Page 94 of A Rugged Beauty
Two young voices cried out. A boy of about four darted between the conveyances toward them. A second boy, who couldn't have been older than three, toddled behind him.
The boy threw himself forward, forcing Hollis to let go of Abigail and catch the boy in a half-hug, half-hold.
A woman's laughter rang out, and his sister-in-law was silhouetted in the firelight.
“Phoebe,” his voice caught again. She'd been five years younger the last time he'd seen her, fresh-faced and so in love with his brother.
Now she looked happy but weary. And she was pregnant with another child.
"Introduce me to your wife, brother." That was the bossy young woman he remembered.
He and Abigail were dragged to the family campfire, where introductions were made all around. Abigail took it all in stride, laughing and smiling with the children, a little shy when introduced to his brother.
Hollis found himself sitting on a crate, with little Elijah on his knee, while Milton regaled Abigail with tales of a weird animal he'd encountered in the woods.
"It sounds terrifying," Abigail said, wide-eyed.
"Tewwifyin'," Elijah echoed.
"Will you settle in Willamette Valley?" Peter asked.
Hollis glanced at Abigail, who was focused on the children but had turned her face slightly to indicate she'd heard the question as well.
They hadn't spoken of the future, not beyond the commitment to honor their marriage vows. "Abigail's brother is waiting for her in Oregon," he said. "We'll want to spend some time with him before we make any definite plans. Abigail has her heart set on starting a bakery."
Phoebe seemed impressed at that idea. Abigail sent him a quick beaming smile before Milton grabbed her hand and stole her attention again.
"It would be lovely to end up as neighbors," Phoebe said.
Hollis looked at his brother, who nodded. "It's been too long since you've been a part of the family."
"Agreed," Hollis said quietly. "If you've a mind to come alongside, there's room for you in our company."
"Not that you'll see Hollis," Abigail teased. "He's busy morning to night charging his captains with the safety of our travelers and seeing to the needs of everyone."
The clear pride in her voice echoed in Peter’s expression. His heart was full, watching his wife interact with his nephews. Finding his way back to his family.
God had given him this gift of restoration. Of a new future, one that Hollis never would have chosen but now didn't see how he could live without.
Epilogue
Doc had waiteduntil Hollis was nearly ready to pull out before he visited the fort's store. He didn't favor crowded spaces, but there was nothing for it now. He needed more medicines to refill his store, badly depleted after the epidemic.
And as he glanced at the shelf of tonics and tinctures on the wall behind the counter, he found himself sorely disappointed. He wouldn't find what he needed here.
His throat soured. Without access to the right medicines, he would be limited in ways to help the pioneers in Hollis's wagon train.
"And this, please." The familiar feminine voice came from his left side, farther down the shop's counter.
Maddie.
She hadn't seen him yet. From where he stood, a pile of items on the counter partially blocked his view, but there was no mistaking the fiery head of hair.
It took a moment, but he realized that the haphazard pile of children's shoes, fabric, pots, and foodstuffs belonged to her. That she meant to purchase it. What was she doing?
The shopkeeper bustled out from behind the counter and into the store proper as she waited. A couple of men in soldier's uniforms entered and began to browse.
He should leave. Doc doubted the shopkeeper had any other store of medicines. But he couldn't make himself go without asking, and the man was tied up with Maddie.
