by Cyndi Raye
Melody sighed. She nodded. “I promise.”
Abigail stood when she noticed her husband searching for her. She gave Melody a hug. “I’ll see you soon. Remember, I’ll keep my word and so will you.”
Melody stood and hugged her back. “Thank you. I haven’t told a soul. When Miss Nora invited us to your celebration she was shocked my husband didn’t come in on the train, too. I said he was out of town working. I hated to lie but I can’t tell anyone yet. It’s so horrific even if it is a relief that you know and not judge me. When this is all over, I know everyone in Dallas will treat me differently. I will no longer be welcomed there and Tommy will be shunned and ridiculed.”
“That’s why you need to come back here to the ranch. I’ll be waiting for you.”
Abigail turned to her husband when he came up alongside her. He looked at her, a curious and stern look on his face. Oh, dear, Abigail thought, what had happened with the Youngs? She glanced back to the tables where they had been standing but the lot of them were nowhere to be found. A buggy was leaving down the road and she was almost certain the Youngs were on it.
She took her husband’s hand. “Why are you frowning?”
He shook his head. “I didn’t see you at first.”
Abigail knew he was avoiding the subject but she wasn’t willing to compromise the rest of their celebration by worrying about this and that. Whatever happened with the Youngs was plainly none of her business or her husband would tell her.
Just as she was going to keep the secret of Melody’s divorce, she felt in her soul that something strange was going on between the Whites and the Youngs. Perhaps he had made a promise to himself, or his brothers or even his mother. Was Nora in this secret as well?
She didn’t know. Scanning the crowd, Abigail watched her mother-in-law as she mingled. If she hadn’t been watching her, she’d have missed the way Nora turned to check on each one of her boys with a concerned look on her face. Abigail tried to push the thought back. It wasn’t her business.
“Penny for your thoughts?” her husband asked. He placed his strong arms around her, moving them both to the sound of the ballad that began to play. Other couples joined them on the lawn, even some kids trying to dance like the adults.
Abigail looked around. She gazed at the vast land in front and behind her, watched as the sun began to set on the horizon, it’s bright yellow glow turning orange as it faded away. She heard the musicians playing, the neighbors chatting and laughing while wondering how she had gotten so lucky. “I feel like the luckiest woman in the world,” she told him, placing a kiss before he could say a word.
He deepened the kiss, showing her how much he loved her. “You are the most loved woman in the world, there’s no luck to that, it’s a blessing from above,” he said between kisses. “I love you, Abigail.
“I love you, too, Luke. I can’t wait to have children with you.” Luke began to lower his mouth to hers for a second time when a head popped over his shoulder.
“I love you, too, brother.” Samuel’s voice cackled. He began chuckling, wrapping his arm around his brother’s shoulders.
“Oh, I love you too, honey,” Adam quipped, laughing out loud at the look on Luke’s face.
Luke shook his head. He didn’t want to ruin his wedding celebration but there were just some things a man could not tolerate. Like his brothers always trying to ridicule. Well, they were teasing and it was all in fun. Neither one of them were able to help themselves at times like this.
“Today is the happiest day of my life and of course you two are going to try to -” He moved Abigail out of the way. “ Adam! Samuel!”
Nora hurried towards them. “Abigail! Get out of the way! Boys!”
Abigail stepped back, clutching her stomach, laughing hard. She knew what was about to happen. It couldn’t be helped. The men would always be boys. Brothers to the end.
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Thank you for reading the first book in the Sons of Nora White series, A Bride For Luke.
The next book, A Bride For Adam is about the long-term friendship between Adam and Melody. When her divorce becomes final, the city of Dalls practically shuns her and her son. She had promised Abigail she’d come back to the White Ranch. She needed her family, her friends and most of all her best-friend. Except he was getting ready to find himself his own mail-order bride and she didn’t dare stand in his way of true happiness.
When Adam realizes Melody is divorced, his true feelings come to light. Except a mail order bride is on her way to the ranch to marry him. He sends Samuel to divert the bride, hoping he can figure out what to do before he marries the wrong woman.
Then there is the family secret never to be shared with anyone outside of the three brothers. Can Adam keep it a secret or will he spill the beans to his best friend?
Sign up for my reader’s exclusive, go to cyndiraye.com. to get updates and more and a free introductory book about the elusive Miss Addie.
I love being active with my readers. Come on over to my facebook group, Cyndi Raye Readers.
Reading Order of Cyndi’s Books
Historical Romance - The Brides of Wichita Falls is the first in the series of historical western mail order bride romances. Even though they are stand alone, you will enjoy them better as each bride comes to town and you get to meet some characters from other books as well.
Brides of Wichita Falls
Ruby - Amazon Link
Grace - Amazon Link
Lily - Amazon Link
Charity - Amazon Link
Hannah - Amazon Link
Rebecca - Amazon Link
Sophie - Amazon Link
Ellie - Amazon Link
Complete Boxed Set - Amazon Link
Next, is the Brides of Mill Ridge Series:
An Outlaw’s Honor - Amazon Link
A Reverend’s Rose - Amazon Link
The Ranger’s Redemption - Amazon Link
A Doctor’s Devotion - Amazon Link
A Special Christmas Book with characters from both series
Christmas in Wichita Falls - Amazon Link
Contemporary Small Town Key West Stories
What Tomorrow Brings - The Beginning (This is the first book in the boxed set - always FREE) - http://amzn.to/2DMXgj7
The Tomorrow Series Boxed Set - Set in the Florida Keys, writer Maggie McCoy and big time construction builder Jake Hatfield. Their adventures take them from the Keys to the Pocono Mountains and more, filled with a bit of adventure and mystery at times. http://amzn.to/2DMvfYW
The Forever Series Boxed Set - The series continues with Jon Hatfield, Jake's twin brother and a sweet, feisty beautiful carefree soul, Abby, who dresses up like Pippi Longstocking.( There is a good reason for what she does) What an adventure they have, filled with ups and down but as always - HEA. - http://amzn.to/2DhJOCI
The Escape Series Boxed Set - This series was so much fun to write. You'll meet one of the secondary characters from the other series, secret agent Josh, who can't keep Sara out of trouble for the life of him. Enjoy their adventures in this boxed series. - http://amzn.to/2DNJDQs
No Name Inn Boxed Set - In the Escape Series, Josh and Sara live in a bed and breakfast called the No Name Inn, a structure that's been in Key West many years. While I was writing their story, I imagine the Inn many years ago and how other guests lives were affected while staying at the Inn. This is a set of short stories you will love. - No Name Inn on Amazon
Island Keeper - Another favorite of mine, this is the story about Jesse Storm, a secret agent you will remember from some of the others series. He was evasive in those stories and I thought it was time for him to have true love. You'll meet Annie Foster and you won't believe who she is actually related to. Quite the twisty turns in this stand alone. - http://amzn.to/2DOHRyV
Boot Key Harbor Short Story Collection - This is a short story collection about the men who fought for our country and came back to start a new life. You met Ben in the Tomorrow Series, now he has his own story to tell. He
finally gets true love for himself even if he claims to be a free spirit. - Boxed Set on Amazon
You can find all of these and more on my Amazon Author Page http://amzn.to/2DuisMS
