Capturing the Flame
Chapter 13
Epilogue: Revelations
Matt settled down in the wicker chair next to his wife. A smile crossed his lips when he reached for Kitty's hand, only to find her already reaching for his. Great minds, he thought.
It was a perfect day. Was that because the sun was shining, casting a glow to the brilliant blue sky? Was it the cool, gentle breeze that offset the heat? Or, was it because the Dillon family was finally all safe and sound? The contented married couple sat together now, watching their children—big and small, old and young—playing hide-and-seek.
From their bird's eye view, all the players were within their line of sight. Doc was crouched behind the small wagon, hopelessly trying to convince Hadley that she would be found if she didn't stop her giggling. The brim of Festus' floppy hat was peeking out from behind the tree in front of the springhouse. Several times, he had to pull Tommy Rachel back into their coveted hiding position. Newly and Cooper had taken sanctuary behind the open barn doors—one on each side of the giant doorway.
Searching only half-heartedly, was the errant redhead. Constantly shouting her accolades as a hunter, yet somehow not spotting a single hider. Try as she might, Calleigh couldn't ignore the babbling and giggling emanating from behind the wagon. She crept around the hickory wheels, suddenly snatching up the boisterous child. The two redheads set their laughter and giggles adrift on the lazy breeze.
Doc pulled himself up from the ground, muttering to himself that he was much too old for these childish antics! Had it not been for the fact that being found now made him the hunter, he would have stopped this silly game altogether.
Kitty laughed, as she leaned closer to her husband. "Think they'll ever grow up?"
Matt cast off a doubtful shrug, "Cooper and Hadley maybe..." He pursed his lips while hopelessly shaking his head. "The others…I don't think so."
The hiders emerged from various secret places. Heads huddled together again, as new couples formed, plotted and planned winning strategies, then each took off to the next elusive spot. The game continued while the old, gray-haired physician covered his eyes counting down from one hundred.
The family had been caught up in a scary ordeal, but had come through even closer than before. Cooper had found a new 'true' friend along the way and took another baby step toward adulthood. A sign of self-reliance, that both pleased, yet broke the hearts of Kitty and Calleigh.
Still holding Kitty's hand, Matt brought it to his lips. "Thank you." He whispered. The two simple words covered twenty years together. With an open heart and loving eyes, Kitty cherished their meaning.
FIN