The Horseman's Frontier Family

by Karen Kirst

  The humor fled Clint’s eyes. “You know that’s not going to happen.”

  Aware of his younger brother’s stance on marriage, he said lightly, “‘In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.’ Look it up. Proverbs 16.”

  “Gideon, quoting Scripture?” Lars grinned big. “Now this is a good thing, ja?”

  Gideon glanced at Lije, who wore an expression of relief and brotherly pride. “It’s a very good thing.”

  As a group, they made their way to the wide front yard where guests milled about waiting for the ceremony to begin. It was a gorgeous Saturday afternoon. Many of Brave Rock’s residents had turned out, some even donating food to feed the crowd. Mrs. Murphy had generously supplied the cake. The Gilberts had brought their biggest hog to be roasted on a spit. Jars of lemonade and sweet tea lined one table, while beans and corn and other dishes occupied another.

  Their friends stood at the front of the crowd. Lars was flanked on either side by Katrine, Winona and Dakota. Off to the side, Lion and Shadow lounged in the shade, white ribbons tied about their furry necks.

  At the sight of the preacher and groom, the crowd parted to make way. There beneath the cottonwoods stood Evelyn, filmy white dress framed by the green grass at her feet and the leaves hanging overhead, and by the cerulean sky hovering over the prairie and the shimmering silver stream winding past. Tiny white blossoms were woven into the lustrous dark locks skimming her shoulders, the top strands caught at the back with flowing white ribbons.

  With each step that carried him closer, his heart thundered louder in his ears. This was his future. His forever love.

  When he reached her, he took her hands in his and whispered, “I’ve never seen you look more beautiful.” And then, because a touch of sadness tinged her smile—despite her invitation, her brothers had chosen not to attend—he tacked on, “Except maybe when I dumped you in the water.”

  Her eyes widened in surprise. Then a happy laugh bubbled forth. “I’ll get you for that.”

  When he felt someone tug on his pant leg, Gideon looked down to see Walt, dapper in his brown suit, beaming up at them. Crouching to his level, Gideon placed a hand on each shoulder. “Are you ready to stand up with me, little man?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  As soon as Evelyn had agreed to be his wife, they’d gone in search of Walt and talked to him about their decision. His reaction couldn’t have been better. He’d hugged Evelyn first. Then he’d thrown himself into Gideon’s arms and exclaimed, “I have a new pa!” Both adults had had tears in their eyes.

  Standing here now with his new family, Gideon offered another prayer of thanks to the Lord for His provision. For him the ceremony marked a genesis of sorts, the beginning of a life he’d never dreamed would be his. While a part of his heart would always mourn his first family, Evelyn and Walt filled his days with love and laughter, joy and delight.

  A throat cleared nearby. Lije bent close. “The crowd’s getting restless. And hungry. We’d better get started.”

  Straightening, Gideon locked gazes with Evelyn. “We’re ready.”

  * * *

  Coming up behind Gideon, who was crouched on the stream bank, Evelyn dipped her fingertips in the bucket of water she carried and sprinkled droplets on his neck.

  “You look like you need to cool off,” she teased, his pre-wedding quip—and the skirmish that had spawned it—springing to mind.

  Twisting around, he eyed the bucket swinging in her hand. Even as a smile flashed, straight, white teeth sparkling against golden skin, one dark brow arched. “You wouldn’t dare.”

  She shrugged a shoulder, affected an air of nonchalance. “I seem to recall a certain groom who had the audacity to bring up a particularly humiliating incident to his bride on the most important day of her life.”

  “I was trying to distract you,” he said, smile widening.

  Her taciturn cowboy was no more. In his place was a man who knew how to laugh, how to enjoy the ridiculous, silly moments in a day, a man with a ready smile and wicked sense of humor. How she loved him!

  “Oh, I was distracted, all right.” Relishing the exchange, Evelyn slowly lifted the bucket. “It sure is a scorcher today. If it’s this hot at the end of May, I wonder what June has in store for us.”

  “As long as I have you and Walt by my side,” he vowed with mock seriousness, “I don’t care what the weather does.”

  “Nice try, cowboy.” Acting fast, she tossed the water at him, dousing his entire back. Then, dropping the bucket, she ran.

  “You’ll pay for that, Mrs. Thornton!” he called, already gaining on her.

  Exhilaration shooting through her veins, Evelyn didn’t run as fast as she could have, because a part of her wanted to get caught. As long as she lived, she’d never tire of Gideon’s strong arms around her, his sheltering embrace.

  She squealed the instant he stopped her forward motion, scooping her up as if she weighed no more than a feather pillow and carrying her to the water.

  Clutching his shirtfront, she repeated his earlier words. “You wouldn’t dare.”

  He burst out laughing, a rumbling, happy sound that was music to her ears. “The water isn’t deep. You won’t drown.” Sparkling gray eyes devouring her, his voice dropped an octave. “You look overheated, wife. You should cool off.”

  Stopping at the bank, he clutched her tighter so that she was pressed against his chest. His perfect mouth hovered above hers. He cocked his head. “If I agree not to release you, what will I get in return?”

  “A slice of Mrs. Murphy’s ginger cake?”

  “Not good enough.”

  “A bowl of my rabbit stew?” While he praised all her meals, he seemed partial to her stew.

  Extending his arms, he made as if to drop her. “I don’t think so.”

  “All right, all right.” She clutched at his biceps. “I have something else.”

  Stepping back from the edge, he said, “What’s that?”

  Suddenly shy, she lowered her gaze to where his collar opened at the neck. “I drew a picture for you. It’s in the cabin.”

  Gideon promptly lowered her, gently setting her feet in the grass. All seriousness now, he said simply, “Can I see it?”

  Nodding, she took him by the hand and they walked to the shaded porch. “Wait here.”

  When she returned, she handed him the picture and, heart hammering against her rib cage, waited for his reaction. His gaze soaked in the drawing of himself cradling a little girl, her face hidden against his chest, long curls flowing over his arms. His jaw worked and his Adam’s apple bobbed.

  He hated it. “I’m sorry, Gideon, I shouldn’t have—”

  “No.” He reached out and, taking her hand, tugged her close to his side. “If you hadn’t, I would’ve missed out on a wonderful reminder of Maggie. It’s beautiful, Evelyn,” he said, his voice husky and his eyes full of emotion. “I’ll treasure this always.”

  Then he placed a tender kiss on her lips, one of promise and of a love that would endure all things.

  “If God wills it, one day I hope to give you more sons and daughters,” she told him, emotion clogging her throat. While theirs was a recent union, she was already dreaming of expanding their family. Gideon was a terrific father to Walt, as he would be to any children they had together.

  He lightly caressed her cheek. “That would please me more than anything. However, if God doesn’t see fit to give us more children, you and Walt are enough. You are the family He gifted to me.”

  Evelyn blinked through misty tears. “I love you.”

  “I love you, darling wife.”

  Arm in arm, they entered their new home, aware of their many blessings and ready for the future, whatever it might hold.

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an e
xcerpt from HIS CHOSEN BRIDE by Rhonda Gibson.

  Dear Reader,

  I sincerely hope this second installment of the Bridegroom Brothers continuity series entertained and encouraged you. This was my first time participating in a continuity, and while the process came with unique challenges—for instance, making sure we authors each didn’t give a character different hair colors!—I’m thankful to have been a part of it. As soon as I read about the land rush and the resulting dispute between a taciturn cowboy and a lonely widow, I knew I’d enjoy bringing their love story to life. The characters of Gideon and Evelyn were a joy to explore. I have to admit I’m gonna miss spending time in Brave Rock, Oklahoma, as well as working with fellow Love Inspired Historical authors Laurie Kingery and Allie Pleiter. Don’t forget to catch the conclusion of this series, Clint Thornton’s story, out next month!

  If you’d like more information on this series or my Smoky Mountain Matches series, please visit my website, http://www.KarenKirst.com or email me at karenkirst@live.com. You can also find me on Facebook or follow my Twitter account, @KarenKirst .

  Karen Kirst

  Questions for Discussion

  Have you, like the Thornton brothers, ever been blamed for others’ misfortunes? How did you handle the situation?

  Evelyn initially bases her assessment of Gideon’s character on her family’s opinions. How are our views influenced by those close to us?

  God’s Word warns against judging others. Why, then, do you think we sometimes fall into this trap?

  1 Samuel 16:7 says, “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” What are some of the things we tend to focus on when meeting someone new?

  Because of Drake’s criticism, Evelyn is afraid of trying new things and of making mistakes. Have you ever felt this way? What did you ultimately do about it? Can failure be good for us? If so, how?

  Gideon is angry at God for not sparing his young daughter. Have you ever been angry at Him for not answering a prayer the way you wished? What can we do for those close to us who, like Gideon, are grieving the loss of a loved one?

  The Thornton brothers choose not to retaliate against the Chaucers. What would you do if someone was spreading lies about you or your family?

  Gideon and Evelyn both admit to marrying for the wrong reasons. What motivates people to marry in this day and age?

  Lars and Winona obviously harbor feelings for one another, but several obstacles stand in their way—cultural backgrounds, language, religious views, potential prejudices. In your opinion, are those same issues still affecting couples today?

  What are some other challenges couples face today that weren’t present in the late 1800s?

  Have you ever known anyone who, like Gideon, closed themselves off from others following a tragedy? What, if anything, did you do to draw them out?

  Due to Evelyn’s change of attitude concerning the Thorntons and her growing feelings for Gideon, Evelyn’s relationship with her brothers becomes strained. Have you ever been in a similar situation? How did you handle it?

  Have you ever stood up for the right thing and suffered for it? What was the situation?

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired Historical title.

  You find illumination in days gone by. Love Inspired Historical stories lift the spirit as heroines tackle the challenges of life in another era with hope, faith and a focus on family.

  Enjoy four new stories from Love Inspired Historical every month!

  Connect with us on Harlequin.com for info on our new releases, access to exclusive offers, free online reads and much more!

  Other ways to keep in touch:

  Harlequin.com/newsletters

  Facebook.com/HarlequinBooks

  Twitter.com/HarlequinBooks

  HarlequinBlog.com

  Chapter One

  Granite, Texas

  Fall 1886

  Millie Hamilton stood in the stagecoach doorway and looked out on the town before her. Dusty, rustic and sparse. Most certainly not like her beloved hometown of Cottonwood Springs, New Mexico, with its trees along Main Street and flower boxes in front of businesses. No, she was finally in Granite, Texas, six months past her original arrival date.

  “Miss Millicent Summer?”

  Millie knew without being told that the man in front of her was Levi Westland, the man who’d expected to marry her six months ago. She was to have been his mail-order bride. She recognized him from the photograph he’d sent her in his last letter, though the small picture hadn’t done him justice. Surely he hadn’t continued to meet the stage daily.

  “Yes?” Millie allowed him to take her gloved hand and assist her from the stage.

  “I’m Levi Westland.”

  To say Levi Westland was handsome would have been an understatement. Piercing green eyes shone from his face like gleaming porcelain, and two dimples appeared as if loving fingers had squeezed his cheeks. She was caught off guard by the sudden flutter in her heart. He was the most handsome man she’d ever met, and that meant trouble for her.

  Levi Westland smiled up at her and continued to hold her gloved hand in his. He smelled of fresh-cut wood and warm earth, but his attire appeared to be that of a rancher. Leather cowboy boots, a black Stetson hat and a shiny belt buckle were not the standard dress of a woodworker, which was what he said in his letters that he did.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Westland.” Millie removed her hand from his. “I wasn’t expecting you to be waiting for me—after all, it has been over six months since I was supposed to have arrived.”

  The stagecoach driver tossed two bags down to the boardwalk in front of them. Millie grimaced at the thud that they made and was thankful she’d thought to put her charcoal and paints in her satchel instead of in one of the bigger bags.

  Levi picked up the luggage. “I wasn’t really waiting for you, Miss Summer. I just happened to be walking by when the stage arrived. When the driver called out your name, I stopped.” He offered her what looked like a nervous grin. “To be painfully honest, I’d given up on your arrival months ago.”

  Millie nodded. “I see.” She inhaled deeply and turned to face the handsome man. It was time to be honest with him, as well. “Mr. Westland, I would appreciate it if you would address me as Miss Hamilton. My full name is Millicent Summer Hamilton. I only used my middle name to protect myself while traveling.” She paused as she felt a slight heat enter her face. Millie took another breath and rushed on, “And when I was sending letters to strangers who wanted to get married.”

  He chuckled. “Then Miss Hamilton it is.”

  “Thank you.” Millie knew she’d been foolish in not revealing her full name in the letters they’d exchanged. It was one of many things she’d done to prevent her parents from finding her. It had been foolish to run away from home, but something she’d felt she had to do then also.

  Now that she’d spent some time away from her home, Millie wasn’t ready to return.

  Millie watched as he motioned for a gangly young boy to come toward them. The teenager stopped a few feet away. “Can I do something for you, Mr. Westland?” the lad asked.

  “Amos, would you take Miss Hamilton’s bags to the boardinghouse?”

  The floppy hat that covered his blond locks bobbed agreement. “I’d be happy to, Mr. Westland.” His young voice cracked and a red flush filled his neck.

  Levi dug into his pocket and pulled out some change. As he handed it to Amos, he continued, “Please ask Beth to put the bags in room four.”

  “I will. Thank you, sir.” He shoved the coins into his front pocket, took the bags from Levi and ran across the street and around a corner.

  Millie
’s first instinct was to chase after the young man. Everything she needed was in those bags including most of her money, her only sketch pad and drawings. Now she wished she’d kept her money with her instead of hiding it within the bags. She could replace the sketch pad and drawings but not without money.

  “Don’t worry, he’s reliable. Amos will take them straight to the boardinghouse. You’ve nothing to fret about.” Levi tucked her hand into the crook of his arm and proceeded down the boardwalk.

  Had her face shown her concern? Or had it been the wringing of her hands that had given her away? Millie realized she’d need to learn to control her expressions if she wanted to be taken seriously as both an artist and a woman.

  “I’ve some business to take care of and then we’ll head to the boardinghouse where you can see for yourself that your bags are fine.”

  Millie nodded and allowed him to guide her in the opposite direction of the way the lad had run. She wanted to scream, but since the only reason she’d come to Granite was to return the money Mr. Westland had sent for her travel expenses, she’d go along with him for now. After making him wait so long for her to arrive, Millie didn’t feel it would have been right to explain her change of heart regarding marriage in a letter. No this had to be done in person.

  As they walked, Millie struggled inwardly with her emotions. Just like her mother, Levi Westland had taken charge, not bothering to ask her what her plans were. For now, she’d give him the benefit of the doubt, but if he thought just because they were supposed to get married, that he could control her every move, well, he had another think coming.

  She wasn’t marrying him or any other man. Millie had come to Granite to tell him that she’d been mistaken in answering his mail-order bride advertisement. She had thought at the time it was the only way to escape her controlling mother and to flee from the law.

  But on the trip out, she’d changed her mind. Because Millie knew it wouldn’t be right to keep the money he’d already spent on her passage to Granite, Millie had taken a job in Lubbock Texas.