“Lara is my sister,” Jo admitted to Mark as she turned back to Lara. “Go on in and try on the dress. It’s time for me to get back to work.” Jo marched past her with no further comment.
Lara’s heart nearly broke in half.
Gabe narrowed his gaze as Jo passed by then hurried to Lara’s side. “Are you all right?”
“No, but that doesn’t matter.”
Mark walked up to her. “I apologize, Miss Jensen. I knew Jo had a sister, but I had no idea that you lived nearby. She doesn’t like to talk about her family.”
“The name is Mrs. Talbot—for another hour, anyway.” She smiled at Gabe. “It’s all right, Mr. Hillborne. You couldn’t have known.”
“Well, please, go on in and try on the dress. We’ll wait out here.”
Lara no longer cared about the dress, but this was Gabe’s wedding day, too, and she wouldn’t let her sister’s bad attitude ruin it. “Thank you.” She turned to Gabe. “Why don’t you pick out a ring and surprise me.”
“Are you sure?”
She nodded.
Mr. Hillborne stepped forward. “If you’ll allow me to look at your ring finger, I can show Gabe all the ones in your size.”
Numbly, she held out her hand. He barely touched her finger then nodded. Lara stepped inside her sister’s domain, not the least bit surprised to find it in disarray. The beautiful four-poster bed wasn’t even made, and clothes littered it. Mark had obviously been generous, as two new dresses hung in an open wardrobe, and another lay across a chair. Lara hurried to dress then crossed to the full-length mirror in the corner. She gasped at the sight of herself in a new gown. It was the first store-bought dress she’d ever owned, and it was lovely. She patted several curls that had sprung free on the ride to town. At least she would look pretty for Gabe on their wedding day.
She rolled up her old dress and hurried out of the tent. She couldn’t yet think of her sister as a married woman, even though she was. As she reached the store opening, she paused. What she’d like to do was march straight to the wagon and wait for Gabe there, but that would be wrong. And she wanted her sister at her wedding, even if she hadn’t been invited to Jo’s. Help me, Lord.
Lara stepped into the store, and Gabe’s appreciative gaze shot to her. He let out a slow whistle that made her cheeks burn. She hurried toward him and leaned close. “Please behave,” she whispered.
Gabe winked and turned to Mark. “We’ll take the dress and the other things.”
“Good. Come to the end of the counter, and I’ll tally them up while the ladies talk.”
Jo busied herself arranging perfume bottles. She picked up a duster and bustled across the store to the canned goods and started wiping them off.
Lara followed. “Jo, can we please talk?”
“What is there to say?” Jo sidestepped to the next set of shelves. “You’re getting married, even though Tom is barely cold in his grave. I’m married and quite happy, as you can see.”
“I can’t see that, but I hope it’s true.” She stepped closer and lowered her voice. “I can’t believe you married a man you’ve only known a few days.”
Jo barked a loud laugh and spun around. “I met him back in Caldwell. I’ve known him every bit as long as you’ve known Gabe. Besides, you have no say in the matter as I see it.”
Lara sighed. “Please, Jo. I don’t want to fight with you.”
“Then what do you want?”
She looked at her sister, still a child in so many ways but all grown up in others. “I’d like for you to stand up with me at my wedding today.”
The color washed from Jo’s face for a moment before she seemed to regain her composure. “Thank you for asking, but I need to work. Mark has an appointment soon, and this is Richard’s day off. We’d have to close the store and leave it unguarded, and I’m sure you understand why we can’t do that.”
What she understood was clear. Jo didn’t want to attend her wedding or have anything to do with her. At least she could make a gracious exit and ease both of their pain. “I understand. It was good to see you and to know that you’re doing well. I wish you and Mark the best.” She spun around and hurried to the front entrance. “Gabe, I’ll be waiting in the wagon.”
Lara rushed out, determined not to cry. This was her wedding day, after all, and she wouldn’t have Gabe marrying a red-faced woman with wet eyelashes. She carefully climbed onto the wagon, making sure to not snag her new dress. She wished Grandpa could have come to her wedding, but then she was glad he didn’t have to see Jo acting as cold as she was. It would have hurt him terribly.
She stared at the new town. Several plots already had buildings on them made from fresh lumber. One man was painting the facade of his barbershop in red and white stripes.
Something thumped in the rear of the wagon, and then it creaked as Gabe climbed aboard. He touched her shoulder, and she turned toward him. “Are you all right, sweetheart? I know that was quite a shock for you. It was for me, too. Mark never said anything that would have led me to think he’d married your sister.”
“I can’t deny that Jo hurt me, but it certainly isn’t the first time.”
“Would you prefer to postpone the wedding for a few weeks?”
Her heart overflowing, she gazed into the concerned eyes of the man she loved so much and cupped her hand around his cheek, heedless to the spectacle they made. “No, Gabriel. I want to marry you right now. I love you, and I want you to be able to comfort me when I’m hurting. Maybe that’s selfish, but I need you.”
His wide grin cheered away the sadness. “Then let’s get married, darlin’.” He placed a quick kiss on the end of her nose then collected the reins and released the brake. “Hi’yah, horses. We have a wedding to get to.”
As Gabe gazed into Lara’s lovely eyes, he repeated his vows, promising to love, honor, and cherish her. He slid the ring he’d picked out—a beautiful emerald—onto her finger, excited to become a husband and father all at once. How had he been so incredibly lucky to have found such a compassionate, selfless woman to marry? His mother would have loved her as much as he did.
But even more, he’d made things right with God and had a new purpose in life. He’d learned that no matter what he did or how much he sacrificed, he couldn’t atone for killing Tom Talbot. Only Christ could take the pain away and make him a new man. Lara’s love and forgiveness had helped, too.
“Mr. Coulter,” the minister said, “you may kiss your bride.”
Gabe grinned, then he cupped his hands around Lara’s sparkling face and melded his lips to hers. This kiss would be short. Quick.
But tonight, he would offer her all the comfort and love she needed.
And tomorrow was his birthday, and he and his new wife could celebrate again.
About the Author
Bestselling author Vickie McDonough grew up wanting to marry a rancher, but instead she married a computer geek who is scared of horses. She now lives out her dreams in her fictional stories about ranchers, cowboys, lawmen, and others living in the West during the 1800s. Vickie is the award-winning author of over thirty published books and novellas. Her books include the fun and feisty Texas Boardinghouse Brides series, and End of the Trail, which was the OWFI 2013 Best Fiction Novel winner. Whispers on the Prairie was a Romantic Times Recommended Inspirational Book for July 2013.
Vickie is a wife of thirty-nine years, the mother of four grown sons, and she has one daughter-in-law. She is also grandma to one precocious little girl. When she’s not writing, Vickie enjoys reading, antiquing, watching movies, making stained-glass projects, and traveling. To learn more about Vickie’s books or to sign up for her newsletter, visit her website: www.vickiemcdonough.com.
Other Books by Vickie McDonough
TEXAS BOARDINGHOUSE BRIDES
The Anonymous Bride
Second Chance Brides
Finally a Bride
Also Available from
Shiloh Run Press
Gabriel’s Atonement
Unabridged Audiobook
Coming Fall 2015
JOLINE’S REDEMPTION
Land Rush Dreams
Book #2
Gabriel's Atonement Page 28
