Bert grabbed the curry brush from Dalton. “I’ll take care of the horses while you go on in the house. I reckon both of you are plenty tuckered out.”
Rebecca kissed the man’s cheek. “Thank you, Bert. I’m tired but so happy to have my husband home safe and to be rid of the threat of robbers here every day.”
Dalton looked at Bert. “So eager to be rid of them she invited Two Bits to come work here when he gets out of prison.”
Bert’s sharp tone surprised her, “The devil you say. I can’t see asking any one of those three to come back here.”
Rebecca had started for the house but she turned back to look at Bert. “Didn’t you hear the part where he kept George from knifing Dalton and saved both our lives by shooting George? I’d say he deserves a second chance.”
Bert nodded. “I reckon we have to take that into account. I admit I’m not sorry to know George is shot and captured.”
Dalton chuckled. “I was only yanking your chain, honey. I agree he took care of us. I’d noticed he was working harder, too, the last part of their stay. What surprised me was when you told Rob you’d send money to his wife.”
She waited for Dalton to catch up with her. “Do you mind? I’ll use part of my inheritance. I couldn’t enjoy our nice home knowing I have all that money in the bank while those two little girls were suffering and their mother was struggling.”
He pulled her into his embrace. “I don’t mind. In fact, I was impressed you thought of it. You’re a kind person, Rebecca Sterling, and I’m proud of you.”
His praise sent warmth rushing through her body. She wanted so much for him to be glad he’d married her. “Thank you, Dalton. That means a lot to me. Since Bert is taking care of our horses, I’ll make us supper.”
Bert called, “Already on the stove. Beans and cornbread. Ain’t a fine meal like yours would be but it’s ready and will fill our bellies.”
“Sounds wonderful, Bert. First I have to treat Dalton’s shoulder wound.”
Rebecca headed for the house. She was happy to learn she wouldn’t have to cook but would be able to eat and fall into bed. Unused to riding so long, every part of her body protested, especially the insides of her thighs.
Plus, the emotional day had drained every ounce of her energy. She may have almost been shot but she still wasn’t sorry she’d ridden with the posse to find her husband. She paused in the doorway. Heavens, the aroma of beans had never smelled so good.
When Dalton followed her inside, she pointed at the chair. “Get your shirt off, Dalton, and let me see how badly you’re hurt.”
He unbuttoned his shirt but frowned. “You know how to do this?”
“No, but I might as well learn all I can as I go.”
After scrubbing her hands, she set the medicine kit on the table. Water was already heating so she poured hot water into the pan. She laid out the things she thought she’d need to dig out a bullet. With any luck, Bert would know what to do.
When he came in, she was ready for him. “Bert, I need instructions on how to do this so he doesn’t get an infection. I can tell he’s going to be a constant trial of my nursing skills”
“Hey, I didn’t get wounded on purpose.”
Bert chuckled. “She’s right. Your hand hadn’t even healed up proper and now you’ve been shot.”
He fetched a box of black powder. “Mix some of this with flour and tamp it into the wound after you dig out the bullet. Acts to stop the bleeding.”
She couldn’t hide her shock. “Isn’t that gunpowder?”
He grinned. “It is, but don’t worry. He won’t explode.”
Dalton frowned. “I’m glad you think this is funny. From where I’m sitting it’s not that humorous.”
“I ain’t laughing, am I?” Bert picked up a bottle from the table. “I see you have the whiskey.”
She nodded as she peeled away her husband’s undershirt from his body. “I put it with the medicine kit since you said that’s what it was for. Now, Dalton, you need to bite on this piece of cloth. I’m so sorry but I’ll have to dig.”
He took the folded cloth and put it between his teeth.
She went to work. “Thank goodness I spot the lead if I can get hold of it. Either of you have any advice?”
Bert sorted through the medicine box. “Supposed to be a pair of long tweezers in here.” He found them.
She instructed, “Soap them and hold them under the pump then drop them in that hot water. Make sure they’re really clean.”
Bert did and handed the warm tweezers to her.
As gently as possible, she probed the wound but she saw the pain on his face. “I’m so sorry, Dalton. I know this hurts, but I’m being as kind as I can be.”
Rebecca thought she might pass out from fear of hurting her husband. She felt the metal but couldn’t get purchase on it.
Bert touched her shoulder. “Take a deep breath and just do it.”
She inhaled and tried again. “This time I have it.”
She dropped the lead onto the table. Then, she wiped the wound with a clean, wet cloth before tamping in the flour and gunpowder mixture. “Now, Bert, do I put ointment on top of that before I bandage the wound?”
“Yes. I’ll get rid of this bloody water and the bullet while you finish the bandage.”
Dalton removed the folded cloth. “You did fine, honey.” In spite of his kind words, his expression was drawn and his face pale.
When he was bandaged and the medicine kit put away, Rebecca plopped onto a chair. “I need a minute before I put supper on the table.”
Bert rinsed the pan under the pump. “You both sit there. I’ll dish up our food.”
Bert had added a ham bone to the beans and little pieces of meat had cooked off the bone. He’d made cornbread and had coffee ready.
Rebecca practically inhaled her food. “This is so good.
Dalton started to stretch then winced. “Have to go into town tomorrow and give our story to the sheriff.” He took a sip of his coffee. “Maybe you’d like to go with us, Bert. We can take the wagon.”
Bert rubbed his jaw. “I believe I will. Haven’t been to town in a couple of months.”
After they’d eaten their fill, Bert shooed them away. “You two go on to bed. You can tell me more in detail tomorrow after you’ve rested.”
Dalton took her by the hand as they climbed the stairs. “I’m sure this day’s been a week long but we survived and captured the criminals. Wells Fargo pays a percentage of the money recovered. That’s a lot, honey.”
“I don’t care if it’s nothing as long as you’re safe.”
“As mad as I am you rode with the posse, I’m also proud of you. But, you would have been killed if not for Two Bits. You can’t know the sick dread that went through me when George spotted you.”
She closed their bedroom door behind them. “I certainly can know the sick dread you felt because that’s how I felt when you went after them.”
He toed off his boots and shucked out of his trousers. “I tried to aim at him but my arm was so numb I had trouble raising my rifle. I was about to fire but so was he. Two Bits saved you.”
She took off her dress. “He saved you, too. Even though George didn’t slit your throat, you have a bad lump on your hard head. You could have bleeding on the brain, have gone blind, suffered all kinds of complications but you rode anyway. I swear you’re staying in bed until noon tomorrow.”
He climbed into bed and sent her a wicked grin. “Sounds good if you’ll stay here with me.”
She removed her boots and pants. “Dalton Sterling, this is serious. You could still have delayed symptoms from the concussion and your gunshot. If it weren’t for the fact the doctor is in town, I’d have told the sheriff he could come here if he wanted to talk to you.”
“I’ll be fine as long as I have you. When I was chasing those three, I wished I’d told you how much you mean to me. I was afraid I’d die and you wouldn’t know how much I love you.”
She crawl
ed in bed beside him. “Oh, Dalton, I love you so. I never expected to feel this way from a proxy marriage. No one on earth could be as right for me as you are.”
“Then we’ll be happy, honey. I’ll be eternally grateful to Uncle Fred for sending me the perfect wife as he said in his wire.”
“When you say such sweet things, it’s no wonder I love you.”
Epilogue
Fifteen months later…
Dalton paced the floor. “Aren’t you two ready yet? We’ll be late.”
Rebecca anchored her hat with a lethal looking pin. “We will not be late. Calm down.”
“I want to be there before the church fills. There’ll be a big crowd today for our baby’s christening. We want a good seat.”
Bert carried the new hat Rebecca had bought him last Christmas. “Dalton, we have time to get there. I loaded the picnic food in the buggy.”
Dalton rubbed the back of his neck. “I know I’m being a pain but I can’t help myself. I thought having Uncle Fred move here made our family complete. Now, with our first child, we’re establishing the first of our line. Who knows how big our family will grow?”
“You have big plans, dear.” Rebecca turned toward the door. “Sounds as if the cowboys are ready, too.”
Clyde and the other ranch hand, Hap Ferrell, entered the house.
Dalton nodded toward them. “Glad you’re going with us to church. Uncle Fred will appreciate it, too.”
Clyde held his hat in his hands in front of him. “I sure have a lot to be thankful for. You folks put in such a good word for me and guaranteeing me a job is what saved me. I ain’t likely to forget it neither.”
Hap ran a hand over his brown beard. “I don’t reckon church will hurt any of us. We tied our horses behind the buggy. You sure there’s room in the buggy for us to sit with you?”
Dalton nodded. “There is if you don’t mind listening to the baby if he gets cranky.”
Clyde grinned. “He’ll like riding in the buggy. Bet it puts him to sleep.”
Rebecca picked up two-month old Dalton Frederick Albert Sterling. “Come on, Rick. We’re going on your first outing.”
Dalton peered into his son’s face. “He doesn’t look impressed for all that he is looking around. I suppose I get to carry his supplies.”
“That’s right, Papa. Let’s go to town, shall we?”
The others headed to the buggy. Dalton touched his wife’s arm to slow her. “I never thought I’d be this happy. You’ve made me the happiest man alive.”
“That’s only fair because no woman on earth could be happier than I am. I’ll love you to the end of time.”
“Barely long enough, honey.”
I hope you have enjoyed this book in the series, The Proxy Brides. New books will be released every other week through 2019.
If you enjoyed this story, I would appreciate it if you would leave a review, as it helps me reach new readers and continue to write stories that appeal to you.
Have you missed any of the Proxy Brides?
2018
1 – A Bride for Jeremiah by Christine Sterling, September 18
2.– A Bride for Clay by Marianne Spitzer, September 30
3 – A Bride for Nathan by Barbara Goss, October 18
4 – A Bride for Abel by Cyndi Raye, October 30
5 – A Bride for Finn by Linda Ellen, November 15
6 – A Bride for Carter by Wendy May Andrews, November 27
7 – A Bride for Sterling by Parker J. Cole, December 15
8 – A Bride for Henry by P. Creeden, December 31
2019
9-A Bride for Elijah by Christine Sterling-January 17
10-A Bride for Travis by Barbara Goss-January 31
11-A Bride for Sam by Linda Ellen-Feb 14
12- A Bride for Valentin by Parker J. Cole-Mar 22
13-A Bride for Calvin by Cyndi Raye-Apr 4
14-A Bride for Ransom by Wendy May Andrews-Apr 11
15- A Bride for James by P. Creeden-April 18
16 – A Bride for Gideon by Caroline Clemmons - May 9
17 – A Bride for Darrell, by Marisa Masterson, May 23
18 – A Bride for Logan by Barbara Goss, June 6
19 – A Bride for Tobias by Linda Ellen, June 20
20 – A Bride for William by Christine Sterling, July 4
21 – A Bride for Wen Hui by Parker J. Cole, July 18
22 – A Bride for Alastair by Wendy May Andrews, August 1
23 – A Bride for Harper by P. Creeden, August 15
24 – A Bride for Mason by Marianne Spitzer, August 29
25 – A Bride for Dalton by Caroline Clemmons, September 12
26 – A Bride for Tobias by Linda Ellen, September 26
27 – A Bride for A Bride for Arthur by Cyndi Raye, October 10
28 – A Bride for Jag by Mimi Milan, October 24
29 – A Bride for Walter by G. Brown, November 7
30 – A Bride for Jack by Susan Horsnell, November 21
31 – A Bride for Daniel by Ginny Sterling, December 5
32 – A Bride for Winter by Jo Grafford, December 18
More to come in 2020!
To keep up with new releases, chats, and parties, join the Proxy Brides Facebook Readers Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/247297295974312/?epa=SEARCH_BOX
Dear Reader,
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Read Caroline’s western historical titles:
Pearson Grove (Sweet)
Mail-Order Moriah, book 1
Amanda’s Awakening, book 2
Blessing, book 2, Widows of Wildcat Ridge, sweet
Garnet, book 9, Widows of Wildcat Ridge, sweet
A Bride for Gideon, book 16, Proxy Bride series, sweet
Mistletoe Mistake, sweet Christmas story set in Montana
Loving A Rancher Series (sweet)
Amanda’s Rancher, No. 1
The Rancher and the Shepherdess, No. 2
Murdoch’s Bride, No. 3
Bride’s Adventure, No. 4
Snare His Heart, No. 5
Capture Her Heart, No. 6
Loving A Rancher, No. 7
Bride Brigade Series: sweet, set in Texas
Josephine, Bride Brigade book 1
Angeline, Bride Brigade book 2
Cassandra, Bride Brigade book 3
Ophelia, Bride Brigade book 4
Rachel, Bride Brigade book 5
Lorraine, Bride Brigade book 6
Prudence, Bride Brigade book 7
The Surprise Brides: Jamie, sensual, released with three other of The Surprise Brides books which are: Gideon by Cynthia Woolf, Caleb by Callie Hutton, and Ethan by Sylvia McDaniel.
Patience, Bride of Washington, American Mail-Order Brides Series #42, sweet
Save Your Heart For Me, a mild romance adventure novella
Long Way Home, a sweet-ish Civil War adventure romance set in Georgia
The Kincaid Series: Sensual, set in Texas
The Most Unsuitable Wife, Kincaids book one
T
he Most Unsuitable Husband, Kincaids book two
The Most Unsuitable Courtship, Kincaids book three
Gabe Kincaid, Kincaids book four
Monk’s Bride, Kincaids sweet novella, five
Stone Mountain (Texas) Series:
Brazos Bride, Men of Stone Mountain Texas book one, sensual
Buy the Audiobook here
High Stakes Bride, Men of Stone Mountain Texas book two, sensual
Buy the Audiobook here
Bluebonnet Bride, Men of Stone Mountain Texas book three, sensual
Tabitha’s Journey, Stone Mountain TX mail-order bride novella, sweet
Stone Mountain Reunion, a Stone Mountain Texas short story, sweet
Stone Mountain Christmas, a Stone Mountain Texas Christmas novella, sweet
Winter Bride, a Stone Mountain Texas romance, sweet
McClintocks: set in Texas
The Texan’s Irish Bride, McClintocks book one, sensual
O’Neill’s Texas Bride, McClintocks book two, sweet
McClintock’s Reluctant Bride, McClintocks book three
Daniel McClintock, McClintocks book four, sweet
Caroline’s Texas Time Travels
Out Of The Blue, 1845 Irish lass comes forward to today Texas, sensual
Texas Lightning, sweet, 1896 woman rancher comes forward to today
Texas Rainbow, sweet, 1920s flapper comes forward to today
Texas Storm, sweet, WWII WASP comes forward to today
Contemporary Western Hearts Facebook Group
If you prefer contemporary western romance, you’ll enjoy interacting with kindred souls and authors by becoming a member of Contemporary Western Hearts Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/contemporarywesternhearts/
Caroline’s Contemporary Titles
Angel For Christmas, sweet Christmas tale of second chances, sweet
Texas Caprock Tales:
Be My Guest, mildly sensual with mystery, sensual
Grant Me The Moon, sweet with mystery,
A Bride For Dalton Page 11
