The women fell silent.
“You know, there is the other matter of authorities,” Anne-Marie said quietly. “We are still wanted by the state for our crimes. God will forgive us, but Texas won’t.”
“We must turn ourselves in,” Abigail said.
“No!” Amelia couldn’t turn herself in to the authorities! Not now that God had led her to Morgan and now that the love of her life returned her feelings. But her sin, though forgiven, would hold consequences.
Honor and integrity—each sister wanted those attributes. But their former lives hung around their necks like millstones.
“I have a good deal of gold,” Anne-Marie said. “Perhaps we could repay those we have wronged.”
Abigail frowned. “Where did you get a great deal of gold?”
“It’s a long story best saved for another day. But I have all the money we, or the convent, will ever need.”
“How would we ever be able to find everyone we’ve wronged?” Amelia shook her head. “It wouldn’t be possible.”
“Actually,” Anne-Marie mused, “the McDougal sisters, as we knew them, died that day in the jail wagon accident.”
The thought was so grave, the sisters paused to ponder the somber notion.
Reaching for the hands of her sisters, Anne-Marie said softly, “I can’t exactly explain what’s happened to each of us since the day the Comanche attacked the wagon, but we’ve changed. Our hearts have changed.”
Each sister marveled at the differences they witnessed in each other. They seemed older now, mature and compassionate. Undoubtedly the authorities assumed that they’d been carried off by the Comanche and either killed or taken as brides. The empty jail wagon and the driver with an arrow through his heart would have sealed that conviction.
“I know what happened to me,” Amelia whispered. “I fell in love. With God, with goodness and purity, and with Morgan.”
No one spoke for a moment. The magnitude of the thought hung in the air.
“With a man,” Amelia clarified. She waited for the repelling looks that would surely be coming.
“With Morgan Kane,” Anne-Marie supplied.
Abigail glanced at Anne-Marie, and the sisters broke into grins.
“Aren’t you mad at me?” Amelia slid to her knees to face them. “I mean, there is the blood pact and all. But I love Morgan…no, I adore this man, and I asked him to marry me this morning.”
“Amelia!” Anne-Marie scolded. “You asked him?”
“Yes, but he asked me back.”
“Silly goose!” Abigail hugged her.
“Then you’re not mad?” Amelia asked, hardly daring to believe they were taking the betrayal so well.
“We’re not mad.” Grinning, Abigail held out her left hand, flashing the plain gold band on her third finger. “I married my rescuer, Barrett Drake, two days ago. He’s the most wonderful man in the whole wide world.”
Shrieks of joy broke out as Amelia and Abigail hugged one another. “I can’t believe it!”
“I can’t either.”
“A man! We each fell in love with a man!”
“But what men!”
Anne-Marie shared their excitement with a beaming smile. “I, too, fell in love with my rescuer, Creed Walker.”
“No!” Amelia hugged her sister tighter. Who could have imagined all three McDougals would find true love in such unlikely circumstances?
The excitement faded, and the girls shared their adventures of the past weeks. Amelia regaled the women with tales from aboard the Mississippi Lady with Morgan and the women who accompanied her. Izzy, Niles, Ryder, Henry, and Captain Jean Louis came next. She vowed that her adventures were the most exciting times she’d ever experienced, but she didn’t care to ever relive them.
Abigail spoke of how Barrett Drake had rescued her from the jail wagon, the flight from the Comanche, and the trials and tribulations they had endured on the return trip to the mission. She spoke of a marriage proposal from a man named Doyle Dobbs and, of course, baby Daniel, the orphaned infant whom Abigale and Barrett now parented. It seems Anne-Marie and Amelia had acquired a nephew during their difficulties.
“Creed Walker rescued me,” said Anne-Marie. “He, along with John Quincy Adams, brought me to safety. Storm Rider, Creed’s Indian name, and Storm Rider’s blood brother, Bold Eagle, and his people took me in and gave me shelter.” Her voice softened when she told of Berry Woman, the young maiden Creed was pledged to marry but who had been mauled by a bear and lay gravely wounded for weeks.
“You, Creed, and Quincy tricked a crooked banker, Loyal Streeter, out of a huge gold shipment?” Amelia exclaimed.
Anne-Marie nodded. “We did, and though the deed was warranted, my life of playing Robin Hood is over. I will never take from another what isn’t mine.”
“Amen,” Amelia added.
“The same goes here.” Abigail reached out, and the girls made their usual solemn pact sign. Fists on top of each other, stacked high. Abigail’s fist sealed the promise. Reaching over, she slipped her arm around Anne-Marie and held her for a moment. “We are all greatly blessed,” she whispered.
Amelia joined in, hugging Anne-Marie too. Tears welled in her eyes. She was home. Finally home. “Where are these two wonderful men, Barrett and Creed?” The tall savage who had ridden off with her sister had indeed been an incredibly handsome figure.
Abigail’s eyes filled with love. “Barrett has gone to finalize his papers with the government; Creed”—she glanced at Anne-Marie—“is gone, but he will return soon.” She changed subjects. “I hate to ask, but do you think that Ryder or Henry could go look for the cow in the morning? The animal ran away during a storm, and the sisters can’t find her.”
Amelia’s face fell. “Oh. Sister Agnes has to go without cream in her coffee?” The good sister laced her morning cup heavily with the rich butterfat.
“Yes, and I promise you’ll hear about it rather quickly.”
“I’ll ask ’Enry first thing in the morning.” Amelia giggled and then explained how she’d misunderstood the man’s name for a day or two.
“His teeth are pretty big, aren’t they?”
Amelia nodded. “Gigantic—but you won’t notice after a while because he’s so good and kind. Izzy says it’s a man’s heart that counts.”
The girls talked long into the night, trying to analyze their new feelings toward men.
“Barrett had been hesitant about remarrying,” Abigail admitted. “But in the end, he realized we were meant for each other.”
“I can hardly wait to meet Daniel.” Amelia shifted. “And Barrett, of course. I know I will love them both. Morgan and I haven’t set a date for our marriage yet because we haven’t had time to catch our breaths, but I want it to be soon—very soon.” She went on to explain about Silas and Laura and how her man needed to be in the apple orchards in Washington as quickly as possible.
Anne-Marie cocked a brow. “You detest apples.”
Amelia hugged a feather pillow to her chest. “Not anymore.”
“Barrett and I will be leaving to pick up Daniel soon and then head on to Louisiana,” Abigail said. “I will miss you both dreadfully, and the good sisters, but we will write often.”
“I will pray for each of you a world of happiness,” Anne-Marie said. “Both Barrett and Morgan sound like wonderful choices. Creed has asked the good sisters for my hand in marriage, but everything is happening so fast, we haven’t had time to set a date either.” She paused. “Perhaps he has changed his mind. He was betrothed to another when we first met.”
Amelia frowned. “He is?”
“Was,” Anne-Marie corrected. “We got word shortly before we rode into the mission that the woman married another man.”
“But wasn’t she pledged to marry this Creed?”
Anne-Marie smiled. “It’s complicated. Just say that Creed and I know our futures are with each other. We’ve made sound choices.”
“We didn’t make the choice. God did,” Ameli
a confessed. Scooting closer, she reached for Anne-Marie’s hand. “I can’t wait to meet this Creed Walker.”
A smile escaped her sister. “He’s all mine. Hands off.”
“Oh, I’m perfectly happy with the man God gave me.” Amelia’s stomach churned at the notion of being separated from Anne-Marie and Abigail, but love often called for great sacrifice—that much she had learned.
And learning, for the McDougal sisters, was progress.
Epilogue
There couldn’t have been a prettier sight than the sun resting over the newly leaved treetops in a fiery ball when Morgan Kane and Amelia McDougal exchanged vows on the twenty-first day of May.
The end of a beautiful day, one like no other, befitted this sacred moment.
From Pilar all the way to Elizabeth, these special women were dressed in pretty calico that Faith and Hester had sewn for the occasion.
Abigail and Anne-Marie stood beside Amelia, beaming. Like all things in their sister’s life, her wedding was unconventional. Father Luis, very doddering now, performed the ceremony, his voice faltering at times when he forgot where he was.
Amelia had chosen to marry Morgan Kane as dawn broke, in the main convent hall, where morning vespers took place. Today was far from an ending. Today was a new beginning. The tolling bell in the steeple rang out pure joy on this flowering daffodil, late spring morning.
Morgan stole Amelia’s breath away today. He stood tall, durable, and handsome in a black linen suit. The sun shot glints of gold in his dark hair, and his eyes danced with a twinkle that couldn’t be mistaken for anything but love.
Barrett Drake stood beside his bride, Abigail, and her cheeks still flushed in his presence.
“Do you, Morgan Franklin Kane, take this woman, Amelia…”
Amelia was aware that Anne-Marie stood close, her eyes closed, silently repeating the vow to Creed Walker. Creed had been a busy man. Even today his tall form was missing in the crowd of well-wishers. So many loose ends to tie up after the war. Amelia could almost hear Anne-Marie’s hushed whispers as she followed the ceremony. “I take thee, Creed Walker, as my wedded husband, to love, honor, and—”
“Obey,” a deep voice interrupted softly in Anne-Marie’s ear. “Hello, my darling.”
Whirling, Anne-Marie met Creed’s gaze staring somberly back at her. Wearing a pristine white shirt, a black frock coat and trousers, he looked magnificent.
“Creed!” she whispered. The couple dropped back from the wedding party, speaking in hushed tones. “I’ve been so worried about you! What’s kept you so long?”
“Business matters took longer than expected, but I’m home for good.” His eyes drank deeply of her, and her cheeks warmed with the loving perusal. Drawing her to him, Creed kissed her like a man who feared he might never again hold the woman he loved in his arms.
“I have missed you so deeply,” she whispered against his lips.
“It’s been an eternity since I held you.”
Soft kisses prevented explanations. Neither was inclined to talk at the moment. The priest’s words penetrated but barely. Creed was home. In her arms. Forever.
When their lips finally parted, Anne-Marie drew back ever so slightly until her eyes met his. “The army has released you from duty?”
“They have. Haven’t you heard? The war is over.”
“Yes, I heard. Praise God.”
The applause as Amelia and Morgan finished their vows filled the background, and the groom swept his bride in his arms and kissed her. Anne-Marie’s grip on Creed tightened. “You’re really not heartbroken about losing Berry Woman to Plain Weasel?” she asked, praying, praying so desperately this moment that brought Amelia such joy would not bring Anne-Marie utter disillusionment.
“Disappointed? Me, disappointed?” It was Creed who grinned this time. “I was so disappointed that I gave Plain Weasel fifteen blankets and ten horses, and I threw in my saddle when I congratulated him.”
“Oh, Creed!” She kissed him wildly, caring not that Sister Agnes and Sister Lucille looked on with their mouths agape.
Creed’s arms encircled her possessively. “I love you, Anne-Marie, and I’ve missed you so much it hurt.” He buried his face in her neck and held her tightly. “You’re never going to be out of my sight again.”
“I never doubted your word, not for a moment.” Never deep in her heart had she truly doubted.
He met her gaze solidly. “Want to get married, Miss McDougal?”
“Yes, Mr. Walker. I surely do.”
He offered his arm.
“Now? Right now?” She glanced at Amelia. She was the bride. This was her special day, not Anne-Marie’s. She cupped his proud, handsome features in her hands and then pressed her lips to his to seal the words. “We have so much to catch up on. Abigail married her rescuer, Barrett Drake. Amelia just married her rescuer, Morgan Kane. Then I have to tell you about Amelia’s adventures—you would not believe what happened to her. She was in a steamboat accident and survived! And Abigail—she thought she was rescued by this really strange shoe salesman, but he turned out to be working for the government, just like Amelia’s new husband.”
When she saw hurt enter his eyes, she rushed on. “Creed, I want to marry you so much, but we can’t do this to Morgan and Amelia. It wouldn’t be fair. This is their day—their very special day. But tomorrow—I will marry you tomorrow.” Everyone would still be in a festive mood. She could borrow Amelia’s dress, and enough food was prepared for the momentous occasion to feed an army.
Creed whispered against her lips. “I can’t wait that long. I rode in late last night and happened to speak to Morgan Kane and Amelia.”
She turned quizzical. “You saw them before you saw me?”
“I had a purpose, and I thought you would be asleep. It was well past midnight when I rode in.”
“What could you possibly have to say to Morgan and Amelia? You don’t know either of them.”
“I met Amelia earlier, when I brought you home.”
“I know—but briefly. Why would you want to see her and not me?”
“I had something I needed to ask.”
“What?”
He sighed. “You’re a persistent little gnat. Since so much happiness is gathered—the sisters, your sisters, and friends—I thought we might combine a wedding ceremony…or at least share one. Amelia squealed when I asked, so I took that to mean she agreed. She said our marriage would make the day that much more special. The only request was that she and Morgan exchange vows first. So she could taunt you about it.” He flashed a silent apology. “I promised I would repeat her exact words.”
Anne-Marie drew back. “Are you serious?” She glanced down at what she had thought was a bridesmaid gown when she dressed earlier. “But my dress…”
He gently tipped her face back to meet his. “Does a dress matter?”
Straightening, she met his gaze. “Not in the least—but if I’d only known, I would have dressed more appropriately.”
He paused. “You’re my bride, and I don’t care what you’re wearing. The only thing on my mind is you.”
“Good enough.” She gave him her sweetest smile. “Let’s get married.”
Slipping her arm through his, Anne-Marie led her man to Father Luis and the rest of the assembled wedding party. No one appeared to be too surprised by a second ceremony. By now Mercy Flats, Texas, was used to the McDougal sisters.
And the good Lord knew everyone would rest easier now that they’d gotten those three feisty gals settled.
About the Author
Lori Copeland is the author of more than 100 titles, including The Preacher’s Lady and The Healer’s Touch. Her beloved novel Stranded in Paradise is now a Hallmark Channel Original Movie. Her stories have developed a loyal following among her rapidly growing fans in the inspirational market. She lives in the beautiful Ozarks with her husband, Lance.
Sisters of Mercy Flats
By Lori Copeland
The three wily and be
autiful McDougal sisters can swindle a man faster than it takes to lasso a calf. But their luck is running out, and they’re about to be hauled off to jail. When the wagon carrying them falls under attack, each sister is rescued by a different man.
Unfortunately for Abigail, she’s grabbed by a twit of a shoe salesman, Mr. Hershall Digman. She steals his horse and rides off to the nearest town, not giving him another thought… until she discovers those secret papers in his saddlebags. Could such a dandy really be a Confederate spy?
As if to prove it, the man who comes storming after her is no shoe salesman, but a handsome Rebel captain who wants his papers back… at any cost. And Abigail wants a ride back home. Will the two of them ever resolve their differences? And will they ever learn to trust in the God who won’t seem to let them go?
My Heart Stood Still
By Lori Copeland
The three wily and beautiful McDougal sisters can swindle a man faster than it takes to lasso a calf. But their luck is running out, and they’re about to be hauled off to jail. When the wagon carrying them falls under attack, each sister is picked up by a different man.
Anne-Marie, the middle sister, is saved by Creed Walker, a Crow warrior. It’s loathing at first sight, but with bandits on their tail and a cache of gold to hide, Creed and Anne-Marie need each other. Will they learn to put aside their differences and trust each other—and God? And can their growing faith turn their lives around?
About the Publisher
* * *
To learn more about books by Lori Copeland or to read sample chapters, log on to our website:
www.harvesthousepublishers.com
HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS
EUGENE, OREGON
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Amelia and the Captain Page 20
