by Faye Sonja
Mark was just about to say ‘no’, when Hannah beat him to it. “No. Mark should hear everything. I love this man with everything I have left in me, and I don’t want there to be any secrets between us. Not anymore.”
Hannah’s words seemed to unlock that part of Mark’s heart that he’d begun to shut down. Hannah truly loved him and with that knowledge, everything would be alright in the world. Mr. Grace’s jaw tightened. He didn’t agree, but he knew he didn’t have a leg to stand on, so he’d take what he could get. “Hannah, I’m here because you’re my daughter. Don’t you think a father should know whether or not his daughter is dead?”
Hannah sighed. “I think a lot of things about a father. You didn’t fulfill any of them.”
Mr. Grace’s voice grew weak and shaky. “I know.” His whole body trembled with the words he spoke. Tears began to build in his eyes. “And I regret it now. You just look so much like your mother. It hurt to look at you. I was so grief stricken by your mother’s passing that I didn’t consider how it would affect you.”
Hannah was crying now as well. “How could you not? She was my mother. How could you not know that I was in pain too?”
Mr. Grace shook his head. “You’d only known her for five short years. Your mother was my entire world. We were married fifteen wonderful years before you came along.”
Mark handed Hannah a handkerchief with his free arm, but continued to hold onto Hannah, giving her the support she needed. So many emotions were being expressed at the moment, and for once, Mark had no line that would make everything better. So, he just let father and daughter talk.
Once Hannah composed herself, she began to speak again. “Well, just because you knew her longer doesn’t make your pain any greater. You shut me out of your life and locked me away in a school so you wouldn’t have to deal with me or my inability to see. So, as far as I’m concerned, I’ve been dead to you for a very long time now.”
Mr. Grace shook his head. “No, don’t say that, Hannah.”
“It’s true,” she said. “But now that you know I’m alive and well, you can leave.”
Mr. Grace reached out for Hannah, but Mark gave the man a cautioning stare. He stopped in his tracks. They were thankfully, far enough away from the crowd to avoid an audience, but if Mark hit the man, it would surely become quite the spectacle. Mr. Grace took a step back. “Hannah, I want you back in my life. I see you’re married now. I want to know my grandchildren.”
Hannah sighed. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
Mr. Grace was shamelessly crying now. “I’m so sorry, Hannah.” The strong spoken and distinguished gentleman that had stood before them previously was now gone. Now what stood there sobbing, was a man who seemed to be at wits end. “Please don’t do this to an old man. I’ve always loved you, Hannah, I was just lousy at showing it. Please, let me back into your life. I won’t let you down now. I promise.”
Mark wasn’t fond of the man, but Mr. Grace’s last appeal had struck a nerve with him somewhere deep down inside. Mr. Grace knew he’d been wrong and was trying to make amends. He’d let his child down, but wanted to make things right with her. What Mark would have given to have his own parents say the same. Mark was so young when he’d been left at Paula’s door. He didn’t remember a thing about his biological parents, but even still, he knew that if one of them had come looking for him now, he’d forgive them. Forgiveness is a powerful thing. Most of the time, it’s never deserved, but doing so was just the right thing to do, Mark believed.
Thinking about forgiveness made Mark think about that day in the desert with Tobias Steele. Mark should be dead. But someone up above had seen fit to spare him. How many times had Mark been spared? Even though he hadn’t had his own Ma and Pa, growing up, he did have Paula. Paula, who loved him, taught him the difference between right and wrong, and always made sure she went hungry before her children did. What a gift she was to him. Many children weren’t so lucky.
In reality, what Mark was witnessing now was a gift. Hannah’s father was trying to come back into her life, but Hannah was too sad and angry to let him back in. “I think it would be best if you leave,” Hannah finally said.
“Or stay,” Mark said, finally verbally intruding.
Hannah was shocked. So was Mr. Grace, but Hannah caught her breath first. “Mark, what are you doing?”
Mark brought his mouth down to Hannah’s ear. “No one deserves forgiveness, but we often don’t deserve many of the good things we are blessed with either.”
Hannah turned to him then. “Are you blackmailing me?”
Mark smiled. “No, just telling you the truth.”
Hannah sighed. “This feels like blackmail.”
Mark kissed her cheek. “It’s not. I love you. If you send your father packing on the next train out, I’ll still love you. Nothing you could do would ever change that, but I would give anything to know my parents.”
Hannah’s arms came around Mark then. “Is that one of your lines?”
Mark shook his head. “No line, just fact.”
Hannah placed her head against Mark’s chest. “You’re such a good man, Mark.”
Mark hugged her back. “I know.”
Hannah smiled. “Fine,” she said, talking to her pa, “You can stay... for a little while.”
Mr. Grace smiled through his tears. “You two make a great couple. I wish your mother could be here now.”
“Perhaps you can share some stories about her with me?” Hannah asked.
Mr. Grace nodded his head, but then spoke once he remembered that Hannah couldn’t see. “Yes, I would like that very much.” Mr. Grace then held his hand out to Mark. “Thank you so much. Words cannot express what this means to me.”
Mark shook his head. “Well, don’t let me regret it.”
Mr. Grace shook his head. “You won’t.”
Time would tell. “Alright. Now, if you would excuse me, my wife owes me a dance.” And with that, Mark led Hannah into the middle of the dance floor. He gave a nod towards the band and they quickly started the song he’d requested.
Hannah gasped. “Clare de Lune?”
“Yup,” Mark said, just as he spun her around and then brought her back into his arms. He held her close. His Hannah. His little wife.
Hannah rested her head on his shoulder. “I love this song.”
“I love holding you.”
“I love you holding me.”
Mark smiled. “It was a nice thing you did for you father. It was the right thing to do as well.”
Hannah grumbled. “Yeah, I’m still not too sure about that.”
“Only time will tell. Time will reveal a lot of things.”
“Like what?” Hannah asked after a moment of hesitation.
“Like if you truly love me,” Mark whispered.
Hannah lifted her head up. She couldn’t see him, he knew that, but something about it made Mark feel like she was giving him her undivided attention. Silly, he knew, yet still. He looked down into her pale gray eyes and wished to know the truth.
Hannah’s hands gripped him tightly. “You are everything in this world to me, Mark. I don’t love you because of what you do. I love you because of who you are.”
Mark looked away. Hannah had him blushing. He’d never blushed before, but she couldn’t tell. She just kept talking. “It’s your infectious joy and caring heart that made me love you. It was the simple touch of your hand and the gentle kiss of your lips that sold me. You are unlike any man I’ve never met and I thank God for you every day.”
Mark smiled. Hannah snuggled back against him. “Not to mention that you’re completely gorgeous,” she mocked.
Mark laughed, but held her as the song that was quickly becoming their song ended. “I love you, Hannah,” he whispered against her hair.
“I was afraid you’d never say that to me again,” she whispered back.
“Didn’t I promise to say it every day?”
Hannah smiled. “You did, didn’t you?”
“I did and I do.”
Hannah knew that he meant it now. He wasn’t just promising to love her today, he was making a vow to her all over again. He was making a vow to the real Hannah, the Hannah he could finally get to know, and that felt better to her than anything ever could.
* * *
Epilogue
Four Months Later
Hannah bounced Paula in her lap and laughed at the ridiculous tale that Mark was sharing. It was their fishing story and somehow, Mark’s fish was starting to sound much, much bigger than it actually had been, but Hannah wouldn’t tell. She’d keep it to herself like a good little wife. At times, the man was too much, but Hannah wouldn’t have him any other way. Everyone was at their house. Katherine, Daniel, Paula, Faith, her five children, and Hannah’s Pa.
Mr. Grace had stuck around and didn’t seem like he was going anywhere anytime soon. Hannah shook her head. What she would have given for his attention years ago. Ever since she’d allowed him back into her life, he’d followed her around like a stray puppy. It was adorable at times and a little agitating at others, but she was getting to know the side of him that she never thought possible. She had Mark to thank for that. Mark, her sometimes silly, and always loving husband. They would be renewing their vows, officially, in a few months. They were waiting though, because Mark wanted his brother, Joshua, to be present. Joshua missed both of his brothers’ weddings. Mark thought it was only right they wait for him this time.
“You mail order brides have all the fun,” Faith said out loud.
Everyone laughed just before the front door was pushed open. Bright white snow on the bitter cold wind came in with the newly arrived visitor. Hannah shivered, wondering who’d come through the door.
“Joshua?” Mark said.
“What are you doing in town?” Daniel asked.
“Why don’t you come over and see,” said Joshua. Hannah thought the man’s voice was rough, but not the kind you get with age, but the kind you get through a hard life.
Mark gasped. “Don’t tell me you stole that.”
“Who in their right mind would give you a star?” Daniel asked.
A star? Hannah asked herself. Like, a sheriff or marshal’s star? Impossible. Joshua was an outlaw.
But Joshua’s next words argued against Hannah’s very thought. “A judge down south wants me to do some clean up around here. I live in Kansas City now. I guess you guys will be seeing a lot more of me.”
Hannah could hear the smile in Mark’s voice. “That’s great, Marshal Reaper. Come meet my wife, Hannah.”
Paula left Hannah’s lap as she stood. Hannah held out her hand and felt a hand that was much rougher grab hold of hers. “Nice to meet you, Hannah.”
“Likewise,” she said.
Joshua released his hand, but didn’t step away. Hannah wondered why, but he answered her question with his next words. “Evening, Faith.”
“Joshua,” Faith didn’t sound happy to see him. Hannah wondered what was going on between the two, but decided she’d ask Faith later. She was sure the story would be a fiery one.
Mark came over and grabbed hold of one of Hannah’s hands. “Now that you’re a Marshal, think you’ll be looking into settling down? I’m sure we could help you with that.” Mark said. Hannah hoped Mark wasn’t trying to play matchmaker with Faith and Joshua, but she had the same feeling that he did.
“Maybe,” Joshua confirmed. “After all, seems mail order brides have all the fun,” he said, quoting Faith’s last words right before he burst through the door. Hannah was blushing, so she knew Faith had to be as well. But a smile crept on her lips, and Hannah was almost sure that Faith wasn’t wearing one. Now more than ever, Hannah wanted to know the story between these two. Perhaps she’d ask Mark before they went to bed, but then Hannah thought against it. Mark would probably add some fiction to his version of the story, entwining reality with rhetoric, but none of that really even mattered. Either way, Hannah would have to wait and see what the future held for them. One thing she did know for sure was that if their story was anything like her and Marks, it would be one for the books.
* * *
THE BARREN BRIDE CLAIMED BY HER BAD WILD MARSHAL
BRIDES OF PERRY LAKE
BOOK 3
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b o o k 3
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THE NOT QUITE MAIL ORDER HUSBAND.
“I can’t have children.” Joshua’s eyes widened.
Faith is BARREN & she doesn’t need to fell in love again, NOT with Joshua-an ex-outlaw who turned Marshal. She can’t afford to risk repeating her past- her divorce due to this reason!
Can she get over her fears & find love that's intended for them?
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Prologue
July 1905
Middle of nowhere. Outside of Kansas City
Faith Coleman cupped a hand, using it to block the desert sun from her green eyes. It was hot, and she and her daughters were stuck in the middle of nowhere. They were on their way to Kansas City when the wheel on their wagon popped off. For the last hour, they all worked together to get the wheel back on to no avail. Kate, the oldest, was ten and not strong enough to lift the wagon with everything inside. Faith couldn’t just unload the wagon because she couldn’t afford to get anything dusty and dirty. She was a fashion designer. One of the best in Kansas, and desperately needed to make a delivery.
Faith’s bright red hair swept her shoulders as she turned left and right. She looked over the horizon, seeing only endless sand. There was nothing out there. As she looked around, she also realized that one of her horses had disappeared. He must have wandered off while they tried to get the wheel back on. Faith turned behind her and saw a figure on a horse riding toward them. She wanted to wave the person down for help, but didn’t know if he or she were friend or foe. Fear gripped Faith. “Girls, get in the wagon, now.”
They all came and stood by her. “But it’s not even upright,” Samantha said.
“No questions. Just hurry.” Faith cupped Samantha's shoulders and pushed her toward the wagon’s opening. The girls climbed in silently. “Don’t say a thing,” Faith warned. She could hear the horse now. The rider was close.
With the girls safely hidden, Faith turned as the rider came to a stop in front of her. He wore a Stetson on his head. The hat blocked not only the sun, but prevented Faith from seeing his face. “Evening’, ma’am.” His voice was deep and rumbled.
“Evening,” Faith said, her hand still over her eyes.
“Looks like your wagon came unhitched.”
“It has.”
“Need help putting it back on?”
Faith hesitated, not sure if she could trust the man. He pulled his horse around and started glancing around. Faith grew confused. “What are you looking for?”
“Making sure this isn’t some sort of trap.”
“Trap?”
The man stopped and looked at Faith. “There are footprints around your feet in the dirt. Not all of them match your shoes. It means you got people with you. Those people could be dangerous, waiting over the hill somewhere to catch me off my horse… or even in your wagon.”
“We’re not dangerous,” Samantha said from within the wagon.
Faith closed her eyes in frustration. “Didn’t I say not to talk?” She turned around and watched as all the girls filed out of the leaning wagon—one by one. They all went to stand by Faith, looking up at the man on the horse.
He greeted them. “Evening, ladies.”
“Evening,” Samantha said.
“Hi,” Penny said in a small breathy voice, still swatting at her blond hair. Kate stayed quiet.
Faith turned to the stranger. “If you would be kind enough to fix our wagon, we’ll be on our way.”
The stranger nodded his head and hopped down from his stallion. He walked over to Faith, towering
over her. The top of her head barely came to his shoulder. Up close, Faith could make out his face. He was handsome. He had dark eyes, but long lashes for a man. His dark tan showed he spent most of his time in the sun. A shadow of a beard took up his square jaw revealing that he hadn’t shaved in a day or two. The stranger looked at her tensely. Something flickered in the depths of his eyes.
Faith took a step back.
He smiled. “I’m going to need some help. Think you women can manage it?”
“I can help,” Samantha said, bringing Faith’s attention back to the matter at hand.
“Me, too!” Penny chimed in. She was smiling brightly at the helpful stranger. She held her hands tightly in front of her, her head tilted to the right. Faith shook her head. Seemed the stranger had a way with women of all ages.
He turned to Kate. “What about you? Will you help? Can I count on you?”
Kate looked at him like he just asked her a very serious question. She thought on it for a moment, and then nodded her head.
The stranger nodded his as well. “All right then, let’s get to work.” He moved past Faith. “Help me lift. The girls can place the wheel on.”
Faith walked over to him and stood by his side. The girls went to the wheel. The stranger looked into her eyes. “Can I count on you as well?”
Faith stared at him for a moment, unsure of an appropriate answer. She now understood why Kate hesitated in answering. The man was intense. Faith decided not to answer. Instead, she placed her hands under the wagon’s board, getting ready to lift.
His eyes never left hers. “Ready?” he asked everyone.
“Ready,” Samantha and Penny said in unison. Kate didn’t answer, but he seemed to trust that she was.
“Lift,” he told Faith and together they picked up the bed of the wagon, him taking most of the weight. Faith was impressed, but made sure her face didn't show it.
“The wheel is on!” Samantha shouted.
