With tears in his eyes, Jeb McKenna held his daughter protectively in his arms. The infant released one last quivering cry, her lower lip trembling, then abruptly closed her eyes and went to sleep.
Exhausted but unspeakably happy, Maddy watched her husband and daughter.
Jeb’s gaze found hers. “She’s so beautiful…just like you,” he whispered. Maddy knew it was his love of her speaking.
Hassie, too, had grown tearful. She and Leta, with Jeb’s whole-hearted assistance, had coached her through each stage of labor. Margaret had stood by her side, as well, offering encouragement.
The phone rang and it was Lindsay, disappointed to have missed all the excitement. She’d been in Grand Forks for her doctor’s appointment and stopped to have lunch with Lily Quantrill.
Soon the bedroom had emptied as Maddy nursed Julianne for the first time. Jeb sat silently beside her, watching his wife and child.
“This seems incredible to me,” he said.
She glanced from the tiny bundle in her arms to her husband. “You mean the baby?”
“Everything. That you should be with me here…that we could have created this beautiful, perfect child. I swear to you, Maddy, I didn’t know it was possible to love anyone this much.”
She reached out her hand to her husband, and Jeb clasped her fingers in his, then raised them to his lips.
“Welcome home,” he said softly. Maddy knew he was speaking to his daughter but the words were full of meaning for her, too.
In Buffalo Valley, with Jeb, she’d found home.
Epilogue
From: Lindsay Snyder
To: Angela Kirkpatrick
Date: September 7th
Subject: Buffalo Valley Update
Dearest,
The house is quiet for the moment—a rarity since Joy was born—so I thought I’d answer your last e-mail. Both Gage and I are adjusting to parenthood, including those midnight feedings. Gage is a wonderful father. I found him standing over Joy’s crib this morning just watching her sleep. When I asked what he was doing, he told me he still couldn’t quite grasp how it was possible to love this tiny being with such intensity. I married a wonderful man and feel more blessed every day.
I’m thrilled that my daughter is just three weeks younger than Maddy and Jeb’s Julianne. Maddy’s been my best friend nearly all my life and I’m so happy to think that our daughters will grow up being friends, too. Maddy loves being a mom, just like me. I’m taking an extended maternity leave, which was a difficult decision. But I wanted to spend more time with Joy before I went back to teaching school. Leta is eager to look after the baby any time we let her. Joy is fortunate to have such a loving grandmother close by.
Thanks for asking about Sarah and Dennis. Yes, they’re married, which infuriates Calla. She’s decided to live with her father again. I can’t help feeling Calla’s doing this to upset her mother—and if that’s her plan, it worked. Sarah and Dennis drove to the runaways’ shelter and she refused to even talk to them. Then, apparently, Sarah’s ex showed up and there was a bit of a scene. Calla left with her father—no goodbye, even. Sarah is miserable and wants her daughter with her, but for now, this is Calla’s choice. That’s the bad news. The good news is how wonderfully well Buffalo Valley Quilts is doing. Last week there was a couple in town who’d driven all the way to Buffalo Valley to meet Sarah. They bought one of her quilts in Fargo while on vacation and were so impressed they wanted to see the company for themselves. It turns out they have a chain of gift shops in Oregon and wanted to know if she could supply them with a hundred quilts. A hundred! Sarah’s never had such a large order. She’s hired three women and is currently training them. It looks like she’s going to need to expand into the shop next door. Everyone in town is pleased for her. Now, if only Calla would come to her senses…I’d like to shake that girl sometimes.
Buffalo Bob and Merrily are doing well, too. Business is booming and he’s got that karaoke machine cranked up nearly every night. That little boy of theirs is just a darling. A few people have had questions about Axel, though. I gather there was one of these missing child flyers being circulated, and it had a child around the same age and with the same first name. But I’m convinced it’s not this Axel. Anyway, there was some talk earlier, but it seems to have passed, which is a relief.
Three weddings and two births. This has been an incredible year for Buffalo Valley. I can hardly wait to see what’s in store for this town next.
I’ll wait to hear from you.
Hugs,
Lindsay
ISBN: 978-1-4268-0940-8
DAKOTA HOME
Copyright © 2000 by Debbie Macomber.
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