“She’s ahead in the Stokes Poll,” said Ortega.
The barn filled with cheers, so loud the rafters shook a bit. The four corners of the room were filled with people from Ginger’s campaign, supporters from town, and of course, their family at the Purple Heart Ranch.
Every man, woman, child, and dog had gone to work over the last couple of months for Ginger’s campaign. They’d knocked on doors. They’d manned the phones. They’d shouted from the rooftops. And their voices weren’t alone.
Ginger’s support in the neighboring towns of the district had also risen. So too had Chase’s invitations to come and speak at schools and churches and recreational centers about recruitment into the Armed Forces.
It just went to prove that all it took was sincerity, an open mind, and a good heart to get people to listen and have your back.
“Oh, oh, oh,” shouted Ortega. “Channel Two is calling it for Dumasse.”
The room went insane with applause and whoops. Chase ignored them all as he made his way through the bodies in search of one person in particular.
“Looks like I’m going to win this bet, too,” Maggie Banks was saying to Ginger.
Chase had found the two women in the corner of the room. Ginger was surrounded by the brides of Purple Heart Ranch. Even though they hadn’t said their I do’s just yet, she had been inducted into this ever-growing sisterhood. Just as Chase had been drafted into the brotherhood of the males that had started this whole operation.
Surrounding the women in a loose formation were the men of his team. Reece and Brandon sipped from beer bottles as they both gazed at their wives. Dylan and Fran were on the floor, rolling around with the kids and the dogs.
The soldiers and the brides made way for Chase as he marched to Ginger. He swept her in his arms and stole a kiss. As there had been for the last few months of their courtship, there were catcalls and ahhhs behind them.
Chase didn’t bother turning around to see who was making the ruckus. He knew that his little community here had his back. They were his family as much as the woman in his arms was.
“Nervous?” Chase asked Ginger.
“About what?”
“Looks like you’re about to win a state senate seat. That’s going to be a lot of responsibility.”
Ginger shrugged, her blue eyes bright and filled with love as she gazed up at him. “I have all the support I need right here.”
“And the winner is …”
Neither of them looked to the television screen as the race was called. Chase pulled Ginger’s body into a tighter embrace. As the community cheered around them, Chase and Ginger leaned into each other and shared a kiss that promised commitment and compromise for the rest of their days.
Get ready for more stories from the Purple Heart Ranch. Be sure and check out
Light Up His Life
the tenth book in The Brides of Purple Heart Ranch series!
Also by Shanae Johnson
Shanae Johnson was raised by Saturday Morning cartoons and After School Specials. She still doesn’t understand why there isn’t a life lesson that ties the issues of the day together just before bedtime. While she’s still waiting for the meaning of it all, she writes stories to try and figure it all out. Her books are wholesome and sweet, but her are heroes are hot and heroines are full of sass!
And by the way, the E elongates the A. So it’s pronounced Shan-aaaaaaaa. Perfect for a hero to call out across the moors, or up to a balcony, or to blare outside her window on a boombox. If you hear him calling her name, please send him her way!
Also By Shanae Johnson
* * *
The Brides of Purple Heart
On His Bended Knee
Hand Over His Heart
Offering His Arm
His Permanent Scar
Having His Back
In Over His Head
Always On His Mind
Every Step He Takes
In His Good Hands
Light Up His Life
* * *
You can sign up for Shanae’s Reader Group at
http://bit.ly/ShanaeJohnsonReaders
In His Good Hands Page 10
