A/N I can't thank you all enough for the love and support you've given this story. Some of you know I had it in my heart for a long time. It was more than two years ago that I wrote the first chapter and even did the chapter art. Then I left it and I wrote other stories, but it never left my mind or my heart. I kept going back and finally I mapped out all the details of the story. I still wasn't sure. I didn't think anyone would read a western version of Bethyl. I thank awkwardpause69, graciemae11, soniabell and kevkye for encouraging me to go for it :)
I also owe another big thank you to graciemae11. I had two working titles, The Blacksmith and A Place Called Heavenly. I couldn't decide and I asked her to chose. She didn't hesitate and Heavenly it became!
Again, I thank you all so, so much. I hope you enjoy the conclusion, it's so long I probably should have made it two chapters! xo
00
The three year mark had come and they were moved in their new home. It wasn't complete, not on the inside. There was still so much to be done. But there was a bed for them and one for Ned, and their new baby would sleep in the cradle next to their bed.
The cookstove was in the kitchen and they had plumbing in the bathroom and kitchen, and they had wood for heat. It was everything they needed to get by. He would do the inside finish work during the winter months when it got too cold to work outside. For now it was all they were required to have in order to pass the homesteader inspection, a structure that was livable.
He apologized to her that their home wasn't complete and that it wasn't nicer for her and their little boy. She scolded him, "Daryl Dixon, this is the finest home I will ever live in. This is the home you built for me, for us. If you never did another thing to it, it would always remain the best home I could ever hope to have." Then she laughed as she touched her finger to his nose, "Our tub is here, what more could I possibly want?"
He laughed, but in spite of her words he felt bad. It was not yet the home she deserved to have. He also worried himself sick over them passing the inspection. Even when the news came that they had and the deed was in his hand, he still didn't celebrate and he still didn't rest. He had a barn to complete and a coop and a root cellar, all before winter came again.
Spencer left his employ the previous year. He was working on the Monroe Ranch and Reg told Daryl, "I owe you Smithy, he's become a much better man working with you and Merle. I can't thank you enough for that." The blacksmith shrugged and then corrected him "No," it was him and Merle who had benefited, they'd had an extra hand.
The blacksmith needed help and with Virgil and Merle working on their own claim, he had no choice but to hire a man. He planned on it just being until the winter put a stop to outdoor jobs. The hired man was a drifter, no doubt with a past, but Axel worked hard and he stayed away from Beth and Ned and Daryl knew if the hired man didn't, Happy would likely eat him alive before Daryl ever had a chance to shoot the guy.
The work seemed to suit him and the quality of his work suited Daryl and over the years Axel became a kind of fixture at the Dixon Brother's Horse and Cattle Company.
Just as he said they would, Shawn and his family came that summer. Daryl and Beth both apologized that the house was not yet done but her family took it all in stride. They stayed with Maggie, Abraham and little Abe on the pig farm but her brother and his wife were at the homestead every day to do what they could.
As he had that first year, Shawn proved to be an enormous help. With Axel building the coop and fencing-in the chicken yard, Daryl and Shawn dug the cellar and built the stairs and shelving. From there it was on to the barn.
The barn was critical to him, he would not leave his animals unsheltered all winter. It was for that reason Beth was able to get her husband to agree to try things her way. The help he needed came when they hosted a barn raising the Saturday before her family left. There was a big turnout of town's people and ranch hands anxious to be of assistance to the couple.
Abraham cooked a pig in the ground and all who came brought foods, beer and the like to share. The mood was one of purpose but also of fun and camaraderie as the men worked hard all day erecting the framework of the big barn. With the framework up the true fun began. Food was shared, the beer consumed and when nightfall came and the people left Daryl finally smiled. At last he felt confident the animals would be sheltered come winter.
Just as Shawn was a help to Daryl, his wife was a help to Beth. She and Beth made heavy curtains for the windows that were meant to help keep the cold of winter out; but there were also sheer panels to let the warmth of the sun in. She helped Beth to sew new clothes for the quickly growing young Ned, and to patch the clothes of that little boy who tried very hard to be his Daddy's best helper, while mostly wearing holes in his pants.
Then there were the clothes for the baby Beth was carrying. Of course she still had a trunk full of the clothing she'd made for Ned, but some things had become too worn and she'd learned there could never be enough diapers.
With Ned she always had diapers boiling in the pot on the hearth, and there was always a goodly number of them hanging from the ceiling to dry. Her husband made her laugh when he said, "We're gonna have us a much bigger ceiling for hanging diapers now Beth. There's enough room you can have twins if ya want."
"No thank you Mister Dixon. I believe I prefer to have my children one at a time."
Beth's family left with the promise that in another two years they would return for another visit. She tearfully hugged them all goodbye and promised, "We'll be ready for you in our new home, and so happy to have you here with us."
Daryl gave her brother a firm handshake and smiled, "Next time I won't have ya workin' so hard."
Shawn smiled back, "I admire what it is you're doing here Daryl and I appreciate you allowing me to be a small part of it."
00
It was just a week after Shawn left that Carol Peletier informed the school board she was leaving the town of Heavenly. She promised she'd been very happy in her position and that she enjoyed the town and its people, "I will never forget the wonderful opportunity I was given by Olivia and the citizens of Heavenly."
She never mentioned, nor did anyone else, that her departure was to come at the same time Ezekiel King would be leaving for New York City. Once there he would begin a new and prestigious position at the mining company's headquarters.
The people of Heavenly were, of course, very disappointed to be losing a good teacher but they were not the ones most bothered by the news. The most upset, bothered and downright panicky were Virgil Dixon and Sophia Peletier. How could it be? It simply couldn't happen. Sophia couldn't move to New York City.
The young couple came up with a plan they were sure would work. Virgil begged his Mother to please invite Carol Peletier and her daughter to dinner that coming Sunday. Karen thought it unusual only because her son had never made such a request. So she did as he asked, and she also invited his Aunt Beth and Uncle Daryl.
Merle and Karen's new home wasn't much larger than their old home, the main difference being it now had one bedroom for them and indoor plumbing. The living area was a bit bigger, but Mary Ellen still slept in a bed near the hearth and Virgil and Cyrus slept in the loft. It was the way it had always been and the way they all preferred it, having their family close.
The big table was set and everyone gathered around while Merle said the blessing, and then as they all sat the men dished the food on their women's plates. No one missed how Virgil hurried to serve Sophia, or the way she smiled at him so sweetly when he did.
It was just a few minutes into their meal and everyone was busy enjoying the food and idle chitchat, except perhaps Virgil. He was fidgety, sweating and hardly able to speak. He held Sophia's hand under the table and she gave his a squeeze of encouragement. The young man took a big swallow of water and made his announcement, "Daddy, Mama, Miz Peletier, I'm real ashamed and sorry ta have ta tell you this but I got Sophia in the family way." He rushed to add, "It's all my fault and I plan ta make it right. I wanna marry her."
Beth was sure her heart had stopped and she saw the tears that immediately filled Karen and Carol's eyes. However, Merle Dixon just looked at his son and said, "Virgil Dixon that's plain and simple bullshit. You are the worst damn liar on God's earth. Sorry for the cussin' ladies, now what the hell is really goin' on Son?"
That's when Sophia pipped up, "I don't want to leave him! I can't and I won't! I'll run away Mama and you'll never find me, not ever!"
Virgil hurried to add, "Daddy I love her. I know ya know that cuz ya seem ta know everythin' else. It's been a long time comin' and we're old enough. Plenty a folks in Heavenly marry younger than we are. Shit, I mean shoot, I'm fifteen and Sophia will be next week."
His Daddy did what he was obliged to do first, "Ya watch that mouth at your Mama's table son. Just cuz I ain't got any manners don't mean I don't expect you ta have em."
Karen, Carol, and everyone else waited anxiously to hear what Merle would say. His brow was furrowed, his lips pursed, and he rubbed a hand along the back of his neck for a moment. Finally he gave his response, "Son, ya been through a lot for someone so young. At 11 ya had ta shoot a man ta save your sister, ya went ta work full time before you was quite 12. Ya helped put in an irrigation system and build this here house. I agree that you're a man, and a far better man than most. It seems only fair and right, ya oughta be able ta marry the girl ya love."
"Still ya gotta understand sumthin'. Marriage ain't meant for a year or two of fun. Being married is for your whole life. The both a you are makin' a great big promise that cannot be broken. Not ever. You're gonna promise Sophia she'll always be the only woman you'll have and that you'll take care a her always. Sophia's promisin' you'll be her only man and that she'll obey your wishes. Ya gotta be lovin', each tryin' ta understand and forgive the other. If ya can both look me in the eye and tell me ya understand that, then I got no objection." He looked to Carol Peletier and simply asked, "Your feelins Ma'am?"
She was crying and Karen was holding her hand and Sophia began to cry when she told her Mama, "I love Virgil Mama. I want to be his wife and live here with him in Heavenly. Just the same as you love Ezekiel and you wanna go live with him in New York City." Her Mama grew wide-eyed at her daughter's words, but did not disagree with them.
Karen tried to save Carol from any possible embarrassment, and also ease the woman's mind when she offered, "I promise I'll look after your daughter, and you don't have to worry, my son will treat her well. Virgil loves Sophia and I know he will always be a gentleman with her, in every way."
Carol was faced with the prospect of losing her daughter whether she allowed her to stay or insisted she go. She knew Sophia was determined. If Carol were to insist she move the girl would try something foolish, at the very least she would run away. "I'll allow it under the same conditions as Virgil's Daddy, but you understand one thing Virgil Dixon, I'll be coming to stay in your home for two weeks every summer where I will expect to see my daughter living happily."
"I promise Ma'am, that's how it's gonna be. Forever."
So it was decided that the very next Saturday the wedding of Virgil and Sophia would take place. They would live in Daryl and Beth's first home until such time as Virgil could build them their own place on the land his family now held the deed to.
Beth did not speak a word about any of it until she and her family arrived home, then she asked her husband, "Daryl, what do you make of all of this? They seem so young."
"They're young but like Virg said, it's been a long time comin' and I think it's meant ta happen. I seen it since the first time they looked at each other. It was the same as the first time you n me seen each other." He held her and kissed her and said, "Don't you worry, I got a good feelin' they'll do just fine."
That evening Virgil's Daddy had him out by the barn where he discussed the ways of men and women, and he did not neglect to tell his son about pulling and praying. Poor Virgil didn't think life could get much worse, not until Monday morning when his Uncle Daryl had a few things to tell him as well.
Sophia didn't fare much better. She got far more information and advice than a girl ever wants to hear from her Mother about men and their ways. That wasn't all though. Her future Mother-in-law also had some thoughts to share with her later that week.
What the young and embarrassed couple didn't yet know but would soon discover, was the advice they received would serve them well.
The people of Heavenly all turned out to celebrate the happy union of the young couple. Sophia was tallish and slim and so it was Lori Grimes who loaned her a wedding dress for her special day. When that day came Virgil stood all spruced up in his Sunday suit and nervously waiting at the front of the small church. As his young bride-to-be walked down the aisle he knew without doubt, he was marrying the prettiest girl in the west.
As the congregation celebrated with their meal Sophia's Aunt Beth took the young bride aside. She slipped her a small jar of cream she had procured from Andrea Martinez. In a whisper she explained to the red-faced and mortified young woman the purpose of the cream and how it was to be used. As embarrassed as she'd been, by the next morning Sophia would be grateful to have the gift her Auntie had given her.
00
The departure of Carol Peletier necessitated the search for a new Marm. It wasn't long before an application was received from a woman named Frances Smith, who mentioned she was called by the nickname Frankie. She was currently residing in and working as a teacher in Butte. She said she wished to move to a smaller town and that if hired she was ready and able to begin the teaching position immediately.
With school set to start in just two weeks time, Olivia did not waste a minute sending for the woman. Within a few days Frankie Smith arrived on the coach. She was tall and pretty with red hair and a quiet and calm demeanor, and after speaking to the woman at length Olivia hired her.
Right from the first the children loved their new teacher. She was every bit as kind to them as she was pretty to look at, and they responded to her kindness by doing their best to please her.
Plenty of men in the area also wished to please Frankie but she had her eye on only one man. Perhaps he was odd, and there was no doubt the pairing did not seem to make any sense at all. But then, neither had the pairing of Amber and Milton made sense to the folks of Heavenly. That happy couple had proved the people wrong.
There was no question Eugene was different. As intelligent as the man may be he was quite awkward when speaking. His voice was stilted and the tone of it gave the impression he was lacking all emotion, which only served to further convince people of his oddness.
There was another fact of which everyone in Heavenly was also aware, the fellow's heart had been badly broken when Rosita moved to Monroe's Ranch to live with Spencer. Sometimes a heart just can't recover from a break so deep.
Yet Frankie with her softly feminine ways proved to be the cure that heeled Eugene's broken heart. She brought out a different side of Eugene Porter. He was still awkward in public, his tone still stilted and lacking emotion, but when he and the schoolmarm were alone he responded to her femininity in bold ways no one could have ever guessed. Except Frankie. She had suspected from the first time she laid eyes on him, there was far more to Eugene Porter than was evident on the surface.
00
They'd talked about it and decided it was right for them. That fall when Beth told her husband the time had come he bundled up Ned and sat the child in front of him in the saddle. He held the boy tightly and together they rode Blackie over to Merle and Karen's. He told his son he'd be back for him soon, "And when we get home Mama's gonna have a new little brother or sister for ya Ned."
He left the child in the care of his sister in law and hurried back home. When he arrived his wife assured him, "Everything's fine. I think it will be a while yet, it's just starting."
"Yeah well once it started last time it went pretty damn, pretty darn fast." Then he laughed and teased, "Ya s'pose you'll do much cussin' this time?"
"I will if the need should present itself and if I do you would be wise to never mention it again," her voice was stern but she couldn't help the little grin.
"Fair enough." He smiled as he went about moving their bed in front of the hearth, while she took a moment to sit in the chair and Happy rested his chin on her leg.
When the job was done and the bed made ready, he helped her from the chair and held her close as they slowly walked around the room, Happy following close behind. The pains began to get more intense but still not too bad. Then it happened, once again it came without warning when the warm water rushed out of her.
They'd been through all of this before but still she felt embarrassed, "I'm sorry, look at the mess I made."
"Shit Beth, I mean shoot, ain't nuthin' ta be sorry for, it's what happens." He helped her out of her clothes, dried her skin and lay her down on the bed. "Here now, cover up. We got some time yet."
Happy didn't ask. As Daryl cleaned the water from the floor the dog simply took his chances and jumped up on the foot of their bed. Daryl squinted an eye at him and warned, "Yeah, for a few minutes, then I'm on the bed and you're on the floor." The dog just woofed in reply.
He lay with his wife just as he had when she was in labor with Ned. He rubbed her back and he rubbed her tummy and in-between the pains they talked about their small but growing family and the love they would soon share with a new child.
When it got bad and they knew it was close he helped her scoot down on the bed. Her feet were propped on the bedframe, her knees up and he saw the baby's little head, "Next one Beth push real hard, we almost got us a baby." The he smiled and added, "Go on ahead and cuss if ya want, that seems ta help."
The pain came hard and she pushed hard and she even managed to laugh a little when she yelled, "Shit!"
Just as they had with Ned, they looked at the small red and wrinkled baby with nothing but love and tears of joy in their eyes. Her husband cleaned the mess, he cleaned her and helped her in her gown, and he cleaned and swaddled their baby. As he covered them he felt a little pang of guilt for being so happy and he asked her, "Ya ain't disappointed are ya Beth? I mean that our baby ain't a girl?"
"No Daryl, not at all. He's beautiful and healthy and Ned is going to love his little brother. Besides, his Daddy is going to need all the good helpers he can get to run this big ranch." She kissed the baby's cheek, smiled at her husband and added, "If we have enough babies one of them is bound to be a girl, don't you think?"
He smiled and kissed her and he kissed the new baby boy they named Chance, and agreed, "I like the idea a lot. I'll keep makin' em with ya as long as you're willin'." He kissed her again and as he ran a hand over her soft hair he whispered, "I love ya more'n anythin' Beth. I have since the first time I seen ya."
Beth would give birth two more times and Daryl would be the one to help her deliver those babies. A third boy arrived three years later, and this time his wife convinced her husband to name the child Daryl, Jr.
Five years after their third son was born, when they thought they would never be blessed with another child, Beth gave birth to a baby girl they called Alice Elizabeth.
00000
100 Years Later
1981, The Town of Heavenly, Great State of Montana
The next trunk she opened would consume her. It contained neat stacks of what appeared to be old journals. They were bound with thin wood covers, and burned into the wood covers were inscriptions, "The Memories of Beth Dixon, 1882 to 1883," and so on.
She opened the first of them and began to read the small and very old-fashioned handwriting. It took her several pages to get used to the almost decorative penmanship, but once she'd started to read she couldn't stop. She sat there on the loft's wooden floor and read that first journal from cover to cover. She laughed and she cried and she fell in love with the story of Beth Greene Dixon, and with the woman herself. She grabbed an armful of the journals and made her way back down the ladder.
She had a lot more reading to do.
It was Joanna "Joey" Burns' move-in day at the University of Montana, Missoula, and that was the day her life would change forever.
She was trying to carry way too much, hoping to make it all in one trip. Her backpack was stuffed so full the zipper wouldn't close, and she carried a giant canvas duffle bag in one hand and an oversized suitcase in the other. She hadn't made it more than twenty feet from her car when she tripped and dropped the suitcase.
She would have fallen herself if not for the two big strong hands that caught her and kept her upright. A very manly and very countrified voice asked, "Whaddya tryin' ta do girl? Ya ain't a pack horse. C'mon now, I'll help ya."
She turned around and that was the first time she laid eyes on the cowboy. He was tall and rugged looking with chiseled features and hair that was just a little unkempt. She was certain he must have the broadest set of shoulders in the state of Montana, and the most piecing blue eyes.
She could feel herself blushing and to make matters worse she couldn't seem to form a complete sentence, "Oh thanks um, well…I…"
"Yeah, I get it, you was tryin' ta make it one trip." He already had the dropped suitcase in one hand and he reached for the duffle with the other, "Here, lemme carry this stuff, you lead the way."
She was a city girl, raised to be cautious about strangers but she didn't question this one, she just did as he asked. Although they walked side by side they walked silently. He was apparently done talking and she wasn't able to get a word out.
When they got to her dorm room she felt pretty bummed by the thought she'd probably never see him again. He set her bags down and teased, "Ya sure ya need all this shit, sorry, I mean stuff? Seems like a lot for one small woman."
She wanted to laugh, did this cowboy think she'd never heard the word shit? "Well I probably don't need half of it, but I couldn't decide so I just brought everything."
That's when she saw it for the first time, his crooked little half-smile. "Uh huh." Then he bit on his bottom lip for a moment and asked, "Ya like rodeo?"
"I've never been but I watched some on TV once. It was bull riding."
He was chewing on his bottom lip again and then he asked, "There's one in town tonight, I could come by and get ya if ya wanted ta go. Ya know, if ya want."
She could swear he blushed a little, that was okay though, he'd asked and she didn't hesitate, "Yes, I'd like that a lot."
He smiled, "K then, I'll be by at six. Bring a jacket, it gets cold when the sun goes down."
"Alright."
He turned to go then turned back around, and now she was sure he was blushing, "Damn, I mean darn, I didn't even think ta ask your name."
"Joey. Joanna Burns but everyone calls me Joey."
"Name's Chance, Chance Dixon. I'm real glad ta meet ya Joey."
He was right on time and when she opened the door she felt herself grinning from ear to ear. He tipped his hat and handed her a small box of Huckleberry Chocolates and she wasn't sure quite what to think. Did men really bring women candy? She'd always thought that was some kind of myth.
He wore a snap front western shirt, wrangler jeans, boots and a wide leather belt with a big silver buckle. The best was the hat though. He was all cowboy. If she hadn't known by the clothing, she would have known when he helped her into his big pickup truck. There was a horse trailer, complete with horse, hitched to it. "That's Bart, he's my ropin' horse."
As he drove to the rodeo grounds he explained, "I shoulda told ya before but I guess I wasn't thinkin' too clear. I got an event tonight. I do some calf ropin'. My brother Virgil is in town ta see me and he's gonna sit with ya so ya won't be alone while I'm competin'."
She wondered, did he think she couldn't manage on her own? She wasn't insulted though, she found it endearing that he was so old fashion. Like a call back to another time and place.
His brother was older, maybe as much as 10 years older and far more talkative, but just as gentlemanly and nice as Chance. "You watch now, he'll win. He's the best there is anywhere. Them other cowboys are gonna be glad when he's gone."
"Gone?"
"I s'pose he hasn't had a chance ta tell ya yet. This is his last semester. He only came ta college in the first place cuz of the rodeo scholarship, but he's been here a couple of years and he's ready ta get back to ranchin' for good." Then he laughed, "Well maybe not now. I never have known him ta ask a girl ta come watch him rope. Or ask a girl out period."
Their conversation was interrupted when Chance Dixon's name was announced. A calf came running into the arena, then the chute opened and Chance came riding hard, one rope held between his teeth while he swung a second rope over his head, successfully roping the calf. He jumped down, the horse stopped and pulled the rope taut, while Chance sprinted to the calf and quickly laid it on its side. Using the rope he'd held in his mouth he tied three of its legs together, threw his arms in the air to signal it was done, then once again mounted his horse. He rode forward to create slack in the rope, and he and the horse waited motionless for six seconds to see if the calf remained tied.
When the calf didn't break free the crowd began cheering and Joey's heart was pounding. She never knew she needed a cowboy. But Chance Dixon was a real-life cowboy and she was sure she needed him.
Later that evening, when she asked the cowboy about what his brother said he was honest. He told her he wanted to go home for good at the end of the semester. His family had a horse and cattle ranch in a place called Heavenly, Montana, and he was anxious to get back to his work there.
It didn't sound good for her, one semester wasn't that long. How would there be time for them to even begin a relationship? Still she wasn't going to just give up on him. She decided to take a chance on Chance Dixon.
That's how it started and from that day on they saw each other every day, until Thanksgiving week. That's when she went home to Seattle and he went home to his family's ranch in Heavenly. They were both miserable.
They called and ran up long distance bills talking every night but it just wasn't the same as being together. As soon as they got back to school he asked her, "Come home with me for Christmas Joey, please. You can see the ranch and you can meet my family. Please."
She didn't even ask her folks about it first, they might say 'no.' "Yes, I want to, I'd love to Chance."
He stood there for a moment just staring into her eyes, then he touched her cheek. His fingers rested on her jawline while his thumb softly and slowly rubbed along her cheekbone, "It ain't been but a few weeks Joey but I already know I love ya girl. Loved ya since the first time I saw ya."
She felt herself tear up and she told him, "It was the same for me with you. I love you Chance Dixon."
She called her parents knowing they would be furious and they were. "I'm sorry Mom but Chance is the one for me. I know that. I want to see his ranch, I want to meet his family. I love him Mom."
"Joey, you're too young to even know what love is."
"Mom, you were 17 when you met Dad and you told me it was love at first sight."
She had no idea one family could own so much land. The ranch was huge and there was more than one house, more than one Dixon family lived there. A couple of the homes were quite old and modest, and there were two that looked about the size of a regular suburban home, two were much larger. None of them looked anything like suburban homes though. They were all log and had a rustic "old-west" appearance. There were also several outbuildings, acres and acres of hay, and what seemed like a zillion cows and horses.
His folks were very welcoming, his mother so gracious when she showed her to the guest bedroom. "I already know you're very special Joey, you must be. You're the first girl Chance has ever brought home. I hope you'll be comfortable here on the ranch and in Heavenly."
Even though it was bitterly cold she had so much fun spending time with him, especially when his mother loaned her some far more suitable clothing. Chance taught her how to ride a horse, how to milk a cow and he tried his best to teach her how to rope the fence post. "It takes a while Joey. I been ropin' cows and horses my whole life. You'll get better."
She'd never had a Christmas like Christmas with the Dixons. Christmas with her relatives was always a big and elaborate affair with tons of decorations and presents and everyone just seemed glad when it was all over. Things were different at Dixon Brother's Horse and Cattle Company.
Christmas Eve the whole family gathered at Chance's Mother and Dad's house, Daryl and Janie Dixon. Their dining room table, although not at all fancy, was huge. It had obviously been designed with one purpose in mind, to hold the entire Dixon family.
They all stood around the big table and Chance took her hand as his Dad said the blessing. She couldn't quite believe it the first night she'd had dinner with them and they'd all stood together that way, and then when they sat the men served the women. Chance explained later, "It's the way things have always been done in our family," He shrugged and added, "I s'pose no one can find a good reason to change it."
The Christmas celebration focused on the family all being together and sharing a big festive meal while they spent time with each other talking about the blessings the year had brought to the Dixons.
Chance had shot and roasted some geese, there was huge ham from his cousin's pig farm, and there were moose and an elk roasts and prime rib of beef. The highlight though was all the desserts. Each woman had made a family favorite dessert. There was angel food cake, bread pudding, peanut brittle, even cinnamon rolls and more.
There were no gifts exchanged, only the gifts of favorite foods. Chance had explained to her, "Just the little children get a gift, ya know, from Santa on Christmas mornin'. Well anyway, that's how it's supposed to be. My Mom and Dad though, they can't seem ta help themselves. They always give each other a little something, nothing big, just something they think the other might like."
That Christmas Eve, after everyone had left for the evening Chance Dixon and Joey Burns sat together in his parent's den. He looked so nervous and she thought she saw a blush on his cheek then he asked her, "Joey, ya think you could ever see your way clear to live like this? I mean on a ranch, up in the mountains and well, not so modern?"
She smiled, "The name suits this place, Heavenly. I'm a little jealous really. I would love to live in a place like this."
He got down on a knee and he took the little ring from his pocket and asked, "Then marry me Joey. Live here with me. I promise I'll do everythin' I can ta give ya a good life and I'll always take care of you. Please, will ya?"
It was crazy, it made no sense at all. She was only 18, he was only 20. She was supposed to be going to college. They'd only known each other four months. The tears were in her eyes when she whispered, "Yes. Yes I will."
They'd only been married two months when he left. She'd acted like it was all just fine and like she didn't mind him leaving her, but even though it was only for a week she hated so much to see him go.
He told her it was something they did every year. Him, his brother, his Dad, his Uncle and cousin all traveled in their trucks, pulling horse trailers behind them as they headed to the biggest horse trade and auction event in the west.
She found herself alone in their little home, a home she loved so much. He'd told her how his great, great grandfather Daryl built it back in the 1870's. Of course, since then it had been somewhat modernized. It had electricity and a modern plumbing system now. There was still an old wood cookstove in the kitchen, but there was a more modern propane stove too and of course a refrigerator. Still it was very rustic and she loved that about it.
Her favorite feature was the huge hearth in the living room and the portrait that hung above it. They were her husband's great, great grandparents, Daryl and Elizabeth Dixon, the people who had started what was still the family's home and business.
When they moved in the small house Chance had promised he would build her a nicer and bigger house of their own, but she was more than content to live in the little one-bedroom place for as long as that might take.
He told her how when his great, great grandparent's children were raised their oldest son, his great grandfather Ned and his bride Grace, moved into the big house he'd built and Daryl and Beth moved back to this little house to live out their days. "There's still a buncha their stuff up in the loft. Memories, treasures and whatnot. Anytime ya want you're welcome ta have a look."
Now that she found herself there alone she decided to do just that. She climbed up the ladder and when she saw the old trunks she was instantly excited. It felt like a treasure hunt. The first one she opened was so sweet. There were baby clothes and blankets, yellowed with age and so delicate and with different children's name embroidered on them. Ned, Chance, Daryl, Jr. and Alice Elizabeth. There were little wooden toys and tiny hats and mittens, and for some reason as she held them in her hands they made her feel teary-eyed and sentimental.
Over the next week Joey Dixon sat by the hearth and she managed to read every one of the journals, until they stopped mid-way through 1946. Her math told her Beth Dixon was 84 years old by then.
The remarkable woman had lived to see cars become the common mode of transportation, people take flight in planes and two world wars. She also saw the Great Depression hit America, but it brought with it the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 and electricity came to Heavenly, Montana and Dixon Brother's Horse and Cattle Company.
Joey was enthralled with the stories of her husband's family and the building of their ranching operation. She tried to put herself in that place, could she have been as brave as Beth Dixon? She didn't think so, but she'd like to try and emulate her in the ways she could.
That wood cookstove in the kitchen now became a goal. She was determined she would learn to cook on it. She'd learn to care for the horses and she'd help with the calving and the branding, she'd even learn to knit. She'd do her best to carry on the traditions of his great, great grandparents. They were the reason she was here now.
At first she'd been shocked to read of Virgil and Sophia's young marriage, but as she read their story she believed what Daryl Dixon said, some things are just meant to be. From everything Beth wrote it sounded like such a loving relationship. Beth told of how Virgil, just like her husband, never stopped working hard at being a good man. Together he and Sophia had two children, a boy they called Virgil, Jr. and a girl they named for Sophia's mother, Carol.
Cyrus' story was one that fascinated her. He was so different than the the other Dixons. Beth Dixon wrote of his quiet and studious nature, and how at such a young age he became an apprentice to the banker. The banker petitioned in his behalf and Cyrus ended up with a scholarship to Colorado State University. He was the first Dixon ever to attend such an institution.
When his education was complete he came back to the ranch, back to Heavenly. Although he lived on the ranch, he worked at the bank. It was in his off hours he kept the books for the Dixon Brother's Horse and Cattle Company.
It happened that Milton Mamet took a position with a big new bank down in Cheyenne, Wyoming and when he and Amber moved, Cyrus became the bank president.
Although successful in his career, Cyrus was shy with women and as such he didn't date. His mother worried he'd be alone and lonely his whole life but her husband told her, "He's just different than we're used to. Someday he'll meet a little gal and that'll be that. You'll see."
Merle Dixon was right, but that little gal turned out to be someone Cyrus Dixon had known her whole life. He was ten years old when she was born and he'd watched her grow up. But something changed. It seemed like it happened overnight.
She came walking in the bank one day and told the teller, "I'm here to see Cyrus Dixon."
The woman replied, "Do you have an appointment?"
"No I don't. Please tell him Judith Grimes needs to see him and it's somewhat urgent."
She was ushered right in his office and Cyrus couldn't quite believe the changes that had come over Judith Grimes. She was a woman now, 18 and just as pretty as a picture. Even though she was all dressed up like it was Sunday he could see she still had a tomboy way about her. Just like she'd always had.
He smiled shyly and said, "Hello Judith, golly it's been a long time since we've seen each other. How can I help you today?"
Her hand was on her hip and her voice had a sassy tone when she answered, "I'll tell you how you can help me Cyrus Dixon. I've been waiting my whole life for you to pay some attention to me. Now that I'm 18 and officially a woman I've come to ask you to start calling on me. After we've kept company for three or four months I'm going to expect a marriage proposal."
He was shocked by her bold words, but he'd always been bright and he darn sure wasn't going to let such an invitation slip by unanswered. He smiled, "I see. It seems you've given me no choice Judith. Is tonight too soon to begin?"
Six months later Cyrus and Judith married.
Joey cried when the journals and the stories came to an end, then she got busy. She went to the library and did a little research, and also spoke with the librarian about the best way of preserving items like the journals. She wanted to be sure they were still around for her children and grandchildren to read.
Then she went to the general store and purchased a journal for herself.
When she heard his pickup approaching she ran to the door to greet her cowboy. He had that big smile on his face when he jumped down from the pickup cab carrying a large package under his arm. He hurried to her, "Damn, darn it's good ta see ya Joey. I missed ya so bad. I can't wait ta hug ya." He stuck his heel in the boot jack, removed the cowboy boots then took her in his arms and held her close.
They hugged and they kissed and then he smiled, "I brought ya sumthin' I'm hopin' ya might like. I know ya think cowboy boots are too manly, but I thought maybe these would do."
She smiled as she opened the box and she smiled even bigger when she saw what it contained. The boots were beautifully decorated with colorful pink floral embroidery on the foot and along the collar. She held one in her hand when she kissed him and said, "I love them, they're beautiful. I never thought I'd wear cowboy boots but I can't wait to wear these. Thank you, Chance."
He was proud she liked them but a little awkward and embarrassed by her thanks, still he smiled as he pulled another small package from the sack and said, "Here, I got ya some candy too. Sweets for the sweet and all." She didn't know how anyone could inherit a trait like buying his wife candy, but she chose to believe that Chance had.
"Yum, we'll share." She set the things down and asked, "I was wondering Chance, how would you feel about taking a bath?"
He looked confused, "A bath? Do I stink or something? I had a shower this mornin'."
She giggled as she placed her small hands on his chest, "No silly, I mean you and me. How would you like to take a nice warm bath together?"
He was smiling again, "Yeah, I like that idea a lot," and he picked her up in his arms and carried her that way.
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A/N I can't believe it's over. Yes I cried. More than once. I thank you all so much for reading along and for all of your comments, PMs and love along the way. I hope you enjoyed the conclusion and that you'll leave one more comment. I want to thank my "guest" readers too, I see you Maggie Dee, KS and all, I love hearing from you and I appreciate you :) The biggest of thanks to my late and great grandma for sharing with me the stories of her and my grandpa's homestead and the life they lived on the prairie in Alberta. Who knows, maybe sometime I'll be back with a little Bethyl "Heavenly" one shot. In the meantime, I'll be here next Friday with a new Bethyl story for you. Until then remember, I love ya large and appreciate all of you so much! xo gneebee P.S. One final chap photo on my tumblr blogs! xo