The years rolled by with ever increasing speed. Sue Lee never had time to think about the past or the future much. Her life was filled with raising four children and taking care of an ever-growing household. The House that had started out as a simple 3-room plan had developed into a 10-room two story. It had a large kitchen/dining area, a parlor, and an office on the first floor. On the 2nd floor there was Jake and Sue Lee's room, and 4 extra bedrooms to accommodate their burgeoning family. Out back was a work hand house that served as the foreman's quarters and the worker's barracks. The farm included a barn, stables, and several corrals.

Jake and Sue Lee Roedel had worked hard over the past 10 years, establishing themselves in the Sacramento Valley just outside town. They had prospered in more ways that one. Their farm increased in size from the original 100 acres, to a total of over 1500 acres now. Every year they bought a little more land. What had started out as a simple corn farm was now a large cattle ranch that was completely self-sufficient. They grew all their own food, both for the people and the animals, and sold the remainder to the local feed and seed store. Jake had formed a partnership with the other ranchers, as to allow everyone to use the lowlands in the valley without conflict. It also kept their herds safer from predators and thieves, due to greater numbers of cattle. And when disputes erupted amongst the rancher and farmer, Jake was usually who they came to for resolution. No one in town knew of Jake's past as a bushwhacker, nor did anyone care to ask. Many people assumed that he and Sue Lee where escaping the South for a better life. And in part it was true, but only a half- truth. The first few years were difficult of Sue Lee. She lived in constant fear that Jake would be caught, "tried", and hanged for his bushwhacker past. She prayed constantly for people to forget, especially after the children started to be born. She didn't know if she could survive without him. Jake never told her that he feared the exact same thing.

But all was not fear in the Roedel family. Sue Lee's daughter from Jack Bull, Grace, was growing into a beautiful young girl. "The very image of her mother", Jake always said as he watched her try and boss her 8-year old brother, Tobias, or "Tobey" for short, around. Everyone, including Grace, thought that Jake was Grace's father. And there was no reason to question it. Everyone just assumed that she took after her mother physically. Tobey was a headstrong, mischievous little boy who was the very picture of his father. And he worshipped the ground his father walked on. It didn't help that Jake reciprocated the same feelings for his "true" first born. Sue Lee would "scold" Jake for overzealous fatherly love. Jake would smile and tell her. "How can I do that went we made 'im the night I told you how much I loved ya?" Sue Lee smiled sweetly at Jake as she put her arms around Jake's neck, unconcerned who would walk in the kitchen and see them.

"It was also the night you gave me this." Sue Lee held up her ring finger, displaying the worn gold wedding band. Jake noticed the wear on the ring.

"You deserve a new one." Jake whispered as he leaned his forehead against Sue Lee's.

"No. I don't want a new one. I love it. It's the most precious thing you've ever given me."

Jake wrapped his hand around her left hand, kissing the ring irrelevantly. He had never told her the truth about there it had come from; and she had never asked. She had just thrown her arms around him as he slipped on her finger that 1st night in Sacramento.

"I don't think it's THE most precious thing that I've given ya?" Jake whispered seductively as he continued to nuzzle Sue Lee's neck. As she moved her head to the side, she saw all their children, 10-year old Grace, 8-year old Tobey, and the 4-year old twins – Rachel and Matthew; both of whom looked equal parts of their mother and father. Sue Lee smiled as she turned back to Jake, kissing him softly on the lips.

"You're right, the ring isn't the most precious thing you've given me." Sue Lee whispered softly against his lips. Jake's head moved back in bewilderment. He'd really only been teasing. Sue Lee laughed at Jake perplexed expression.

"You've given so much more than just a pretty ring. You've given me them." Sue Lee nodded at the entrance to the back of the house, where all 4 children stood there watching their parents embrace one another.

"C'mon Pa! C'mon out and play with us!" Tobey called, a ball held in his gangly arms and his hair in his face.

"Yeah, c'mon Pa! Tobey won't play fair! I need you!" Cried Grace as she stuck out her bottom lip and pleaded with her beautiful blue eyes. God help the man who falls for her, Jake thought as he started to walk towards the door. As he did all the children squealed in mock fright as their Pa stalked towards them, a scary/silly face plastered on it. Sue Lee watched as the man she loved and their children played joyously.

Sue Lee continued to prepare dinner. Besides Jake and the children, there where others on the farm to be fed. They were treated as part of the family. Most them were single cowhands who were honest and trustworthy. They had their share of "bad" apples over the years, but Holt made sure they were gone before they could do any evil.

Holt had retuned to them about 2 years after he had left. He had found his mother. She had died of typhoid fever in Texas a couple of months before he had been able to leave and search for her. When Holt came to Sacramento, where Jake had said he was going to go, he made some inquiries about where he might find Jacob & Sue Lee Roedel. They weren't hard to locate.

And as he rode up the small house, Holt felt a sense of relief. Home, he thought to himself as he slowed his horse to a walk. Jake was working in the backfields, and Sue Lee saw him first. She had just given birth to Tobey, and was sitting on the porch as she saw him approach. Sue Lee laid Tobey in his bassinet, as Grace toddled around the ground in front of the porch chasing the chickens. As Holt got closer, Sue Lee shielded her eyes with her hand to see whom it was. Holt stopped and tipped his hat to her. Sue Lee laughed as he dismounted and approached the front steps. She knew that Jake would be so happy to see him. Holt stopped at the bottom of the steps, placing on foot on the last step, watching carefully as Grace toddled toward him.

"Hello, Ms. Sue Lee."

"Hello, Holt." Sue Lee cried as she embraced him tightly. "It's so wonderful to see you! Jake will be so happy." Just then Tobey decide to let loose a cry. Holt looked at Grace, who was now standing by his leg, and then at the baby Sue Lee lifted from the bassinet.

"That's Mrs. Sue Lee." Sue Lee teased with Holt as she showed him the baby.

"We named him Tobias Daniel Roedel." Holt's eyes shot up at the mention of his name. Sue Lee placed the baby in his arms; Holt stared at him in wonder. Tears glistened in his eyes.

"Even though you weren't here for his baptism, we still named you his godfather." Sue Lee stated as Holt continued to look at the baby.

"Sue Lee? Sue Lee!!?" Jake called as he walked into the back of the house. Not seeing her, he walked towards the front porch door. As he walked out he saw Holt, holding Tobey and Sue Lee leaning over his shoulder. Sue Lee looked up at Jake as he walked through.

"Papa!" Squealed Grace as she went up the steps to her father. Holt and Jake stared at each other. Sue Lee took Tobey from Holt's arm, who was fast asleep again. Holt walked up the steps and embraced Jake. They hugged like only friends who had been all they had been through could.

"It's good to see ya, Holt." Jake said as he slapped Holt shouldered good- naturedly.

"It's good to be back." Holt's voice fluttered with emotion, he was truly happy to see Jake and Sue Lee.

"Up, Papa! Up!" Grace called, her arms held high in the air.

Jake bent down and scooped her up high in his arms. Grace laid her head on Jake's arm, staring warily at Holt.

"C'mon in, Holt. I think tonight calls for a celebration." Sue Lee announced as she entered the small house carrying Tobey with her.