by Caroline Lee
And in his arms, Abigail smiled again. Maggie was young; her future didn’t need to be decided yet. But one day she might very well join her father in his business and Blake and Daughter Livery would become famous. Abigail was just happy her daughter had found a way to use her talent.
And Joshua? He was happy. He helped teach the younger students, but he wasn’t bowed under the weight of responsibility or worry for his mother and sister. Having Matthias in his life—she still loved to hear the boy call him “Papa”—meant Joshua could put aside his feelings of guilt and obligation, and focus on being a boy.
And if Abigail hadn’t already fallen in love with Matthias a thousand different ways, that would be the most important.
The only thing hanging over their heads was the knowledge that they’d accepted a loan from The Black Ace. Well, actually, Matthias still saw it as a loan and was bothered no one could seem to figure out who the vigilante really was. For her part, Abigail was content to think of it as a gift, and vowed to spend it on the children of the town.
Still, watching her son and husband pore over clues and appearances of the mysterious Black Ace, as they tried to determine his real identity, made her smile. She loved the way Matthias fit so seamlessly into their lives, and they into his.
It was as if…as if they’d been a family all along, but hadn’t realized it until she’d completed her grand adventure.
“Thank you,” she said to him quietly.
Her words startled him, judging from the way he blinked and frowned. “For what?”
“For loving my children as much as I do.”
“Our children,” he corrected.
Our children.
Her smile grew.
“Wiggie told me I’d find a man who would honor me and cherish my children, but I didn’t think it was possible, until I met you. Thank you for being willing to change your dreams. Thank you for letting us be a part of them. Thank you for making our dreams a reality.”
To her surprise, his only response to her impassioned speech was a little huff and an eye roll.
“Don’t thank me for that, Abigail. I love you. Of course I’m—well, doing all that. And you’re doing it too. I should thank you for bringing me the family I’ve always wanted. That’s the dream which really mattered, you know.”
He was right. They could sit here and thank each other all day, but what really mattered was they were a team, partners. When life got tough, they had each other, and they’d have one another until their dying day.
“I love you, Matthias.”
He smiled down at her, and right before their lips met, he said, “You’re my dream come true.”
What’s Next in The Alphabet Mail-Order Brides
What’s that you say? You’re desperately curious what’s going on back at the Wigg School and Foundling Home? Is Wiggie pulling her shenanigans with the other teachers? You can find out in Beulah’s Brains, the second book in The Alphabet Mail-Order Brides!
And don’t worry, dear readers, if you want more about Black Aces, Montana! Just pick up Lucas’s Lady and Verrick’s Vixen to find out what you’ve missed…
And if you’re dying to know more about the mysterious Black Ace, then I’ve got some great news for you: Ante Up is available now for preorder. Click here to find out who this vigilante really is!
If you’ve enjoyed Abigail and Matthias’s romance, I urge you to friend me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter. I frequently post fun stories, links to great books, and cute animal pictures.
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Acknowledgments
Months ago, I came up with the premise for The Alphabet Mail-Order Brides, so I called up Sara Jolene. She listened to me explain it, then said very calmly, “I think it’s a wonderful idea, and I want to help you.” Since then, she’s been an invaluable help, planning and brainstorming and plotting. Thank you, Sara.
As always, big thanks to Alyssa, Sonya and Merry Farmer, to my beta readers and Cohort members, and to my editor CM Wright.
About the Author
Caroline Lee has been reading romance for so long that her fourth-grade teacher used to make her cover her books with paper jackets. But it wasn't until she (mostly) grew up that she realized she could write it too. So she did.
Caroline is living her own little Happily Ever After in NC with her husband, sons, and brand-new daughter, Princess Wiggles. And while she doesn't so much "suffer" from Pittakionophobia as think that all you people who enjoy touching Band-Aids and stickers are the real weirdos, she does adore rodents, and never met a wine she didn't like. Caroline was named Time Magazine's Person of the Year in 2006 and is really quite funny in person. Promise.
You can find her at www.CarolineLeeRomance.com.
Also by Caroline Lee
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