Chapter 28

A/N #1: Timeless friends, I'm feeling really torn as I sit in front of my computer and type these words. When I posted the first chapter of this AU historical story way back in August 2021, I never dreamed how lengthy it would become (30+ chapters and well over 150,000 words) or the many months it would take to write. It has been truly fascinating doing research for this fic, and I've grown to love 1881 Wyatt and Lucy...and I hope you have as well! Thanks so much for going on this wonderful journey with me, and welcome to the first chapter of the epilogue to Yellow Rose of Texas :)

Epilogue - Part One

Saturday, April 30

Wyatt rolled over and blinked up at the ceiling with a drowsy yawn. Outside his window, the first pink streaks of daybreak were lightening the grayish-blue sky, and mixed in with the sound of birds chirping came a few whinnies from the stables. Rubbing his eyes, he smiled wryly. While the new day might be the most important of his life, the horses could care less when waiting to get their empty bellies filled.

Today was Wyatt's wedding day. After weeks of preparation by his grandmother and the woman he would be marrying this afternoon—and Wyatt trying his best to be patient—it was finally the day Lucy would become his wife. Dear Lord, but Betsy Sherwin had been in her element helping plan everything about the wedding, while he and Gramps mostly tried to stay out of their way (just tell Lucy, "whatever you like, sweetheart," the older man advised wisely—not entirely joking). Luckily, it helped distract Wyatt some that the ranch was smack in the middle of a busy foaling season, their most productive one ever.

And while naturally looking forward to marrying Lucy as soon as possible, he nonetheless understood this would be her first (and God willing, one and only) marriage and couldn't bear to deprive her of all the excitement that seemed to fill the house from morning to night in anticipation of their wedding. It especially warmed Wyatt's heart to see the two women he loved growing even more fond of each other in the process, almost like mother and daughter. Sometimes, he wondered who might be happier that Lucy was becoming a member of their family—her husband to be or his grandparents? He chuckled, pretty sure life at Sherwin Ranch was just plain better for all of them since the pretty brunette moved to Brady.

At times, the waiting after becoming engaged had sorely tested his endurance (and dwindling patience). Every stolen kiss and caress was a sweet promise of days and nights with her to come. Hell, I would've gladly married Lucy the day after the James gang robbed the bank, he acknowledged ruefully. But that wouldn't have been fair to her. Every bride deserved to be fussed over, Wyatt supposed. And at last, his long wait was over. In a few hours, a school teacher from San Francisco he hadn't even known three short months ago would become his wife. Guess we never know what the good Lord has in mind for us...

A welcome sense of peace washed over him. After countless months spent quietly grieving over the loss of Jess and Mattie, Wyatt would never have guessed a kind, smart, beautiful stranger would unexpectedly come into his lonely life and help heal his grief-scarred heart. Frankly, he would've bet any man alive good money against the very notion of meeting and caring enough for another woman to ever marry again—despite it being his Gran's dearest wish-and damn, lost that bet for sure.

Glancing idly around the large, comfortable bedroom that had been his since coming to live at the ranch when he was a small boy, Wyatt's thoughts wandered. Frowning thoughtfully, he tried to picture in his mind what the distinctly masculine room would look like after Lucy's meager belongings were moved in.

Imagined a few feminine things here and there, like maybe her robe draped over the chair by the window or her hairbrush and the violet scent she favored sitting on top of his plain, yet sturdy, dresser...

Imagined the two of them retiring for the evening together every night for the rest of their lives...closing the bedroom door and shutting out the rest of the world for a few precious hours...

That tempting vision, unsurprisingly, led to thoughts of sharing this very bed with Lucy, greeting each morning with her slim body in his arms, her long black curls spreading out over the soft pillows as Wyatt rolled her beneath him and leisurely kissed her awake...starting tomorrow...

He groaned under his breath as his lean body—gone nearly two years now without the arousing touch of a woman—tightened suddenly with a fierce need for his wife to be. Despite his growing hunger for Lucy, Wyatt was of course mindful of her innocence when it came to men and privately vowed to treat her tenderly and respectfully. Still, after such a long dry spell, he was man enough to anticipate that marital intimacies with his new wife were going to be highly enjoyable.

Bless Pastor and Mrs. Spencer for inviting Gran and Gramps to be their guests overnight so the two of them could have some privacy for their first time together as married folks, he thought gratefully, long limbs shifting restlessly under the covers, because his new wife would be damn lucky if Wyatt even let her out of bed tomorrow morning. Regrettably, though, a single night alone in the house would have to suffice for now, since even a short wedding trip—possibly to Dallas or Austin—must be put off at least another month or so until all the expecting mares had delivered their babies. While he was not looking forward to spending time away from the ranch (especially if it meant traveling by stagecoach to the big city), Lucy had been so sweet and understanding about postponing their trip, Wyatt was willing to suffer through almost anything to make the woman happy.

A sudden brisk knock on the door interrupted his wayward thoughts. Sitting up against the pillows and hastily arranging the covers over his lap, Wyatt cleared his voice roughly before calling out, "Come in." He relaxed (quite relieved it wasn't his grandmother) when James stuck his head in the door and greeted him with a big smile on his face.

"Morning, Wy. Sleep well?" he asked politely, taking a seat by the window. Wyatt flushed guiltily at the knowing twinkle he saw in the older man's blue eyes. While certainly not a topic the two would ever discuss, it was a possibility Gramps was aware Wyatt had been celibate since losing Jess and was therefore eagerly looking forward to his wedding night (as any normal man in his circumstances would, dammit).

Mercifully pretending not to notice Wyatt's discomfort, James settled into the chair and regarded him amiably. "There's something your Gran and I have been thinking about for quite a while now I'd like to talk over with you, and today seems like a good occasion to do so. You know, son, much as we might wish time would slow down, unfortunately, it stops for no man, and the two of us are getting up there in years. Now that you're getting married again, we want to build a couple rooms on the back of the house for us to move into, a bedroom and maybe a small sitting room also. Not only would it give you and Lucy more privacy by having the whole second floor to yourselves, there would also be a couple extra bedrooms for when you start having children. Plenty of room to grow your family for now, and best of all, Betsy and I wouldn't have to be going up and down the steps so often. What do you think?"

Staring at his grandpa in surprise, Wyatt considered the project and how it would affect the day to day running of the ranch. They'd have to pull a few hands off fence repair duties for a good part of the summer and possibly hire a couple extra men from town, but it was actually a pretty sensible idea. His embarrassment quickly forgotten, he pushed aside some of the covers and swung his bare legs over the side of the bed as his mind swiftly examined the plan from all angles.

"I like it, and think we could make it work once foaling season is over," he allowed cautiously, "but only if you swear this is something you and Gran really do want—and not just your way of moving out of the room you've shared for fifty years on our account. Lucy and I appreciate the gesture, but it's not necessary."

James chuckled in delight. "You know, I had a feeling you'd feel that way, son—told Betsy so just last night." Wyatt's heart swelled with love and respect for the man who took him in without hesitation and raised him from the age of three. Though of course he would always love the one who fathered him, unfortunately, Wyatt could barely remember John Logan. Thankfully for the young orphan, he couldn't have asked for a better person to teach him how to be a man than James Sherwin.

"Well, then, we accept the generous offer. Thank you," he said gruffly, swallowing hard against the lump of emotion that suddenly threatened to choke him. While it was realistic enough to hear his grandpa casually make reference to the fact that he and Gran were getting older and would pass away some day, that sure as hell didn't make it any easier for Wyatt to accept. Even content as he was to be marrying Lucy and starting a family of their own soon, he couldn't bear to contemplate a future without his adoptive parents in it—not on top of losing his wife and tiny son less than two years earlier. The loss would be too great to get over quickly—if truly ever.

Both men were silent for a bit while Wyatt struggled to get his feelings under control. Eventually managing a faint smile, he teased, "Knowing you, I suppose you already have the plans drawn up and everything," laughing softly despite himself when Gramps only shrugged and gave him an ornery grin.

"Oh, I might've put pencil to paper here and there as the inspiration struck," James admitted lightly, "but I definitely could use your help once the wedding is over and things start to slow down around here a bit. You've always had a good eye for things like this, and of course, you know how particular my Betsy can be." The two men grinned at each other companionably for a moment.

Rising from the chair, Gramps started for the door. "Don't take too long getting dressed, son. Martha's been up since sunrise fixing all your favorite things for breakfast, and it ought to be ready soon. You know she'd be real disappointed if you let it get cold. I'll go on downstairs and wait at the table for you. It will just be the two of us since I think Betsy's in Lucy's room at the moment with her meal...and to have a little female conversation," he noted with a meaningful glance. Female what? Aww, hell.

Now Wyatt blushed in earnest since he knew damn well exactly what Gran and his wife to be were going to talk about-and probably at this very second. Sweet Jesus. How embarrassing to even think about his grandmother explaining the intimacies of marital relations to Lucy because that would almost certainly include personal (extremely private) references to him and his person. Sweet Jesus. "Yessir," he mumbled, ignoring his grandpa's sympathetic expression.

After the door closed behind James, Wyatt scrubbed his hands over his warm face and sighed heavily. Though of course Betsy had the best of intentions, he kinda wished she had checked the impulse to "prepare" Lucy (so to speak) for what awaited her tonight in their marriage bed. After all, it wasn't like Wyatt was a virgin, too, and dammit, maybe he would've wanted to do things his own way. But apparently that hadn't occurred to his well-meaning but meddling grandmother. Sighing once more, he climbed out of bed and starting putting his clothes from yesterday on, trying his best not to worry about what Gran might be telling the bride to be.

First, though, before he joined Gramps for breakfast, there was something Wyatt needed to do on this very important day...something he'd been considering off and on all week. Once dressed, he hurried past Lucy's bedroom door (fighting the urge to stick his head in the door and tell her good morning if only to interrupt their conversation) and down the steps, stopping just long enough to tell his grandpa where he was going before heading to the kitchen.

The air smelled heavenly, and it was clear the talented housekeeper had outdone herself. Sneaking up behind her, Wyatt planted a smacking kiss on her flushed cheek, grinning when Martha squawked in surprise. "Wyatt Logan, you near scared me to death," she scolded breathlessly, turning and pointing a big wooden spoon at him in warning. He smirked, since it was common knowledge in the Sherwin house the gray-haired woman had always had a soft spot for him. (Really, after all these years, in many ways, she was practically his second mother.) Getting up early to make all his favorite foods for breakfast on his wedding day was her unspoken way of showing her love for Wyatt, and he was genuinely touched.

"Sorry, Miss Martha," Wyatt apologized, doing his best to keep a straight face when her eyes narrowed at him as if doubting his sincerity. The woman knew him too well. "Something sure smells good in here," he said cheerfully, trying to mollify her. Sniffing in disapproval despite the pleased smile she couldn't quite hide, Martha gestured to the pot of coffee warming on the stove top.

"Breakfast is almost ready, you rascal. Miss Lucy is gonna have her hands full with you, I can tell. Now why don't you get yourself a cup of coffee and go wait with Mr. James while I finish up here. Already sent a tray up with Miss Betsy for your bride, though like most women on their wedding day, poor thing's probably too excited to eat a single bite."

When she turned her attention back to the stove, Wyatt put his hand on her arm. "I will in a couple minutes, Martha, promise, but there's something really important I need to do before breakfast." When the housekeeper frowned and started to protest, he leaned down and whispered something in her ear. Her face softened, and pulling back, she patted his cheek.

"You're a good man, Wyatt. Don't worry yourself for a second. All this will keep as long as you need," she assured him...possibly blinking back a tear. The affection shining in her eyes humbled and gratified Wyatt, and now he was the one maybe getting watery eyes. Settling for a brisk nod of thanks, he headed out the back door to the barn, stopping long enough to give old Spot a brisk scratch behind the ears. Ducking into the tack room just inside the barn doors, Wyatt easily found what he was looking for and tucked it in his pocket.

Whistling for the hound, they made their way across the barn yard toward the low hills that stretched as far as the eye could see. Green and lush already from the heat and spring rains and dotted here and there with wide patches of blooming wildflowers, the grass waved lazily in the fresh breeze. Inhaling deeply as they walked along, Wyatt felt his chest fill near to bursting with love for this wild, beautiful land. "How could a person want to live their life anywhere else?" he asked Spot, who woofed agreeably in response. Wyatt grinned.

It only took a few minutes to gather a nice armful of bluebonnets (his late wife's favorite), sunflowers and verbana and tie them into a loose bouquet with the hunk of twine in his pocket. Wyatt's steps slowed a little as he approached the family cemetery. How was it possible he hadn't been to visit since the Sunday he found Lucy here back in February? he asked himself guiltily-though knowing the patient, forgiving nature of Jessica Logan, she would've waved away his fumbled apology.

With the dog stretching out nearby to wait, Wyatt knelt beside the well-tended grave and carefully placed the bundle of fragrant blooms at the base of the modest wooden cross that simply read:

Jessica Mary Logan - Wife

B. 1856 D. 1879

Matthew Wyatt Logan - Son

B. 1878 D. 1879

As always when pondering the dates, he was struck by how cruelly short life could be sometimes. The Lord worked in mysterious ways, he'd heard James say time and again over the years as far back as Wyatt could remember—and he believed it. Pushing down the familiar dull ache in his heart, he gently traced the neatly carved letters, the last physical reminder left on this earth of the wife and son that were taken from him so unexpectedly.

Clearing his throat self consciously, he began. "Morning, Jess. I brought you some of those pretty bluebonnets you were always partial to." Unsure and ill at ease, Wyatt fell silent, trying to work out what he wanted to say. Oddly enough, during their brief marriage, it was the easiest thing in the world to talk to his wife. She'd been a good listener, serene and thoughtful, and no matter what was troubling him (or how awkwardly Wyatt explained himself), he always felt better afterwards sharing his feelings with Jess. Deep down, he sincerely hoped it would be the same with Lucy.

Sitting on the thick grass beside the grave, he absently patted Spot, who was snoring quietly in the soft, warm air that swirled over and about them. Spring was his favorite time of year, Wyatt reflected, looking around in contentment, when everything was brand new and full of promise. How fitting, then, he and Lucy were getting married on this beautiful April day...that in a few hours, the two of them would be pledging their lives to each other and building a future together. With that comforting thought nestled securely in his heart, the words abruptly began to spill from Wyatt's lips, halting at first before becoming easier to get out.

"I'm awful sorry I haven't been to see you in a while, honey...guess the days just seem to get away from me sometimes-but that's no excuse, and I realize that. Still, even when I don't visit, I hope you know I think about you and baby Mattie every single day because you two will always be in my heart. And while thankfully it's not as strong as the days and weeks pass, when the sadness does come upon me, I try to remember the love we had for each other and our child and be grateful for the time we did have together—short as it was."

Pausing to swipe at the single tear sliding down his cheek, Wyatt swallowed hard to give himself a second or two before getting to the real reason he was here. "There's something important I need to tell you, Jess. Been thinking on it for a while now, and seems only right and proper that you should know. I'm getting married again today...to Lucy Preston, the new school teacher. I know she's been to visit you a few times, so you already met her. Lucy's a fine woman, smart and kind and brave...and well, it definitely took me by surprise at first, but she makes me happy. Truth is, after losing you and our son, I never expected to ever get married again, but there's just something about her that touched my heart—a heart that I thought for a long time was broken forever. I love her and think we can have a good life together...and I just wanted you to know that. Better get going now, but remember I will always love and miss you and Mattie," he promised solemnly, slowly getting to his feet.

Just then, the breeze picked up some, and in it, Wyatt imagined he could almost hear his wife's quiet voice whisper, "We love you, too." Thank you for that, honey, he smiled wistfully, his heart feeling lighter than it had in a long while. Straightening his shoulders, he exhaled shakily. It was time to move forward, with no regrets for was lost in the past, Wyatt realized with relief. For some reason known only to the Lord, he'd been given a second chance for love and a family—and all Wyatt had to do was allow himself to reach for it. Felt like it was going to be a good day to get married...

"Let's go, Spot...Breakfast is waiting, and I have a wedding to go to..."

A/N #2: Aww :) I thought it made a nice full circle from the story's prologue for Wyatt to visit his late wife and tell her he was marrying Lucy. Seemed like something he would feel was proper and important. The next chapter will be checking in with Lucy, and the third (and final?) chapter of the epilogue will be for their wedding. My thanks to all those Timeless readers who are still hanging out in 1881 with me–your support is truly appreciated :))