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Ironwood, Kansas, October 1889
A group of children tore past Cole, their bare feet kicking up dust as they chased a hoop with sticks down the main walkway. Their mothers stood a little way off, chatting and laughing with each other.
Cole chuckled as he stepped out of the way, smiling at the cacophony. A dog barked excitedly and darted after the children, its tail wagging happily. He stopped for a moment and breathed it all in.
All around him, the town was bathed in a riot of color. Ribbons hung from every post, and a large banner hung over the main street. The words ‘Unity Fair’ had been painted by the school children.
The annual fair was a highlight, and most townspeople spent all year looking forward to it. The day had finally arrived, and excitement filled the air as children laughed and played while the adults socialized.
Ironwood was a far cry from the town he’d first encountered all those years ago. Even though things had changed so much, he never let himself forget where he’d come from or how hard the townspeople had worked to get the town to where it was now.
“Evenin’ Sheriff,” a passerby greeted, tipping his hat at Cole.
Cole waved before heading toward the square.
The sun was setting low over the plains, bathing the town in a golden glow, making the whole town feel warmer. Every store on the street was still open, with the doors open and people spilling out, laughing and talking among each other.
Cole allowed the ordered chaos to flow past him as he kept an eye out for any signs of trouble. As the town’s sheriff, it was up to him to keep the peace. He took his duties very seriously, as he knew better than anyone just how quickly peace could be destroyed.
The town’s activity revolved around the town square. A proud bandstand stood where Silas had once built his gallows. It was a handsome structure that was raised on a wooden platform, painted a crisp white with dark green railings. The shingled roof was held up by eight posts, and the roof peaked just enough shade in the summer and shelter when it rained.
A wooden bench wrapped halfway around the inside, polished by the touch of countless hands. Iron lanterns hung on the corners, their light beckoning people closer as the gathering grew bigger.
The sight of it was enough to make Cole smile. They’d built it for music, speeches, for socializing on a Sunday and dances every so often. It had once been a place of fear and intimidation, but now it was a tool to draw the community closer.
While it wasn’t grand by eastern standards, it was a testament to what Ironwood had become and just how far it had risen. To the townspeople, the bandstand was finer than any marble monument.
As people walked past, they stopped to check on the little cottonwood tree they’d planted five years earlier. It was already taller than most children, and its trunk grew stronger with each passing day.
People had lit bonfires near the bandstand, while the steady beat of Cheyenne drums rolled through the crowd, combined with the fiddles and banjos that some of the townspeople were playing. The shared rhythm was infectious, and couples of every age danced around the square, smiling broadly as they moved with their partners.
The air smelled of roasted venison and sweet cornbread, making Cole’s stomach rumble hungrily.
Just past the square stood a little white-washed schoolhouse with a porch out front. His heart swelled as he spotted Lila standing on the porch. She tucked her hair behind her ear as she handed out sweet treats to the children.
Lila must have sensed him watching because she looked up with a smile and waved him over. He jogged toward her and gave her a quick hug, causing some of the children to giggle.
“I haven’t seen you all day,” she chided.
Cole grimaced and slung an arm around her waist. “It’s been busy. I’m sorry. I meant to stop by, but then I had an urge to ride up to the Calloway Ranch.”
“Did ol’ Mr. Calloway finally tell you his story?” Lila asked, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.
Cole nodded in excitement, taking his leatherbound journal from his pocket. She took it as if it was the most precious object in the world.
“This is your fiftieth story, ain’t it?” Lila said, looking up at him in wonder.
“It sure is.”
“Oh, Cole, that’s wonderful! Well done.” She gave him a quick hug before placing the journal in her own pocket.
“It’s just a silly hobby,” he said with a shrug.
“There ain’t nothing silly about it,” Lila said, wagging a finger at him. “These people have incredible stories, and you’re giving them a voice.”
A few months after Silas had been arrested, Cole found that he couldn’t stop thinking about Silas’ story about what had happened in the mine. After speaking to some other old timers, he realized there were hundreds of other stories out there. He decided to start writing them down so that no one would forget them. It had become a passion project that he worked on in between keeping the town safe and building up their small-holding.
“Thanks for supporting me,” Cole said, pressing a quick kiss to her cheek. “I need to go find Red Bear. I know he’s around here somewhere.”
“See you later,” Lila said, waving at him.
Cole waved back at her. As he stepped away from the school, he nearly bumped into someone.
“Woah there,” he said, stepping out of the way just in time.
Becca, now a young teenager, grinned up at him. “Sorry, Cole. I didn’t see you there.”
“That’s all right,” he said. “Where are you off to in such a rush?”
“My father said I could spend some time with my friends until sunset,” Becca explained sheepishly. “I was supposed to be back already to help my folks with the store.”
“I won’t keep you then,” he said, gesturing for her to go ahead. “Give them my love!”
Becca nodded enthusiastically before darting off to the general store. Art and Mary had used their share of the gold to open a thriving general store in town. All the locals supported them by buying their goods from the family, and in turn, Art and Mary bought a lot of their supplies from local ranches.
Cole smiled as he watched Becca head into the bustling general store before he turned to the party, searching for a familiar face. He finally found Red Bear playing drums with some of the other men from the tribe. When Red Bear spotted Cole, he left his drums and went straight to him.
“Old friend,” Red Bear grinned, holding out his arms for a hug.
Cole laughed as he patted Red Bear on the back. “It’s been too long! Why don’t you come visit anymore?”
Red Bear shook his head. “One day when you have a baby of your own, you will understand. It’s not so easy to get away whenever you want!”
“How is Little Bird?” Cole asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Growing stronger every day!” Red Bear said proudly. “She’s with Morning Star and the other women.”
“I’m glad they’re doing well,” Cole said sincerely.
It had taken Red Bear another three years to grieve the loss of his first wife, but when he met Morning Star, he finally began to heal. They’d been together ever since, and now they had their first daughter together. Cole couldn’t imagine who deserved such happiness more.
“And how is Lila?” Red Bear asked, glancing over at the schoolhouse. “Does she still enjoy teaching?”
“It’s her passion,” Cole said, standing a little taller. “I don’t think she’s ever been happier.”
Lila had held onto her gold bar for a few years since she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do. James didn’t want or need the gold, so he’d left it up to his daughter to decide what she would do with it. Since Cole had his own share, he never dreamed of using hers. He also wanted her to pursue whatever dream she decided on.
One day, about a year earlier, she’d marched into the kitchen and declared that she would build the first schoolhouse in Ironwood and that she would teach the children. Cole and the other townspeople had helped her to build the modest building, and Lila used her money to buy everything the children would need.
Now, she spent her days teaching the youth of Ironwood and when she came home after a day of working, she was always smiling from ear-to-ear.
“Good for her,” Red Bear said, nodding in approval. “She has a fiery spirit. Now she can teach the other children to be brave and good just like her.”
Cole smiled appreciatively. “We spoke about having y’all over for a meal sometime. Let me know what time works for you.”
“Yes!” Red Bear said, nodding quickly. “Morning Star was talking about Lila’s cake the other day. She enjoyed it the last time we were here. I’ll talk to her tomorrow after the fair.”
“I can’t believe this has been going for three years already,” Cole said, turning to look at the fair. “It just gets bigger every year.”
“May it get even bigger,” Red Bear said somberly. “Things are not so good everywhere else.”
“Who would have thought that one day Ironwood become an example to other towns?” Cole said, shaking his head in disbelief.
“It took a lot of work” Red Bear winced.
Cole didn’t say anything but nodded at Amos and his wife who danced past, laughing uproariously at some joke.
“There’s no need to back to those dark days,” Red Bear said, shaking his head slightly. “Silas is gone now, and he will never return.”
Despite Silas’ frequent promises that he would escape custody and be back, he never managed to get out of prison. He was kept under strict lock and key throughout his imprisonment, but no one relaxed until he was officially sentenced. No one in Ironwood went to the hanging. There was no need to say goodbye to the monster who had terrorized them all.
That was when Cole had penned his first story. He wrote about finding Art’s smoldering ranch and the events that followed. Once he started, he hadn’t been able to stop. Now, he had a whole book of stories, and he didn’t think he’d slow down anytime soon. Writing gave him an escape that he never knew he needed.
“Now we have all of this,” Cole said, gesturing at the fair. “I think we should always focus on what we got instead of what it cost.”
Red Bear clapped Cole on the shoulder. “You’re right. We’re luckier than most. Come, play drums with me.”
“Oh no, not again,” Cole chuckled, “you wouldn’t stop teasing me last time. I have no rhythm; you already know this.”
“Yes, but it’s fun watching you try!” Red Bear laughed.
“I’ll see you later,” Cole promised, backing away.
Red Bear waved him off good-naturedly and headed back to his friends. Cole made his way to the edge of the party, scanning the crowd for anything that might disrupt the fair. Things had always gone smoothly in the past, but he wasn’t going to take it for granted.
It wasn’t long before Lila found him and pulled him into the dancing. He moved swiftly with her, one hand on her waist and the other holding her hand as they danced in time with the music. His heart lifted as he spun her around and looked around him. He was surrounded by the friends who’d become his family.
Life in Ironwood wasn’t always easy, but it was the best place he’d ever known.
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 and the extended epilogue.
Please let me know your thoughts below.
I haven’t read a western in a long time, but wow I really enjoyed it. I just bought the rest of them to read. Lots of action, humor,
concern etc etc. just know when you start this book, you won’t stop until the very end. Enjoy!!
Hey Candy, thank you so much! I am glad you loved this, and thank you for your support. I hope you will love the rest, too!