Chapter 7 - Elizabeth’s Last Letter
Garrett recognized Elizabeth’s handwriting immediately.
His hands shook.
Margaret explained that the letter had been found inside an old family Bible.
Garrett opened it alone.
Then stopped.
Sarah found him an hour later.
He sat in Jonathan’s room.
The letter rested in his lap.
“What did she say?”
Garrett looked broken.
“I blamed myself.”
“For the accident?”
“I told Elizabeth I was too busy to travel with them.”
Sarah sat beside him.
“I thought if I'd gone, they would still be alive.”
He handed her the letter.
Elizabeth had written that she knew Garrett would try blaming himself if anything happened during the journey.
She had chosen to leave despite his warning.
She had insisted.
And she loved him.
Always.
Sarah returned the paper.
Garrett cried.
Not loudly.
That made it harder to watch.
Years of grief left him in silence.
Sarah held him.
Eventually Penny wandered in.
She didn't ask questions.
She simply climbed beside him.
Garrett wrapped one arm around Sarah and the other around Penny.
For the first time, Jonathan’s room contained grief without being ruled by it.
The next morning Garrett opened the curtains.
Then the windows.
Later he carried several toys downstairs.
Penny helped.
“What are we doing?”
“Giving some away.”
“All?”
“No.”
Garrett kept the wooden horse.
That belonged with him.
News of Mercer’s arrest spread through Wyoming.
Families came forward with similar accusations.
Sarah’s testimony and the ledger helped return land to several people.
Her own cabin remained hers.
She sold it—not because she was forced to, but because she chose to.
The money went into a bank account under her name.
Garrett insisted.
“You need something that belongs only to you.”
Sarah looked at him.
“You've changed.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
He smiled.
“Blame Penny.”
“I usually do.”
Spring arrived.
Wildflowers emerged.
Cattle moved into fresh pasture.
And one evening Garrett took Sarah and Penny to a hill overlooking the ranch.
Penny chased butterflies.
Garrett stood beside Sarah.
“I told you I wasn't proposing that night.”
Sarah smiled.
“I remember.”
“I am now.”
He removed a small ring.
Sarah stared at him.
Garrett did not kneel immediately.
Instead he said, “I don't want to rescue you.”
Sarah’s eyes filled.
“I know you don't need rescuing.”
He finally lowered himself to one knee.
“I want to build something with you.”
Sarah looked toward Penny.
The little girl had stopped chasing butterflies.
She was watching.
Very intensely.
Garrett continued.
“I loved once and thought losing that love meant I had used up whatever happiness I was given.”
His voice tightened.
“Then you came into my house.”
He looked at Penny.
“And she insulted me.”
“I said grumpy!” Penny protested.
Sarah laughed through tears.
Garrett smiled.
“And somehow the two of you taught me that loving again doesn't erase what came before.”
Sarah reached for him.
“Yes.”
Garrett blinked.
“I haven't asked yet.”
“Yes anyway.”
Penny screamed.
She charged toward them.
Garrett barely stood before Penny collided with his legs.
Sarah kissed him.
Penny demanded a kiss too.
Garrett lifted her.
For a few minutes there was nothing but laughter on the hill.
But when they returned to the ranch, a federal marshal was waiting.
Silas Mercer had escaped custody.
And witnesses had seen him riding west.
May you like
Toward Thorne Ranch.
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