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Five Years Later…
The afternoon sun blazed down on the bustling mining town of Silver Ridge. The air shimmered with heat, dust swirling through the main street as wagons rolled by and the clang of hammers echoed from the mining camp on the hill. Yet, despite the noise and chaos, a sense of order and purpose filled the town, the kind that came from determined folks looking for a fresh start.
Wade Travers leaned against the doorframe of his office, his gaze sweeping across the street. He tipped his hat back, squinting into the sunlight as he watched men unload supplies from a freight wagon. His mine—their mine—was running smoother than he ever imagined it would. It was hard work, but it paid off. The steady hum of progress was music to his ears.
Behind him, Sadie’s laughter drifted through the open window of the little schoolhouse next door. The sound filled Wade with warmth, as it always did.
He turned his head to glance through the window. Sadie was standing at the blackboard, her auburn hair glinting in the sunlight that streamed through the glass. Her students sat in neat rows, all eyes on her as she taught them about sums and letters. She had a way of making even the rowdiest boys listen, and the quietest girls find their voice.
Wade never tired of watching her. The years hadn’t dimmed the fire in her eyes or the kindness in her heart. If anything, both had grown stronger.
The bell rang, and the children shot up from their seats, grabbing their hats and lunch pails. A chorus of cheerful goodbyes echoed through the room.
“Remember to do your reading tonight!” Sadie called after them. She turned to see Wade watching her and smiled. That smile still made his heart thump like it did the first time he’d seen her.
“How’s it going, Mrs. Travers?” Wade drawled, stepping into the room.
“Well enough, Mr. Travers,” Sadie replied, wiping chalk from her hands onto her apron. “How’s your crew?”
“Busy as ever,” he said, moving closer to her. “Had a new load of ore come down this morning. Looks promising.”
She leaned up and kissed his cheek. “I’m glad, Wade. You’ve worked hard for this.”
“We both have,” he murmured. He glanced out the window where a group of miners trudged back to their tents, their faces drawn and tired. “I reckon they deserve a break soon, though. Maybe we all do.”
Sadie sighed and nodded. “It’s been a long few months. The new miners and their families are having a rough go of it. The townsfolk here… they’re not making it easy.”
Wade frowned. He’d noticed the cold shoulders and suspicious glares exchanged between the locals and the new miners. Tension was building, and it was only a matter of time before it boiled over. He wasn’t about to let that happen again.
He squeezed Sadie’s hand. “We’ll figure it out,” he promised. “This place—it’s got potential. Just like we did.”
Sadie smiled and nodded. “I believe that, Wade. I really do.”
They stood together in the quiet schoolroom, the scent of chalk dust and old wood surrounding them.
The days passed with a steady rhythm, but that undercurrent of tension between the townsfolk and the miners remained. Sadie noticed it first in her classroom. Some of the local children were starting to avoid sitting next to the miners’ kids. A few parents had even stopped sending their children altogether, claiming they didn’t want their youngsters mixing with “ruffians.”
One morning, as Sadie was erasing the blackboard, a knock came at the door. She turned to see Mrs. Connors, one of the town’s more vocal critics of the miners, standing stiffly in the doorway.
“Morning, Mrs. Connors,” Sadie said kindly, though she braced herself.
Mrs. Connors’ lips pressed into a thin line. “Miss Winslow—I mean, Mrs. Travers—I’m pulling my son from your school. I don’t want him catching bad habits from those… rough children.”
Sadie’s heart sank, but she kept her voice calm. “Every child deserves an education, Mrs. Connors. And every child here is learning the same lessons, no matter where they’re from.”
“I’ve made up my mind,” Mrs. Connors said curtly, turning on her heel and walking away.
Sadie sighed heavily, the door swinging shut behind the woman. This was happening too often. She knew Wade was dealing with the same attitudes among the men at the mine. Some of the newer workers were getting fewer supplies and worse pay, and it was starting to wear them down.
That evening, as the sun dipped low over the hills, Sadie found Wade at his desk, frowning over a stack of papers.
“Wade, we can’t let this keep going,” she said, leaning against the doorframe.
He looked up, exhaustion in his eyes, but determination too. “I know, Sadie. I’ve been thinking about it all day. We need to remind folks that we’re all in this together.”
“How do we do that?”
Wade’s lips curled into a grin. “We’re gonna throw a feast.”
Sadie blinked. “A feast?”
“Not just any feast,” Wade said, the spark of an idea lighting up his face. “A block party. Food, music, laughter. Everyone in town, miners and locals alike. If they can sit down and share a meal, maybe they’ll see they ain’t so different after all.”
Sadie’s eyes widened, and a smile crept across her face. “You know… that just might work.”
“Then let’s get to planning,” Wade said, pushing back his chair. “We’ve got a town to bring together.”
*
The week leading up to the block party was a whirlwind of activity. Wade and his crew set up tables and benches along the main street, while Sadie and some of the women from the mining camp prepared food. Banners fluttered from windows, and lanterns were strung up to cast a warm glow after sunset.
Annie showed up with a crate of bottled sarsaparilla and ginger ale, her eyes bright with excitement. “If this doesn’t bring folks together, I don’t know what will,” she said, grinning at Sadie.
Sadie smiled, wiping flour from her hands. “We’re sure gonna try.”
As the sun dipped low, the first townsfolk began to arrive, their expressions cautious. The miners and their families followed soon after, the lines between “locals” and “newcomers” blurring as everyone took their seats.
Wade stepped up onto a wooden crate, clearing his throat. “Folks, we’ve had our differences,” he called out, his voice steady and strong. “But tonight, we’re here to share a meal, share some laughter, and remember that we’re all just trying to make a good life here.”
A murmur of agreement rippled through the crowd.
“So let’s eat!” Wade declared, and a cheer went up.
The music started, fiddles and banjos filling the air. Plates piled high with food passed from hand to hand. Sadie watched as children from both sides played tag under the lanterns, their laughter rising like music of its own.
Wade wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Looks like we did it,” he whispered.
Sadie squeezed Wade’s hand, her eyes shining with pride. “You were right, Wade. A little food, a little kindness—it goes a long way.”
Around them, the tension seemed to lift, replaced by the clink of forks on plates and the rise of laughter. Children ran between tables, their giggles cutting through the evening air, oblivious to the lines their parents had drawn. Men who’d barely exchanged a word before now swapped stories over plates of stew. Women shared recipes, their faces softening with curiosity instead of suspicion.
Annie sauntered over, two bottles of ginger ale in hand. “Thought you two might need a drink to wash down all this success.”
Wade took a bottle with a grin. “Much obliged, Annie.”
Sadie accepted hers, popping the cap off with practiced ease. “You know, Annie, I’m not sure we could’ve done this without you.”
Annie chuckled. “Well, someone’s gotta keep you two from working yourselves into the ground.”
They clinked their bottles together, the cool fizz a welcome relief against the warm night.
As the lanterns flickered to life, casting pools of golden light on the street, the sound of a fiddle struck up. One of the miners, old Jed Mitchell, perched on a barrel, bowing out a lively tune. Feet tapped in time, and soon couples took to the street, dancing in the open air.
Wade turned to Sadie, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Care to dance, Mrs. Travers?”
She laughed, setting her bottle aside. “I thought you’d never ask.”
He took her hand and led her into the makeshift dance floor, the music swirling around them. They moved in rhythm with the crowd, the worries of the past months dissolving like sugar in warm tea. Wade’s arms were strong and steady, his eyes never leaving hers.
“You know,” he said softly, “there were times I wasn’t sure we’d make it here.”
Sadie tilted her head, a teasing smile on her lips. “Wade Travers, are you saying you doubted us?”
He chuckled. “Not us, never. Just… the road getting here seemed awful long sometimes.”
She leaned in closer. “Well, now that we’re here, what do you think?”
He looked around, his gaze sweeping over the mingling townsfolk, the glow of lantern light, and the joyous faces. “I think we found home.”
Sadie’s heart swelled. “I think so too.”
They swayed together as the tune slowed, the world narrowing down to just the two of them. When the final note hung in the air, Wade bent his head and kissed her, slow and sweet.
A cheer erupted around them, and Sadie blushed as they pulled apart. Wade laughed, slipping his arm around her waist.
“Guess they approve,” he said.
“Guess so,” she murmured.
OFFER: A BRAND NEW SERIES AND 2 FREEBIES FOR YOU!
Grab my new series, "Legends of the Lawless Frontier", and get 2 FREE novels as a gift! Have a look here!
Hello there, I really hope you liked my new western adventure story and the extended epilogue! I would be very happy to read your thoughts below.
Fantastic reading. Ouldn’t put the book down. And the extended epilogue tied up the loose ends beautifully
Great book. One of your best
This is a good story. In the world in which we live, it is a lovely story of good overcoming evil.
would have been nice if they had a few kids together .Would have filled the school up a bit…..lol
Ethan I think you created your best book that I have ever read. Wade and Sadie were great characters including Annie. The epilogue tied the story to a great ending
That’s a great compliment, Bobbie! Thank you for your ongoing support and enthusiasm, you really make my day!