Beyond the Sunset (44 page)

She sighed with pleasure as she lay in his arms afterwards. ‘Cassandra told me once that if I truly loved my husband, I’d enjoy loving his body as well as his mind.’ She raised one hand to caress his face, idly tracing a line down it. ‘She was right. Dearest Zachary, how much time we’ve wasted!’

‘We’ll not waste any more.’ He kissed her again.

Epilogue

I
n October, Cassandra and Reece found a letter waiting for them when they went to church, because all mail for the district was delivered to the shop in whose barn the church service was held.

Her eyes lit up as she saw the handwriting. ‘It’s from Pandora. Look how nice and thick it is. I’ll just have a peep at the first page before the service starts.’

She opened the envelope and found a short letter, then a sort of diary explaining in detail what had happened to Pandora and Zachary since she left the farm.

‘She’s sounds so happy!’ Cassandra exclaimed. She scanned the letter quickly then reread it more slowly. ‘I shan’t worry about her half as much now she’s safe in England. I really liked Zachary.’

Her baby daughter made her annoyance at being neglected known and Cassandra had to attend to her before she could do anything else.

She bent her head in prayer, but a tear slipped down her cheek. She was happy for Pandora, of course she was, but she missed her sister so much.

She felt a touch on her arm and turned her head sideways to see Maia looking at her anxiously. ‘I’m all right,’ she whispered. ‘Just thinking of Pandora.’

Maia nodded and turned to look at Xanthe, who was staring out of the window. Cassandra followed her sister’s gaze and sighed. Xanthe was getting very restless. Would she be the next to leave?

Shaking her head she banished those worries and cuddled her daughter close, feeling Reece’s hand on her arm, knowing that all was as right with her world as it could be.

Tonight she’d read the whole diary aloud to her husband and Kevin, then she’d sleep by Reece’s side. Tomorrow they’d have more than enough work to keep them busy.

She’d worry about the twins when she had to. For the moment, she’d enjoy her life and family.

CONTACT ANNA

Anna Jacobs is always delighted to hear from

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Western Australia 6210

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About the Author

Anna Jacobs grew up in Lancashire and emigrated to Australia, but still visits the UK regularly to see her family and do research, something she loves. Her novel PRIDE OF LANCASHIRE won the Australian Romantic Book of the Year Award in 2006.

Also by Anna Jacobs

THE GIBSON FAMILY

Salem Street

High Street

Ridge Hill

Hallam Square

Spinners Lake

THE KERSHAW SISTERS

Our Lizzie

Our Polly

Our Eva

Our Mary Ann

THE IRISH SISTERS

A Pennyworth of Sunshine

Twopenny Rainbows

Threepenny Dreams

THE SETTLERS

Lancashire Lass

Lancashire Legacy

THE STALEYS

Down Weavers Lane

Calico Road

THE PRESTON FAMILY

Pride of Lancashire

Star of the North

Bright Day Dawning

Heart of the Town

THE BLAKE SISTERS

Farewell to Lancashire

STAND ALONE NOVELS

Jessie

Like No Other

Tomorrow’s Promises

Yesterday’s Girl

Freedom’s Land