Chapter 6-3
They feasted well that night as the town came together for the first time in a long time. They had a new Sheriff running New Downing, watching everyone in the room as they all cheered. Nathaniel gasped, nearly choking on a chicken bone. The mayor handed him his new silver badge while the mayor's wife and Granny made him a new shirt and one for Ned. That said, New Downing Sheriff and Deputy. Plus, a new cowboy hat with a rooster feather sticking up from the top of the hat.
Nathaniel laughed, getting over his shock, slapping his son on the back, and whispered. "Don't sweat the small stuff," as he looked at a bunch of gals clustered in a corner, he pushed him over there with a swift kick. Granny winks at Nathaniel; he winks back as they go behind a haystack in the back. "Sorry, folks." Doc stands his ground. "He's kinda busy, and I believe his dance card is all full," as he watched Nathaniel go out the back, heading home with his wife.
The gals sobbed and cried, hoping they had a chance with the new Sheriff of New Downing. He'd been keeping a secret that he and Granny were married. They just hadn't had time to celebrate it yet, but that only left poor Ned.
Round and round, he goes from one gal to the next, and they take his hand down the row. They hold their hands high in the air, and then another person grabs him cheek to cheek. Doc laughed so hard that he fell off the stool, watching the gals spin poor Ned like a top. By the time he went home, he had so many kisses of red lipstick on his face and was so tired he could drop walking through the door.
Shaking her head, Granny removed his shoes, covered him with a quilt, and grinned, "My poor boy," as Nathaniel helped him to bed. As he leaned down, Nathaniel smiled and gently stroked Ned's hair. Whispered, "Goodnight, my son," he kissed his cheek with the affectionate love of a father before turning out the lights.
On the porch, Nathaniel sits outside with Granny, gazing over the horizon. Soon, they will all be leaving; he almost wishes he was going with them. Granny could feel the uneasiness inside him. Granny placed her arm around him so he could feel that he was not alone. Which he will be most of the time? It wasn't long before the Whitmores pulled up in front of Nathaniel's house with Lenny, Doc, and the mayor with the three Whitmore boys in the back.
This was a bittersweet ride before they said goodbye for a season, allowing Nathaniel to eagerly climb into the wagon and settle beside Kollie. Granny's weathered hands trembled as she wiped a tear from her cheek, her touch leaving a faint trace of warmth on their skin. The scent of her old-fashioned perfume lingered in the air, a delicate mixture of lavender and rose. With a gentle squeeze, she embraced each of them, their hearts beating in sync with the rhythmic sound of her soft sobs. As the wagon slowly trundled away, the sight of the scorched fields and lifeless trees, remnants of Morgan's curse that had befallen the once vibrant lands, greeted Granny's tear-filled eyes. The taste of salt mingled with her grief, as she whispered her silent goodbyes to the departing company.
The Whitmores have a journey and task all their own as she watches from afar as new life springs forward across the fields once more. Doc and the Mayor watch the Whitmores as the family takes hands in a circle in the middle of a field. They can feel, at first, a warm, soft breeze flowing by them. Life soon springs around them from the ground and then outwards among the trees, through the orchards of their town.
Suddenly, a low rumble shook the ground beneath their feet. The soil trembled, sending shivers up their spines. A deafening roar echoed through the air, piercing their ears.
Mayor and Doc exchanged glances, their eyes filled with both excitement and trepidation. They knew that something extraordinary was about to happen. The ground split open, revealing a gaping chasm that seemed to stretch into the depths of the earth itself.
Their hands, still coated in the rich, new soil, attested to the once barren land being reborn, teeming with life and now blessed. They knew that from this moment forward, their duty was to protect and nurture the land, ensuring its continued vitality and the harmony between man and nature. It lasted several minutes before they all broke the circle, collapsing on the ground where they stood. The Mayor, Doc, and Nathaniel ran over to the Whitmore's, ensuring they were alright.
Kollie nods as he tries to stand up, out of breath. "Give us a moment." Doc and the Mayor nod as they watch in awe around them about things coming to life. Then they were ready as they carried the boys back to the wagon, while their parents took a moment to regain their strength before walking back to their completely exhausted boys. Doc and the Mayor were astounded as they looked towards the fields around their town and the outskirts where life is now present and more vibrant. It was more than enough as they both watched the Whitmore's tonight.
For in their heart of hearts, they will be a part of them forever; for now, it was their turn to say goodbye. As the Mayor and Doc looked down upon the three sleeping boys, they wanted to hold them so tight but knew they had to let them go, for a season. They whispered. "Goodbye, my dear boy, to each one," placing their hands on their shoulders. Then, she gave Kollie and Renee a hug, patting their backs as tears rolled down their faces. With a simple gesture of his staff, Nathaniel opened the gate, while Lenny stood back, overseeing their progress. The Whitmores waved goodbye to the Mayor and Doc, their faces lit by the warm glow of the magical gate before it closed with a soft whoosh, transporting them back to camp and leaving the others behind.