Even If They Don't Ride Horses Anymore
The Finale. Episode 17.
Next morning around about the time Betty Lou would be starting to get breakfast going at the restaurant, Jacob put into his shirt pocket that something else he had brought back from the city just for Betty Lou. He began to walk through the Strong family fields to remember just how far he had come over the years, his leavings, his coming backs, and everything crammed in between that was his life and the life of his family. When he got to the start of the dirt road leading to town, he smiled, touched the something else for Betty Lou in his pocket, and felt so grateful for the days he had been given and hopeful for the days still to come.
Miss Morgan spotted him coming down the road first and remarked to Betty Lou, “Reckon Jacob is mighty early this morning and if I’m not mistaken he’s getting his most favorite boots all full of the dust. Must be a special morning.”
“I reckon you’re right, Lula Belle.” Betty Lou wiped the flour from her hands and fluffed up her hair and went out the door to meet him. Miss Morgan watched her go and smiled.
“Jacob, everything alright? It’s awfully early still, and well, you’re kinda dressed a bit more special like with them boots and all.”
Jacob smiled proudly at Betty Lou and began to reach into his pocket. “I brought something else back with me besides the book and this is just for you.”
“Oh my goodness, Jacob! Madeline’s wedding ring! Oh no, I couldn’t take that from you and your family. Save it to pass down to one of your grandchildren when the time comes.”
Jacob just stared at Betty Lou and smiled. He did not pull back his hand that held the ring out to her. He simply said, “Take it, please. I had it polished up nice so it’d be extra special for you Betty Lou. Maddie would be so glad to know her dearest friend would cherish having it.”
“Absolutely not, Jacob, I can’t take it. It’s part of your life, part of your family. I couldn’t, it wouldn’t be right.”
Jacob just smiled once again. “Why don’t you take a look at it real close like. Ain’t it so pretty and modernized now! Try it on, let’s see how nice it looks!”
“Jacob, you can’t be serious.”
“Uh huh, I am. Here, put it on.”
“Well, alright. Oh my! It fits perfectly! And it is so pretty! But I can’t take it, it just wouldn’t be right.” And as she began to take it off to give it back to him, Jacob stopped her. Before she could finish, he closed her hand in his. Betty Lou looked at him, not knowing at all what to do.
Jacob spoke then. “Betty Lou, you have always told me that I would know what to do when the time comes. And, it strikes me as quite funny, that you have no idea at this moment what to do even though the time has come.”
Jacob continued as Betty Lou just stared at him. “Miss Betty Lou Stanton, we have known each other for our entire lives. So many times you helped me through difficulties and challenges when we were young’uns and then as we grew up, you helped me through more difficult and challenging times. I always knew you were there for me even when I was miles away and trying to find my own way in this world. My life has been shaped by your kindness, love, and common sense since I met you, and it would not be the same without you still today. I will forever be grateful to you in so many ways for so many things.
“Betty Lou, you were Maddie’s best friend since the day she met you and the love and friendship you shared makes it only fitting that you have her wedding ring now that the time has come.” And with that Jacob opened his hand, took the ring from Betty Lou and smiled once again. And Betty Lou knew at last what was coming and she smiled back.
And there in the middle of that dusty road in the dusty rural Kansas town they called home, Jacob got down on one knee, held the ring out to Betty Lou, and said, “I love you Betty Lou and I want to marry you, if you’ll have me.”
Betty Lou seemed to think about it for a few minutes, looking really serious and all, and then simply replied, “Well, I suppose it would be best since you will always need a big sister around.” She was able to say it with a straight face but then she had to burst out laughing. Jacob started laughing too and picked up some dirt and made like he would throw it at her.
“Now Betty Lou, am I to take your answer for a yes or a no, hmmm?”
“Oh Jacob, of course I’ll marry you! It’s a yes!”
And after a while, with the setting afternoon sun painting the sky the happy bright colors of yellow and orange and red and purple that their rural Kansas town had always known, Jacob and Betty Lou walked slowly hand in hand back to the Strong family farm. As they walked, the dust swirled all around them, like the dust had always done. Jacob and Betty Lou smiled at each other, both of them knowing in their hearts that their love for each other would be more than enough to get them through anything the future could have in store. Even if they don’t ride horses anymore.
THE END
Note from the Author: This episode was inspired by the song Since I Met You, written and sung by Del Way. Take a listen here.
Previous Episodes. Even If They Don’t Ride Horses Anymore
Aunt Daisy & Caleb. Episode 1
July 4th, 1900. Episode 2
Keepsakes. Episode 3
A Better Way. Episode 4
Unfinished Business. Episode 5
Looking Down That Road. Episode 6
Not Looking Back Any More. Episode 7
The Wheels of Time Turn. Episode 8
The Blue Box. Episode 9
It’s Time to “Bring It.”Episode 10
Another Day Far From Home. Episode 11
Time Marches On. Episode 12
Getting Ready to Go Home Again. Episode 13
Just Like He Said He Would. Episode 14.
Thinking Better of It. Episode 15
A Dream. Episode 16
