Daniel came up behind her and wrapped his arms around this little older woman. “You know, Rosie, we’re all family now. Don’t be sad at the memories here. They made you the strong woman that you are. Look upon this land as the beginning of your life. You taught me so much, and you gave me unconditional love, respect, and your trust. We had some fond memories here, Rosie. Both of our new lives started on this farm. If it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t have pursued finding Katherine. If it wasn’t for me, you’d have never met my father. We were brought together for a reason. Our new beginnings happened here. So smile upon this day and hang onto the memories that started it all.”
“Thank you, Daniel. Your words just removed a truckload of pain. And you’re right. It’s time for new memories. I can’t run from my past, but I can enjoy the walk to my future with your father, you, and Katherine. Just imagine, I always wanted children, and now I have a son and a daughter. You mean the world to me, Daniel, you always will.”
Chapter 18
The ceremony was simple and intimate. Katherine had worn a beautiful white dress that Rosie made. It was layered in lace and flowed so elegantly in the soft breeze. She smiled at her new family as she was escorted through the field by her uncle. Daniel was unable to take his eyes off of his perfect bride. The flowers and their fresh scent surrounded them, the sun warmed their faces. When he was told he could kiss his bride, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled his beautiful wife toward him. The memories of their first kiss, in this same meadow, didn’t escape either one of them. There wasn’t a dry eye amongst them. It was the proudest day of Francesco’s life.
Katherine had always dreamed of going to Hawaii, so Daniel booked them in a beautiful suite that had their own terrace and a perfect view of the ocean.
“Sweetheart,” began Daniel as they walked along the beach at sunset, “I feel like I should thank you every single day of my life.”
“Daniel, I should do the same. I’m so in love with you.”
“I love you, Mrs. Katherine Giordano. Thank you for loving me, for marrying me, for being the piece that I’d been missing.”
Daniel removed her ring and asked her to marry him again.
She smiled and said “Yes!”
“Now, let’s go see about taking off that sexy white bikini.”
“Since you brought it up…” Katherine smiled seductively and led Daniel towards their room.
Katherine had worked hard on designing Rosie's wedding gown. The two women kept themselves locked up in the craft room while they worked, and the men weren't allowed inside. Katherine's dress had to be altered twice due to her growing belly.
Francesco and Rosie were married in the mansion. Her gown, made of cream-colored satin with matching lace, fit her perfectly. When Francesco saw her walking slowly down the stairs to become his wife, a big lump rose in his throat.
They honeymooned in the Virgin Islands. Rosie didn't have any concerns about being away from the horses. Daniel and Katherine had become quite proficient at caring for them.
The groundbreaking ceremony took place at the end of May. Rosie was the one whose face was in the paper, along with Andy, who plunged the shovel in the ground where Rosie's house once stood. She was happy that Francesco had followed her desire to have it destroyed. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't rid herself of the bad memories that the house reminded her of.
Most of the town had shown up at the farm; it was a much anticipated event. The huge celebration was attended by many people, including news crews.
Francesco and Andy had hired all the local men and women that they could, then reached out to the surrounding counties. Francesco was happy that more and more businesses were reaching out to the small community. Some companies donated machinery, money, and supplies.
Katherine and Rosie met with some of the local women who had voiced concerns regarding daycare. Affordable facilities to watch their children weren't in abundance, let alone close by. After bringing these concerns to Francesco, he decided that a temporary daycare would be put up to assist the families, so the workers wouldn't have that added expense and worry. The women would take turns running the facility, and Francesco had hired two childcare professionals to help organize it.
At one of the public meetings, Rosie ran into an old friend named Emma Shelding. She used to run the local restaurant in town called The Happy Rooster. People couldn’t afford to eat out much, so slowly but surely, Emma had to close her doors. Rosie learned that Emma had wanted to open up a bakery. As quickly as she could, Rosie informed Francesco, who met with Emma that same day.
The following week, Emma and Francesco sat down with the builder to help design the kitchen. Emma was even asked to name the bakery herself. She wanted to call it "Sweet Prairie."
"Emma, that's a perfect name! But you better learn how to make a good cannoli.” Francesco laughed and tried to make some jokes when he saw Emma’s eyes water.
Three years later, most of the new businesses were open, some new ones were being planned, and the morale in the small town had lifted. Rosie smiled as the sign was hung that bared her name, where the restaurant would be built.
Andy was in his glory with his new bar. His new love, Maryann, a petite blonde from Kentucky, was just as taken with Andy.
The large barn that was erected attracted lots of visitors who attended the craft shows that were held once a month, as well as barn dances and livestock auctions. Some people even rented the barn for private functions. Things got so busy that Andy had to hire someone just to plan and handle the barn events.
Francesco had one of the empty buildings converted into a pharmacy so people wouldn’t have to travel so far if they were sick. With the governor’s encouragement, a family physician contacted Francesco about opening up a practice. The other empty building was quickly put on the top of the list.
The farms were filling up with more livestock, and people had renewed pride in Prairie. Several people who held jobs in the small, but prosperous town moved into the apartments.
Beatrice agreed to fix up her block of apartments and convert the building into an economy motel. Francesco helped with some of the cost. People traveled good distances to attend many of the functions in the new barn, and some of the workers traveled from neighboring areas for building projects. Beatrice was making a steady income and was even thinking about putting in a pool.
Daniel helped Katherine out of the limo, then took a hold of their two year old’s hand. Little Frankie looked so much like his father did when he was a toddler. He instantly became excited when he saw his grandparents and ran to them with outstretched arms.