“I don’t know what to say.”
“I understand if you don’t want us on the ranch anymore,” Louisa said. “Especially after all the trouble I caused for you.”
“No… no. I don’t think you should leave. There is the small cabin near the creek that you can clean up and live there. Might do until you can build a home on the property.”
“I appreciate that, boss.” He looked at Louisa. “I’m going to head to the barn. I promised the boys we would go fishing while the weather is still warm enough.”
The boys finished their cookies and followed Jasper out, laughing about who might catch the biggest fish.
Louisa stood and excused herself. She took Mrs. Parker’s arm and they headed out to the great room.
“Are you heading back to town?”
“I will be in a bit. I just wanted to make sure that you are doing what I told you.”
“Are you always going to tell me what to do?”
Gracie laughed. “I don’t think anyone can tell you what to do.”
“I agree. How about I tell you something?’
Gracie tilted her head.
“I love you, Gracie Pickett. I think I loved you the first time you stood up to me in the clinic. I think about you all the time and I honestly can’t imagine my life without you.”
Barrett stood and took her hands in his. “Will you marry me, my Gracie Rose? Marry me and my boys.”
Gracie wrapped her arms around his neck. “Yes! I will marry you, Barrett. I love you, too. What will the boys think?”
“I think they will be over the moon to have you as their new mother.”
“Can we get married in Maryland?” she asked.
“We can do anything you wish.”
“I just want to be in Crisfield, with my family.”
Barrett had already planned out what might happen in his mind. He was prepared to do what was necessary to make her happy. “I can sell the ranch, or Jasper can take it over.”
Gracie backed away. “What are you talking about, Barrett. Why would you sell the ranch?”
“So that we can move to Crisfield.”
“I don’t want to move to Maryland. This is my home now. You, the boys, Mrs. Parker, Jasper, Blue, Tuck, Smithy and even Louisa.”
Barrett embraced her in a hug. “You’ve made me the happiest man alive.”
“Of course, I’ll still have my practice here,” she said, peeking at him through dark lashes.
“I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
Gracie looked up at him and parted her lips. Barrett knew he had a choice to make. He held her by her arms and leaned down. Gracie turned to allow her lips to meet his, but Barrett cupped her chin and placed a kiss on her cheek. He kissed her other cheek and then her forehead before releasing her.
“What was that for?” she asked, looking at him.
“I’m saving my kisses for my wife. She’ll have her first one on her wedding day.”
Gracie gave a little cry and wrapped her arms around Barrett. “You’ve made me so happy.”
Barrett smiled. He brushed his lips against her hair. “Get yourself together, lady doc. The Wrights are headed to Maryland.”
Epilogue
November 1872, Crisfield, Maryland
Gracie looked out the window at the garden below. It was a beautiful autumn day with just a slight breeze. The kaleidoscope of leaves danced on the breeze, the colors of red, yellow and brown in a beautiful display.
“When do you head back?”
Gracie turned and looked at her mother. Carolyn was standing there with tears in her eyes.
“We leave shortly after the wedding dinner to go to Baltimore.” Barrett had secured a room at a hotel overlooking the Chesapeake Bay for two nights. “Then we’ll be home to finish packing up everything to catch the train back to Nevada next Friday.” Gracie’s parents offered to watch the boys to allow the newlyweds a few precious days alone.
“So soon? But you have only been here a month.”
“I know, but Barrett has to get home so the men can get started on the winter chores. Plus, I have patients I need to see.”
Barrett was still recovering from the injuries caused by the stampede and Gracie knew it may take years before he fully recovered. He insisted on standing at the altar. His wheelchair was off to the side just in case he needed it. He still had a pronounced limp and walked with a cane for short distances. Gracie would take that any day over not having him by her side.
Jasper stepped up and started overseeing more of the operations while Barrett recovered. He even started taking reading lessons from Daisy, so he could start handling some of the record keeping.
He and Louisa married and moved into a small guest cottage on the far side of the property. It was just until Jasper had time to build them a proper house.
“I don’t know why you don’t move home to Maryland. I’m sure you could find a job in Baltimore, or Salisbury.”
Gracie shook her head. “Ma, we’ve been through this before. My home is in Nevada now. With Barrett and the boys. I love my life out there.”
Carolyn shook her head. “I still can’t believe you have your own practice! It is like a dream come true!”
“I can hardly believe it myself.” Some days Gracie wondered if she was going to wake up and find out it was all some dream.
“And to be marrying a man like Barrett? What a blessing for his family.” When Barrett proposed and said she could have anything she desired, she said the only thing she wanted was the wedding to be in Maryland, surrounded by her family. She knew this might be the last time she would get to see them for quite a while.
The boys thought it was an adventure, traveling by coach to the train station and then across the country.
Four days on a train and Gracie was ready for them to run around and wear themselves out for a bit. “I still don’t know anything about the cattle industry, and I know he told us all about it.”
Gracie laughed. “It’s alright. He and the boys felt the same way about harvesting oysters.” Charlie had taken Barrett and the boys out to the oyster beds. They had never been on a boat before.
George and John loved the swelling of the waves and the rocking motion of the boat. Barrett and Sam didn’t enjoy it at all. Both were pea green by the time the boat pulled into the dock. They went to bed early and weren’t seen until the next day.
John and George went with the family on the boat every day for the past week. Charlie said they would make fine boat Captains when they were older.
Honestly, Gracie just thought Charlie liked having three little boys follow him around and call him Grandpa. He had taken those boys all over the marina and town; introducing them to anyone who passed by.
“It is almost time,” Carolyn said, putting her arms around Gracie. “I can’t believe you are getting married today.”
“It is rather surreal, isn’t it?”
Gracie took another glance out the window. Chairs were lined up on the lawn leading up to a wooden arbor. Barrett and the boys were standing by the arbor talking to the pastor.
Gracie heard a knock on the door and it opened. “Are you ready, honey?”
Gracie nodded her head. “Yes, Pa.”
Charlie stepped inside and stopped when he saw Gracie. “You look beautiful, Gracie Rose.”
Gracie beamed under his praise. The dress was worn by her mother, her grandmother and even a great-grandmother.
It was a cream ensemble, consisting of a fitted jacket with small buttons up the front and lace at the collar and sleeves. The skirt was a straight cream silk, that had darkened with age, so it fit perfectly with the autumn wedding. It had silver accents on the front of the skirt and gathered in the back before draping behind her.
Carolyn splurged and purchased new silk slippers decorated with silver lacework and glass beads. They matched the skirt perfectly.
The veil was floor length and secured to Gracie’s dark locks with a pearl crown. It currently framed
her face, giving her an ethereal appearance.
Charlie held his elbow out and Gracie slipped her hand under his arm. “Let’s go see your new husband and your boys.”
Carolyn followed them to the doors that led to the garden. Gracie stopped before they went outside and gave both her parents a kiss. “Thank you for everything,” she said.
Carolyn nodded, tears beginning to fall from her eyes. She wordlessly arranged Gracie’s veil, covering her face. With a quick squeeze, Carolyn headed to her seat.
The sound of a piano was heard, and Charlie led Gracie down the path toward the altar.
“You know, I can’t see through this,” Gracie whispered to her father, causing Charlie to laugh. “I just hope I don’t trip!”
“I won’t let you,” Charlie said, his voice starting to choke. “You should see the look on Barrett’s face.”
“Oh?” Gracie was worried. She knew the dress was old fashioned, brought from overseas in the 1790s. She hoped Barrett liked it.
“He looks like he’s been thunderstruck.”
Charlie led Gracie and stopped her in front of Barrett. She could only see bits and pieces through the veil. Not to mention she could barely breathe.
She felt a small tug on her hand and looked underneath the veil to see John smiling up at her. “You look awful pretty.”
“Thank you,” she whispered.
She felt a hand slip into hers on the other side. George. She would know his grip anywhere.
Where was Sam?
She felt Sam’s back press against her front as he stood facing the pastor.
She was surrounded. The boys stood next to her, like the Three Musketeers from the story she told to them when Barrett was recovering. Not one of them was ahead of his brothers.
The Pastor cleared his throat and began the ceremony to seal their lives together. When it came time to kiss the bride, Gracie felt Barrett lift her veil and drape it over her head.
“Time for your first kiss, Mrs. Wright.” He cupped her chin in his hands. “You look beautiful, Gracie Rose. I can’t believe you are mine,” he said before his lips claimed hers.
It was the sweetest kiss Gracie could ever imagine a kiss to be, and so worth waiting for. As soon as the kiss ended, applause broke out between her family and friends. Gracie and Barrett were enveloped in a hug from the three boys at once.
“Does this mean we get to call you Momma?” Sam asked.
“I would like that very much,” Gracie replied.
“I love you, Momma,” John said, giving her another hug.
“I love you, too.” Gracie tapped George on the nose. “Each one of you.” She leaned up for another kiss from Barrett. It was just as passionate as the first. She looked forward to seeing how the third, fourth and all the other kisses compared to these first two.
Her heart overflowed with so much love she thought she might burst. This was just the first of many adventures she hoped to have with her new husband and sons.
Maryland may have been her home, but Rattlesnake Ridge now held her heart. She couldn’t wait to return there and start her life with her new family. She was finally moving from Maryland.
From the Author
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Acknowledgments
Thank you, Lord Jesus for giving me the gift of writing. All the words are yours, I simply hold the pen. Father God, this daughter loves you very much. I love you.
To my husband, Dan, who was cheering me on with every word I wrote. I’m so thankful for your belief in me.
To my beautiful daughters, Rebecca, Nora & Elizabeth. Do what you love, and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.
To my author support team, my editors (Carolyn & Amy), and Beta Readers, you helped me shape this to be the best book it can be. I so appreciate you! Thank you, especially, to George Weitemeyer and Marcia Montoya. Your feedback on the book is so appreciated.
To the Pioneer Brides of Rattlesnake Ridge, thank you for a warm, loving author community. This is truly a group effort. You are remarkable, and I’m so happy to be connected with you.
Thank you to Melissa Storm and the team at Sweet Promise Press for accepting me as an author and believing enough in my work!
Sneak Peek
Read the first chapter of RIDING FROM RICHMOND, book 4 of the Pioneer Brides of Rattlesnake Ridge…
It all began with this…..
Three cowboys stood in front of the message board hung in the rear of Handley’s General Store. Their earnest faces looking interested as they studied the bits of newspaper hung by nails below a large notice that read, Messages for those wishing Matrimony.
One tall, lanky cowpoke raised his right hand and pushed the battered Stetson away from his face.“Sure is a lot of ‘em.”
His remark brought an agreement of grunts from the two friends standing on either side of him.
“What ‘cha make of it Dill?”
“Makes me wonder why they can’t find fellers at home?” He remarked scratching his chin in the process.
“There’s been a war, Dill. Fellers are in short supply. Now, Miz May said to come over here and look. There’s got to be a likely candidate for the boss. I’m tired of spending eight days a week in the saddle.”
“There ain’t eight days in a week, Lou,” Teddy spoke up. “Even I know that.”
Lou’s mouth pressed into a thin line.“Of all the times for you to develop brains,” he grumbled.
“How come the boss can’t find a girl around here?”
Lou’s eyes narrowed. “You boys looked around lately? How many unavailable women you see pining for the boss to come courtin’?”
The other two men hung their heads.
“Yeah, I thought so. Besides, it can’t be hard. It’s just females.” Lou’s focus went back to the board. “Here look at this one.” He pointed to the board.
Teddy narrowed his eyes and stepped close.“Lady wishes to marry. No children. No pets. Must be a fine upstanding member of society.”He blinked. “I don’t think this is a good choice. Seth likes his dog.”
“Me either,” Lou agreed.
“Here’s one,” Dill piped up.
“Shh, keep your voice down. We don’t need Handley’s wife poking her nose in our business.”
Dill pointed to the newspaper clipping.“Husband needed. Respectable woman seeks male. Can cook and clean prefers a close proximity to town.” He turned to look at Lou. “Is this proximity a disease?”
“Naw, means she wants to live near town. The boss lives around ten miles away.”
“So, that’d be a no.”
“That’d be a no.” Lou nodded.
“Look at this,” Teddy remarked. “Nineteen-year-old refined lady from Virginia wishes to make the acquaintance of a genteel man of sweet disposition and means, with the ultimate goal of making a home in the western paradise of Rattlesnake Ridge. She is five foot and not afraid of hard work. Prefers a man of good moral faith but will accept any Christian Religion. Will correspond before deciding if the move is beneficial to both. If interested, please write in care of Miss McBride at P.O. Box 503 North Broad Street, Richmond Virginia.”
“She wants a lot,” Dill pointed out.
“I think she just might do.” Lou smiled. “She’s young enough. Wants to work hard. The boss will be plum happy to have her.”
“What are you three up to?”
The tart voice made them jump.
Cautiously, Dill turned his head.
The round, face of Handley’s wife confronted them.
“How do, Mrs. H-Handley,” Dill managed to stammer out. “Nice day.”
“Nice day,” she mimicked. Her eyes narrowed as each of the boys turned. “What are you three up to?”
Lou pulled the newsprint from the board and slipped it into his pocket.“We thought we’d check out
Winthrop’s ads. Teddy here was thinking of getting a wife.”
“Me?”The sheer terror in the young man’s voice could not be hidden.
Lou sent an elbow into his ribs.“Oh, yeah.” He gave a grin. “Yes, ma’am. MizMay sent us over here to check the responses, said it would do us good to find a nice wife.” He lifted his hand and jerked it back toward the board.
The woman’s eyes continued to glare as she lifted her hand and placed a fist on her hip. “And who would ever give you a second glance?”
Lou clapped his hands over the other cowboy’s ears.
Teddy blinked.
“Aw, Mrs. Handley, a boy can dream. You wouldn’t want to rain on young Teddy’s desire to be a family man, now would you?” Lou smiled.
The woman crossed her arms and took a moment to think.
“I suppose not.”
Lou took his hands down and Teddy put a finger to his ears to make sure he could still hear.
“Come on, let’s get back to work.”
“Yes, you do that.”
The three made their way outside and to their mounts.
“Now what we gonna do?” Dill grumbled.
“Not to worry.” Lou grinned.Lifting a hand, he patted his shirt pocket. “I got it all taken care of. Now, all we have to persuade Miss McBride to pack up and come west. If we’re lucky, the boss will be besotted before we know it and ready to walk down that petal path. And us…” He slapped Dill on the shoulder. “We’ll have two days a week all to ourselves.”
“And how do you suppose we do that?” Dill asked.
“Well, we get us a smooth talker that knows what ladies like.”
“Whose that gonna be?” Teddy piped up. “The only thing we talk to is cattle.”
“Max. Max owes us one.” Lou nodded. “Besides, Max has book learning. He’ll know just what to say.”
Moving from Maryland Page 15
