by Cyndi Raye
He gathered Hannah back in his arms. “I’ll send a wire to my aunt. She has quite the collection of admirers, one of which is the commissioner of the police department in the city of New York. She travels there every year to go shopping. Trust me, they won’t make it two feet from the train depot until someone stops them.”
A sigh of relief escaped Hannah. “Thank you. I owe you so much.”
“You owe me nothing, Hannah.”
Hannah ignored his comment. She did owe him so much. She was going to be the best wife ever. Instead, she asked, “When will I get to meet this aunt of yours, Max? She sounds wonderful.”
“She is. Did you know she is a singer? She has traveled all over the country and as far away as Paris in her heyday.”
“She doesn’t sing any longer?”
He shook his head. “I’m afraid not. Something happened in Dallas. She suddenly left the stage and never looked back. I’m afraid she lost her voice after that, claiming she can no longer sing and hasn’t been able to get back up on stage ever since.”
“I’m so sorry. Still, I’d love to meet her.”
“She has found a haven at the ranch in Arizona. Hasn’t left it in five years. I’ve made sure she is quite comfortable there. When I wire her, I’ll ask her to come for a visit and why. I didn’t tell her yet that I married.”
Hannah stepped back. “You haven’t told her?”
“I’m afraid not. It was a spur of the moment idea. One that I only decided when I got here.”
The auctioneer concluded the sale and wished everyone a pleasant day, offering baked goods at a special price at the ladies table. Clapping began slowly and then the crowd went wild as the spirit of the day overcame everyone at once.
Max grinned. Hannah smiled. Arm in arm they were greeted by townsfolk who apologized for treating them badly. Women went out of their way to welcome Hannah to the town of Wichita Falls. Slaps on the back for Max went on and on.
“It seems people are having a change of heart,” Max told her.
She nodded. “Of course. How could they not, Mr. Ward. You alone have turned this town on its toes. Now go grab the auctioneers stand before they tear it down and make your announcement.”
“I was never alone, Hannah Ward. We did it together.” Max took a deep bow and when he rose his amused eyes caught hers. Promises of something wonderful shone in them. Hannah took a breath and held it, realizing that they would have a real marriage, not in name only.
This marriage was never a business arrangement. Not from the very beginning. A slow smile spread across Hannah’s face as she watched her husband announce the idea of a schoolhouse for the town.
Chapter 8
Six months later
The hotel lobby was decorated to the hilt. Everyone in town was gathered there to celebrate the newly built schoolhouse. Hannah and Max stood by the food table, enjoying the proceedings. Hand shakes and slaps on the back from every man in town had Max grumbling and exhausted.
“I’m never building another thing again,” he complained.
“Honey, they are happy you didn’t turn out to be your father. From the stories being circulated, he was a man of no remorse.”
“I’m glad it is all over. My back has been slapped over and over again and it’s feeling pretty sore right now.”
Hannah placed an arm around his waist then slowly began to rub his back. “Perhaps after this is all over, I may take some of that magic oil I got from Lu’s speciality shop and make it feel all better.”
The look he gave her made her smile. “Magic oil?”
Hannah blushed. “Lu invited me back to her store the other day when I was visiting Grace. She apologized for treating me so badly the first time I came to town and gave me some items to try, courtesy of her establishment.”
“Let’s get out of here.”
She laughed out loud. “We can’t. Your aunt is due. Any moment the train will arrive.”
He nuzzled her ear. “Can’t say I didn’t try. What else did you acquire at Lu’s shop?”
“She gave me some bath soaps in lavender scents and some other bottles of oils.”
“Darling, we have to get out of here.”
Hannah kissed him on the cheek. “I’m going to go help the ladies. Lily and Grace have been doing most of the hostessing. Thank you for bringing me here, Max. I have friends I can rely on and a husband who adores me.”
Max grinned. “I will do more than adore you. Let’s get out of here. We can come back later.”
She titled her head before shaking it back and forth. “Behave, husband. I’m not sure what to do with all this attention you bestow upon me.”
Before he could say a word, the door of the hotel swung open and it seemed as if the air swirled around the beautiful creature who practically swayed back and forth as she entered the room.
The lobby was like a grand entrance for her. Hannah stared in fascination as Max’s aunt glided through the door, a gown of exquisite material unlike any other in the small town of Wichita Falls. “Maximilian!” she squealed, her skirts bouncing as she hurried to his side. She grabbed his cheeks and kissed each one before turning to Hannah.
“You must be Hannah, darling.” Her voice, so lovely, so soft, rang out over the hushed crowd.
“Welcome,” Hannah said, holding out her hand. She wanted to curtsey, the woman was almost like royalty, that’s how grand she seemed.
“Come here, child,” she sang, taking Hannah in her arms and giving her a big hug. “Welcome to the Ward family. Maximilian has told me so much about you.”
“Oh?”
She nodded. “Yes, he has told me how beautiful you are and how much he loves and adores you. That is all I need to know. He’s right, you are beautiful.”
Hannah blushed. “Thank you. That is an honor coming from someone who is so beautiful herself.” Hannah was sure people told her she was beautiful more often than not.
“Let me introduce you to my friends.” Max moved his aunt through his new circle of friends, trying hard to include everyone. It seemed to Hannah he found his place in this small town, the one that had rebuked him at first.
She sighed. It was going to be a great life here in Wichita Falls. Perhaps her step-father did her a favor after all. She would never know this town or the people if he hadn’t gotten greedy and taken her stash of money.
“What’s the secretive smile all about?” a gentle voice interrupted her private thoughts.
“Hi Miss Addie. You look lovely, as always.”
Miss Addie held two cups of punch. She handed Hannah one and stood beside her watching the crowd enjoying the party. “Thank you, Hannah. You are happy with Mr. Ward?”
She nodded. “Bliss, Miss Addie. He has given me a reason to live. I hated life with my step-father but felt stuck. I’m glad my friend Becky left the newspaper on my night stand that day.”
“So am I. Looks like I’ll cross another success story off my list.”
Hannah stared at Miss Addie. “What did you have to do with this?” She knew Addie did some matchmaking, yet had no idea she was involved. “How do you take credit for Max and I?”
Miss Addie lifted her chin and smiled. “Child, I have connections all over the frontier, from California to New York City to Boston to Chicago. The mail order brides that come to Wichita Falls are no accident. We are building one of the finest towns in the West, my dear. You are a part of history in the making.”
“Do you mean to tell me you know Aloisa? Hers was the agency where I applied.”
“I made it my job to know all of the main matchmaking companies in the big cities and even in some that are not so well-known. My credentials for finding a perfect match are untouched, Hannah. Trust me, you were always in good hands. There are some services that do not investigate thoroughly and the results are not so good.”
“Then I can be reassured my friend Becky has found a good match. She went through Aloisa’s services, also.”
Hannah heard Miss Addie’s breath hitch. “I�
��m afraid not, Hannah. I had nothing to do with that match. There has been some speculation that the man out right lied. When she got to her destination, someone there warned your friend ahead of time. She took action and didn’t marry the man.”
“Oh dear, this is awful. I’m afraid she may be in trouble then?”
“No. She’s not in a dire situation. I believe Aloisa found out about her dire straits and found her a place to stay until she can find her another match.”
“She would love it here in Wichita Falls.” Hannah scanned the crowd. “What about him?” She pointed to a tall, dark, handsome loner.
“Him?”
She nodded. “Yes. I hear he’s going to be our new sheriff? That’s if the committee agrees unanimously.”
Miss Addie pressed her finger to her chin, puckering her ruby red lips as she pondered. “Rumors are he’s got a bit of a wild side.”
Hannah leaned over and whispered in Addie’s ear. “My husband is kinda wild. You picked him for me.”
“Good point. Well, I do believe you may have something here, Hannah. To have your best friend married to the sheriff would be an ideal situation. It would help to save Aloise’s reputation as well if we can find a perfect match for Rebecca.”
“It would be the best ever.”
“I better get to work then,” Addie mentioned, setting her cup of punch on the table behind them.
“Tonight? Why not enjoy the party.”
“My work is never done.” A three piece band struck up a slow ballad. Miss Addie twisted her way through the crowd until she came to the town’s almost newly appointed sheriff. “Sir, would you care to dance?”
Hannah watched in amazement as the dark-haired man bowed to the lovely Miss Addie, treating her with a kind smile and twirling her around the room. She smiled, hope deep in her heart. It would be wonderful if her friend married someone in Wichita Falls.
“I’m ready to go home now.” Her husbands warm breath tickled her ear.
“Are you now? Where is your dear aunt?”
“Over there. She is the limelight of many single men tonight. She wants to stay so I got her a room here at the hotel.”
Hannah was surprised. “She doesn’t want to stay at the ranch?”
“Not at all.” He laughed out loud. “My aunt wants to be the center of attention. She says she can’t be stuck on a ranch with lonely old cowboys who have no idea who she is.”
“I thought she was living on a ranch in Arizona as a recluse?”
“I think this trip has changed her somehow. Brought her back to the life she knew before hiding away at the ranch. This will be good for her. For us, too, darling. I want you all to myself.”
Hannah turned in his arms, placing her hands around his neck. “All seems to be settled here, husband. Let’s go home.”
“I can’t wait for you to rub that oil all over me.”
“Shush, you’ll start rumors.”
“How can they be rumors when it’s all true.”
Hannah giggled. “Don’t move. I’ll be right back as soon as I say good-bye to the ladies.”
She looked back once to see those dark eyes staring at her. Hannah winked at him, drawing a look that burned her to her core. It was going to be a sweet night with the husband of her dreams. Who knew when she started out on this trek she would find a husband like Max Ward.
Hugs and kisses followed her out the door as everyone wished them goodnight. Hannah and Max walked hand in hand to the buggy. As he helped her up, Max brushed a hand over her backside. One of the older ladies outside left out a shocked sound that made Max laugh out loud.
Hannah blushed. “Max, stop teasing. That poor woman will have heart palpitations.”
He got up beside her on the bench. With a jerk of his wrist, the buggy was off, heading to the ranch they called home.
“I love you for always, Max Ward. I’m so glad you were the one.”
He kissed her.
“Aren’t you going to say you love me?”
Max gave her that smile, the one that melted her heart. “You already know I do, Mrs. Ward. Now it’s time to show you how much.”
Hannah grinned. It was going to be a wonderful life.
***
Thank you for reading Max and Hannah’s story. Next up in the lives of the townsfolk of Wichita Falls is Becky’s story. Rebecca thought she had found true love as a mail order bride. She had been writing back and forth for months to a wonderful sounding gentleman with two kids and a farm. He proclaimed to need help but when she got to her destination, to her horror, he had lied through his rotting teeth.
Now, she was stuck until Aloisa’s Matchmaking Agency found her someone else. If you’d like to know when the next book comes out, sign up for my mailing list and you’ll be the first to find out when it becomes available live on Amazon.
To sign up, click here
Read on to see what other books by Cyndi Raye are available....
Cyndi Rayes Books
If you are new to my books, here’s a general list of my available stories on Amazon.
Let’s start out with the Mail Order Brides of Wichita Falls:
Ruby: Starring Ruby and ranch owner Marshal Montgomery
Grace: Starring Grace and Land Title Office owner Dawson Sloan
Lily: Staring Lily and Dawson’s brother, Ben Sloan
Hannah: Starring Hannah and Max Ward, the son of the worst man that ever graced Wichita Falls.
To see any of these titles, go to my Amazon Author page here
If you are a fan of contemporary small town romance, the following series may be just what you like reading.
Tomorrow Series
What Tomorrow Brings
Where Tomorrow Leads
When Tomorrow Ends
Forever Series
Nothing Waits Forever
Nothing Lasts Forever
Promise Me Forever
Escape Series
Key West Wild
Key West Fierce
Key West on Fire
No Name Inn Series
Books 1-6 complete boxed sets or single books
Wrong Turn Santa
Save Me Santa
To see any of the above titles, stop by Amazon Author Page. Thanks for reading. Without you, I’m not a success.
Hugs,
Cyndi
