The Preacher's Outlaw Bride

by Mildred Colvin

  He bowed his head with a short laugh. Running home to Mom and Dad with his tail tucked between his legs. What else could he do? KodyAnne said she wouldn’t marry him, and he didn’t blame her. He wouldn’t care so much what everyone else thought, but he didn’t want her thinking he’d married her for the money. One thing was certain, he’d never love another woman.

  Michael opened his Bible and read at random, flipping pages. Near the middle in Ecclesiastes, the words, “Two are better than one,” caught his attention. His heart constricted. Oh, Andy.

  He blinked and read further. “. . .they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow, but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.”

  The foundation of his world in Willow Springs shifted when KodyAnne leapt into his arms that first day at the bank. It collapsed when he saw her gold shining from that box. He’d already fallen, and there was no one to help him up. He snapped his Bible closed, his fingers clenching it tight while his breath came quick. “Lord, I have You. Isn’t that enough? She doesn’t need me. She has more money now than I’ll see in a lifetime.”

  He slipped to his knees beside his bed and bowed his head over his Bible. “Father, what should I do? I can’t stay here and watch her find someone else. When word gets out about her inheritance, suitors will crawl out of every crack and hole in the county and even beyond.”

  She didn’t need him.

  The words battered him, hurting as if they were fists against his heart. “Andy.” Her name tore from his lips. “Lord, I need her. I don’t care about her money. I don’t care what anyone else thinks. She doesn’t need me, but I need her.”

  He continued kneeling with his head bowed, letting the thought take root and grow in his mind. He’d always needed Andy. Even from the first time he saw her in the alley looking so little and scared. He’d stayed at the orphanage because he couldn’t stand the thought of being separated from her. When she asked him to marry her, he’d done it for her, but mostly for himself. She was his family in a way he’d never experienced before, and he didn’t want that connection broken. Afterward, Mom and Dad became his family, but he still missed Andy. She was the part of him he didn’t understand but needed. All these years, he thought he’d been the one taking care of her. Now he knew better. She’d taken care of him from the first. If not for her, he probably wouldn’t be alive. He would have perished on the streets of New York City. He’d been half joking that day in the diner when he told her she’d rescued him, too. But she had.

  After a while, Michael rose and went downstairs. He grabbed his hat as he went out the front door and set off on foot toward town. He had a few words to say to KodyAnne. It shouldn’t take long. Then, he’d leave her alone if that’s what she wanted. He’d call a meeting of the church elders and tell them to start looking for a new pastor. At least, his parents would be glad to have him close by.

  A harsh laugh escaped his lips. The rocks he’d hoped to find in KodyAnne’s box seemed to have settled on his chest instead. Time would ease the hurt. Isn’t that what well-meaning people always said? Making a clean break with Andy was the best thing he could do.

  He slipped off his hat as he went into the sitting room at the boardinghouse. Not a soul in sight. A bell sat on a small table beside the staircase leading upstairs. Before he lost his nerve, he picked it up and held it high, giving it a swift shake. The clear tones pealed out. He set the bell down and turned to watch up the stairs when movement to the side had him pivoting on his heel.

  KodyAnne stepped through the door from the back part of the house. She wore a soft blue dress that swirled and settled around her ankles. His heart jumped at the sight of her. She was beautiful. A true lady. She should’ve been his.

  “Andy.” Her name flowed from him.

  She didn’t react, but kept her large brown eyes trained on him.

  “I need to talk to you, Andy. Is there some place we could go in private?” He held his hat between his hands.

  She motioned behind her. “Would you like to sit on the back porch?”

  ~*~

  KodyAnne led the way to the back door. Michael opened it and she stepped through. Why was he here? A private conversation after he’d ignored her for two days? Maybe he still thought he’d have to marry her because of her father’s request. How could she make him understand? She didn’t need his care, but she needed him. Without his love, they wouldn’t have a real marriage. If he couldn’t love her, she’d have to tell him no again. Her heart broke at the thought.

  She headed toward the two cane-backed rockers and settled into one.

  Michael tilted the other toward her and sat down. For long moments, he looked at her as if trying to memorize her features.

  She looked into his eyes and saw pain hidden in the soft blue depths. Had she put it there? Finding Michael had been her dream for years, but had it been best for either of them? Maybe not. She turned away with a sigh.

  A bird flew into the big, old elm shading the yard. The leaves rustled as his song pealed forth, sounding strangely out of place when her heart ached so much.

  “You aren’t helpless little Andy anymore, are you?” Michael’s soft voice seemed to yell against her nerves. “In fact, I’m not sure you ever were.”

  She swung toward him, her mouth open to deny his words when she understood what he’d said. She waited while he continued.

  “You don’t need me. You’ve got so much going for you now. Your money and your family.” He glanced up at the porch ceiling. “Even this. Two businesses, or did you decide not to buy?”

  “No, I’m buying them. Melanie and Mrs. Clemmons are leaving within a week.”

  “I guess I’ll be leaving, too.” Michael cleared his throat.

  “What? Why? Because they are?” KodyAnne scooted forward. Michael couldn’t leave. She wanted him where she could see him, know he was all right. Even if he found someone to love. She’d deal with that final blow when it came, but she wanted him to stay in Willow Springs.

  He shrugged as if he hadn’t said anything out of the way. “The pastor back home is elderly. He’d like to retire. Mom hinted in her last letter that I might like to take the job. Maybe it’s best that I do.”

  He couldn’t say anything to hurt her more. Fine. He could just go. She stood. Two steps carried her to the porch railing. The bird stopped his song. A cloud covered the sun leaving her in mourning more than she’d been when she wore black. Michael was leaving her because he’d decided she didn’t need him. How wrong he was.

  She turned to find him standing in front of his chair watching her. She lifted her chin. “Fine, Mike, if that’s what you want, you go on and leave. You’re right. I don’t need your help anymore. I’ll be fine now. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me when we were kids and these last several weeks. I’m glad we found each other again.”

  Her voice broke, and she turned away from him. “Maybe we’ll find the others from the orphanage one day. Keirra, Jessica, Brian, and Preacher. Who knows? They might be here in Kansas or maybe as far away as California.”

  “Yes, I guess so.” He looked down and set his hat on his head. “I’ll be going then.”

  She nodded, and he turned away.

  “I love you, Mike.” She covered her lips with her fingers. When he froze, she knew she’d spoken aloud.

  He turned, his eyes burning her. “What did you say?”

  She lowered her lashes as fear flooded her veins leaving her weak. “Only that I love you.”

  “You’ve said that before. When we were kids. But this time it sounded different.” He took a step forward. “As if you mean it.”

  “I’ve always meant it.” She leaned against the porch railing, seeking its support.

  “No, not like I’m thinking.” He took another step. His gaze held hers.

  She wanted to run away, but even more she wanted to stay. “I’ve always loved you, Mike. You know that. When you walked away
from the Orphan Train with your new parents, a part of me went with you.”

  “I left a part of my heart with you.” Michael stopped his approach one step from her. “I loved you the first time I saw you. I never stopped. I love you now with all my heart.”

  She stared into the depth of his eyes and saw his love shining there. “Oh, Mike.”

  “I need you, Andy. Don’t you know that? I’m not complete without you.” Mike gave a quick laugh. “I always acted like the big, tough man who took care of you, but it was the other way around. I meant what I said at the diner the other day. You rescued me when you thought I was rescuing you. I couldn’t leave you at the orphanage alone because I didn’t know how I could live without you. Or what I’ll do without you now.”

  A smile tugged at the corners of KodyAnne’s lips. She took a half-step forward. “You could stay here in Willow Springs and marry me again.”

  A light leapt into Michael’s eyes as his lips curved. He captured her hands and sank to the porch on one knee. “You asked me once to marry you, and I did. Now it’s my turn. Andy, I love you more than you know. Please say you’ll be my wife—my legally married wife before God, the church, and the state of Kansas.”

  KodyAnne couldn’t stop her smile, but she refused to agree too quickly. She glanced toward the porch ceiling. “If I say yes, do I have to give up my businesses?”

  Michael laughed. “No, but you have to promise to hire good help. If God blesses us with a child or two, I’ll expect you to sit around with your feet up as much as possible.”

  KodyAnne’s laughter rang out before she became aware of a sound that hadn’t been there before. A rustle of petticoats and creaking of the door? She turned to see and laughed.

  Mrs. Clemmons stood on the opposite side of the screen door with Melanie and Charlotte peeking over her shoulders and jostling for room meant for one person instead of three. Melanie’s husband stood behind her with an indulgent smile on his face.

  Michael stood, still holding her hand. “Don’t let them distract you from answering.”

  KodyAnne opened her mouth, but the crunching of footsteps in the yard stopped her. She swung toward the sound.

  Tyler stood under the elm tree, holding Samantha’s hand. He grinned. “So I’m finally getting a brother. Welcome to the family, Mike.”

  “Hey, wait.” KodyAnne called out. “I haven’t answered yet.”

  Michael held her with an intense gaze. He lifted an eyebrow. “In case you haven’t noticed, I’ve got witnesses.”

  “I won’t go back on this word.” KodyAnne shook her head to keep the tears of joy from flowing. She pulled at Keirra’s ribbon, lifting Michael’s ring from beneath her dress. Her eyes locked with his as she slipped it over her head.

  “Andy?” He whispered the question. “Is that . . . ?”

  She untied the knot and handed the ring to him. “I’ve kept it over my heart all these years. It’s always been yes, Mike. Always and forever. Yes, I’ll marry you.”

  He stared at the diamond and emerald ring in his hand. He’d almost forgotten giving it to her. The fact it was an engagement ring flitted through his mind, but he wouldn’t wonder about his mother’s story now. It was enough he’d finally forgiven her. He took KodyAnne’s hand and slipped his mother’s ring on her finger.

  “Yes.” He breathed the word before covering her lips with his.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Mildred Colvin is an award-winning, best-selling author of twenty romance novels in both historical and contemporary themes, two compilations, and one audio book.

  Mildred is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and is active in two critique groups. To keep up with her writings and activities, visit her at http://infinitecharacters.com.

  Note from the Author

  Jonathan Colvin is my brainstorming support. Without his help and ideas, The Preacher’s Outlaw Bride would not have come into existence. I’m blessed to have him join with me on this project, and I’m counting on his help with many others to come.

  I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about KodyAnne and Michael’s adventures. Many children rode the Orphan Train and found good homes. Some were not so blessed, but were abused and forced to work. I hope to write three more stories in this series, with my son’s help, as we tell what happened to Keirra, Jessica, Preacher, and Brian. I hope you’ll be watching for those stories in the months to come. Keirra’s will be next early in 2013, as she becomes: The Banker’s Counterfeit Bride.

  Contemporary Romances

  Coming Soon in Fall 2012!

  Making Things Right (Kansas City Romance - Book 2)

  Lori and Ron can’t seem to agree on the important things in life, such as Ron’s hobby. At least that’s what Lori calls his fledgling photography-business-on-the-side. So Ron takes his camera, walks out, and gets a divorce. Two years later Lori attends a wedding as the matron of honor only to find Ron is the hired photographer. He now has his own successful studio.

  She would say good for him and leave it at that, but his sister is dying of cancer and asks her to move into her mansion and be her nurse for her remaining days. Lori can’t say no, not even when the job includes a large inheritance—and a small one. Ron’s three-year-old niece will need a new mother and his sister picks Lori for the job. But not if he can help it!

  Three Broken Hearts (Kansas City Romance - Book 3)

  Ron’s friend, Kent, builds houses. He’s started a new housing project and needs an interior designer for the model homes. Amy and her partner seem perfect for the job. In fact, Amy holds more appeal than only her expertise in design. They could easily fall in love and get married, except for one thing. Kent’s preteen daughter, Sierra, doesn’t want Amy for a step-mother. She wants her dad to marry her mother’s identical twin sister.

  More books by Mildred Colvin:

  Mama’s Bible (Oregon Trail - Book 1)

  Home’s Promise (Oregon Trail - Book 2)

  Learning to Lean Learning to lean on God can take a lifetime or maybe only a lesson in trust. Contemporary 60,000 words

  A New Life Kim is city. Travis is Country. She just found out they have something in common. Her son! Contemporary 60,000 words.

  Love Returned Megan McGinnis believes Scott’s son is the baby she gave away nine years ago. If she confronts him, she’ll lose his love, and he’ll take his son away. If she marries him without telling who she is, she’ll have both husband and son, but be living a lie. Is there a happy ending? Contemporary 60,000 words.

  Lesson of the Poinsettia Abigail and Seth are taught by a little girl and a poinsettia to see beyond the darkness of their lives and in the process find love that will last a lifetime. Historical 25,000 words.

  Cora’s Deception (Brides of Cedar Creek - Book 1)

  Eliza’s Mistake (Brides of Cedar Creek - Book 2)

  This Child Is Mine (Kansas City Romance - Book 1)

  Connie and the Cowboy (Outlaw Gold - Book 1)

  You might also like:

  By Regina Tittel

  Abandoned Hearts (The Ozark Durham Series - Book 1)

  Unexpected Kiss (The Ozark Durham Series - Book 2)

  Coveted Bride (The Ozark Durham Series - Book 3)

  By Vanessa Riley

  Madeline’s Protector

  Table of Contents

  DEDICATION

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Contemporary R
omances

  M