The Wrangler's Mail Order Bride

by Cindy Caldwell

  “It’s not funny. You don’t know my mother,” Sam said.

  “You’re right. It’s not funny.” Tripp folded his arms across his chest. “It’s absolutely hilarious.”

  Sam shook his head, joining in the laughter surrounding him and his problem.

  “Do you have one of those for husbands?” Beau asked, his eyes twinkling. “I’ve got a houseful of girls who are going to need one pretty soon.”

  “I have a feeling they’re going to want to have quite a bit of say in that.” Clara reached out her hand to Hank.

  “Yes, I’m sure they will. Especially now that…”

  Beau pulled on his chin and looked down at his boots.

  “Pa? You all right?” Hank asked as he looked toward Clara.

  “Yes, son. There’s just something I’ve been meaning to say, and not sure of the right words.”

  Hank put his arm around Clara and waited. Clara smoothed her skirts as she watched Beau gain his courage.

  “I mostly just wanted to thank the two of you. You, Hank, for having the good luck to choose a special lady like Clara, here.”

  Hank laughed and said, “Don’t I know it. Luckiest day of my life.”

  Clara’s ears burned at the compliment.

  “And to thank you, Clara, for everything you’ve done for me, Hank and the girls. I never realized until you came that we were all holding our breath, not grieving Katie and moving on.”

  “Oh, Mr.—Beau,” Clara said as she placed her hand on his shoulder. “I don’t believe I did much, but I can’t tell you how happy I am that things are better…lighter around Archer Ranch.”

  Beau tilted his head up toward her. “We’re all glad. And grateful. Maria, too. Says she doesn’t have to tiptoe around us anymore.”

  Hank smiled. “I must say that’s a very nice change.”

  “I have to agree with you, son. Everything’s changed. For the better, I might add,” Beau said as he lived his glass to Clara.

  “Thank you for choosing me, Hank.” Clara smiled as she looked around the room. “I’m so grateful for my new family. All of them.”

  * * *

  The End

  Thanks so much for reading this story and I hope you enjoyed it. If you’d like to hear about new release discounts, sign up for my new release alerts at:

  http://bit.ly/CindyCaldwell

  The Wrangler’s Mail Order Bride is the first book in the Wild West Frontier Brides series. If you’d like to read the first book, click on the cover below:

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  This book has gone through numerous proofreaders, professional and otherwise. If you find any typos or grammatical errors, I’d love to hear about them. I want this to be the best it can be. Please let me know at:

  cindy@cindycaldwellauthor.com