Fifteen years later:

Chris sat on the front porch of the large ranch house. He was enjoying a last few minutes of peace before the horde that was his family descended upon his ranch for the cookout that had been planned to celebrate the Fourth of July. As he sat contemplating the events in his life, he noticed the cloud of dust that rose up in the distance. He called into the house and a few minutes later, Mary stepped out onto the porch, drying her hands on a dish towel.

"You know yet which one it is?"

Before he could answer, their ten-year old daughter, Sarah, came running onto the porch. She was supposed to have been out in the barn finishing up her chores. But judging from the dirt on her face and clothes, Chris doubted that was what she'd been doing. He'd said often since the girl had been born that by the time she was grown he'd either be gray or bald from tearing his hair out in frustration at her antics. It wasn't that Sarah was a bad child. Rather, she had a strong sense of adventure that she hadn't quite learned to tame, and it often got her into trouble. That also explained her nickname.

"Hey, Trouble. You finished your chores, yet?"

Sarah grinned at her father. "Not yet."

Chris knew his daughter well enough to know that her chores would, eventually, be completed. But, she had, no doubt, been distracted by her latest adventure. "What have you been doing?"

"Stuff."

"Stuff, huh? Well, you'd best get those chores finished before dinner or I'll be doing 'stuff' to your backside." Chris forced himself not to grin. He didn't know how many times he and Sarah had gone through this very same routine. It had almost become a game with them.

"Yes, Papa." Sarah launched herself at her father and gave him a big hug. She had no doubt what would happen if she didn't get her chores done on time. However, she was confident that they'd be finished well before her mother rang the dinner bell. She was almost finished and had only came to the house because she, too, had seen the dust rising from the road. Mary couldn't help smiling at the exchange between her husband and daughter. They were more alike than either of them realized.

The three people watched as the wagon pulled into the yard and came to a stop in front of the house. Billy hurried to jump down from the bench seat and lift his two year old son, Steven, to the ground. He and his wife, Elizabeth, who was heavily pregnant with their second child, watched as the boy ran as fast as his little legs would carry him to the porch. As he ran he alternately called out "Grandma, Grandpa."

Steven soon found himself being swung up into his grandmother's arms for a quick hug before he launched himself at his grandfather. Chris caught the boy and tossed him up into the air before delivering a hug of his own. Settling the boy on his hip, Chris watched Billy helping Elizabeth across the yard to the porch. He was worried about his daughter-in-law traveling so late in her pregnancy, even if it was a short distance from the "Old Travis Place" to the ranch. Mary had gifted the property she had bought with Billy's father to Billy and Elizabeth as their wedding present. A few years before, Billy had taken over the running of the Clarion, and was enjoying even more success than his mother as the newspaper's editor.

Chris was glad that Nathan, Rain and their children would be arriving the next day. After finally deciding to marry Rain, Nathan and his new wife had returned to Four Corners, where he still operated his clinic. Chris hoped nothing would happen with Elizabeth, but at least Nathan would be there if it did. There was nobody Chris would have trusted more to care for his young daughter-in-law.

A few minutes later another wagon pulled into the ranch yard. It no sooner came to a stop than a boy and girl jumped out and ran up to the porch. The twins, Adam and Rachel, were only a year younger than Sarah. The three children were more like cousins than aunt and niece and nephew. After quick hugs of greeting, Adam and Rachel, along with Sarah, dashed off the porch in the direction of the barn. Sammy called out a warning for them to behave. Her husband, Michael, came around the wagon to take their sleeping daughter, Michele, from her arms so she could climb down from the wagon.

Sammy had been teaching in Four Corner's small one room schoolhouse when Michael came to town. He had eventually taken over as the town's sheriff when the members of the seven, as they had become known, had decided it was time to step down as peacekeepers. As she had when the twins had been born, Sammy had taken the year off when she had Michele. She was trying to wean Michele and would be returning to the classroom in the fall.

Later that night Chris stepped out onto the porch. The children had all been tucked into their various beds, and the adults were enjoying a last cup of coffee while catching up on all the news. He lit a cheroot and turned at the sound of the door opening behind him. When he saw that it was Mary coming to join him, he turned back to contemplate the night. Mary stepped up behind him and slipped her arms around his waist. She leaned forward to rest her cheek against the back of his shoulder. They stood that way for several minutes before Mary broke the silence.

"It's good to have them all home again."

Chris crushed out the cheroot and tossed it into the yard. He turned to slip an arm around Mary's shoulders and draw her to his side. Yes, he thought, it was good to have all of his children home.