A Heart's Gift

by Lena Nelson Dooley

  "Well, I figure a woman who'd answer them ads in the newspaper must be purty needy, maybe even desperate to get out of a particular bad situation." He gave a vigorous nod that riffled his snowy hair. "Made me a fortune when I sold my mine. More money than any man can spend in his lifetime. What good is a fortune to an old-timer like me? Won't never have a family of my own. Maybe I'll git me a woman with children. She can take care a me, and my money can take care a her." Another nod punctuated his last statement. "And her young'uns, if she has any."

  How could Jeremiah deny his mentor's request? Philip never asked for much. If he didn't do this, the stubborn old man would look for help from someone else. A lesser friend might have a wagging tongue and spread the story all around Golden. Philip didn't need people gossiping about him sending for a bride. And other miners might try to nab her for themselves when she arrived. If Jeremiah had his way, it would be fine with him if they did, but his friend would be too disappointed. He didn't want to break Philip's heart, just talk him out of making this mistake.

  "Jerry, ya ain't mad 'cause I'm plannin' to give my money to someone else, are ya?"

  The words stabbed Jeremiah's heart. How could Philip believe that about him? "I don't need your money. I have more than enough of my own, thanks to selling my own mine and starting the ranch like you told me to."

  The hoary head nodded. "That's what I figured."

  "Where you going to send the ad?" Jeremiah couldn't believe he was considering being a part of this crazy scheme. But what else could he do?

  Philip limped toward the sturdy pine dining table where a stack of newspapers was piled haphazardly beside blank paper, an inkwell, and a pen. "I read all these, and I think I'll send it to the Boston Globe." He picked up the top newspaper and shoved the rumpled pages toward Jeremiah.

  Taking the newsprint, Jeremiah glanced at the headlines on the front page. An unusually hard winter had left many people out in the cold. "Why Boston?"

  "Don't want jist anybody. Wanna help a lady in distress." Philip folded his scrawny arms across his bony chest. "Figure most a the women in Boston are ladies. My aunt Charlotte come from Boston, and she was a lady." He stopped and cleared his throat, then wheezed out a slow breath. "You do the writin', 'cause mine looks like hen scratchin'."

  Judging from the stubborn tilt to the older man's chin, Jeremiah knew Philip's mind was made up. He dropped the newspaper back on the stack and pulled out the chair beside the stationery. "What do you want to say?"

  He picked up the pen with the golden nib—another of the things the old miner had bought after he'd sold the mine. It had never been dipped into the inkwell until now.

  Philip leaned both hands on the table, puffed out his chest, and wrinkled his forehead in concentration. "How about, Wanted, a… No. Makes it sound like she's an outlaw, or somethin'. Do it this way. A Christian man in Golden, New Mexico, is seekin' …" He waited for Jeremiah to finish writing the phrase. "Sound all right so far?"

  Wanting to laugh, Jeremiah kept his eyes trained on the words before him. Philip was so serious. "What are you seeking?"

  The old miner scratched his head. "I want a lady. Done already told ya that."

  "Maybe we could say, a Christian lady. That should cover it."

  Jeremiah dipped the pen in the inkwell. When he held it poised over the paper, waiting for Philip to agree with his suggestion, a small drop fell and quickly spread into an unsightly blob. "I've messed up this sheet. Do you have a pencil? I could use it while we figure out the wording. Then I'll copy it in ink."

  Philip made his way to the sideboard against the back wall of the large open room and pulled out a drawer. He shuffled through the contents before holding up the stub of a pencil. "Here's the onliest one I got."

  "It'll do." Jeremiah reached for the pencil and continued, "A Christian man in Golden, New Mexico, seeks a Christian lady…where do we go now?"

  Once again, Philip was deep in thought. "…who needs a chance at a new life."

  Jeremiah nodded and added the words. "I like it. Do you want to say anything else, or should I just put your name and address?"

  "That's enough, but put General Delivery as my address." A smile crept across the older man's face, bringing a twinkle to his rheumy eyes.

  He returned to his rocking chair while Jeremiah copied the words with ink, folded the message, inserted the paper in an envelope, and wrote the address for the Boston Globe on the front.

  "I suppose you want me to take this to the post office." He knew Philip didn't get out much in the chilly spring air of the Ortiz Mountains, because it aggravated his breathing problem.

  "If ya don't mind." Philip reached into the watch pocket of his trousers and pulled out a coin. "Here's the money."

  "I don't need your money." Jeremiah headed toward the front door. "I just hope you aren't making a mistake."

  Philip cleared his throat. "Jerry?" Huskiness colored his tone. "I'm thankful fer all ya do to help me." He paused until Jeremiah gave him a nod. "I've talked to the good Lord about this. I'm sure He agrees with what I'm doin'."

  What could Jeremiah say to that? Nothing. He couldn't explain why, but when Philip Smith talked to his Lord, things happened. Jeremiah pushed his hair back before donning his Stetson and exiting through the front door, being careful it latched behind him. He didn't want Philip to have to get up and close it again if it should blow open after he was gone. Let him rest in his rocking chair. After all his long years of mining, he'd earned it.

  Marching down the cobblestone street toward the post office, Jeremiah hoped he wouldn't meet anyone who wanted to talk. The sooner he got this letter mailed, the sooner he could wash his hands of the whole situation. Maybe no one would answer the ad. Or maybe he could just tear the whole thing up and not tell Philip he didn't mail it.

  If he wasn't honorable, he could get away with that. But he couldn't lie to the man who meant more to him than anyone in the world. Wouldn't be right. He'd make sure to look over any letters Philip received. He wouldn't let some floozy use his friend as her meal ticket and think coming here was her golden opportunity—in more ways than one. No sirree, he'd watch anyone who came with an eagle eye. She would have to pass his inspection before he'd introduce her to Philip. Even if his old friend did say he'd talked to God about it.

  As Jeremiah walked into town, he fastened the top button on his long-sleeved shirt. The day would heat up later, but spring brought cool breezes in the early morning. When he passed the hotel, Caroline Oldman stepped through the door and started sweeping the boardwalk.

  "Morning, Caroline." He tipped his hat to the proprietress, who was also the wife of the preacher. They'd been good friends to Jeremiah since they arrived in Golden. Their influence had calmed the rowdy town a lot.

  He kept walking toward the post office. Would Philip hear from a woman before summer? Jeremiah hoped the old miner wouldn't receive a single answer to his ad.

  Jeremiah thought back to when he came from Missouri to New Mexico searching for gold. Philip was the first miner he'd met. Thin and wiry, the old man's face was almost hidden behind his long beard and thin gray hair that reached to his shoulders, but he had a heart of gold. He'd befriended Jeremiah and helped him learn all about mining. He was even there when Jeremiah's partner was killed in a cave-in at the mine they owned together.

  Philip had listened to all of Jeremiah's rantings and guided him toward becoming a cattleman. He knew Philip prayed for him all the time. But Jeremiah couldn't accept all that God nonsense himself. Where had God been when train robbers killed his mother and he was left in the clutches of his cruel uncle and father?

  With a shudder, he shook his head to dislodge the images invading his thoughts. The less he thought about the past, the better. Too much pain and suffering there.

  He was sure Philip had prayed about sending this letter, but Jeremiah wasn't convinced there was a God. And if there was, why would He care whether some greedy woman came to fleece the old miner?

  No, Je
remiah would guarantee that didn't happen.

  GET A HEART’S FORGIVENESS AT YOUR FAVORITE RETAILER.

  Get all the books in the Love’s Road Home Series

  Book 1: A Heart’s Gift

  Book 2: A Heart’s Forgiveness

  Book 3: A Heart’s Forever Home

  Book 4: A Heart’s Redemption

  About the Author

  Multi-published, award-winning author Lena Nelson Dooley has had more than 950,000 copies of her 50+ books sold. Her books have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists, as well as Amazon bestseller lists. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and the local chapter, ACFW - DFW. She’s a member of Christian Authors’ Network, and Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas.

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  Her 2010 release, Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico, won the 2011 Will Rogers Medallion Award for excellence in publishing Western Fiction. Her next series, McKenna’s Daughters: Maggie’s Journey appeared on a reviewers’ Top Ten Books of 2011 list. It also won the 2012 Selah award for Historical Novel. The second, Mary’s Blessing, was a Selah Award finalist for Romance novel. Catherine’s Pursuit released in 2013. It was the winner of the NTRWA Carolyn Reader’s Choice contest, took second place in the CAN Golden Scroll Novel of the Year award, and won the Will Rogers Medallion bronze medallion. Her blog, A Christian Writer’s World, received the Readers’ Choice Blog of the Year Award from the Book Club Network. She also has won three Carol Award Silver pins. In 2015 and 2016, these novella collections—A Texas Christmas, Love Is Patient, and Mountain Christmas Brides have all appeared on the ECPA bestseller list, one of the top two bestseller lists for Christian books.

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  She has experience in screenwriting, acting, directing, and voice-overs. She is on the Board of Directors for Higher Ground Films and is one of the screenwriters for their upcoming film Abducted to Kill. She has been featured in articles in Christian Retailing, ACFW Journal, Charisma Magazine, and Christian Fiction Online Magazine. Her article in CFOM was the cover story.

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  In addition to her writing, Lena is a frequent speaker at women’s groups, writers groups, and at both regional and national conferences. She has spoken in six states and internationally. The Lena Nelson Dooley Show is on the Along Came A Writer Blogtalk network.

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  Lena has an active web presence on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Linkedin and with her internationally connected blog where she interviews other authors and promotes their books. Her blog has a reach of over 55,000.

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  Website: https://lenanelsondooley.com

  Blog: http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

  Blogtalk Radio: https://blogtalkradio.com/alongcameawriter/2

  Also by Lena Nelson Dooley

  The McKenna’s Daughters Series:

  Maggie’s Journey: Near her eighteenth birthday, Margaret Lenora Caine finds a chest hidden in the attic containing proof that she's adopted. The spoiled daughter of wealthy merchants in Seattle, she feels betrayed by her real parents and by the ones who raised her. But mystery surrounds her new discovery, and when Maggie uncovers another family secret, she loses all sense of identity. Leaving her home in Seattle, Washington, Maggie strikes out to find her destiny. Will Charles Stanton, who's been in love with her for years, be able to help her discover who she really is?

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  Mary’s Blessing: When her mother dies, Mary Lenora must grow up quickly to take care of her brothers and sisters. Can love help her to shoulder the burden? Mary Lenora Caine knows she is adopted. As she was growing up, her mother called her “God’s blessing.” But now that she’s gone, Mary no longer feels like any kind of blessing. Her father, in his grief, has cut himself off from the family, leaving the running of the home entirely in Mary’s hands. As she nears her eighteenth birthday, Mary can’t see anything in her future but drudgery. Then her childhood friend Daniel begins to court her, promising her a life of riches and ease. But her fairy-tale dreams turn to dust when her family becomes too much for Daniel, and he abandons her in her time of deepest need. Will Daniel come to grips with God’s plan for him? And if he does return, can Mary trust that this time he will really follow through?

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  Catherine’s Pursuit: In book three of the McKenna’s Daughters series, Catherine McKenna begins a journey to find her lost sisters that turns into a spiritual journey for the entire McKenna family.

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  Lena’s work is also featured in the following recent collections: 8 Weddings and a Miracle Romance Collection, A Texas Christmas: Six Romances from the Historic Lone Star State Herald the Season of Love, Warm Mulled Kisses: A Collection of 10 Christian Christmas Novellas, and April Love: A Collection of 10 Christian April Fool’s Novellas.

  Want more?

  If you love historical romance, check out our other Wild Heart books!

  * * *

  Waltz in the Wilderness by Kathleen Denly

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  She's desperate to find her missing father. His conscience demands he risk all to help.

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  Eliza Brooks is haunted by her role in her mother's death, so she'll do anything to find her missing pa—even if it means sneaking aboard a southbound ship. When those meant to protect her abandon and betray her instead, a family friend's unexpected assistance is a blessing she can't refuse.

  * * *

  Daniel Clarke came to California to make his fortune, and a stable job as a San Francisco carpenter has earned him more than most have scraped from the local goldfields. But it's been four years since he left Massachusetts and his fiancé is impatient for his return. Bound for home at last, Daniel Clarke finds his heart and plans challenged by a tenacious young woman with haunted eyes. Though every word he utters seems to offend her, he is determined to see her safely returned to her father. Even if that means risking his fragile engagement.

  * * *

  When disaster befalls them in the remote wilderness of the Southern California mountains, true feelings are revealed, and both must face heart-rending decisions. But how to decide when every choice before them leads to someone getting hurt?

  Lone Star Ranger by Renae Brumbaugh Green

  * * *

  Elizabeth Covington will get her man.

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  And she has just a week to prove her brother isn't the murderer Texas Ranger Rett Smith accuses him of being. She'll show the good-looking lawman he's wrong, even if it means setting out on a risky race across Texas to catch the real killer.

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  Rett doesn't want to convict an innocent man. But he can't let the Boston beauty sway his senses to set a guilty man free. When Elizabeth follows him on a dangerous trek, the Ranger vows to keep her safe. But who will protect him from the woman whose conviction and courage leave him doubting everything—even his heart?

  Rocky Mountain Redemption by Lisa J. Flickinger

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  A Rocky Mountain logging camp may be just the place to find herself.

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  To escape the devastation caused by the breaking of her wedding engagement, Isabelle Franklin joins her aunt in the Rocky Mountains to feed a camp of lumberjacks cutting on the slopes of Cougar Ridge. If only she could out run the lingering nightmares.

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  Charles Bailey, camp foreman and Stony Creek's itinerant pastor, develops a reputation to match his new nickname — Preach. However, an inner battle ensues when the details of his rough history threaten to overcome the beliefs of his young faith.

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  Amid the hazards of camp life, the unlikely friendship growing between the two surprises Isabelle. She's drawn to Preach's brute strength and gentle nature as he leads the ragtag crew toiling for Pollitt's Lumber. But when the ghosts from her past return to haunt her, the choices she will make change the course of her life forever—and that of the man she's come to love.

  © 2016 Lena Nelson Dooley

  2nd edition
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  All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means - photocopied, shared electronically, scanned, stored in a retrieval system, or other - without the express permission of the publisher. Exceptions will be made for brief quotations used in critical reviews or articles promoting this work.

  The characters and events in this fictional work are the product of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, is coincidental.

  Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, Kings James Version.

  Cover by Carpe Librum Book Design