Epilogue
Don't worry...I'm going for a walk...I'm fine, don't worry my dear!"
" Okay, all right!"
He went out and reached the fence of horses and stayed a few minutes contemplating them.
He turned and looked back at the house, the house he would soon abandon forever, when he crossed his gaze with Frank;
He had come up to his left; he had not noticed his presence.
" Frank!"
" Luke!"
" You have something to tell me, I guess, don't you Frank?"
Frank looked at him directing a strange little smile, while astonished Luke looked at him questioningly.
" It's strange you know!"
" Strange what?"
" Usually that question was me asking
To you!"
" Yeah, that's right! - smiled in turn, trying to defuse the tension - so what? What do you have to tell me Frank?"
" I talked to Orville earlier; now I know how things went between you and my brother, he told me everything...he also told me that you cried over his death. Thank you Luke!"
" You see, I had really good days with Kurt, we had become good friends, but I never joined the gang!"
" But how did you get into that mess?"
" Eh. A long story...I was leaving the country after Orville had advised me to leave...because of my gunslinger reputation...when I found one of their women under an overturned wagon..I went to get help and, after rescuing her they forced me to stay with them-they were afraid I'd blow the whistle on their hideout. So they took me to their headquarters and "housed" me with the 'obligation not to leave the valley."
" I see!"
" When I learned what they wanted to do I escaped, well, the first time it went bad and I got a handful of beatings, but on the second attempt I escaped and warned Orville.."
" Yes, he told me the rest!"
" I didn't notice that you talked to each other!"
" Well you had already gone to lie down...besides!"
" Yes, I was with Hillary...what about you...with Laura? Are you serious?"
" I hope you still have no objections?"
" The problem is your job...I'm afraid for Laura's future!"
" My job? you mean with the Texas Ranger?
I'll reassure you right now-I quit them!"
" You quit them?"
" You see, a few months ago my friend and boss, Buck Julian, died and The Son took his place.
We never got along and so ... here I am!"
" What are you going to do now?"
" I could be a farmer! - they laughed. - No, I don't know yet. Let's just say I've taken a break to reflect and that I don't like that life anymore."
" So what?"
" Mah! An idea I would have...!"
"Hey! why don't you come with us to Jimson's Break, the house is big, we'll be comfortable!"
" Orville asked me too. He told me about the proposal he made to you and 'extended it to me too!"
" You mean we could be sheriff and deputy, side by side? That sounds a tad strange...considering what...well you get the idea! And what did you tell him?"
" Well. I told him that one thing would be for sure...law and order would be assured...you want to put two of us together with...- pointing guns - well we both do well, don't you think!"
"Yes...it can be done...but you're the sheriff, I'm the deputy... I think your name commands more respect, you know Frank!"
"You think...I don't!! after all you are cleared of all charges. We could be equal sheriffs!"
"I don't know if that's possible.Did Orville tell you that about the men in the mine!?"
"Yes, We'd get him off the hook for messing around...What do you think Luke?"
" Hard times are ahead for the outlaws
in that area! I think it can be done...Ah! One more thing...Did Orville tell you that your brother is buried there, in Jimson's Break... cemetery you can visit him whenever you want!"
" Yes, he told me!"
" Have you told Laura yet?"
" I told her about it and she agreed!"
"So you mean you've already asked her about...!"
" To marry me? Yes!"
" Something tells me that soon there will be a double wedding-what do you think?"
" 'Do you say it can be done?'
" I say yes...we'll do it here, at the ranch... what do you think?"
" Do I have your blessing, then?"
" Shall we go and break the news?"
" Let's go!"
They shook hands tightly and, shoulder to shoulder, set off, happy as Pasques, toward home!"
Inside, Zeb and Orville peered past the window.
" I guess, old man, there will be fireworks soon , in here!"
"Heh heh! geez...I think so too, Orville!"
The door opened; after talking for a few minutes with Hillary and Laura, Luke called the attention of the family members.
" You talk Luke!"
" Yes, Frank!"
"Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please!
( Meanwhile Jessie, who had already figured it all out and with her mind had already moved on, walked out of the room, unnoticed.)
Well...here we all are...just a moment. Where is Jessie?"
" If she's not here, I think she went to the privy...I saw her leave just now! she'll be here!" covered her Aunt Molly, who guessed there might be something going on in her niece's sly look
" Well ... so, I was saying, as you can imagine, Hillary and I, we would like to pick up where we left off a while ago."
" Yay, yay," shouted Tommy happily.
" Let me finish Tommy! Looks like the surprises for you don't end here.- Jessie re-entered -
Frank and I consulted, just now and ... in agreement with the girls, we decided that ... apparently we won't be the 'only couple at the altar!"
" I'll be damned! Forget the toast...with all these happy events we're going to have a colossal hangover!"
"Indeed Zeb! ..but do you think it can be done?"
" Tomorrow morning we'll go to Pastor O'Brian and ask him if he can perform the double wedding, right here at the ranch, as we had already thought then!"
" Yay! How extraordinary! and when do you plan to do it?"
" If it were up to me even tomorrow...we'll have to hear what the pastor says!"
"For all the fish in Green River...Luke you'll have to enlarge the house!"
"Yeah, Orville...the house...gentlemen I have something else to tell you...
Orville has made Frank and me a proposition.
He would be happy if, after a period of practicum the two of us would take over the fortunes of safeguarding the 'order of Jimson's Break!"
" You mean as sheriffs?"
" Exactly, and ... we decided to accept!
Zeb looked at Orville open-mouthed...
"You see Zeb. I'm not so young anymore and in your opinion, what better replacements could I find?"
" Ah well...I certainly can't blame you...if I were a bandit coming to town and found me two sheriffs of their caliber...I'd run like hell!"
" And so..no Oregon and California?"
" Not really...we're going there on our honeymoon, the four of us together but not before we escort you to our and your new home in Jimson's Break...it's very nice and very big and if you like it, which I'm sure you will, we can all live there together.We promised Mom and Dad. Mom always told us that just by sticking together, we would solve every problem, remember?"
" Yes...but..."
"I won't take no for an answer! we are a big, beautiful family and I want us to continue to be one...everywhere!"
" But where exactly is it, Luke?"
" It's in Colorado...north , along in Green River!
" Is it near Wellington?"
" Yes, of course, it will be about a couple of hours away on horseback!" Orville replied.
" Well, perfect, when do we leave!" She rubbed her hands smilingly at young Jessie.
"What's that all about sis?"
"See big brother, even our " little one" has made conquests!"
" I'm not little anymore, Josh!"
" Of course not, sorry...I meant to say the smallest among us!"
"Ah that's better!"
"When you were away..well lately, Jessie found Greg, Sheriff Burk's son; he now has to go to Wellington to do legal practice for two years...so...!"
"Gosh sis, congratulations!
" Well there's no denying it...we've all come a long way...from wanted to...almost sheriff and now even . Jessie with a future lawyer . !
You're getting ahead of yourselves...I can't keep up anymore, my boys!"
" Oh Aunt Molly...!"
" What is it Laura?
" Damn...but there's another problem, we only have one wedding dress...I don't think the seamstress...!"
Jessie disappeared and reappeared at that point, carrying a bag.
" A seamstress maybe not, but...a while back in the barn I peeked in the trunk among Mom and Dad's things and found this...well! I had looked at it...I assure you it's wonderful!"
" That's where' you were!...other than the bathroom...eh Auntie!!!
" Ah I assure you Luke I didn't know anything about it!"
" Come on come on Jessie open it up, show us!"
" Ha ha, I'm afraid the boys have to come out first...at least, the bride and groom-to-be!"
"Ah Jessie, this again...yeah don't say it...it's not good to see first...bla blah..."
" Come on out!!!
" Come on Frank, there's a flask in the chest...if Uncle Zeb hasn't finished it already!"
" Of course not; but Orvlile and I will keep you company! Josh you come too, come on!"
" Hey you can't leave me here alone with all the women!"
" Alright, little pest, come with us...but know that you won't taste a drop!"
" Phew, Always the same story...but when will I be old enough to do something!?"
" Ha ha ha,! Time goes by fast enough, young man..don't be in a hurry to grow up!"
--
The next morning they woke up at 'dawn;
it was a warm Tuesday in May.
After breakfast they drove to Teton.
Aunt Molly with the girls stood in the buggy while the men rode ahead of them on horseback .
After talking to Pastor O'Brian, who set the happy event for Saturday, they headed to the 'emporium to shop.
"Hey, Aunt Molly we're going for a brew at the saloon, let us know when everything is ready we'll come and load up'
" All right, Luke, see you later!"
" Hei Luke...aren't you forgetting something?"
"No, don't worry...I haven't forgotten...later we'll go together to pick out the rings. happy?"
"Same to you Frank!"
He raised his arm in assent.
" Hei Luke...is it possible that we are already being bossed around!"
"Ah... women!! they are made that way... so sweet and then when you get to the therefore..."
" Are we really convinced?"
"Well you Frank...you have to tell me...I do. ...Also because, if I were to put it off any longer...I wouldn't dare imagine what he might do to me! And his father as well...I still remember you know, the first time I met Orville...the day he put me away at Jimson's Break...we were talking about Hillary and he said these exact words to me...( The day she sets her sights on a guy...he better marry her or I'll put him away for life!")
" Ah you look good, man! but tell me...
what can you tell me about Laura's temper tantrums? ...
you know I 've only seen her once angry and she even slapped me in front of the colonists...!
" I didn't know when?"
" Remember when we almost got into a duel and then your aunt stole your gun!?"
" Ah yes...!"
" When you left, Laura approached me.
and after telling me a sentence like.
( you like to go around humiliating poor people, shame on you) and then slapped me!"
" She looks sweet ... but if you make her angry...
she knows her stuff. Although I 've rarely seen her lose her temper either...for the little I've been home the last few years!"
"She is so beautiful though!!! and tremendously sweet and an excellent cook!"
"Come on, let's go...sure there's a lot going on...!"
" Hey Frank look out...the stagecoach!!! You don't want to get ironed right now!?"
"No, don't worry!" He waited for it to pass then crossed the street.
The stagecoach stopped.
" I wonder who the newcomers will be or if they are just passing through!"
They stopped to take a 'look, at an appropriate distance.
A young woman was helped down; she looked around.
Zeb , Orville and Josh stood outside the saloon doors waiting for Luke and Frank.
" But that's Doreen !"
" Who Josh?" said Orville. Zeb also turned to look at her.
" Doreen, she's ... one of mine, or rather she was a friend of mine in Las Mesas! Before that ...!"
" I thought she went to Chicago!" Replicated Zeb.
" We'll just have to find out!" Josh had already left to join her.
" Stop, Zeb ... let him handle it!"
As, with one eye, he peered toward Josh, Olaf, the village tailor, walked by and patted Luke and Frank on the back and told them:
" My brother filled me in...congratulations guys. I'll expect you later at my workshop.
Ah Zeb, of course I'll be waiting for you too!"
"And why is that?"
"Are you serious? You don't want to walk the bride down the aisle dressed like that?"
" And why not?"
" Zebulon Macahan, that is an order. I will tell my brother not to perform the wedding if you don't show up at my place!"
"Oh are you serious?"
" Certainly. I have just in the store the 'suit for you. It belonged to good old Isahia, the bell-ringer!..he put it on just for his daughter's wedding and then he went away! And left it with me."
" I don't think it looks good then!"
" Are you kidding! By gone I don't mean for the better...he went to California with his family and just last month he wrote me ...he made a fortune you know!"
" Well, if that's the case! All right I'll come by and see you!
" All right, I'll be waiting for you!"
Meanwhile at the stagecoach...
" Doreen, Doreen!"
" Josh, is that you?" after a shy smile, he lowered his head.
" Hey, what's going on Doreen?"
" I..I don't know why but, I had to see you again!"
" You did well!"
" I don't know either if you are already committed or even if you are willing to forgive me after what I did to you, but, I couldn't live without knowing your answer...without well...without giving me a chance to make it up to you!"
" Of course we can make it up to you!"
He took her trembling hands between his.
Luke and Frank meanwhile had caught up with their uncle and Orville.
" Come, let's go into the saloon, leave them alone."
" Yes uncle!...but look at him... He's become a man now!"
" That's right! The years pass for everyone, Luke!"
" Do you want to take a walk Doreen?"
" I need to get my stuff!"
" Oh , yeah sure... Hey Jack, give me the young lady's stuff!"
" Alright, here you go Josh!"
"I'll tell you what, I'll put them on our wagon, and then we'll take a ride, would you like that?"
" Yes, sure!" he replied, smiling!
" That's it, come on."
He took her under his arm and they walked
until they reached the end of the village.
"You know I've been thinking a lot about what you told me that night in my room!"
" What are you talking about?"
" Don't you remember!? About changing your life...well...to a certain...farm!"
" And would you want that now?"
" If you were willing to forgive me, yes I would. I was so good to you, I was forced to do what I did to you!"
She hugged him, bursting into tears.
" Hei, come on, don't cry, you have nothing to forgive yourself..Uncle told me!"
" So, you're not angry with me?"
" How could I..I love you Doreen, I loved you from the first moment I saw you!"
"Oh Josh!!! Me too!"
" I'm too happy...it feels like a dream!
I was afraid I would never see you again...Uncle told me you were going to Chicago!"
" I never got there...I'll have to write to my relatives...they'll be worried!"
" We'll do that, later, now come, if you want to...I want to introduce you to my family...well Luke and Uncle Zeb you already know them!"
" Yes , I do!"
" Let's go!"
They hugged and joined the gang at the saloon.
--
Days passed quickly between preparations, work in the fields and...even moonlight walks...until Saturday came.
"Hey, Luke, good morning!! looks like we're here... sure we're handsome huh!!!
" Eh. yes...I must say we look like two gentlemen of 'high aristocracy.."
"Well don't dream too much...you know from tomorrow we'll be back to wearing our bourgeois rags.!"
" Not necessarily...you know...I've made a nice little treasure lately...with the capture of Tomaz and Gruner!"
" Yeah! that's right! you've made more in a day than I have in a lifetime!"
" Ah to hell with it...I could never carry this stuff every day...my neck is tight and..."
"it almost feels like a noose around my neck!"
" Ha ha! well as a comparison it seems a bit strong to me!!! Or maybe not! Ha ha ha!!!"
" Come on guys...loop or chains... the time has come!"
" Uncle!!!! Damn...let me look at you! É...you're amazing...I can't believe my eyes!
"Well don't get too 'used to it Luke...I think this will be the first and last time you'll see me dressed up like this.
Come on Let's go!"
Pastor O' Brian waved them forward to the makeshift altar.
Everything had been carefully prepared, from the flowers to the altar, with simplicity but lots of good taste.
They advanced between the two, three rows of chairs, among the few guests , mostly settlers who had made friends, Sheriff Burk and his lady with their son Gregory and a few ladies, Molly's friend , from the women's congregation.
" Hey but...who are all these people Luke?"
" Ah boh...I know less than half of them!!!"
They positioned themselves on either side of the 'altar, next to the first chairs when the front door opened.
Suddenly, their heads turned in that direction; Jessie and Doreen appeared, in a matching dress, behind them Josh and Tommy, then appeared Hillary... was beautiful in Kate's dress revisited by Aunt Molly. Her heart rate soared and on her face was printed the most beautiful smile ever seen in all the far west. Luke finally met her gaze, albeit, still far away..Hillary was also beaming, though very excited. her hair was up and adorned with a transparent veil, edged with lace, that partly covered her face.
She finally gave her arm to Orville and was slowly advancing toward him.
She sighed deeply...the long-awaited moment had finally arrived.
A little further behind, Laura also appeared;
Frank's curiosity and trepidation were clearly palpable...he, too, was excited and his forehead was beaded with sweat, more from excitement than from the heat of that May 31 afternoon.
Aunt Molly's dress fit her divinely.
In those last days, thanks to Aunt Molly's skill, it had been embellished with beads, a corset and laces.
Her hair was also up, although, some strands had been let down freely on the sides of her face. .She was a lovely bride.
Laura, too, took Uncle Zeb's arm.
advanced.
Upon reaching the bride and groom, Orville and Zeb entrusted the young brides to them and, after removing the veil from their faces and exchanging a chaste kiss on the cheek. the bride and groom exchanged
a few words ... the few, very emotional ones that managed to escape their lips.
"Oh . Hillary, you look wonderful! I'm so happy!"
"Me too, Luke!"
"Laura...I...I...I have no words...you look wonderful!"
" You too, Frank...it feels like a dream!"
"A beautiful dream...from which I don't want to wake up!"
Taking the girls' hands they reached their seats in front of the duly decorated table that served as an altar.
Jessie, with her harmonium played introductory music to Pastor O' Brian's satisfaction.
Suddenly, three armed men, with covered faces, arrived on the scene. They had Mexican disguises.
A voice rose from the silence:
"Stop, Macahan this wedding cannot take place!"
Luke turned sharply, shuddering, as a veil of terror descended on all the co-participants
" Hey what's this all about? Who the hell are you? I am a free man!" Hillary took his hand, also terrified.
" Luke, who are these men? I'm scared!"
"Gentlemen, you cannot, this, right now is a place consecrated by God!"
" Shut up, Reverend! This wedding will not be able to take place ... except in our presence! -
The three men lowered their bandannas, removed their sombreros, and the faces of Hutch, Thorne, and Judge Zachary Knight were revealed.
"Did you really think, Luke, to cut us out of the party?"
" Judge Knight! ?"
"But what judge, just call me Zac! Please continue!"
"You had me at a loss!"
" I guess, "My friend," I can now, can't I?"
" Sure Thorne, be my guest! But you're paying for this one!"
" Ha ha ha, It's been since we left Las Mesas that we've been studying our entrance into the scene ha ha ha...!"
" Well, I'd say you guys pulled it off great!"
"Mh mh excuse me, gentlemen, if you want to resume place...we can continue!"
" Yeah, we apologize for the 'interruption, Reverend, and sorry for shushing you! I meant no disrespect!"
" Well... I hope there are no further interruptions!"
After exchanges of glances and hushed giggles, everything returned to the right mood.
The service lasted about an hour, and after the ritual phrases and the exchange of rings, Pastor
O'Brian uttered the fateful phrase:
" I pronounce you Husbands and Wives...you may kiss your bride!"
With the kiss came applause and festive cheers from those present.
A great feast ensued with an outdoor banquet . To end the dinner a large cake had been commissioned from the cook at Teton's hotel ..a wonderful tart with cream and blackberry jam.
The festivities continued well into the night. One of the settlers, their friends, was now enlivening the evening with his bengio accompanied by his son with the 'harmonica and there were those who performed dances on the improvised dance floor.
The bride and groom also got the honor of dancing.
When the ritual was over Luke took Hillary by the hand .
" Shall we take a walk?"
" Yes Luke ... gladly!"
" Are you tired?"
" A little bit ... and you?"
" A little tired and a little tipsy, I'd say...your father wouldn't stop refilling my glass for a moment!"
" Yes, I saw! Oh Luke, I'm so happy..I told you it would be over soon!"
" Yes, you told me...even though I was so scared...of losing you...Thank you for waiting for me! I was going crazy with the idea that I could remain
a wanted man for life! - He took her in his arms and kissed her -I love you so much Hillary!"
" Oh Luke, you are so sweet! Nothing can separate us now!"
A few meters away, Frank and Laura had also broken away from the crowd to seek some privacy.
"Here we are! How are you feeling Mrs. Grayson?"
" Great..like never in my life!"
" Are you happy...really I mean!"
" When you left last time, I was afraid I would never see you again, and no matter how hard I tried to believe in friendship alone, my heart went crazy...I loved you from the first moment I saw you, Frank!"
"You know what Laura...so did I!"
" How did you manage to convince Luke?"
" We made up...and he felt that it was not convenient for him to have me against... since I would " Get" you at all costs! "
"Ha ha...come on!"
"No kidding...your brother loves you very much;
he was just worried about your future...but when I told him how things were, he had no more objections!"
" Well it seems you are now good friends!"
" Yes, that's right...now no more words...come here, Laura Grayson...now you are mine...forever!"
He held her close and they kissed very softly.
--
A few days later, loaded everything onto the caravan and rounded up the horses they set off for Jimeson' s Break.
They stopped at the edge of the property and looked back.
" Damn ... we leave behind so many memories!"
"We'll make new ones just as good where we're going, Auntie!"
"Are you really sure we can all stay with you ... in short ... we won't bother you ...?"
" Absolutely ... we have always been one big united family ... and always will be! There is no thing more beautiful than family!"
Under a warm June sun, they said goodbye to Teton and set out for Jimson's Break...
Luke, accompanied by his bride Hillary, sister Laura and brother-in-law Frank , fulfilled his dream ... and that of his father, setting off on their honeymoon to Oregon and California.
They returned to Colorado two months later bringing as a gift also the happy news of the future arrival of two new members of the great Macahan family.
Two years later ... Jessie and Josh also married, simultaneously, Gregory Burk and Doreen
in the beautiful new Macahan estate.
Little Timothy Kurt Macahan and the delightful Mary Kate Grayson, in their elegant little dresses, prancing amusedly on the lawn, carried the wedding ring bearing.
When the day was over, Luke joined Uncle Zeb on the knoll that bordered the property, from which there was a crazy view.
"Uncle, what are you doing here, all alone!"
" I was meditating and thinking about everything we've been through the last few years!"
He pulled out his whiskey flask and handed it to his nephew, who took a breath.
" We really are a big family, aren't we Uncle!"
" Ah you could say that!"
" Remember what you told me years ago!"
"What are you referring to, Luke?"
" That if I played my cards right, I would be the first Macahan to have his own child born in Oregon?"
" Yes, I remember! But."
" Well...this may not be Oregon but I have a vague feeling that my son was conceived right there!"
Zeb paid tribute to his nephew with a mighty pat on the back.
" You know something, my boy ... I'm really proud of you ... all of you.
Also, you and Frank are doing a great job as representatives of the law.
The best thing though is that you wanted us all to stay together.
I think Kate and Timothy from up there will be so proud of you too!"
" It's a nice place to live, don't you think Uncle?"
"More than that. It is also to say goodbye to this world...
when that happens!"
" Come on uncle...let's go! Don't think about such things now. I still need your valuable advice and I will have it for a long time!"
"Sooner or later that time will come, my dear Luke, we don't have the power to stay forever!"
" Come on, let's go, they are waiting for us to cut the cake and toast!"
" Go ahead...I'll be right there...é too nice here! Ah..Luke, Thank you "
" Thank you too, Uncle...I couldn't have done it alone!"
" You think so? I think so...You're a Macahan!"
The End.