Epilogue.

Ewell Harding did indeed stand trial for the murder of Ginny's parents and siblings. She was barely healed from her stab wounds but she bravely stood in the courtroom and recounted things that had happened to her and her sisters. She even endured the humiliation of having to show the scars on her back where the gang had sliced her with the broken whiskey bottles.

As a result, the whole Laramie community rallied around her. The evening after her testimony some of the townsmen were ready to take Ewell to the nearest tree for his very own neck tie party. Ginny stood with the sheriff, Jess and me to persuade the men to let justice prevail.

Ewell was found guilty of murder and was hanged. That was the end of the Harding Gang.

Ginny accepted our invitation to stay at the ranch; even though we didn't formally 'adopt' her like Mike wanted us to but with us she found a home and a family. One more stray to add to our collection.

As time passed and with our help she started the healing process on her psychological wounds. It was not easy at times and there were setbacks but she made remarkable progress with our help. She did indeed walk through the doors we opened for her.

She is still working on her spiritual wounds. Those are not so easy to heal and require a lot of forgiveness; forgiving Martin, the Harding gang and mostly forgiving herself.

She and I made a trek after she was well enough to ride to the grave site of her sisters. There, we placed a headstone. We also journeyed to Pine Bluffs and located the cabin where her parents were murdered. Someone had buried them near the burned out shell. We placed fresh flowers on their graves and ordered a cross to place between the two graves with their names carved on it. The journey went a long way toward her healing.

Jess, Andy and I have another partner in our ranch. Ginny took part of her money and invested it in our endeavor. She is also helping Jess and I train horses. The Sherman Ranch and Relay Station now has a reputation of being one of the finest horse ranches in the area.

Bonnie has grown into a sleek, beautiful young horse. Ginny has started her under saddle but the filly still has some growing to do before we can ride her. Her mom, Bella, continues to be Ginny's mount despite several offers from many a business man and cowboy stopping by on the stages.

Ginny continues to tutor Mrs. Sommers' schoolchildren. The two have become very good friends. It is rumored that Mrs. Sommers will soon retire and has named Ginny as her replacement.

And it turns out that all those walks along the Old Laramie Road Ginny had been taking were not all just for her health. She was stopping off at a small pond fed by a spring near the road and was studying the, uh, 'fauna,' I think she calls it. Anyway, she was studying the dragonflies around the ponded spring; making a journal of their behaviors and habits. She is going to submit her journal to an eastern university in a couple of years hoping to be able to go to college. We are all very proud of her for that.

Mike has also healed from his encounter with Ewell Harding. It took some time but with Ginny's help he returned to his old self. He and Ginny continue to have a special bond. He continues to learn about training horses and Ginny is very patient with him. And if he keeps his grades up, he is likely to wind up going to college once through school.

When we reflected on Mike's actions from the time I brought Ginny home to the Harding trial, Daisy, Jess and I were astonished at how mature he had become. We tend to think of him still as a little boy but he's now not acting so little. He is taking on more and more responsibility at the ranch, growing into a young gentleman. We couldn't be more proud of him!

What have I learned? I now understand that some people are capable of unspeakable cruelty. Yet others are capable of kindness and humility even in the influence of those who inflict harm. I now understand that people who are suicidal are not selfish people looking to see the bad in everyone. They are not insane or just wanting attention. They are people in pain; willing to try anything to stop the hurt. I have become more consciously aware of people's feelings.

I still have visions of Melissa and Victoria. They are not the nightmarish apparitions I once had. They are beautiful children- Ginny's sisters.

And, as I promised her, there were indeed more barn and square dances. Reticent at first, Ginny finally overcame her fear and started to enjoy herself. It also helped that a certain someone started showing up every chance he had to dance with her.

As it turns out, he had been in the background the whole time. He was at both Martin's and Harding's trials. Every chance he had, he came home from the eastern college he was attending. He soon started showing up at the ranch. First to take Ginny on buggy rides and then to escort her to functions. They were soon a regular courting couple. Jess and I did give him a hard time of it though. Ginny is, after all, our sister. But Will Bellamy was patient and persistent and a few months back he popped the question.

That brings us to tomorrow. It will be bittersweet, but Jess and I will be walking Ginny down the aisle, as her brothers, giving her away to Will. I couldn't think of a better honor.

Daisy has been crying the whole day today, busily helping Ginny get ready with last minute decorations and dress fittings.

Mike has been standing in front of a mirror for hours admiring his new duds for the wedding. He's turning into a real dandy!

We expect the whole community to turn out for the wedding. I just hope Jess doesn't catch the bouquet again!

End.