A few weeks later on a Sunday afternoon, Hoss and Sally were married in an intimate civil ceremony at the ranch. The timing allowed the Peters to be present as Roy Coffee officiated the rights. Though it was not what Sally had hoped and dreamed of as a young girl, it was what Hoss and her agreed was best given the situation. He built a cradle in preparation for the baby just as he would have if the child had been his own. Despite her anxiety about the pending arrival of the baby, Sally felt more settled than she had in a very long time.

The days rolled by until one warm July afternoon. Hoss was pacing the living room floor struggling to resist the urge to bolt upstairs every time he heard Sally cry out. He felt as if the clock was barely moving when in actuality his wife's labor was progressing at a good rate. Ben raised up out of his chair where he had been passing the time reading. He managed to grab hold of his middle son's shoulder from the back. Hoss jerked and turned around to face him. Beads of perspiration stood out on big man's forehead. A mere three months ago, Hoss would never have imagined that he would be a married man and let alone a father.

Ben offered his nervous son a reassuring smile. "I know it sounds bad to you, but Paul said Sally is doing well. Try not to worry. You'll be holding that little one in no time."

Hoss managed to return a weak and weary smile and then plopped into the blue chair, gripping the arms firmly. "Why's it gotta take so dang long. Sally's gonna be plum wore out. Just hope she's got the strength."

"Hoss, she's young and strong. She'll do fine. As much as we wish and hope them to be, babies aren't on a timetable." Ben hesitated and then left unsaid the fact that a weaker woman would never have survived what Sally had been through.

Joe came in from the kitchen carrying a plate of Hoss' favorite sandwiches. "I talked Hop Sing into making you some sandwiches. Here have one. Maybe it will help take your mind off things." Joe shoved the plate toward his antsy older brother.

Hoss scrunched up his face. "Naw, ain't hungry."

Joe turned to his father and shrugged, then held out the plate to Ben who waved him off. Joe grabbed a hefty sandwich and took a big bite before setting the plate on the coffee table.

"Too bad Adam's missing all the excitement." Joe spoke while continuing to munch his food.

"Joseph, please, must you talk with your mouth full! Adam couldn't have known that Sally would deliver today when he left early this morning. Besides, by the time he gets back Sally, Hoss, and the baby will have gotten some rest and he can enjoy a nice visit. "

"I just wish to goodness the baby would hurry up." Hoss pushed himself up out of the chair and began to pace again.

Moments later the sharp cry of a newborn pierced the silence. Three faces broke into wide grins. Hoss placed a meaty hand on the post at the base of the stairway and looked up in anticipation.

Shortly thereafter, Doc Martin appeared at the top of the steps, the sleeves of his white shirt rolled up to his elbows. "Hoss, there are two ladies up here who would very much like to see you."

"Two ladies?"

"Yes, well, one is a very young lady." The doctor offered the new father a wry smile.

Hoss hooted and scaled the stairs quickly. Paul Martin stepped aside allowing him to pass by before descending the stairs to speak with Ben and Joe who were looking at him expectantly. He answered their unspoken question.

"Mother and baby are doing just fine. Give them just a few minutes and then I'm sure you would be welcome for a brief visit." The doctor extended his hand. "Congratulations, Ben."

Both happy and relieved to hear about his new granddaughter, Ben shook Martin's hand with enthusiasm. He looked over at Joe and let out a deep sigh to which his son responded with a slap on his father's shoulder.

Upstairs, Hoss had pushed a chair close to the bed so he could be very near his wife and new daughter. Damp ringlets of blonde hair framed Sally's tired but smiling face. Hoss examined the baby's fingers and toes.

"She's beautiful Sally! Just like you!"

Sally blushed. "Are you still alright with the name?"

"Yep. We'll name her for yur Mama." Sally placed the tiny bundle into his arms. "Well now little Miss Amelia Cartwright, you're the right purtiest gal I've ever seen. 'Cept for your Mama, o' course." Hoss leaned over and gave Sally a tender kiss. "Sally, I think the Good Lord has smiled down on us today by givin' us a girl."

"It's like I can breathe again, like a burden has been lifted. I feel like God has given us His grace."

"Grace. I kinda like that. Whadya think about callin' our little gal Amelia Grace?"

"That sounds perfect." Sally fingered the fine tuft of hair on Amelia's tiny head. "Did you hear that, little one? Your Pa has named you Amelia Grace and rightly so, because I don't know what would have become us if he hadn't come to our rescue." Sally's eyes sparkled with tears of gratitude. She reached out to place her hand on her husband's rough cheek.

Some time later, there was a soft knock at the bedroom door. Ben and Joe quietly slipped in. Little Amelia squirmed in her father's big arms. The smile on Hoss' face told it all. He had a wife and daughter to shower with love.

"Pa, Joe, meet Miss Amelia Grace Cartwright." Hoss carefully placed the little bundle in his father's arms.

"She's absolutely beautiful." Always amazed at the miracle of a child being brought into the world, Ben gently stroked the child's tiny fingers before leaning down and kissing her forehead. "I hope you know, Miss Amelia, that your Grandpa is going to spoil you something awful. Just don't tell your Mama and Papa. It will be our little secret."

Hoss chuckled and winked at his wife.

"Hey now, don't forget Uncle Joe." Joe held out his arms to his father. Ben somewhat reluctantly relinquished his new granddaughter to his youngest son. "Little darlin', you and Uncle Joe are going to have so much fun." He tickled the baby's chin.

While Joe was fawning over the baby, Ben sat down in the chair beside Sally and reached out to give her hand a comforting squeeze. For once he was at a loss for words, but the warmth in his glistening eyes spoke peace and comfort to Sally's soul. He leaned in and kissed her cheek. He sat holding her hand as the two observed Hoss and Joe for a few minutes with Amelia. " Well, I think it's probably time for us to let you get some well deserved rest."

Ben rose and called out. "Uncle Joe it's time to return Miss Amelia to her Pa and for us to get out of here and give them some peace and quiet."

Joe handed Amelia to Hoss. "Bye, Amelia. Rest well. You, too, Sally."

Joe kept an eye out for Adam the rest of the afternoon. He raced to the barn when he saw his brother ride in.

"Hey Uncle Adam! We had an exciting afternoon while you were out on the range."

"Really? Sally delivered?"

"Yeah. A little girl, Amelia Grace. She's really somethin', Adam."

Adam removed his hat and wiped his brow, not so much from fatigue as out of relief for Sally and Hoss. "That's great news, Joe. Really good."

"Hey, you want me to put up Sport so you can get cleaned up and go see them?"

"Thanks. I'd appreciate it."

About an hour later, Adam awkwardly entered Hoss and Sally's room. It truly was a special day in many ways. Normally smooth and in control, he shifted his arms strangely to receive the baby. It had been a very long time since he had held a newborn.

"It's ok, Adam. She ain't gonna break. Ain't she somethin'?"

Though he had held Hoss and Joe when only a child himself, Adam now stared at Amelia, mesmerized by the simple beauty of a newborn human being. Hoss chuckled. He so rarely saw his brother flummoxed.

Adam ever so gently stroked Amelia's rosy cheek. "Amazing." Embarrassed, he finally looked up to address Sally and Hoss . "She's beautiful."

"Here, brother, I think you'd better sit down. Ya look a little weak in the knees."

Just a hint of a dimple played on Adam's face as he carefully eased himself into the chair beside the bed. Hoss came and placed a big hand on his brother's shoulder.

"Ya know, Adam, I'm not sure we'd all be here like this today iffn ya hadn't talked some sense into both of us."

"Hoss is right, Adam. I am very grateful to you and count it a real blessing to call you, Brother."

"I don't really know what to say, other than I'm happy, truly happy, because you're happy." Adam reached out and Sally took his hand.

Minutes later as Adam pulled the bedroom door closed behind him, his mind went back to the discussion he had several weeks ago with his father. Adam was not so naive as to think that Hoss and Sally's trials were entirely behind them, he was, though, able to see more clearly how pushing through the hard times, even embracing them, sometimes opens the door to experiencing joy.