Gabrielle: Bride of Vermont (American Mail-Order Bride 14)

by Emily Claire

  She looked up at him and saw the tears on his cheeks. All she could do was pray and stay close.

  The hour-long trek back to the Dillingham spread seemed to take forever. Skillfully, Doc Colby set the broken leg and tended to the frostbite on Buck’s toes.

  “By the look of the abrasions on that side of his temple, it looks like the tree grazed him before crushing him to the ground. Only time will tell, but I expect he’ll recover. Keep him warm and comfortable. I’ll be by to check on him tomorrow morning, but you send for me if he wakes up and you find that he needs me. We’ll hope for him to wake up soon.”

  Gabrielle prepared a hot broth and attempted to spoon warm liquids into him frequently.

  Boone remained silent and distraught, praying silently at his son’s bedside.

  Late that night Gabrielle once again brought blankets she’d been warming near the fireplace and switched them out with the ones that were on top of Buck.

  Boone reached out and took her hand as she passed his chair. He pulled it close and pressed it against his cheek. “Thank you. Thank you for everything, Gabrielle,” he whispered.

  She stood next to him and bent down to kiss the top of his head. Boone leaned forward, his elbows on his knees and buried his face in his hands. Gabrielle stayed next to him, her hand resting on his heaving shoulders. He sobbed quietly.

  She stroked his back and watched him give way to the emotion inside.

  Deeply and slowly, he breathed in and out until he was calmer. He started talking, but Gabrielle sensed his thoughts were far away.

  “Nearly ten years ago, I made a new saddle for my wife, Amanda. I challenged her to a race while she saddled up her mare. She was in a hurry to join me and didn’t get the cinches right. She was trying to catch up with me when the saddle slipped, taking her down with it. Amanda got tangled up in the hooves and never regained consciousness. I sat at her bedside for weeks, praying for her to wake up.”

  He looked over at Buck. “I always thought he looked a lot like her. Even more so right now,” his voice trembled. “Oh God,” he whispered sadly, “heal my boy. Please bring him back to me.”

  “Yes, Lord. We ask you together,” Gabrielle agreed.

  Boone took her hand. “I’ve been living with fear for a long time. It kept me from wanting a mate ever again. And even though I finally got so lonesome that I sought you out, I’ve still been afraid. I figured I could keep you at arms’ length, so to speak. Once you got here, I was terrified that something bad would happen to you. That’s why I’ve gotten so upset about you getting near the horses.” He looked up into her eyes.

  There was a chair next to his, and he pulled her down to sit next to him, never letting go of her hand. “I thought I could protect my heart from falling in love with you at the same time as keeping you safe enough, protected from getting hurt. I wanted to ensure your safety, by not letting you ride.”

  He looked away from her and at Buck. He shook his head sadly. “What a fool I’ve been to think I can protect harm from coming to anyone. I couldn’t protect him. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. I trust Him with my son. I trust Him to heal Buck.”

  Boone turned back to Gabrielle and gently caressed her cheek. “I trust him with you, too. From here on out, no matter what happens, I won’t try to control you like that. You asked me just yesterday morning what my reasons were for wanting this marriage that we both agreed to. I walked away because I didn’t want to admit my fear.”

  Gabrielle gasped as the truth dawned on her. “I thought you left me out there because of what I’d told you about my past.”

  “Oh, no. Never would that cause me to turn my back on you. I didn’t realize it until just a few minutes ago, but I’ve been controlled by the fear I’ve been carrying around since Amanda passed on. It’s left me now, as I’ve been acknowledging it for what it was. And while the Lord’s been showing me the truth about it, He’s also let my heart feel a great love for you. I’m not planning to be consumed by fear anymore or trying to do God’s job. Will you forgive me, Gabrielle?”

  “Yes. Oh, yes!” she whispered, as tears spilled onto her cheeks.

  “What are y’all whispering so much for?” rasped Buck.

  Boone stood up quickly and moved to the bedside, squeezing Buck’s hand. “We wanted to let you sleep, that’s why,” he answered gently.

  Buck tried to sit up, but pain kept him from it, and Boone put a hand on his shoulder to keep him down. “Whoa, there! Don’t try to get up.”

  Buck gasped. “Ouch! What happened?” He fell back onto his pillow and looked to his father.

  Gabrielle said, “We hoped you could tell us.”

  Buck stared up at her. “Well, hello, beautiful lady. Are you my nurse?”

  Boone and Gabrielle exchanged nervous glances, disappointed that Buck didn’t recognize her, afraid that he’d lost his memory.

  They looked back at Buck and watched the hint of a smile come to play at one corner of his mouth.

  He stared up at them. “Don’t look so afraid. I was just messing with you. Isn’t that what you said to her when you woke up from your concussion, Pa?”

  Boone and Gabrielle laughed as relief took hold. “Don’t scare me like that, Buck. I’m the only one allowed to call her ‘beautiful.’ After all, she’s my wife.”

  “Well, of course she is, Pa. And I guess that makes her my ma, doesn’t it? And if you’re my ma, wouldn’t you want to do a motherly thing like help me out with the awful hunger-ache in my belly?”

  Gabrielle wiped a tear from her cheek and took his hand. “Nothing in this world would make me happier at this moment. I’ll be right back.”

  *******

  Gabrielle brought a tray into the bedroom and set it on the nightstand. “You men go ahead and eat. I’m not hungry just now.”

  “Well, I won’t mind having your share,” Buck teased.

  “Well, it’s a done deal then. With that comment, I’m sure you’re going to be all right. We weren’t so sure after what you’ve been through,” Boone said as he picked up a bowl and handed it to Buck, who’d been propped into a sitting position by his father.

  “I’m sorry that I can’t remember what happened, Pa. Like I said, I’m not sure what I was doing out there.” He paused just before taking a bite of soup, then looked a little panicked. “Did y’all find my guitar? Was it out there, too?”

  Boone responded, shaking his head. “No. Apparently, you stopped off at the church building and dropped it off. I’m guessing you were planning to be back in time to play for the Christmas Eve service.”

  “I missed the service? Well, shucks. I suppose I missed Christmas Day, too?” he asked.

  “I have an idea,” said Gabrielle. “Let’s have our own belated Christmas in January. That’ll give you time to get back on your feet. Agreed?”

  The men nodded as they began enjoying their late dinner.

  She excused herself and went down the hall to her bedroom. She’d stored her packed bags into one corner of the room the day before. Thrilled that she’d not said anything to Boone about leaving, she quickly unpacked her clothes and began to put them in place.

  Purposefully, she arranged her things in two of the four drawers in the chest. Next, she hung her clothes in the wardrobe, making sure to leave half of the space completely free of her possessions.

  Then she stripped the bedding, placed clean sheets onto the bed, and remade it, fluffing the pillows. She glanced around the room. Smiling, she knew it was ready and wondered if Boone, too, would be ready.

  *******

  Buck had fallen into a deep and peaceful sleep, and they’d retreated to the parlor. Boone and Gabrielle sat side by side on the sofa and looked into the fire.

  Gabrielle sighed deeply. “This has certainly been a memorable day. I think we shall never forget this Christmas, don’t you?”

  Boone agreed and gazed at her, realizing for the hundredth time just how beautiful she was.

  “I intend to remember it foreve
r. I hope you will, too.” He slid down to the floor on bended knee and took her hands into his.

  Her blue eyes widened and looked more beautiful than ever as they reflected the soft glow of the firelight. Her heart raced, and she flushed with the thrill of his touch.

  “Gabrielle, oh, what a precious friend you’ve become. I never had the pleasure of asking you to be my bride. I know we’re already married, but I want more of you. I want your heart and, well, all of you. I want to offer myself as your true husband. All of me, too. If you’re not ready, I promise to wait. I’ll wait forever if I have to and do my best to underst—.”

  Boone wasn’t able to finish the word as Gabrielle whispered, “I do,” just before she leaned forward and closed her eyes, waiting for the kiss that stole her breath away just as she’d imagined it would.

  Adoration and passion filled her heart and mind, and the delight she felt was all encompassing. Gabrielle was surprised and disappointed when he pulled back and stopped kissing her.

  She watched as he stood up and pulled her slowly into a standing position. Deep love for her shone in his eyes. Before she knew what was happening, he scooped her up and carried her gallantly toward the bedroom they’d be sharing as husband and wife for the rest of their lives.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Dear Sarah,

  I just have to tell you my news! Life is so different from anything I could have ever asked or imagined. Boone and I are blissfully married… in every sense of the word. I couldn’t have asked God for a better husband or friend.

  Finally, I have experienced what true love is all about. It’s just as you and Roberta always tried to tell me. I now know there is a God and how very much He loves me. Joy unspeakable! I wish I’d listened to you years ago. Thankfully, I have discovered that it’s never too late. I’m so very happy.

  Much love,

  Gabby Dillingham

  EPILOGUE

  Boone was taking Gabrielle out to his favorite fishing hole on the Brazos River. Spring had arrived. There were bluebonnets on the hills and fields around them. The sunshine was warm and welcome on their faces.

  “You know, you’re quite the horsewoman now! You’ve taken to living out in the West far better than I ever imagined you would. Your skin is radiant, and you look so much healthier than you did when you first arrived. You were all skin and bones, just wasting away when you first got here.”

  “Thank you, I think. Wait. You’re not saying I’ve gone plump, are you?” She asked, teasing him.

  “I’m saying you look mighty good on that horse. It’s probably the fine work of the saddle maker that makes you so attractive. I’m sure of it. In fact, you’re so beautiful, I might just kiss you passionately over there by that river. That would be even more fun than fishing. And, it’s pretty hard for anything to be more fun than fishing,” he joked back.

  “Where’s the path?” she asked.

  “Right over yonder, by that big oak tree,” Boone said, pointing to a distant spot.

  “Great! I’ll race ya. Giddy up, Star!” she yelled, urging her horse to gallop.

  Boone hesitated for half a second, but then spurred his gelding forward. “Right behind you, Breezy!”

  She set up their blanket and picnic basket as Boone found worms for bait and got their poles ready.

  They sat together on the blanket. Gabrielle leaned up against him as they listened to the gurgling river. “It’s peaceful out here, and quite the perfect spot,” she said looking about.

  Boone pointed. “See that tree right there?”

  She nodded.

  “I was standing there last fall. Clyde and I were fishing right here when I told him I’d been praying about a wife. That’s what got the whole thing set into motion. I’d say it’s a pretty good spot, indeed.” He wrapped his arms around her, and lovingly caressed her neck.

  “It’s nice to have a special place like this. We should come here more often. Maybe even bring the child along,” she said sweetly, turning to watch his face.

  Boone shook his head. “No way. Buck can find his own fishing spot. I reckon he wouldn’t have time anyway, now that he’s moved into the back of his music store. He’s too busy being a successful businessman. Besides that, I’ve grown pretty fond of having you all to myself.”

  She pointed her finger and touched his chest and then pointed to herself while she spoke. “I meant our child.”

  Boone looked away from the river and stared at her.

  “Our child? Our child?” he repeated, dumbfounded.

  A bright smile made its way across Boone’s face.

  Filled with joy, Gabrielle nodded at her beloved husband.

  THE END

  If you enjoyed reading this book, there are 49 more in the series!

  Find out about the rest of the American Mail-Order Brides here: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanMailOrderBrides

  Other books by Emily Claire

  Inspirational Western Historical Romance

  1880’s

  The Preacher’s Daughters Trilogy:

  Guilty

  Broken

  Forgotten – Coming January 2015

  Inspirational Western Historical Saga

  1880’s

  The Coltonville Chronicles, Book One:

  Yet to Forgive

  A Story of Redemption

  (This is Boone Dillingham’s back story!)

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