Finally reached the end. It has turned out a lot longer than I had intended and I'd like to thank everyone for reading, sticking with it and for all the
comments you have made. I really do appreciate your support and encouragement. You really are a great bunch of people. Special thanks go to Mary for all her
hard work in keeping me right. Enjoy.
MaryK
By Sun and Candlelight
Epilogue
The house at East Meadow Lake was finally finished. It was a fine house, larger than the one on the North Ridge but not as grand as the white mansion. It had four bedrooms, a large parlour, dining room and a very impressive study. The kitchen furniture had been shipped all way from Boston having been picked out by Annabel when she Jarrod and Nathan had finally been able to visit her brother. As a gift Victoria had arranged for a bath from St Louis which had pride of place in the spacious bathroom. Jarrod and Annabel were both very pleased with the way the house had turned out. It was only a month since they had moved in but already Annabel had turned it into a home. Now to celebrate their new home they had their family and a few chosen friends around them.
Jarrod surveyed those who had joined them for this happy occasion. His eyes came to rest first on Maria. The healthy glow on her face was testimony to her complete recovery, though it had taken almost five months for her to regain her health. Audra sat beside Maria, her swollen stomach evidence of the new life that would join the family in a little over a month's time, if the baby stuck to schedule. It amused Jarrod to watch expectant father Drew hover protectively around his sister.
All of Jarrod's in-laws were there. Tony, Celine and one year old Sophie Annabel had travelled from Boston and would be staying with Jarrod and Annabel for two weeks before going on to San Francisco to spend a few weeks with Nathan and Emily. His mother-in-law's delight in having both her grandchildren present, was obvious from the broad smile that never left her face.
Victoria sat off to one side deep in conversation with Peter and Anna Hartington. Just two weeks before moving into the house Jarrod and Annabel had attended the wedding of Emmie Hartington and Brad Martin. It had been a small joyous affair and Brad's mother, two sisters, their husbands and children had travelled from Kentucky to join their brother in celebrating his marriage. It had been a source of great amusement to Brad that his mother, who had never ventured out of Kentucky, had twice in the space of a few months travelled all the way across the country. And he had been heard to remark she was planning on making it a regular occurrence. The joy she took in her son's happiness had been plain for all to see. Shortly after the wedding the happy couple left for a four month honeymoon in Europe.
Eight month old JJ sat on the blanket as an array of children played happily around him on the lawn. Several mothers kept a watchful eye on the youngsters mindful that the least little slip could end in tears. It pleased Annabel that Charlotte and Luke's little boy Samuel fitted in so well with the Barkley brood and that the bond between him and Nathan seemed as strong as it had been in San Francisco.
It had, Jarrod thought, been a very tough time for the family but they'd survived and were stronger than ever. As often happens, though there had been much pain and heartache, good had come of it too; Brad Martin returned to his family and the woman he loved, Toby Hills now a valued employee of Jarrod's had recently become engaged to Emma Jensen, with her family's blessing, though not his. His father and brothers thinking he had designs above this station,were scathing both of his job and his relationship with the lumber heiress. Jarrod smiled, it was a topic Toby had discussed with the lawyer as he debated if it would be right for him to propose to Emma. In the end the young man had followed his heart.
Catching Annabel's eye Jarrod raised a questioning eyebrow. Giving a brief nod of her head Annabel walked toward her husband. "We'll serve the champagne now. But give me a couple of minutes before you say anything."
"Whatever you say darling."
He watched as Annabel approached Ruth and spoke to her. Whatever his wife said elicited a surprised look and a bashful smile from his sister-in-law. Moments later when the champagne was set out on the table Annabel returned to her husband's side. Jarrod was somewhat surprised to find them joined by Nick and Ruth.
"Can I have your attention please?" Jarrod's voice rang out across the garden. "We are delighted, my wife and I, that you have joined us to help celebrate moving into our new home. We hope to spend many happy years here and we would like you all to become regular visitors. This is not just a house, it's a family home and," Jarrod turned to Annabel his eyes shining with pride and love, "I'm delighted to tell you that we will soon be adding to our family."
Cries of delight rang out across the garden as the assembled company voiced their congratulations.
"JUST A MINUTE." Nick's bellow ensured silence. Sliding his arm protectively around Ruth the dark haired rancher grinned. "Jarrod isn't getting ta hog the limelight. We're gonna have a little one too."
As congratulations once again rebounded round the garden Jarrod asked Annabel. "How did you know?"
"The glow on her face, and the contentment in her eyes. Besides her waist is thickening slightly, she's a couple of weeks further on than me."
Flopping into the seat beside his wife Heath put his arm around Maria. "Ya all right?"
"Yes." She told him though her eyes were bright and slightly moist. "I can't help wondering what might have been though." She put her head on his shoulder and interlaced her fingers with his. "But there's no sense dwelling on what might have been, better to be thankful for what is."
As she spoke she looked at her children. Leah sat cross legged on the rug facing her brother. The little girl had hold of JJ's hands and was rocking him gently to and fro as the little boy squealed with delight.
"We are truly blessed Heath." Maria said softly.
"That we are darlin."
MaryK
By Sun and Candlelight
Epilogue
The house at East Meadow Lake was finally finished. It was a fine house, larger than the one on the North Ridge but not as grand as the white mansion. It had four bedrooms, a large parlour, dining room and a very impressive study. The kitchen furniture had been shipped all way from Boston having been picked out by Annabel when she Jarrod and Nathan had finally been able to visit her brother. As a gift Victoria had arranged for a bath from St Louis which had pride of place in the spacious bathroom. Jarrod and Annabel were both very pleased with the way the house had turned out. It was only a month since they had moved in but already Annabel had turned it into a home. Now to celebrate their new home they had their family and a few chosen friends around them.
Jarrod surveyed those who had joined them for this happy occasion. His eyes came to rest first on Maria. The healthy glow on her face was testimony to her complete recovery, though it had taken almost five months for her to regain her health. Audra sat beside Maria, her swollen stomach evidence of the new life that would join the family in a little over a month's time, if the baby stuck to schedule. It amused Jarrod to watch expectant father Drew hover protectively around his sister.
All of Jarrod's in-laws were there. Tony, Celine and one year old Sophie Annabel had travelled from Boston and would be staying with Jarrod and Annabel for two weeks before going on to San Francisco to spend a few weeks with Nathan and Emily. His mother-in-law's delight in having both her grandchildren present, was obvious from the broad smile that never left her face.
Victoria sat off to one side deep in conversation with Peter and Anna Hartington. Just two weeks before moving into the house Jarrod and Annabel had attended the wedding of Emmie Hartington and Brad Martin. It had been a small joyous affair and Brad's mother, two sisters, their husbands and children had travelled from Kentucky to join their brother in celebrating his marriage. It had been a source of great amusement to Brad that his mother, who had never ventured out of Kentucky, had twice in the space of a few months travelled all the way across the country. And he had been heard to remark she was planning on making it a regular occurrence. The joy she took in her son's happiness had been plain for all to see. Shortly after the wedding the happy couple left for a four month honeymoon in Europe.
Eight month old JJ sat on the blanket as an array of children played happily around him on the lawn. Several mothers kept a watchful eye on the youngsters mindful that the least little slip could end in tears. It pleased Annabel that Charlotte and Luke's little boy Samuel fitted in so well with the Barkley brood and that the bond between him and Nathan seemed as strong as it had been in San Francisco.
It had, Jarrod thought, been a very tough time for the family but they'd survived and were stronger than ever. As often happens, though there had been much pain and heartache, good had come of it too; Brad Martin returned to his family and the woman he loved, Toby Hills now a valued employee of Jarrod's had recently become engaged to Emma Jensen, with her family's blessing, though not his. His father and brothers thinking he had designs above this station,were scathing both of his job and his relationship with the lumber heiress. Jarrod smiled, it was a topic Toby had discussed with the lawyer as he debated if it would be right for him to propose to Emma. In the end the young man had followed his heart.
Catching Annabel's eye Jarrod raised a questioning eyebrow. Giving a brief nod of her head Annabel walked toward her husband. "We'll serve the champagne now. But give me a couple of minutes before you say anything."
"Whatever you say darling."
He watched as Annabel approached Ruth and spoke to her. Whatever his wife said elicited a surprised look and a bashful smile from his sister-in-law. Moments later when the champagne was set out on the table Annabel returned to her husband's side. Jarrod was somewhat surprised to find them joined by Nick and Ruth.
"Can I have your attention please?" Jarrod's voice rang out across the garden. "We are delighted, my wife and I, that you have joined us to help celebrate moving into our new home. We hope to spend many happy years here and we would like you all to become regular visitors. This is not just a house, it's a family home and," Jarrod turned to Annabel his eyes shining with pride and love, "I'm delighted to tell you that we will soon be adding to our family."
Cries of delight rang out across the garden as the assembled company voiced their congratulations.
"JUST A MINUTE." Nick's bellow ensured silence. Sliding his arm protectively around Ruth the dark haired rancher grinned. "Jarrod isn't getting ta hog the limelight. We're gonna have a little one too."
As congratulations once again rebounded round the garden Jarrod asked Annabel. "How did you know?"
"The glow on her face, and the contentment in her eyes. Besides her waist is thickening slightly, she's a couple of weeks further on than me."
Flopping into the seat beside his wife Heath put his arm around Maria. "Ya all right?"
"Yes." She told him though her eyes were bright and slightly moist. "I can't help wondering what might have been though." She put her head on his shoulder and interlaced her fingers with his. "But there's no sense dwelling on what might have been, better to be thankful for what is."
As she spoke she looked at her children. Leah sat cross legged on the rug facing her brother. The little girl had hold of JJ's hands and was rocking him gently to and fro as the little boy squealed with delight.
"We are truly blessed Heath." Maria said softly.
"That we are darlin."
story, MaryK!
with another one.
Glad that there wil be additions to Jarrods and Nick's families.
RG
