to her parents. “And Darcy and Mr. Brennan are married, Mama, Papa.”
Mrs. Breese threw up her hands and joy overtook her tears. Mr. Breese looked down the lane. “And who is this you have brought home with you?”
“My mother, sir, and Fiona, her best friend in all the world.”
Dismayed, Mr. Breese shook his head. “What? How can that be? We were told Eliza was dead.”
“It was never true, sir,” Ethan said. “She had lived with me these many years. We have a lot to discuss.”
“Indeed we do. But what fantastic news this is!”
The whole crew rushed down the lane toward Eliza and Fiona. Darcy and Ethan waited, and when everyone was introduced Mari Breese threw her arms around Eliza, and embraced her with more tears.
“My daughter is strong, Mari.” Eliza took up Darcy’s hand. “And so happy to be home, as I am. I had lost all hope of ever seeing the river again. But God found a way.”
“It is good of you to say so, Eliza.” Mari Breese smiled and moved back her girls. “Please come inside. We have so much to talk about.”
Before going in, Eliza turned to William Breese. “I have sad news to tell you. But it does not come without good.”
He looped her arm through his. “Then let us go into the sitting room and sit a while, Eliza.”
Darcy, Ethan, Eliza, and Fiona stayed with the Breeses while the house at River Run was being rebuilt, Ethan partaking in the labor, Mr. Breese sitting in a chair in the shade observing all the goings-on. He had not returned to himself after his stroke and took his ease beneath the shade of an ancient tree, with his dog lounging at his feet.
Along a country path that bordered the land sat the cemetery where Addison and Ilene were buried. Darcy saw the sorrow in her mother’s face over her loss, but also because her husband could not be laid there in the ground he so loved.
Later that spring, upon Ilene’s gravestone, were etched the words It is well with my child, and on the day it was erected, Eliza wept and placed blue forget-me-nots beneath it. For the remainder of her life, she did so every spring, until she too lay next to her child, waiting for that promised day of jubilation when God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
And on warm days, Ethan took Darcy down to the river and waded with her into the water, holding her in his arms, her head resting on his shoulder. There in the deeper currents the river caressed her legs and brought healing and strength to her body.
Finally, on the day when all was complete at River Run, Ethan gathered the family together. Mr. and Mrs. Breese and their unwed daughters sat in the wagon with the painted red rims, the girls dressed in their Sunday best. Martha and her new husband, Dr. Emerson, rode on horseback alongside them. Eliza, Fiona, and Darcy rode in the carriage with the hood down, and Ethan drove the horses down the river path beneath the shade of the ancient elms.
He looked over his shoulder at Darcy and smiled. Dressed in white, a broad-brimmed hat decorated with white silk flowers shading her face, a broad blue ribbon tied under her chin, she looked more beautiful to him than ever and he made a point of telling her so. She laid her hand softly over her stomach and smiled, roses in her cheeks. A son would be born to them by Christmas, who would pass on River Run’s legacy to his son, his grandson, and each generation for the next two hundred years.
Now, when they came upon the house, everyone cheered. Its windows sparkled in the sunshine, and its green lawn swept alongside the sandy lane. Potted plants sat on the porch, and the old tree—that sentinel through time—guarded a swing. Eliza wiped her eyes and Fiona put her arms around her. Mrs. Breese declared it was the finest house beside the two rivers. Darcy stared at it, absorbing every inch.
“Do you like it?” Ethan asked, lifting her down from the carriage, cradling her in his arms. “Is it as you remember?”
“Yes. Thank you.” Darcy kissed his cheek. “It is more beautiful than I could ever have imagined.”
With Eliza and the family walking behind them, Ethan carried