Tracks To Love (Birdsong Series)
Page 21
Giving one more hug, all around, Eve said, “Yes, husband. I am ready.”
The joyous couple waved merrily to the well-wishers, as Ty lifted Eve up onto the buggy seat. Cora had asked to hold little Carol for a spell, giving Eve and Ty some private time together—and she wanted the opportunity to bond further with her adorable grandchild.
Eve stood and turned her back to the crowd. “Get ready girls,” she announced. Looking once, over her right shoulder, she tossed her wedding bouquet high into the air. Caught on a breeze, it drifted deep into the excited throng. Women leapt into the air, arms outstretched, vying for the prize. When the delicate bouquet fell back to earth, it landed quietly into the hands of a handsome woman standing beside a mountain of a man.
“Land’s sake,” she murmured.
“Adios,” shouted Ty, as he flicked the reins, moving the buggy toward the horizon.
The church bell pealed, heralding the conclusion of the wedding festivities and rang a farewell to one of Hays City’s most beloved citizens, as Mrs. Eve Birdsong Fenton rode out of town, over the ridge, and out of sight.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Eve found the little white cottage with the green shutters and red door, perfect for their family. It was cozy and warm, and exuded charm. She never wanted to leave. This ranch was pretty close to paradise for her. Carol would be able to grow up strong and happy here.
John and Cora turned out to be the perfect in-laws, as well as the perfect grandparents. The baby loved them both. She often reached out with her chubby little arms for John or Cora, instead of her own ma or pa. But that was fine with them. They were one happy family—and soon to increase by one.
Ty was over the moon with happiness, when Dr. Donovan proclaimed Eve in the family way. Their child would be born in the spring.
One evening, after dinner, Ty and Eve were sitting on the porch, content with the silence of the moment, simply holding hands. The night sounds were starting up, adding their comforting melodies to the ending of another day. The enchanting night music of the cicadas lulled the senses. All was perfect, until the sound of horse’s hooves was heard in the distance.
As the lone rider cautiously approached the property, Eve questioned his reason for riding in at such a late hour.
“He’s probably just another drifter, darlin’, needing a bite to eat and a roof over his head for the night. I’ll go out and speak to him. You stay here.”
Ty headed on down the path, keeping the stranger well away from the house and his family. “Howdy, mister. You need something?”
The older man removed his hat.
Ty sensed he was a good and decent man, and not one to be feared. “You’re on Fenton land, mister. If you’re in need of food or shelter, you’ve come to the right place. If it’s a job you’re wantin’, you need to ride up over yonder and speak to my pa. He owns the ranch.”
“I do not mean to cause you any difficulties, sir. I would ask only for a place to sleep for the night, and a place for my horse. He’s a good old horse, but can’t go as far as he used to. I’ll be riding out in two days time, if that is agreeable to you?”
Ty could tell immediately, that the man was educated and a gentleman. He also could see the man was ready to drop from exhaustion. His horse may be old, but this man was no younger.
“Put your horse in the barn, sir, and I’ll bring you out some hot water to wash up. You can come into the house for some dinner. Looks like you could use it.”
“Thank you. I am most beholding.” The stranger slowly stepped down from his horse and led the animal into the barn.
“Who is he, dear?” Eve asked.
“Just a lonely man, and I believe a good one. He’s hungry, Eve, even though he didn’t say so. He’s proud. Could you rustle up something for him? I’m gonna get him some hot water to wash off.”
“Of course. Take him some clean towels and some good quilts to sleep on. I’ve an extra pillow you can take to him, also. It was a gift from Cassie.” She laughed. “Cassie and her pillows.”
The gentleman, for that was what he was, consumed his stew and biscuits in record time, slightly embarrassing himself. “That was a delicious repast, ma’am. I’m afraid that my manners are a little rusty from disuse.”
“Nonsense, sir. It’s a compliment to the cook, to see a man eat with such vigor.”
Ty asked, “Tell us something about yourself, sir. You could start with your name and where you came from. It’s obvious you ain’t from around these parts.” Ty grinned. He detected a slight and unusual accent in the stranger’s manner of speech.
“There’s not much to tell, Mr. Fenton. I used to have a life worth living, now I no longer do. My wife and child are gone, and without them, I just drift along, waiting to die.”
“Oh, no. That’s so sad,” Eve muttered.
“Yes, ma’am. I had a beautiful wife and daughter. They were my life, until the war separated us. We lived in a flat in New York City. Didn’t have much in the way of material things, but we had more than our share of what was important. You know, ma’am, I would imagine my little girl would have grown up to look a lot like you. Her hair was the color as yours—the eyes, too.
“When I returned home, after the war, I found that my wife had passed on and my little girl had been taken away. A woman—Martha, I think her name was—told me she got on a train and headed west. I’ve been looking for her ever since. I guess she’s long gone by now, and I’m getting too old to keep wandering.”
A tingle ran up Eve’s spine. “What’s your name, sir?” she asked.
“Pete. Pete Carroll.”
Eve’s delicate mouth was round with surprise. “I named my dog, Pete. It was the only male name I knew. I named my daughter, Carol . . . it’s a name that has been in my mind since I was a little girl. Mr. Carroll, . . . this may sound odd, but I was born in New York City.” She swallowed. Could she really proceed with this query?
“My mother died and I was taken away to the Children’s Aide Society. My papa was in the army.” She held her breath. “They put me on a train . . . headed west. Martha was kind to me.”
The man’s throat constricted to the point he couldn’t speak. He felt the perspiration forming on his brow and upper lip. His eyes filled with hot tears and his broken heart was nearly bursting with hope.
“Evie—Are . . . you . . . my Evie?” he asked, afraid to hear her answer.
She nodded, frozen in place. That voice. She recognized the sound of her name, on his lips. “Ebbie”, she whispered.
“But you can’t be her. My little girl was lame. She had a twisted foot.”
“Oh, Papa!” Eve threw herself into his trembling arms. “You came home, after all.”
Ty stood back, witnessing a miracle. At long last, the family was truly reunited and the future was theirs for the taking. He smiled, thinking of where they had come from, and how fate stepped in and brought them all together, once again.
In the distance, a lonesome train whistle blew, bringing others to their futures or their fates. In their case, they had been tracks to love.
THE END
SWEETWATER
Emily's Story
Dr. Blake Donovan couldn’t keep his eyes from straying to the ravishing brunette working in the garden. With her straw bonnet sitting slightly askew on her head, allowing her long, shining curls to fall gracefully around her shoulders, he found her to be totally captivating. The young woman was tall and slender, with feminine curves in all the right places—and he knew she wasn’t the least bit interested in him or any other man.
Miss Emily Louise Falkenrath was 23 years old, and carried a very large chip on her delicate shoulders. She knew how cruel and dangerous men could be . . .even men that were supposed to protect little girls and their mamas. She had been forced to grow up fast, and she learned to hide from her secret past. There was no time for men or romance in her life, but she still dreamed. Since the time she left home, she had yearned to own her own farm, and she swore to let n
othing prevent her from getting it. Not even the man she most feared in the world would stop her. Unfortunately, handsome Dr. Blake Donovan would just have to look elsewhere for romance.
Not a man to give up, Dr. Donovan vows to keep Emily happy and safe—even if, in order to protect her, he has to revisit his violent past—and kill again. Perhaps he’ll succeed in winning her heart. For now, everyone is in danger, and some may die, but Blake and Emily vow to see it through, together.
MISSOURI LEGEND
Daniel’s Story
Daniel couldn’t seem to stop kissing Mary. She tasted delicious, her soft lips lush and full beneath his. He wanted her. He had to have her, but the timing couldn’t have been worse. With the Yankees turning over every stone, looking for the legendary Missouri Bushwhacker, it was too risky.
Daniel Wilson was a wanted man, handsome and dangerous. A man whose idyllic life had been ripped apart by a senseless war. His family murdered, his home burned, he sought his revenge and took comfort in the arms of a beautiful woman.
Wanted by two armies and a score of bounty hunters, he dared to dream of a good life with his wife and children. Consumed by his love and desire for Mary, Daniel had to formulate a foolproof plan to thwart his enemies and allow him to live out his years with the love of his life. He only had to survive long enough to carry it through—or die trying.
MISSOURI LEGEND is filled with action and steaming, hot passion.
ARIZONA JUSTICE
Vernon’s Story
Vernon Gunn liked his life. He was an Arizona Ranger and proud of it. It was all he ever wanted to be. No outlaw, no matter who they were or how dangerous, would slip through his hands. He figured his life would be just about perfect if it wasn’t for a damnable, opinionated, and clumsy young woman bent on making him miserable. The hell of it was, he couldn’t get her out of his thoughts or his dreams. She was soft in all the right places and so lovely to look at; she hurt his eyes. She was the type of woman that made a man yearn for more than a desk and a tin star.
Beth was blonde, beautiful . . . and on the run. Her flight from Richmond, Virginia to Tucson Arizona, would lead her straight into the arms of the one man who would hold her future in his hands. He was a strong man with strong convictions, and more handsome than a lawman had any right to be, she thought. After he learned of her terrible secret, would his heart be moved enough to grant her freedom—or would he end her life at the end of a rope?
It’s a harrowing time for the ranger and the lovely outlaw, but the hands of fate step in and take command of their lives. Unseen forces set the final stage, with an outcome no one could have foreseen.
Riveting hot passion abounds in ARIZONA JUSTICE.
ALICE ADDY has always been in love with historical romances. Many of her tales spring from stories told to her in her childhood. She proudly claims a famous Missouri bushwhacker as her great-great grandfather, and her overactive imagination fills in the rest of the story.
Collecting American antiques also fills her hours, along with her passion for gardening. Colorful flowers and blossoming trees often times find their way into her novels. She believes in setting a beautiful scene for her beloved characters. Readers will also notice her love for children and animals in her books. Hopefully, they will make you laugh, and they may even cause you to shed a few tears, but always, always . . . her stories will have a happy ending.
Soon, she hopes to travel extensively throughout the Southwest and the Northern plains. Maybe she will see you, there.
*****
You can visit her website: www.aliceaddy.com
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Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen