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The smell of roast beef, potatoes, carrots, fresh biscuits, and Mary's famous gravy drifted through the new house. Outside, the last colors of sunset faded beyond the pasture while Boone lay stretched across the porch with Whisper curled against his side.
Inside, laughter came easier than it had in many weeks. Jake leaned back from the table and smiled, “Mary, I believe you've outdone yourself again.” Mary laughed, “That's what you said last week.” “Well,” Jake replied, “I wasn't mistaken then either.” Jake bowed his head, "Let's thank the Lord for His blessings." Every head around the table bowed with his, and every grateful heart quietly gave thanks.
For the first time, Bern and his wife had been invited to supper in Jake and Mary's new home. Cole had come as well, his sketchbook tucked beneath one arm, though Mary had made certain it stayed closed until everyone had eaten. “No painting at the table,” she had declared with a smile. Cole tipped his hat, “Yes, ma'am.”
The room felt warm and welcoming. New pine walls still carried the pleasant scent of fresh lumber, while the oil lamp above the table cast a soft golden light across familiar faces. The fire crackled in the fireplace from time to time. Jake looked around the room. “You know,” he said quietly, “the ranch has changed a powerful lot this past year.”
“It surely has,” Bern answered, “When I first rode onto the Roaring Rapids Ranch, I never imagined how many lives the Lord would weave together here.” For a moment no one spoke. Finally, Cole smiled, “And He's not through yet.” Jake nodded, “No...I don't believe He is.”
Mary folded her hands, “Speaking of changes, Alice was so excited yesterday when she told me that she and Colt have settled on their plans.” Jake grinned, “Colt told me he’d be quittin’ as Range Boss. Said they're headed farther west.”
Bern nodded, “Just like Jake, Colt always dreamed of owning a ranch that belonged to only his own family. I’m sure he’s happy now that he danced his first time when Alice asked him at the Sattler barn dance. Besides, there's still land waiting for honest folks willing to work.” Mary smiled, “I've never seen her happier. She says wherever Colt builds a home, that's where hers will be.” Jake chuckled. “I reckon those two will do just fine.” Cole leaned back, “Colt has spent enough years running someone else’s ranch. It'll be good seeing him build his own instead.” Everyone quietly agreed.
Jake reached for another biscuit, “That does leave us needing another Range Boss.” “Hank, I bet!” Bern exclaimed before Jake could say anything. Jake nodded, “I've been watching him.” “So have I,” Mary added, “He isn't the same young man who first came here.” “No,” Jake mused, “The Lord has sanded off some mighty rough edges.” Bern smiled, “Hank has earned everyone's respect. I think he'll wear the responsibility well.” Cole grinned, “And besides...he's learned not to complain all the time, just works steady.”
Bern turned toward Eli Turner, “Eli has some news of his own.” Every eye turned toward him. Eli smiled the quiet smile everyone had come to know, “Sophi said yes.” Mary clasped her hands together. “Oh, Eli!” Jake reached across the table, “Congratulations.”
Cole grinned, “I was beginning to wonder if either one of you was ever going to ask the other.” Everyone laughed again while Eli's face turned bright red. Bern finally spoke, “I don't think Sophie could find a better young man than Eli, nor could Eli find a better young woman than Sophie. I began to wonder after a while if Eli was comin’ to my house to learn writin’ or comin’ to win Sophie’s heart. He sure had a hard time concentrating when Sophie came around bringing him more lemonade or refilling his coffee cup after nearly every sip.” Eli’s red face turned even brighter. “After they're married, we’re all heading for Oklahoma Territory.”
Jake raised an eyebrow, “That’s news! The Land Run of '89? That’s comin’ quick!” Bern nodded. “Lookin’ forward to it. Eli wants his own one hundred and sixty acres the government’s givin’ away.” “I've wanted to farm all my life,” Eli admitted. “Writing stories is wonderful, but I'd like a place where my children can grow up.” Jake smiled, “Nothing wrong with honest farming.”
Bern continued, “I hope to teach in one of the territorial schools. Just the three R's—Reading, Riting, and Rithmetic,” Bern joked. His wife smiled, “Bern, that joke is as old as these hills! Some student is going to think they need to teach you how to spell!” Everyone laughed. “And I'll be sewing for anyone who needs a good seamstress.”
Cole looked toward Bern, “Bern never could spell! He’d get stuck writing and look for Boone to come help him out, then it would come to him.” Everyone laughed again. “Tell em’ what you told me about your writing.” Bern couldn’t stop laughing with everyone else, “Even though I can’t spell,” he chuckled again, “I don't suppose I'll ever quit.” The room turned quiet again. “I'll write a little less,” Bern continued, “but I'll spend more time helping Eli publish his stories.” Eli looked across the table, “Dad, I couldn't ask for a better partner.”
Cole tapped the sketchbook beside his chair, “And while you two are making stories, I'll still keep the office here on the ranch.” Jake nodded, “That'll always be your place.” “I'll keep painting,” Cole added, “Maybe I'll even illustrate some of Eli's stories.” “I'd like that,” Eli answered. Cole smiled toward the window where the last light had disappeared, “And every now and then I may disappear myself.” Mary asked, “Where now?” Oh...west...south...wherever the Lord paints another beautiful landscape that needs putting on canvas.” Jake said seriously, “Just don't stay gone too long.” “I won't.”
After Jake helped Mary carry away the dinner dishes, Mary disappeared into the kitchen once again and returned carrying a large pecan pie that she sat down in the middle of the table. The room grew suspiciously quiet again. Jake grinned, “Now that's something worth talking about!” They talked a little longer to let their dinner settle, then Mary sliced generous pieces for everyone. For several minutes almost no one spoke. Finally, Jake looked up, “I believe this may be your finest work yet.” Mary smiled, “You say that every time you eat a piece of my pie.” “That's because it’s true. You keep making pies better and better.” Everyone looked at Mary and smiled in agreement.
Cole slowly looked around the table. Once they’d all been strangers... He saw a Union soldier who treated everyone as a friend. A young woman who searched for what lay beyond cooking for cowboys on her dad’s ranch. A quiet cowboy who dreamed of writing and owning a farm. A patient wife sitting beside Bern, encouraging him to write what he heard and saw. Now they were all family. Some would remain. Some would move west. Some would build new homes. Some would write books. Some would paint pictures. Some would teach children. But every one of them carried something the Roaring Rapids Ranch had given them: faith, friendship, forgiveness, hope, and love for one another. When he painted this farewell dinner, he'd need to remember and make one small change. He'd add Colt where he would have been sitting that night if he could.
The room became quiet once more. Jake raised his coffee cup. “Here's to new trails. And to old friends.” Everyone lifted their cups. Bern added, “Funny thing about trails. They don't always end where you expect, but they usually end where the Lord intended.” “Amen,” Mary said softly.
Outside, the evening breeze rustled through the cottonwoods while Boone lifted his head for a moment before settling back beside Whisper. Inside, the conversation continued long after the pie was gone. The Lord had led each of them down different trails. And somehow every one of those trails had crossed at the Roaring Rapids Ranch. For that, every grateful heart around the table silently gave thanks.