Glory’s Groom: The Alphabet Mail Order Brides Book 7

by Ball, Kathleen

  Veronica stared at her husband. “You could have told me at least.”

  Max shook his head. The more people that know something just means the better the chance someone will slip up and say something they shouldn’t have. Parker and I were the only ones who knew. Sorry you got left out of the loop, Kent.”

  “You’re right. It’s best to keep it quiet. So what do we do now?” Kent leaned his cheek against the top of Glory’s head.

  “Act natural?” Max grinned. He glanced at his wife. “Veronica might have to stay inside until this is over. She doesn’t have a poker face.”

  Veronica hit him in the side with her elbow.

  “They’ll probably strike as soon as today. I have a feeling who the spy is. We’ll need Walter, Willis and Parker and Monty on it.” I think it best if everyone holed up at Parker’s place. He has plenty of rifles and we’ve defended the place before. We’re going to need men inside the school too.”

  “How are you going to get them there without being seen?” Glory asked.

  “Good question,” Max said.

  “We use the shipping crates all the school supplies came in. We can fit a man in each and have others waiting nearby.” Kent pulled Glory closer to him. “Let’s get you women and the kids to Georgie’s. Veronica you might as well pack a bag. They’ll think it’s baby stuff.”

  Veronica nodded. “Her stuff does take up a whole bag. I’ll put extra nappies for Teddy.” She turned and walked into the bedroom. Her face was pale probably from fear.

  Monty was in on it? They fooled her or rather he did. He seemed like a slacker who didn’t know too much. You can never tell about people. What she really knew about the Southwest and its people could fill a thimble. Sondra would probably cook dinner, that would save Glory her fated truth telling for another night.

  Kent escorted them to Parker’s and she didn’t want to let him go. He handed Teddy to Georgie and took Glory out onto the front porch.

  “You’ll be fine.” He stared into her eyes.

  “It’s not me I’m frightened for. I can’t lose you.” Her emotions jumbled.

  “It is starting to get a bit cold. Who would keep the fire wood full?” he teased.

  It surprised her that a tear rolled down her face. “It’s not about firewood. It’s…” She glanced away trying to compose herself.

  Kent cupped her chin in his hand and turned her head until she was looking at him. “Glory what’s wrong? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you like this. You’re the gal who stitched herself up.” His smile was soft and gentle.

  “This is worse, much worse. I think I’ve fallen in love with you. I don’t see how I could have.”

  His brow furrowed. “Is there something about me that leads you to believe that loving me would be so awful?”

  She blinked. “Awful? No, not at all. It’s just how can I know I do love you if we haven’t.” she glanced over her shoulder. “I we haven’t had relations.”

  His lips twitched. “Relations, I see. Glory, look at me. Relations are much better when you love the person you’re with. I’m so honored you love me because I love you. I have from the very first time you took Teddy into your arms and treated him as your own. Love is a good thing.” He bent until his lips were on hers.

  His kiss put the emotional fire out while it kindled a raging fire of love and desire. She gasped as he deepened the kiss and pulled her against him. She felt his evidence of desire and stilled. Then she broke off the kiss and stared at him.

  “That’s just the way a man’s body reacts when he’s kissing the woman he loves. I have to go and don’t you worry, I’ll be filling the wood bin soon.”

  Her face felt hot. Just how red was she? “Be careful.”

  Kent kissed her again and hugged her tight. “You too.” He let her go and headed to the barn. When he got there he turned and smiled at her before he went inside.

  “Glory,” Georgie called. “The tea is ready.”

  Glory took a deep steadying breath and walked inside.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Kent, Parker, Max and Willis all walked toward the homestead with their horses walking beside them. It had been some hard riding and the horses needed a bit of a break. They were silent for a long while as the moonlight showed them the path.

  “Max feeling light headed yet?” Parker asked.

  “The bleeding isn’t so bad. Veronica will patch me up good as new.”

  “We hadn’t had to fight like that in years,” Parker commented.

  “We came through it like we always do,” Kent said. “Willis you all right?”

  “Of course I am. I was just thinking I don’t have anyone to patch me up.”

  “Willis where did you get hit?” Max asked.

  “I didn’t but It would be good to have someone waiting for me. With the three of you being married things aren’t the same.”

  “Get yourself a wife and I’ll have a house built for you,” Parker offered.

  “That’s the thing. I don’t think I’m the one woman type.”

  Max laughed. “You find the right woman and you’ll be surprised how you change.”

  “How’s things going with you and Glory, Kent?” Willis asked.

  “Slow but good. I need a favor. Glory and I haven’t, well we haven’t had a chance to consummate the marriage.” He knew they would laugh. “Laughter? What about helping a man out?”

  “Kent, I think we need to talk,” Parker started. “It’s a one man type of thing.”

  Kent pretended he didn’t hear Parker. He didn’t want to disrespect his wife with anymore jokes. “I need someone to take Teddy for the night.”

  “Leave him at the house with Georgie and me. He’ll probably be sleeping anyway.”

  “I’d appreciate it Parker.”

  “Always glad to help,” he started out on even footing but he ended up laughing. “I’m sorry. You and Glory are a great match.”

  “I’m surprised the Yankees actually came to our aid. I thought they had no trouble with the Pale Faces.” Max commented.

  “They probably just wanted to know who those hooded men were. They rode their own horses and wore their own boots. It wasn’t too hard to figure out who was under those white hoods.” Kent said.

  Willis nodded. “I wanted to call out a few of them when I was in town but I had no proof. But now we do.”

  “It’s the army’s problem now,” Parker said. “There’s Crumb. Just play along.”

  They walked a bit more until they were at the barn. Crumb took a step forward. “I’ll take care of your horses. What happened?”

  “All the Pale Faces are dead. They mentioned a spy among us. Can you imagine such a thing?” Parker calmly said.

  Crumb turned white. “They are all dead? What about my broth –” He clamped his hand over his mouth.

  Parker took a step forward and took Crumb’s gun from his holster. “Get off my land. I ever see you again and it’ll be shoot first and ask questions later. Got it?”

  Crumb turned and ran into the woods. It was a relief to see him gone. Now Glory wouldn’t have to worry. A few hands poured out of the bunkhouse and took the reins from the men. They were free to go into the house.

  They hardly took a step before the door flew open and Georgie, Veronica and Glory ran out.

  “See what I mean?” Willis whispered.

  Kent didn’t care about Willis’ plight. He only had eyes for his wife. She was handful enough for him and he had plans for her.

  He scooped her up and carried her to their house. She asked about Teddy but he silenced her with a kiss. He set her down in the main room suddenly as nervous as a green boy. He’d been married but somehow this was different. Glory was different. How much love he felt was different too.

  “Is something wrong?” she asked hesitantly.

  He took her small hand into his. She deserved better than him. “It’s just that if we do this you can’t change your mind and leave.”

  Glory snatched her ha
nd back and put her hands on her hips. “Have I asked to leave? Have I tried to sneak away? Have I given you any indication that I wasn’t happy here? You don’t need to answer because it is no. I love Teddy as if he were mine. In fact he is mine. I yearn for you and I love you to distraction but if you’re the one having doubts, tell me now.” She lifted her chin as if daring him to contradict her.

  He loved the way her blue eyes flashed when she was mad. Reaching behind her head, he took out her hair pins. He’d barely seen it down. By the time she was ready for bed she had it braided. Her dark tresses fell down her back in waves. He put his hand on some and brought it forward to hang down the front of her.

  “You’re so lovely. When you accepted to be my bride, I hoped and prayed I’d get a kind, loving woman and I did. I want to make you mine, really mine.” His voice grew husky.

  “I’m nervous too.” She took a step forward and he put his arms around her. “I do love you and I want everything that comes with being married. I heard it’s best if you love the person.” She gave him a teasing smile.

  He gave her his most tender kiss and it had never been so sweet. He deepened it and she whimpered in a good way. She enjoyed his attentions. He took a deep breath and scooped her up into his arms. He’d make it beautiful for her he vowed.

  * * *

  Glory’s eyes fluttered open and she automatically smiled. Then she remembered the night before and pressed her hand over her heart. Kent wasn’t in bed with her. She grabbed a shawl and wrapped it around herself before she went padding out of the bedroom.

  What if he hadn’t felt the wonder of last night the same way she did? Her face heated as she remembered his gentleness at the beginning and his urgency toward the end. She continued into the kitchen and Kent was making breakfast. Guilt about her little cooking lie hit her.

  Kent took a pan off the cook stove. Her quickly gathered her up into his arms and gave her a long leisurely, loving kiss. “How’s my beautiful wife this morning?”

  Embarrassed she hid her face against his neck.

  He hugged her tight and then when he let go he took a step back. “Last night made me feel in awe. I was right it is so much better when you’re with the person you love. You, my wife, are a passionate woman and I’m glad for it. Now, let’s eat and get our son.”

  She nodded. She’d felt in awe too. She never knew but the wait was well worth it. He loves her and she didn’t need to hide behind anyone when she was with him.

  “I need to confess something to you.”

  He turned to her and his lips twitched.

  She narrowed her eyes. “You already know! Did Georgie tell you?” She sighed. “It doesn’t matter, it’s true. I can’t cook. I can make bread and cookies but other than some porridge I’m a disaster. I know you expected a wife who could cook.” She stared at the floor.

  “Hey, it’s not so bad. You’re a heck of a smart woman. You can learn and I’ll try to be understanding.”

  “Try?”

  “I might not be able to eat everything you make. I’m just covering the possibilities.” He chuckled.

  “Fair enough.” She smiled at her handsome husband. God looked her way when husbands were chosen. Hopefully all of her friends were experiencing the same.

  Epilogue

  Glory stood at the front of the classroom taking in all the happy eager faces. She wished Madam Wigg could see her now. She’d be proud. Each child had a reading primer and a slate in front of them.

  If not for her, Glory wasn’t sure that the children would have ever gotten an education. There were men outside guarding the school and they would walk the children home. She glanced at Teddy who happily played in his little area. Kent would come after school to take them home.

  Crumb had been arrested as well as the rest of the Pale Faces but there hadn’t been any justice. They were freed within a few days. It wasn’t against the law to wear white hoods and no one who was hurt could identify the men but everyone knew who they were.

  It had appalled her that so many people didn’t care. The freedmen would have a long road to travel to really be free. She was determined to unite more families. It was the right thing to do. She still could not understand the mindset of so many people in the South and she never would.

  Glory smoothed down her new dress. Georgie had brought it to her yesterday as a surprise. Georgie had explained to Glory about cutting out pattern so one sleeve wasn’t longer than the other. At first Glory was embarrassed but they ended up having a great laugh over it. It was so good to have friends again.

  Last evening before supper Parker, Georgie, Max and Veronica showed up at her and Kent’s home. They wanted to know the secret of the blocks. The men each held the special block in their hand. Kent had picked up Teddy’s favorite too. It was hard to see but there were tiny teeth marks. The block Parker held had three sets of marks on them. The one Max held had two and the one Kent had one but it was deeper. Teddy had more teeth.

  They all looked stumped. The Kent wanted to know why they picked that one block to chew on. She didn’t have an answer for that.

  Glory instructed the class to open their primers. Kent was making Teddy a bed of his own today. They’d decided he could have a room to himself. They wanted their privacy.

  Glory went from student to student helping them to form the letter A on their slates. She’d gotten word from Madam Wigg. She thanked Glory for the information about the wanted poster. Xenia had yet to show up. Glory’s friends were all fine.

  She saw a hand being raised. “Yes, Andrew?”

  Andrew stood. “My name starts with a A don’t it?”

  Glory smiled. “Yes, Andrew your name starts with an A and it’s doesn’t it not don’t it.”

  “Miss Glory I hate to tell you this but we all say don’t. We don’t use that other word. Are you sure you’re right?”

  Glory tried not to laugh. “The correct word is doesn’t. I’ll be teaching you the correct way so when you go out into the world you’ll sound well educated.”

  She was going to enjoy her life here in Texas.

  The End

  I'm so pleased you chose to read Glory’s Groom, and it's my sincere hope that you enjoyed the story. I would appreciate if you'd consider posting a review. This can help an author tremendously in obtaining a readership. My many thanks. ~ Kathleen

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  About the Author

  Sexy Cowboys and the Women Who Love Them...

  Finalist in the 2012 and 2015 RONE Awards.

  Top Pick, Five Star Series from the Romance Review.

  Kathleen Ball writes contemporary and historical western romance with great emotion and

  memorable characters. Her books are award winners and have appeared on best sellers lists including: Amazon's Best Seller's List, All Romance Ebooks, Bookstrand, Desert Breeze Publishing and Secret Cravings Publishing Best Sellers list. She is the recipient of eight Editor's Choice Awards, and The Readers' Choice Award for Ryelee's Cowboy.

  Winner of the Lear diamond award Best Historical Novel- Cinders' Bride

  There's something about a cowboy

  Other Books by Kathleen

  Lasso Spring Series

  Callie’s Heart

  Lone Star Joy

  Stetson’s Storm

  Dawson Ranch Series

  Texas Haven

  Ryelee’s Cowboy

  Cowboy Season Series

  Summer’s Desire

  Autumn’s Hope

  Winter’s Embrace

  Spring’s Delight

  Mail Order Brides of Texas

  Cinder’s Bride

  Keegan’s
Bride

  Shane’s Bride

  Tramp’s Bride

  Poor Boy’s Christmas

  Oregon Trail Dreamin’

  We’ve Only Just Begun

  A Lifetime to Share

  A Love Worth Searching For

  So Many Roads to Choose

  The Settlers

  Greg

  Juan

  Scarlett

  Mail Order Brides of Spring Water

  Tattered Hearts

  Shattered Trust

  The Greatest Gift

  Love So Deep

  Luke’s Fate

  Whispered Love

  Love Before Midnight

  I’m Forever Yours

  Finn’s Fortune

  Glory’s Groom