of her second pregnancy. Their little one, Emily, toddled around at Liza’s feet, her laughter pealing like bells in the crisp morning air.
“It feels like just yesterday and a lifetime ago all at once,” Liza replied, her hand absently patting her belly. “And soon, Emily will have a little brother or sister to boss around.”
Jason chuckled, his gaze softening as he watched his daughter play. “She’ll be a good big sister,” he said confidently. “Just like her mother was.”
The conversation gently shifted as they began to discuss the upcoming event that had the whole town buzzing with excitement—the reunion of the families from their legendary wagon train journey. Liza’s organizational skills had turned what started as a small gathering into a grand affair, promising a day filled with joyous reunions and shared memories.
“We’ve got everything almost set up, right?” Jason asked, running a hand through his hair as he considered the list of tasks remaining. “Picnic tables, food, wooden toys for the kids, and of course, your surprise announcement about Kristopher.”
Liza’s face lit up at the mention of her brother. “I can hardly wait to see their faces when they find out he’s coming. It took us a while, but with your sheriff’s instincts and a bit of luck, we finally found him.”
“Speaking of which, have you heard from him? Is he still set to arrive today?” Jason’s tone held a mix of curiosity and excitement.
“Yes, he sent a telegram last night from Carson City; he should be here by noon, just in time for the picnic,” Liza confirmed, her voice tinged with anticipation. The thought of finally seeing her brother again, after all the years and all the miles that had separated them, filled her heart with an indescribable warmth.
As they spoke, the sounds of the town waking up drifted over to them—horses neighing, wagons rolling down the dirt roads, and the distant calls of vendors starting their day. It was a community they had come to love, a place that had welcomed them with open arms and now thrived under Jason’s watchful eye as sheriff.
“Today’s going to be special, Liza. Not just for us but for everyone who shared that journey with us. It’s a testament to how far we’ve all come,” Jason said, his voice thick with emotion as he took in the sprawling lands that spread out before their home.
Liza nodded, her eyes misty with unshed tears of joy. “It’s more than just a reunion, Jason. It’s a celebration of survival, of new beginnings and old friends. And of family, both the one we’re born into and the one we choose.”
Together, they turned their attention back to their daughter, who was now chasing a butterfly across the yard. Their hearts were full, their spirits high, and their home open, ready to welcome back the family they had forged in the fires of adversity and adventure. As the sun rose higher, casting golden light over the land, the day promised to unfold as a beautiful chapter in the ongoing story of their lives.
*
After a couple of hours, the families began to gather, each arrival marked by waves of laughter and exclamations of delight. The open field beside the town, transformed into a festive picnic area with red-and-white checked cloths spread over long tables, brimmed with the cheerful chaos of old friends reuniting.
Children ran about with shrieks of laughter, weaving through the legs of adults busied with setting up dishes of food and pitchers of lemonade. Jason, with his sheriff’s star gleaming under the sun, was everywhere at once—greeting arrivals, joking with the men, and ensuring that everything was in place.
Liza, glowing with the joy of the hostess, moved gracefully among her guests, her pregnancy hardly slowing her down as she made sure everyone felt welcome. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation, not just for the reunion, but for the arrival of someone special.
As people settled with plates piled high with barbecued meats, homemade pies, and fresh bread, Liza clinked a spoon against her glass, calling for attention. The chatter quieted down, and all eyes turned to her.
“I just want to thank everyone for coming today,” Liza began, her voice strong and warm. “Looking at all of you, I’m reminded of the strength and resilience that got us through our journey together. Each of you has a special place in our hearts, and today is not just a reunion; it’s a celebration of where we’ve come and the family we became along the way.”
She paused, her gaze sweeping over the familiar faces, some weathered more by time than others. “And speaking of family,” she continued, a mischievous twinkle in her eye, “I’m thrilled to share that our circle is about to grow a little bigger today. With Jason’s incredible help, we’ve found my brother Kristopher. He’s been living just a few towns over, and he’s on his way here right now.”
Murmurs of surprise and excitement buzzed through the crowd. Many remembered Liza speaking of her lost brother during the long nights around the campfire on their journey west.
“Kristopher has stories of his own to share, and I know he’s as eager to meet all of you as you are to meet him,” Liza said, her voice thick with emotion. The joy of the occasion, mixed with the imminent reunion with her brother, filled her with overwhelming gratitude.
As the applause and cheers died down, the families returned to their meals, now animatedly discussing Liza’s news and sharing their own tales of the past year. Laughter and voices rose and fell in a comforting rhythm, like the gentle ebb and flow of a river.
Jason stood beside Liza, slipping his hand into hers, squeezing it gently. “You did good, sweetheart,” he whispered, pride evident in his voice.
Liza leaned against him, her heart full. “We did good,” she corrected softly, her gaze drifting over the happy scene before them.
*
As the sun began its descent, casting an amber glow across the bustling picnic, a new figure appeared at the edge of the field. The man paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd until it settled on Liza. He was a tall figure, with the same light eyes and easy smile that Liza possessed, though his were framed by lines carved from years of sun and wind. His hair, a shade darker than Liza’s, was pulled back from his face, revealing a rugged countenance that spoke of a life filled with both hardship and laughter.
Liza’s breath caught in her throat as she recognized her brother. Dropping the hand of a little girl she had been chatting with, she made her way quickly across the grass, her skirts swishing softly against the blades. Jason watched her go, a satisfied grin playing on his lips, happy to see the culmination of months of searching unfold before him.
“Kristopher!” Liza called out as she approached, her voice choked with emotion.
Kristopher’s face broke into a wide grin, and he opened his arms just in time to catch Liza as she practically leaped into them. “Liza, look at you!” he exclaimed, spinning her around in a joyous reunion that drew smiles and a few sentimental tears from the onlookers.
“You found me,” Kristopher said, setting her down but keeping his hands on her shoulders, looking her over as if to assure himself she was real. “I can’t believe it’s really you.”
“It’s me, Kris. It’s really me,” Liza laughed, wiping away a tear that slipped down her cheek. “And I have so much to tell you—about everything.”
They walked back to the picnic area, arms linked, chatting eagerly. As they approached, Jason stepped forward, extending his hand. “Kristopher, I’m Jason. It’s good to finally meet you.”
“The sheriff, right? Liza’s told me all about you. Thank you for bringing her back to me,” Kristopher said, his voice warm with gratitude as he shook Jason’s hand firmly.
The introduction sparked a new round of excitement at the picnic. Kristopher was soon surrounded by people eager to meet Liza’s long-lost brother. He shared tales of his own adventures and misadventures that had kept him from his family, his storytelling infused with a charisma that made it clear he was related to Liza. Laughter followed his tales, and his easy demeanor made him fast friends with many of the wagon train family.
As the evening progressed, the picnic turned into a lively celebration with music and dancing. Kristopher took a turn dancing with Liza, spinning her around the makeshift dance floor that had been stamped into the earth by many happy feet. Jason joined them, and the three of them laughed and danced under the stars that began to pepper the twilight sky.
The joy of the reunion filled the air, mixing seamlessly with the music and the soft night sounds of the countryside. It was a perfect ending to a day that celebrated more than just the bonds formed by a treacherous journey; it celebrated family, found and reclaimed, and the unspoken promises of many happy memories to come.
As the night drew to a close, the music softened and the last of the revelers began to depart, their voices and laughter trailing behind them like the tail of a comet. Jason, Liza, and Kristopher remained, gathering up leftover supplies and folding blankets under the clear, star-filled sky.
“It’s been an incredible day,” Jason remarked, stacking chairs with a contented sigh. “I haven’t seen you this happy in a long time, Liza.”
Liza, who had been wrapping up leftover pies, paused and smiled at Jason. “It’s been perfect. Having Kristopher here, seeing everyone together—it’s more than I could have hoped for.”
Kristopher, who had been collecting lanterns, joined them. “I must say, I was nervous about meeting everyone, about stepping into this life you’ve built here,” he admitted. “But you’ve all made me feel like I’ve been part of it all along.”
“That’s because you are part of it, Kris,” Liza said, reaching out to squeeze his hand. “And this is just the start. There’s a place for you here, for as long as you want it.”
Kristopher’s eyes gleamed in the lantern light, moved by her words. “I think I might take you up on that,” he said. “It feels right, being here. Like I’ve found a piece of myself I didn’t know was missing.”
Jason clapped him on the back. “We’re glad to have you, Kristopher. This town could use a man with your skills and stories. Who knows, maybe you’ll take up a post helping out with the town’s planning. There’s always something that needs doing around here.”
The trio finished their cleanup in companionable silence, each lost in their thoughts about the future and the new possibilities it held. Finally, as the moon climbed high in the sky, they made their way back to the house.
Once inside, they shared a final nightcap, the house filled with the soft glow of oil lamps and the quieter, more personal tales of their pasts and dreams for the future. Emily, having long since been put to bed by one of the kind neighbors, slept soundly upstairs, unaware of the momentous day that had unfolded.
As the clock chimed late into the night, they each said their goodnights, Kristopher retiring to the guest room that would be his for the foreseeable future. Liza and Jason, meanwhile, retreated to their room, the events of the day settling around them like a soft blanket.
In the quiet of their bedroom, Jason pulled Liza close, her head resting against his chest. “Today was a good day,” he murmured.
“The best,” Liza agreed. “And there will be many more like it, I’m sure.”
Jason kissed the top of her head, his voice filled with conviction. “Yes, there will be. With our family, our friends, and now with Kristopher here, we’re just getting started.”
Liza nodded, her heart full of love and anticipation for the days ahead. They fell asleep to the gentle rhythm of each other’s breathing, the promise of many happy memories to come echoing in their dreams, a soothing lullaby of shared hopes and united futures.
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OFFER: A BRAND NEW SERIES AND 2 FREEBIES FOR YOU!
Grab my new series, "Guns and Justice in the West", and get 2 FREE novels as a gift! Have a look here!
Hey everyone! I hope you enjoyed my new western adventure story as well as my extended epilogue! Let me know what you think below.
I loved this story. Life traveling in a wagon train had to be hard but the reward of finding a new place to build a home would be so worth the hardships faced on the journey.
This was a wonderful book. I enjoyed the characters and the action. I lived in phoenix for many years. I’m in Oregon now and with my closest friend as her care taker. One day ill be with my son in NC if the lord doesn’t take us home first.
Keep writing. Your stories remind me of leading trail rides in Arizona.
What a moving comment, Sandy!
I couldn’t get to leave a review. Must-have done something wrong send me an email so I can give you a review.
A good and wonderful story and extended epilogue
An engaging western adventure with heroes, outlaws, misunderstandings, romance, love, and loyalty. The duel was surprising, a fresh take on a longstanding feud with a twist! You will enjoy this novel. I did!
Fantasti book Johnnie!! It was so very interesting all the way thru. Never a dull moment. You really did good on this one.
Great adventure, thanks for keeping sex and profanity out of the story.
You’re welcome, Morris!
I’ve enjoyed reading every single story by Johnnie Burns. He brings the best of everything for his readers, outlaws, friends, and can’t forget the
love that grew. I loved the bond that Jason an Lisa
had from the beginning of them meeting. I love
reading about the old west. Thank you for sharing this story.
A great book! Loved every page.
Thank you, Myrna!