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“Look, Granny! A butterfly!” Zadie’s eldest son, Henry, called out, his small finger pointing excitedly at a bright yellow butterfly fluttering past.
Six years had passed since the dramatic events that brought Zadie and Roddy together. They were now happily settled in a charming house nestled near the mountains and forests in Colorado. Their life was filled with joy and love, made even more vibrant by the presence of their two young children and the frequent visits from Zadie’s beloved grandmother, Wilhelmina.
The morning sun cast a golden glow over their home as Wilhelmina arrived, her eyes twinkling with happiness. “Oh, my dear, it’s always such a pleasure to visit,” she said, embracing Zadie warmly. “And to see these little ones growing so fast!”
“We’re delighted to have you here, Granny,” Zadie replied, her smile radiant. She watched as Wilhelmina stooped to hug little Henry and then reached for baby Grace, who cooed in delight from her mother’s arms.
Roddy stepped onto the porch, his rugged face breaking into a wide grin at the sight of the gathering. “Morning, Wilhelmina. We’ve got a special day planned. I’m going to teach Henry how to fish. Thought we’d make a picnic of it.”
Wilhelmina’s eyes lit up. “That sounds wonderful! A perfect way to spend the day.”
With baskets packed and spirits high, the family made their way to a serene spot by the river, a favorite location for their outings. The water sparkled under the bright sky, and the air was filled with the sounds of chirping birds and the gentle rustling of leaves.
Roddy set about preparing the fishing rods while Zadie spread a blanket under a large tree, arranging the picnic food they had brought along. Wilhelmina settled beside her, cradling Grace and watching as Henry bounded around with boundless energy.
“Papa, when can we start?” Henry asked, his excitement barely contained.
“Patience, my lad,” Roddy chuckled, handing his son a small fishing rod. “First, we need to bait the hook. See this? You need to be careful and gentle.”
Henry watched intently, his eyes wide with curiosity and admiration. Roddy’s gentle instructions were met with nods of understanding, and soon the little boy was casting his line into the water, mimicking his father’s movements.
Zadie sat back, her heart swelling with love as she observed her husband and son bonding over the simple joy of fishing. The sun was warm on her face, and she closed her eyes for a moment, feeling a profound sense of peace.
“This is the life I always dreamed of,” she said softly to Wilhelmina, who nodded in agreement.
“You deserve every bit of this happiness, my dear,” Wilhelmina replied, her voice filled with pride. “You and Roddy have built a beautiful life together.”
As the day progressed, the family enjoyed the simple pleasures of their picnic by the river. Henry’s delighted squeals filled the air each time he felt a tug on his line, and Grace’s laughter was a sweet melody as Wilhelmina entertained her with playful antics.
Roddy’s eyes often met Zadie’s, a silent communication passing between them, filled with love and contentment. They had overcome so much to be here, and every moment felt like a cherished blessing.
Suddenly, Roddy’s demeanor changed. His eyes sharpened, and he stood up slowly, scanning the surrounding area. Years of living in the wilderness had honed his senses, and he could feel the presence of something – or someone – nearby.
“What is it, Roddy?” Zadie asked, her voice tinged with concern as she noticed his alert stance.
“Everyone, stay close,” Roddy instructed, his voice calm but firm. He moved closer to Henry, positioning himself protectively between his family and the unseen threat. His eyes continued to scan the treeline, searching for any signs of danger.
His eyes continued to scan the treeline, searching for any signs of danger. Then, he saw it – a large black bear emerging from the woods, its nose twitching as it caught the scent of their picnic. Roddy’s heart pounded in his chest, and he knew they had to act quickly.
“Run! Everyone, run!” Roddy shouted, his voice cutting through the stillness. He grabbed Henry and threw him over his shoulder, his legs moving swiftly towards the river. Zadie clutched Grace tightly, her eyes wide with fear as she followed behind, Wilhelmina right at her side.
The bear, startled by the sudden movement, let out a low growl and began to lumber towards them. Roddy plunged into the river, the cold water shocking his system but propelling him forward. He swam with powerful strokes, holding Henry securely, and reached the other side, setting his son on the bank.
“Stay here, Henry!” Roddy commanded, his voice firm. “Don’t move, no matter what!”
Henry nodded, his eyes wide with a mix of fear and trust. Roddy turned and plunged back into the river, his only thought to get his family to safety. He reached the middle of the river just as Zadie and Wilhelmina arrived at the bank, the bear now dangerously close.
“Zadie, give me Grace!” Roddy shouted, extending his arms.
Zadie passed their toddler to him, her hands trembling. Roddy secured Grace and swam back across, his heart pounding with urgency. He could hear the bear’s growls growing louder, and he knew he had to move fast.
Wilhelmina was next. Roddy reached her and helped her into the water, supporting her as they crossed. Zadie, meanwhile, grabbed a stick from the ground, her eyes blazing with determination. She hurled it at the bear, hoping to distract it long enough for Roddy to get everyone to safety.
The stick hit the bear, but instead of deterring it, the animal seemed enraged. It let out a furious roar and charged towards Zadie, its massive form barreling through the underbrush. Zadie’s heart raced as she picked up another stick, her mind screaming with fear but her body acting on instinct.
“Roddy!” she screamed, hurling the second stick at the bear.
Roddy reached the bank with Wilhelmina, who quickly joined Henry and Grace. He turned to see the bear charging at Zadie and felt a surge of panic. He dashed back across the river, his eyes locked on the picnic blanket where he had left his rifle.
Zadie backed away from the bear, her breaths coming in quick, shallow gasps. She threw another stick, but it only seemed to anger the animal further. The bear was almost upon her, and she could feel its hot breath and hear its low, menacing growl.
Just as the bear lunged, Roddy reached the picnic blanket and grabbed his rifle. Without hesitation, he aimed and fired. The crack of the gunshot echoed through the trees, and the bear let out a pained roar. It staggered, then fell to the ground with a heavy thud, its massive body still.
Roddy dropped the rifle and ran to Zadie, his heart in his throat. “Zadie! Are you alright?” he called out, his voice thick with concern.
Zadie, trembling but unharmed, nodded and sank to her knees, clutching Grace to her chest. “We’re safe,” she whispered, tears streaming down her face. “Thank you, Roddy.”
Roddy reached her and enveloped both Zadie and Grace in his arms, his heart pounding with relief. “I thought I’d lost you,” he murmured, his voice choked with emotion. “I couldn’t bear the thought.”
Zadie looked up at him, her eyes filled with gratitude and love. “You saved us,” she said, her voice steady despite the tears. “Not just two of us, but three.”
Roddy’s eyes widened in surprise. “Three?” he repeated, his gaze shifting from Zadie to Grace and back again.
Zadie placed a hand on her abdomen, a soft smile spreading across her face. “Yes, Roddy. I’m pregnant again.”
Roddy’s breath caught in his throat, and a wave of joy washed over him. He pulled Zadie closer, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Another child,” he whispered. “Our family is growing.”
Zadie smiled through her tears, her eyes sparkling with happiness. “Yes, Roddy, our family is growing. I couldn’t think of a better life than this, with you and our children.”
Roddy cupped her face in his hands, his gaze intense and filled with love. “I promise to always protect you and our family, Zadie. No matter what comes our way, we’ll face it together.”
Zadie leaned into his touch, feeling the strength and warmth of his love enveloping her. “And I promise to stand by your side, through every challenge and every joy. We’ve built a beautiful life together, and it’s only going to get better.”
Roddy’s eyes softened, and he brushed a strand of hair from her face. “You’ve given me more than I ever dreamed possible, Zadie. A home, a family, love. I’ll spend every day making sure you and our children are safe and happy.”
She rested her head on his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. “I love you, Roddy. With all my heart.”
“And I love you, Zadie. More than words can say.” He kissed the top of her head, holding her close.
Their tender moment was interrupted by Henry’s excited voice from across the river. “Papa! Mama! Are we going to fish some more?”
Roddy laughed, the sound filled with relief and joy. “Yes, Henry, we’ll fish some more. But first, let’s get back to the picnic and make sure everyone is alright.”
They crossed the river hand in hand, the cold water a refreshing contrast to the warmth of their emotions. Wilhelmina greeted them with a relieved smile, holding Grace close.
“Are you all alright?” she asked, her voice filled with concern.
“We’re fine, Granny,” Zadie reassured her. “Thanks to Roddy.”
Wilhelmina’s eyes sparkled with gratitude. “Thank heavens. I don’t know what I would have done if anything happened to any of you.”
Roddy placed a comforting hand on Wilhelmina’s shoulder. “We’re safe now, and that’s what matters. Let’s enjoy the rest of our day and celebrate our family.”
They returned to the picnic blanket, the bear a distant memory as they settled back into their peaceful surroundings. Henry resumed his fishing lessons with Roddy, his laughter ringing out across the water. Grace played with Wilhelmina, her giggles a sweet melody in the air.
Zadie watched her family, her heart overflowing with love and gratitude. She leaned against Roddy, feeling the steady rise and fall of his chest. “We truly are blessed, Roddy. Our family, our home, our life together.”
Roddy wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close. “We are, Zadie. And I’ll never take it for granted. Every day with you and our children is a gift.”
They sat together, the sun casting a golden glow over the river, their hearts united in love and hope for the future. No matter what challenges lay ahead, they knew they would face them together, their bond stronger than ever.
Hey everyone! I hope you enjoyed my new western adventure story as well as my extended epilogue! Let me know what you think below.
Great story lot of excitement and suspense enjoyed this book and the others I have read. Waiting on the next adventures.
I really enjoyed this book with all th twists and turns in it. I recommend it to all readers out there. I liked her grandmother who was. Very feisty.