"Return to Paradise Trail" PART SIXTEEN (final part)

July 21, 1872

It has almost been one month since I came home to Paradise Valley. Since my arrival, I have lived with the Masons as I have tried to sort out my future. What I pictured it is here in Paradise Valley and what it has become are definitely two far different things. Yet with Sam's passing and the revelation that I now own the very piece of property Mr. Wooster left me has given me somewhat a sense of renewed hope. As if Sam came back to me one last time to show me what I should do. It was what he wanted…to start a ranch. We shared that dream. I still hold that dream dear. But I know it can't be as I wanted it to be. I can't run a ranch on my own. He had far more knowledge than I on the subject. It was simply my desire to be there with him and make it last as I raised our children. And that is another thing. With Sam Jr. in my life, I have to think of him. He needs me. A ranch would take me away from him at the most vulnerable years of his life. Maybe someday that will happen. But for the time being, I have decided to fulfill the dream Sam and I shared in a different way entirely.

I was an orphan as a child. If it had not been for the kind heart of Mr. Wooster taking me in, I truthfully don't have any idea where I would have gone or where I would be today. Lord knows I wouldn't change a thing and can't imagine my life had I not met Sam and the Masons. Death can never stop a love between a husband and wife or make one or the other wish they had never crossed each other's paths. No, it makes me cherish his memory more knowing that Providence led us to meet at a time when I had no place to go or anyone to turn to. And now, finding myself at that place again, I thank God for Molly and John every day. Without them, I fear where I would have had to go or what I would have had to do for the survival of Sam Jr. and myself. And it is with that in mind that I think of all the children that could be out there on the growing plains of this fledgling West with nowhere to go. I wish I could reach them all and tell them they are worth something like Molly, John, and Sam did for me. I know I can't reach them all. But maybe I can love one or two of them and show them the way home to Paradise Valley. That is why instead of a ranch, I have decided to build a foundling home on the property that will forever remain both Sam's and mine equally. He may be gone from this life, but his memory will forever live on within me as I open the doors to a haven for young children. When I first read Sam's letter, I was fearful that with his death, the deed would be handed over to a relative. But after John and I met with a lawyer in Salt Lake City, he assured me that I now own the property as his widow.

As I write this, I am sitting on the Mason's porch watching the sun rise to another day. I couldn't let myself rest another minute without writing this down. It will be my last journal entry in this little book that has traveled with me on such a long trail. I will begin another one as God wills as another chapter of my life is opened. But for now, this book is complete. In essence, I have turned a page, and now I close this book with the memory of all that is written inside cherished deep within my heart for years to come.

Sincerely,

Charlotte Anne Brazos

##

Katheryn gently closed the tattered journal and glanced up at Molly with tears in her eyes. They had since found a bench nearby in the Texas Ranger museum to continue their journey while the kind lady who let them have the book for the evening went about her business. It was well after dark and closing time, Katheryn assumed, looking over Molly's shoulder to a faraway wall clock. But somehow it didn't matter. Both young women wiped a tear from their eyes and took turns holding the book to be sure what they had read was real. Indeed, it was.

"Wow," Katheryn finally broke the deafening silence. "That was beautiful."

"And," Molly handed Katheryn an envelope, "I was told to give you this by the lady at the front desk."

"Wait." Kath glared at her best friend suspiciously. "Did they know we were coming?"

Molly hesitated, her eyes narrowing as she hid a smile. "Maybe."

Kath nearly snatched the envelope from Molly with a playful chuckle. "So that's why you were so eager to get here today." Stripping open the envelope, Katheryn unfolded the paper she retrieved and read it to herself before yet another tear threatened her lashes.

Katheryn raised her gaze above the paper to Molly in disbelief. "You mean?"

Molly nodded, a smile broadening on her face.

"I can't believe it!" Katheryn was nearly beside herself as she reread the piece of paper. "It says here that I am a direct descendant of Charlotte and Sam Brazos."

"That you are," Molly rejoiced with her best friend. "How's that for an early birthday present?"

"Oh, it's the best thing you could have given me, Molly. Even though my birthday isn't for two months at least." Then it suddenly occurred to her. "Wait a minute. So this means your ancestor Molly Mason and my ancestor Charlotte Wilson were best friends. And somehow we both managed to find each other one hundred and thirty years later?!"

"Yep," Molly grinned. "History has a funny way of repeating itself sometimes I suppose."

"Indeed it does." Katheryn couldn't help but read over the page again before she folded it and tucked it back into the envelope just as she stifled a yawn. "What time is it?"

Molly glanced at her wristwatch. "Almost ten I think."

"You mean we missed dinner?"

"Looks like it."

"Well," Katheryn sighed as her need for rest seemed to drive her to her feet. "One thing is for sure. Sometimes history is more important than food."

"Yeah," Molly half-heartedly agreed. "But you need food or you'll soon become history."

As the two young women shared a laugh, the kind lady that had lent them Charlotte Wilson's journal appeared from the next room and extended her hand to take back the journal. She smiled. "I trust you enjoyed the journey?"

"Very much." Katheryn frowned as she handed the lady the leather-bound book. "I almost don't want to give it back."

The comely woman chuckled softly. "As a history lover myself, I can understand that very well. You know, since you are a direct descendent from Brazos, you might be interested to know that she did go on to write more journals. I'm afraid we won't have it here since it doesn't involve Texas Ranger history. But you might try some other museums. Or you should even take a trip out to Utah sometime. I'm sure you'd find plenty of information on Charlotte Brazos there."

Katheryn did appreciate the information immensely and offered a handshake. "Thank you so much, ma'am. It really does mean a lot to me."

"I'm glad I could help. Here's my card. If you have any more questions, just give me a call."

"We will," Molly assured. "And thank you."

"You're welcome, ladies. Have a wonderful night." With that, she was gone to return the book to its rightful home beneath the glass, leaving Katheryn pining to hold it once again. It was a shame that it had only been out of her hands for one minute already.

"Well," Molly sighed as she clasped Kath's hand in hers. "What do you say we go home?"

Finally taking her eyes off of the journal as it faded from view, Katheryn smiled. "Home. That sounds good right about now. And somehow I appreciate the term even more after reading Charlotte's story. I don't think I'll ever take home for granted ever again."

Writing the fictional story of Charlotte Brazos pulled more from me than I ever thought imaginable. In fact, it took me a rather long time to finally write the ending. I wanted it to be perfect. But gaining perfection only comes from letting the story tell itself instead of trying so hard to tell it in your own power. For you can't. Among all the stories I've written so far, this one by far remains my baby. I hope you all enjoyed the journey. I know I both smiled and cried many times as I wrote this story. And Charlotte Brazos may just return in the future. Only time will tell. Until then... God Bless, 'Kath'

P.S. - Many of you may have caught on to the fact that I referenced to Hayes Cooper as Ranger Cooper when in "Paradise Trail" he was a bounty hunter. To explain, after doing some expert Walker Texas Ranger sleuthing, I deduced that the storyline of "Last of a Breed" would have had to take place after "Paradise Trail" even though the episodes occurred in reverse since he became a Ranger in LOAB. This would have placed those events sometime after "Paradise Trail."