Molly went about her business as usual. With four children under five, the house and homestead to run, she had all she could handle. Even with Malcolm and Martha Wilson’s help and Rosemarie to nurse the baby, every moment held its demands. The farm was now in excess of five hundred acres. Will managed it for her, as well as continuing his blacksmithing. They’d planned to negotiate for three more bondsmen and increase the timber harvesting the next spring. Molly had hopes she Andrew could work their situation out, but he’d not approached her, though she did see him helping Will about his blacksmith shop.
The older couple strolled over after supper that evening. Will spoke to Molly. “Molly, you and Andrew have matters you need to discuss. God joined you together and you were separated through no fault on either part. Your circumstances are tangled. Neither of you benefits from antagonism. Andrew wants to meet to discuss your situation. Are you willing? He’d like to come over if you are ready.”
“We do need to talk. We vowed to love each other once. This is a test of that promise. It would be best for everyone if we find common ground.”
In minutes Will was back with Andrew. “Can I see the baby?” Rosemarie reluctantly surrendered the baby but stayed at his side. “He looks recovered. His cheeks are round again. I am grateful.” Rosemarie beamed when he handed the baby back. “I was wrong to reproach you for marrying. Will has explained your danger. I had no right. The child is my son. The Indians held another captive, the wife of a trader. She was killed when we were escaping. I want you back. Will you think about it?
Molly thought long before she answered. “We are not the same people who loved each other then, but we have needs and there are children who need us both. I have been leaning on Will and Aggie too long. You need to know, James left half the farm to me, the rest to the children, so it will never be yours. I have the final say in its use, but land we get from this day forward we share. Can you agree to that?”
“All I have thought of was getting back to you. I was a bondsman, then a slave. The life you offer is more than I ever hoped for. We are still young enough to have a long life together. I am willing.” he answered.
“Will, can you fetch the reverend? We need marrying.”
They were married more than thirty years and had five more children. Like all couples, they wrangled many times, but together increased their holdings. It was a good life.
Very satisfying – though complicated on the marital front!
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This is based on a family story, so it was truly tangled.
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I thought I missed this post and read it on Sally’s blog. I loved the ending it made me so happy. You as I commented on Sally’s blog are an amazing writer and author. I await your next tale.☺☺
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Thanks so much. Might start tomorrow. It’s brewing in my head now.
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A great story Linda and an ending that I hoped for. You are an amazing story teller. xo
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Thanks.
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A strong compelling family saga of of solid believable characters that you really care about. I have only read this in fragments but I have favouritised the page and want to read it from beginning to end. I like the ending. When you care about people you want things to work out for them…. it’s satisfying for me as a reader and of course there’s nothing wrong with happiness.. it just gives us all hope and the feeling that it is a just world after all.
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Thanks. This was loosely based on a family story. The true stories are best.
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Always
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That was a great ending, Linda. They needed each other, and the children needed them so it benefitted them all in some way
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I was glad they saw reason and settled down to the business of life. They all needed each other.
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This was a very interesting ending. Now I need to go back and read the beginning.
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Here is the link to part 1.
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this is another serial you might enjoy as well. hope you like it.
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I have been married to my fourth wife for 21 years and each day is better than before. We married for mutual need but it turned into a love story. We look younger than our age and can’t help but smile all the time and that healthy glow we both have is true love. We proved all the naysayers wrong and I’m glad for it.
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That’s a good way to marry. I worked with several doctors who had very, very happy arranged marriages. I sometimes I think other people can make better decisions than the hormone-ridden decisions most couples make. My husband And I grew up together. Marrying a life-long friend was good for us. We are coming up on 47. And n my heart, he will always be 22, like the day we married. Bet your story would make a great post.
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It was a lovely and satisfying ending, Linda. Good writing. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thanks.
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Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
The finale of Andrew and Molly and I am sharing the last part so that you can go back to the beginning and read this wonderful story.. Linda Bethea has all the hallmarks of a natural storyteller.. #recommended
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Thanks so much. Link to part 1
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A great lesson (many great lessons) in making life work FOR you instead of against it. Wonderfully presented. Thank you.
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They had the right attitude!
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What a story. They deserved to be happy, eventually. ♥
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Bet they will be.
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Such a satisfying ending. These are wonderful stories, and YES..you should compile them into a book. ❤️
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Thanks. I am thinking of it.
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Sigh. A wonderful happy ending. ❤ ❤ ❤ Fantastic story, Linda. Thank you.
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Thank you. You know they hit some bumps in the road.
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I am not fond of when your stories end. You really are a weaver. I looked forward to this every day. I hope you have another one brewing.
Thank you !
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I do. Another one based on true life. I have thought of collecting all my serials in a book. What do you think?
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yes do it!!!
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I think it’s a brilliant idea. I like the idea of having them all. I’ve really been impressed with the serials you’ve been sharing. You are on fire!!
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Already started compiling them.
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Great!
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Such a lot of twists and turns for them. I’m glad they had a happy life together finally.
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Me, too.
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