CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

April 1948

"So...is this the last box then?" Bo asked as Nora stood in the ranch house bedroom.

"Yes...I guess that's it," she answered, looking around.

Bo shook his head, "Hard to believe that after nearly four years of marriage we still have so few worldly possessions. First we live in a furnished apartment in Chicago...then move here...I'm just now realizing how little we have to call our own."

Nora turned and gave him a half smile. "We have what counts."

He smiled back. "That we do."

Bo put the box down and went to her. Pulling her close in his arms he asked, "You okay?"

"Mmhm," she answered looking into his eyes. "Just thinking." She played with his shirt collar distractedly. "We made a lot of good memories here. We brought Lilli into this world in this very room, the two of us. She learned to walk and talk here...this ranch is all she's ever known..."

He nodded. "But you know, I've been thinking too. That big, empty house in Llanview is just waiting for us to make more memories. The walls are waiting for photographs...and the corners are waiting for Christmas trees...and the floors are waiting for dancing. And I am lucky enough...to get to make those memories with you. I can't wait," he murmured close to her mouth.

"Me neither," she answered quietly, smiling and drawing closer for a kiss.

They faintly heard footsteps approaching and then, "Oh! I'm sorry! I'll come back."

"No no, Maggie. Come in. We just got distracted with some reminiscing," Bo said. "Guess I'll go ahead and take this last box out. Oh...and don't forget this, honey," he said pulling her cowgirl hat down from the corner of the dresser. "We'll need this again," he winked. She smiled as he plopped it on her head.

The ladies watched Bo depart before Maggie turned to Nora. "Well, you ready to go, honey?"

Nora looked at her. "Oh Maggie," Nora began, unable to control her tears any longer, "I'll miss you the most…"

Maggie gently pulled Nora close for a hug.

Maggie let Nora cry for a few moments before releasing her to find a handkerchief.

"I'm sorry for the tears...I'm just not good at goodbyes," Nora said quietly, dabbing her eyes.

"Goodbyes are hard, but we'll meet again," Maggie said calmly, "and you'll be in my prayers daily. You know that."

Nora nodded. "So, you'll come to see us?" she asked.

Maggie smiled. "Mercy, child. I came to work for Mr. Asa thirty-odd years ago, and I've only left the ranch a handful of times. I don't travel much, honey...but I love to have company. So, you come to see me, alright? And bring Miss Lilli back to visit so she doesn't forget me."

"I will," Nora promised. She wrapped her arms around Maggie again. "I love you, Maggie."

"I love you too, honey...to the moon and back…"

Nora dried the last of her tears and Maggie followed her to where the loaded truck awaited. Nora said her goodbyes and hugged Tom and Helen as well as all of their little ones.

Asa opened the truck door for her. "So...you're going to the city to study law?" he inquired.

"Yes, I am Asa," Nora said. "You still have doubts?"

"Well...I've seen what you're made of, and if any woman can do it, I know you can. I used to think you were a Buchanan in name only...now I see you also have that...Buchanan spirit."

"Thank you, Asa," Nora whispered, giving him a hug. He nodded.

As Nora climbed onto the truck seat, she watched as Bo said his goodbyes.

"Now you behave while I'm gone, Maggie. Don't you make me come down here," he teased.

She giggled at his teasing, but held him tight. "You behave, Beaufort...or I'll come up there and wear you out."

Bo laughed at her spunky remark and pulled her close. "I wouldn't doubt that for a minute. I love you, Maggie."

"I love you too, Bo...just like one of my own. Come back and see me."

"Will do."

Next he turned to Asa. "Well, Pa...guess we're on our way. Come see us," Bo said turning his handshake into a firm hug.

"You know I will. You'll probably see more of me there than you have here."

"That's probably true," Bo agreed.

"Papaw?"

Asa reached down to pick up his granddaughter. "What is it, honey?"

"Will you take care of my kitty?"

"I sure will, and once you're settled in your new house, I'm going to bring her straight to you. I promise. Now...give Papaw a kiss."

Lilli gave him a big kiss and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I love you, Papaw."

"I love you too, Darlin'."

Bo put Lilli in the truck between them. Then amidst waves and faded 'goodbyes', they were on their way to the next stop on their adventure through life...Llanview, Pennsylvania.

Epilogue

"You're going too fast...slow down, Bo…slower..." Nora moaned tossing and turning on their bed.

Bo ran a hand over his sleepy face as he wondered what she was dreaming about.

"Nora? Honey?" he said jostling her arm to wake her. "Are you alright?"

"Nooo…slower..."

Suddenly Nora's eyes burst open. "Are we there yet?!" she shouted.

Bo chuckled. "Where are we going?"

Nora sat up and looked around. She found herself in her bedroom, still congested, with a sore throat, and tissues strewn about her side of the bed.

"Bo?"

"Yeah, it's me. Are you okay?" he asked rubbing her back as she sat beside him in the moonlit room.

She looked around again. "I had a dream…" she said quietly, "We were on a trip. You were driving too fast…"

"I kinda wondered what I was doing too fast…" Bo said.

She dropped back on the pillow beside him. "It was so real, Bo. We were living in the 40's again...on the ranch in Texas...and Asa hired these crazy brothers as ranch hands...and Samson got you...and I had a flat tire and was kidnapped...but I got away...and he peeped in our windows...so icky...and we had a curly-haired girl, really pretty and tenacious...with your blue eyes…" she murmured smiling at him sleepily.

"Sounds like quite a dream...those must be some pretty strong drugs Larry prescribed for you, honey."

"I guess so," she murmured rolling to her side. "You really shouldn't be sleeping with me, you know," she whispered. "You may catch what I have…oh, Bo…" she sighed, "I'm so tired…"

"Get some more rest then, Red. I'll be right here if you need anything."

But Nora didn't hear his comforting words. Already her mind was drifting into a heavy swirl as she fell back into the world of slumber…

A heavy fog surrounded her as the truck bounced along...

She glanced at the sleeping, tousle-haired girl beside her as she heard her husband say...

"There's the sign, honey. Llanview PA. We're finally home…"

THE END