The Mary Spence Story
Chapter 25: Trails End
***Author's note, warning this chapter has a sad ending as we loose and old and dear friend****
Finally the Major made the long awaited announcement as everyone made camp.
"Folks this will be our last circle. Up by noon tomorrow we will have reached California and each of you will go your separate ways. We have traveled long and been through a lot together. I will miss each of you and wish the best for all of you as you begin this new chapter in your lives.
So folks, after we eat, I think we could do with a little celebration," herald the Major with just a twinge of sadness in his voice.
"Now, Major old friend, I've heard that same speech for years now and I don't remember ever seeing such sad look in your eyes," said Charlie.
"Oh nonsense, you're just an old coot, why don't you get to cooking," groused the Major, trying to hide the tears brimming.
Seth Adam's and the others had known that this day was coming. Once the long trip was made safely, a part of what he had come to know as his family was changing. The man he valued as a son and the family he had come to love would not be traveling back to Missouri with him; ready for the next season's drive. So while very happy for his son he was sad as well. It was with this mood that Bill and Flint came up on him sitting alone down by the spring.
"Mind if we have a sit, Sir?" asked Flint as he and Bill sat down, not really waiting for an answer.
"Hi, Men, sure, I guess we all have something on our minds about now."
"You know, Sir it's going to be different for all of us, but Mary and I have been talking. We kinda figure that since John said the ranch and the outbuildings were going to need some work and the boys they kinda made you fellas and old Charlie family, so Mary and I figured; who better to help out," smiled Flint as he looked at his respected friend.
"Flint, you don't need a bunch of old bachelors hanging around you've got a really family now."
"Seth Adams, Sir, I can't believe you just said that; you know that we have been family since that day you decided to take a chance on, a as you put it; "that redhead young upstart" and we have helped one another out ever since." retorted Flint with a grin.
"Major, in case you forgot; Flint here done found him three boys that have his stubborn streak, if nothing else. They have kept us all on our toes this whole blessed trip. Why, if we desert him now we might just find him an Mary scalped by those three wild youngin's when we come through next year." teased Bill with a wide grin at his good friend.
"Now the way we see it, Major," continued Flint, "we can make the Trail's End Ranch sort of the winter camp for you and the others and that way the boys and I get to see our family every Fall and Winter and you can watch these grand youngin's grow, and maybe, just maybe with their Uncles and you helping, we can raise them and several more.
Now the rest of the fella's have already agreed, how bout you making it unanimous?" coaxed Flint, hoping that the major would take up the offer. "Come on, gramps, it's a home, we've all wanted, not a handout or a retirement plan. I spent a lot of my life either alone or just one other family. Each wagon train provided new friends, but this crew and you, are family. I won't be losing it I know, and I've gained a gift with my wife and boys, but …I…" Flint was starting to get emotional, something he normally didn't do, but he wanted so much for this to work out. He wanted this for the major as much as for him and his boys.
Seth Adams was tough, experienced and wise. He was also perceptive enough to know what Flint's heart was saying; his own one was beating the same rhythm. He stopped Flint, knowing his good friend well; his boy. "Well if you put it that way, I guess there really is cause to celebrate, because by this time next week we'll be building a ranch," answered the Major as he clapped both Bill and Flint on the back.
There were many tears and smiles that night as travelers and their families, that had became friends, prepared to go their own way. Now was the time that each family got out the maps that they had carried for miles and studied just where their trail went from here. The Turner and the Smith's discovered that they would be neighbors and not so far apart. And the Vickers discovered that they would in fact be the owners of the small farm just five miles past where the McCullough ranch was located. They rejoiced over these facts and reminisced over all of the things that had happened on their way west. The Boys were so excited at that prospect of keeping new found friends, but more importantly, the Major, Bill, Hank and Wooster; their new family would be spending the next four months with them… And every Winter and Fall after that.
As Mary and Flint lay watching the stars that night they recalled how excited the boys had been when they had learned that they would not have to say goodbye to any of their new family members. And as they kissed, Mary had a twinkle in her eye, yes now would be a good time to tell Flint she thought. "Ahh… Flint… Honey, I have something to share; we're expecting a baby," smiled Mary, hoping that this was good news and not too soon for this man she loved and who had already taken on so much.
Flint jumped to his feet bringing Mary with him, he spun her in his arms as he gave a cry so loud that all of camp was instantly alert as he shouted, "Mary Elizabeth McCullough, You are the most beautiful thing in my life. I love you!"
Flint then pulled her into a great hug, beaming with the pride of the life that grew inside her.
oOo
Three days later the family pulled the three wagons up in front of the spread that would become the Trail's End Ranch. They were met by Mary's brother Robert and his wife Susan and their two children Emily and Robert Jr. As the adults exchange greetings and started getting acquainted, the children all raced off to explore. Soon talk turned to settling in…
"Just point me to the bunk house, Hank and I will get started seeing to the unpacking," suggested Wooster.
"Charlie you will find it to be in need of some repair, but it a good size and it's not leaking it's just around to the back, across a big courtyard between the back yard and the main house. There's a stable and barn behind it," directed Robert.
"And If I may Major Adams, over there is a small cabin with all of the amenities that a grandfather could dream of , including a hammock on the porch, so you can feel right at home." grinned a very pleased Flint. "Now if you all will excuse me, I would like to carry my beautiful wife across the threshold of our home before we start unloading the wagon," announced Flint, as he scooped Mary into his arms and was rewarded with a sweet giggle and a kiss.
The others laughed and began to scatter to see what they needed to do next. With so many hands working; all of the wagons were unloaded and things were put in order quickly. Suddenly a loud dinner bell rang out and it was discovered that Susan had prepared fried chicken and potato salad, iced tea and sweet potato pie; plenty for all. The meal was served out back on a large table that rested in the middle of the court yard. As all became quiet, Flint asked a simple blessing on the table and the family that sat around it.
It was indeed a good day and he and Mary had not shared his news officially yet, but then it was late and all were tired, so it would wait for another day. As darkness fell Robert and his family headed back toward their house in town, promising to see them again bright and early tomorrow.
oOo
Inside the main house Mary could not resist a laugh, as Flint bounded up the stairs in response to the loud crash as Mark shouted, "IT'S NOT FAIR YOU CAN'T HAVE YOU OWN ROOM!"
Flint reached the door just in time to stop Matt from punching his brother.
"Hold on partner, I wouldn't do that unless you want to spend the first night in your own room and in a nice soft bed for the first time, sleeping on your belly; if you get my drift," said Flint as he blocked the blow.
"Sorry, Sir,but he's throwing my books," replied a suddenly remorseful Matt.
Flint spun Mark around, "Champ, he is the oldest and fair or not your mom and I have decided who get what rooms. Now pick up Matt's books and meet me in your room and I'll share something special with you about being the middle child," said Flint.
"What about me, dad, what do I get?" asked Luke looking up with sad eyes.
"You, little buddy you get a piggyback ride to your very own bed right next to Mark's."
Luke laughed as he was swung up over Flint's shoulder and bounced along the narrow corridor to his bedroom.
Mary later went up to tuck each of her children in for the first time in a long time. First she stopped in Matt's room where the boy sat reading one of the many books that had belonged to his father. She stooped to kiss him and as he lay the book aside, then snuggled under the blanket smiling.
"Night, I'm really too old to kiss, but since it's you, Ma," he chuckled.
"Night Son; love you."
Across the hall she opened the door and noticed that Luke was sound asleep. She pulled the covers over him and kissed the top of his head.
Mark sat up and looked at his mother, as she tucked his baby brother in. "Ma congratulations, Dad said only I was old enough to share y'all secret and that I wouldn't be in the middle for long. He even made Matt take Luke all way to the outhouse, so they could not hear our secret." Mark grinned and then jumped up to hug her tightly.
Mary returned the tight hug and then lead him over to his bed and repeated the nightly process she had missed all these months; tucking her boys into soft beds with sweet kisses to their foreheads as they snuggled into deep warm beds. "You are all my babies," she said.
"Night, mom."
As Mary turned and blew out the lamp, she was suddenly surrounded by the arms of the man that worked so hard to make each of them feel special. As they closed the door he picked her up and carried her into their own bed. In minutes they were lost in the private world of their love. They could be content to remain there forever.
oOo
With a lot of paint, curtains, and hard work the ranch began to take shape and the McCullough clan were getting ready to celebrate their first Christmas together. It had hardly seemed like it had been four months. Life had been so busy and all three boys were in school.
Bill Hank and Flint were busy dealing in horses and ranch work, while the Major was busy organizing the next train, especially trying to find a new scout for the next season.
Wooster was making good use off his new kitchen they had just finished and cooking up a storm for the hands; new and old.
Everyone sat around the large table in the main houses that Christmas Eve and enjoyed a feast that Mary and Wooster worked hard to prepare. As the dishes were finished and the chores finished Mary spoke…
"Grandfather Adam's, would you do the family the honor of reading the Christmas story before we all go off to bed," invited Mary, passing him the bible.
All eyes were glued to the Major as he read the verses; reminding all those there of the journey the holy family had taken, the birth of a special child and their lucky escape from the perils of bad men. When he finished he closed the bible and smiled at the family around him, I am a blessed man, He thought.
The next morning, as everyone shared in the opening of gifts, Mary and Flint shared their secret not at all surprised that most had already guessed.
Just the same, all the fellas beamed with pride, but none so proud as Major Seth Adams.
As he went to sleep that night, he slipped peacefully away, knowing that he would always be surrounded by family.
They lay him to rest under the shade of a large oak on the corner of the ranch, with a marker that read Beloved Grandfather and friend, until we meet again.
THE END.
***This is the final chapter in the Mary Spence Story, but take heart we will be dropping in on the McCullough's and their family from time to time in the Sequel, Trails End Ranch
Thanks for reading and reviewing I look forward to each one.****