“I know, Hannah, you have every reason to be angry. I could even understand if you hate me. But I’m really hoping you’ll try to find it in your heart to forgive me. Or at least give me a chance.”
Hannah’s heart fluttered over his words but she didn’t want to roll over too easily. She kept a bite in her tone as she answered. “Well of course, I’ll give you a chance. You’re my husband and this is your house.”
“For the last time, Hannah, it’s our house,” Ransom answered, frustration clear in his tone.
She couldn’t help it. Hannah laughed. “You’re right. Actually, at this point you might even be able to say it’s my house. I’ve placed my mark of inexperience on nearly every corner of it. I’m most pleased to see that the floors don’t show any damage from my first attempts at laundry. You did a wonderful job of building this place, Ransom. Even I couldn’t destroy it.”
Ransom stepped toward her, catching one of her wildly gesturing hands. It was engulfed by his large one. It made her feel dainty. And safe. She felt the prickle of tears at the back of her eyes and blinked quickly to dispel the sensation. She wasn’t sure if it was anger, comfort, attraction, or joy causing the tumult inside. Probably all of those and then some.
“Are you planning to stay for a while?” she asked, hating the smallness of her voice.
His hand tightened on hers. “Like I said before. I’m home now. I never felt at home here before. I never felt at home anywhere. Or maybe I considered wherever I was to be home. But the longer I stayed away from the four of you, the more I felt that here with you was where I needed to be. I swear to you, I’ll never leave you again. Not like that. I can’t guarantee I won’t have to go back to Oregon in the spring, but I promise I’ll either take you with me or stay there only a few days if you can’t come.”
Hannah’s eyes misted despite her efforts. It was exactly what she wanted him to say. But he didn’t seem to be finished.
“I know I can’t expect you to accept me fully yet. You’ll probably need to get to know me a little bit more. I’m not nearly as good a letter writer as you are,” he excused, seeming bashful.
“What do you mean? I so appreciated getting your letters. There were times that I thought I was wearing a rut in the road between here and the post office.”
Ransom grinned. “Me, too. I kept warring with myself that I could get more work done if I stayed on my claim instead of always running to fetch your letters.”
Hannah felt heat flood her cheeks. “Did I send too many?”
“No, of course not, I would have loved to receive even more,” he assured her. “I’ve never been lonely before I left my wife behind after only one day’s acquaintance. I lived for your letters. I read them over and over until they were nearly falling apart. It felt as though you were there with me in that rough cabin telling me of your trials and triumphs. It made me feel like I know you.”
His voice had dropped lower as he spoke and his face became increasingly serious as he gazed straight into her eyes. Hannah’s heart felt as though it were going to beat right out of her chest. She blinked furiously so her tears wouldn’t hide him from her view. She couldn’t speak in that moment. He continued.
“Those letters made me love you. Hannah, I know it might all be too sudden for you, but do you think you could find it in yourself to give me a chance?”
With a whoop of joy, Hannah pulled her hand out of his grasp and threw herself into his arms.
“You’re so much better in my arms when you aren’t soaking my shirtfront,” he teased. “I know you’re afraid of what your uncle might do, but you’re married now. You have me. I’m not going to leave you to fend for yourself ever again. Let’s make this a real marriage, Hannah. I’ll keep you and the children safe for as long as there’s breath in my body.”
Hannah’s grin felt wobbly but she offered it to him anyway. “I love you, too, Ransom. I fell in love with your words but I’d ever so much rather have you in person.”
Ransom returned her smile as he lowered his head to seal her lips with his.
Hannah’s smile was stolen from her along with her breath as he angled her head more comfortably. She had thought it was too soon, that she shouldn’t give him her heart, but she realized that it was actually far too late. He had come home in the nick of time and everything was going to be perfectly all right.
If you enjoyed A Bride for Ransom, you’ll also like:
A Bride for Carter
They didn’t meet until after the wedding day.
Carter McLain has finally accomplished the success he was striving for when he moved to the frontier a decade ago. All that’s missing is a wife to share it with. Having no desire to leave his land, he requests a friend back home to arrange a proxy marriage for him. When his bride seems too good to be true, Carter wonders if he did the right thing.
The highly publicized deaths of Ella St. Clair’s parents cause her to lose everything. Left destitute, alone, and friendless, she grudgingly accepts the offer of marriage by proxy to a man she has never met. The long trip West leaves her plenty of time for second thoughts.
What does the future hold for these legally bound strangers?
Can they get past their secrets to find happiness?
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About the Author
I’ve been writing pretty much since I learned to read when I was five years old. Of course, those early efforts were basically only something a mother could love ☺ I put writing aside after I left school and stuck with reading. I am an avid reader. I love words. I will read anything, even the cereal box, signs, posters, etc. But my true love is novels.
Almost ten years ago my husband dared me to write a book instead of always reading them. I didn’t think I’d be able to do it, but to my surprise I love writing. Those early efforts eventually became my first published book – Tempting the Earl (published by Avalon Books in 2010). There were some ups and downs in my publishing efforts. My first publisher was sold and I became an “orphan” author, back to the drawing board of trying to find a publishing house. It has been a thrilling adventure as I learned to navigate the world of publishing.
I believe firmly that everyone deserves a happily ever after. I want my readers to be able to escape from the everyday for a little while and feel upbeat and refreshed when they get to the end of my books.
When not reading or writing, I can be found traipsing around my neighborhood admiring the dogs and greenery or travelling the world with my favorite companion.
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