The final chapter
Jack Carlos, Scott, Jeremy and I worked hard to establish a large and productive community. We kept increasing our land holdings and then number of our cattle. Before we knew it, we had a very large and successful operation and a sizeable bank account. We had become one of the larger ranches in the Texas Hill Country.
We all had families. Jack Carlos and Scott had children of their own. Jeremy and I took in more orphans and ended up with 8 in all. Jeremy and I gave them a loving home and raised them as our own. We lost Grandma Brown. We put her under the tree on the hill with my family in a place of honor. We found two other women to help us care for the young and watch out for everyone, but no one could ever take her place.
Jeremy and I had our childhoods cut short. We rose above our hardship and were forced to become adults. We had extra burdens to overcome, but we were two men in love and nothing could stop us. Our love continued to grow and we gave up all others. No one or anything could come between us.
Even though, we both lost our parents at an early age, we were smothered with the love of a whole community. We had several mothers, fathers, grandparents, aunts and uncles. One might say that we were one big extended family.
Our biggest thrill was having Uncle Big Man and his family move back from Oklahoma. He was getting up in age and wanted to come `home'.. We had a large section of land that was not fit for farming or running cattle but had a lot of wild game. Jeremy and I deeded this land to him.. Now no one could take it from him. Uncle Big Man wanted to live as his ancestors had done before him.
Occasionally, Uncle Big Man and family would come to the ranch and stay for several days. We always had a beef or two for him. The kids and all the adults loved to sit around the campfire and listen to his stories. Jeremy and I never went to the spring with him and he never asked us to. All of us had many nice memories and that was enough for us.
We had a community where everyone was treated as equals and all hatred and prejudices were put aside. Every one was one big happy family and looked out for each other. We toiled and played along side our neighbors. When one laughed, we all laughed. When one cried, we all cried. We were as one. Life was beautiful!!!!.
Editor's Notes: That was a very nice ending to the story. I would like to look back at them in a few years and see just that happened to them, as their lives progressed. But, of course, that is they way I am. Just ask any of my other authors, who end a story that I edit. I always ask for a sequel.
Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher
Thanks Darryl for the terrific job that you have done as editor of my story.. I will look forward to working with you again!!!!!
Colorado John