Chapter Text
Part 74
Everything had turned out just fine.
Lucas and Mark had found their way home.
Mrs. Yates had been tickled with Rowdy and me.
Mushy and Teya had a beautiful son. He looked just like Mushy.
My sweet little Saint Mary’s flourished.
There was a huge crowd at the wedding; it was packed that fall afternoon.
Rowdy and I stood at the altar; very much in love, and the cattle drive, the town, and all that I had been blessed enough to meet witnessed our marriage.
Father O’Malley smiled softly.
“Ye may kiss the bride!”
Rowdy’s and my lips met and the church erupted in applause and cheers.
The reception was beautiful, and packed.
Mr. Favor and all the boys wished us a goodbye that evening as we stood on the front porch of the place that had once housed my nightmares, but showed promise for good times ahead.
I kissed Mr. Favor and all the boys on the cheek as they wished us a tearful goodbye. Mr. Favor smiled, his blue eyes brimming with tears. He hugged me again and whispered. “I love you Cinnamon.”
He hugged Rowdy. “And you treat her like a lady Ramrod.”
Mr. Favor would have to get used to not saying that anymore.
Mr. Favor mounted his stallion, as did the boys. Mr. Favor took in the scene of Rowdy and I on the front porch, hands locked, golden rings on our fingers.
Mr. Favor took several minutes before smiling tenderly.
“Goodbye Cinnamon. Goodbye Rowdy. Have a good life.”
He turned to the boys.
“Head em up!!! Move em out!!!!”
The boys thundered off and I stood still, watching them fade into the sunset from my front porch.
Rowdy and I smiled tenderly at one another before going inside and locking up the doors.
I had seen the whole world in 17 years.
You could say I’d gotten lucky.
I’d learned to take the good with the bad.
I’d learned that people were strange creatures, and they’d either knock you down, or help you back up.
Rowdy began to shrug out of his suit top as we reached the upstairs, but I was too busy staring out the window at the sunset.
I felt his hand lock in mine as he wrapped an arm around my waist from behind.
I’d seen everything.
I’d seen life, and death.
Good and bad.
Light and dark.
War and now peace.
I’d seen my fair share of enemies, and a great deal of friends.
And as the darkness fell on me and Rowdy, I could rest with the confidence that through it all, I had been a friend to all I met, and essentially, A Friend for Mushy.
THE END