Meriwether repeated her vows and placed a ring on her new husband’s finger. “I, Meriwether, take you, Jacob, to be my wedded husband— To have and to hold from this day forward; for better, for worse. for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health. To love and cherish ‘til death do us part. According to God’s holy ordinance, and with this ring, I pledge you my love.”
“Jake and Meriwether, in these moments I have heard you pledge your love and faith to each other. Your friends and family members assembled here have heard you seal your solemn vows of marriage by giving and receiving the rings. Now it is my joy and personal privilege to declare you husband and wife.” Reverend Reed gave a wide smile. “You may kiss your bride.”
Their lips met in their first kiss as man and wife. Reverend Reed shook Jake’s hand and patted Meriwether’s back before proclaiming, “Friends and family of the bride and groom, the family would like you to join them in celebrating in the fellowship hall next door. And now it is my pleasure to present to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Harrison.”
They left the church to smiling faces and applause. Jake paused outside the fellowship hall door and turned to face Meriwether. He took her hand and placed it on his chest. “I thought this day would never get here. But I want you to know you were worth the wait. I love you with all my heart.”
Despite the perfect day, a niggling thought still rested in the back of her mind. Was Jake now satisfied, since he not only got her but he got the land and water rights as well?
As if Jake read her mind, he reached for her hand and spoke. “I want to put something to rest right now.” He took a paper from his pocket. “I don’t want there ever to be a hint of doubt about my love for you.” He handed her the paper.
“What is this?” She opened what appeared to be a legal document.
“It's an addendum to my current lease of your property. It says that the money will continue to go into the trust your uncle set up for you. I'm waiving all rights to it."
“You didn’t have to do that.” Meriwether stared into his eyes.
Jake placed his finger along her cheek. "It's better this way. We’ll keep things exactly how your uncle planned. You'll be honoring him by passing down the ranch to your children one day."
Her mouth twitched. "Our children, we'll pass the ranch to our children."
"I like the sound of that." Jake wrapped his arms around her and whispered in her ear. "I love you, honey."
"I love you too,” Meriwether placed her arms around Jake’s neck. He spun her around in his arms.
Thank you for reading
A Promised Land
by Kimberly Grist
Each book in the
Lockets & Lace
series is a Clean, Sweet Historical Romance. You may find all the books in this series as they are published by searching for
“Lockets and Lace” on Amazon.com
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Lockets & Lace Books
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Sweet Americana Sweethearts Blog Authors:
Click here to see books as they release
~o0o~
0.The Bavarian Jeweler by Zina Abbott
(The Lockets & Lace series prequel)
1.Oregon Dreams by Patricia PacJac Carroll
2.Silent Harmony by Caryl McAdoo
3.Otto’s Offer by Zina Abbott
4.Melly Unyielding by Abagail Eldan
5.Lockets Full of Love by Heather Blanton
6.Tending Trouble by Linda Carroll-Bradd
7.Chasing a Chance by Angela Raines
8.Disarming Amy by Sandra E Sinclair
9.Pearl’s Will by Sophie Dawson
10.Sandra’s Journey by Patricia PacJac Carroll
11.Joy Unending by Abagail Eldan
12.Uniquely Common by Caryl McAdoo
13.The Secret Diary by Barbara Goss
14.Taming A Scandal by Linda Carroll-Bradd
15.The Outlaw’s Letter by Angela Raines
16.A Promised Land by Kimberly Grist
17.Driving Lillian by Sophie Dawson
18.Promise of Home by P. Creeden
19.Virginia’s Vocation by Zina Abbott
Other Books by Kimberly Grist
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Rebecca's Hope
Raised by her guardian and influenced by the mostly male population of Carrie Town Texas, Rebecca benefited from a forward-thinking, unorthodox education not typical for a young woman in the late Nineteenth century.
As an adult, she is armed with skills that most would covet, yet she lives in a boarding house, works as a waitress and struggles financially. Most single women in the area didn’t stay single long. Most, but not her. The one man she had said yes to was dragging his feet. The townspeople all agree she needs a husband. Even the young girls in her Sunday School Class have taken action by writing an ad for the paper.
Wanted: Husband for Rebecca Mueller. **Must be handsome, nice, like children, and live within walking distance of Carrie Town School.
Will her circumstances change and allow her to hold out for true love?
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Emma's Dream
In my first novel Rebecca's Hope, I introduced a western town in the late 19th century filled with colorful characters and innovative young women. Emma's Dream is a continuation of the tale based on Rebecca's best friend. While other young women in the late nineteenth century are reading about proper housekeeping, Emma studies herd improvement and her cooking skills leave a lot to be desired.
Our story begins several months before Rebecca's wedding. Circumstances require Emma to take on the household chores which include taking care of her six-year-old twin cousins. Like a double-edged sword, help arrives in the form of Grandma Tennessee who manages a household with ease but whose colorful stories, old wives’ tales and superstitions flow like a river.
As I researched pioneer life in the late 19th century, I found that superstitions were widely practiced as immigrants migrated and cultures blended. One of my goals as I wrote was to give an accurate account of the period while exposing the inaccuracy of the quotes and beliefs in a humorous way. Hence the birth of the delightful character, Grandma Tennessee.
Emma's Dream is a story of love that's tested by distance and has the perfect combination of history, humor, and romance with an emphasis on faith, friends and good clean fun!
~o0o~
Lois's Risk
Lois Weaver has been schooled to be polite, lady-like, honest, to clean, cook and sew, so that at the proper age she would marry. As an adult, she surpassed her father’s expectations with her skills and beauty only to shatter them when she opens a dress shop. She risked everything to start her own business.
Now the handsome bank owner has come calling. So why isn’t she happy? And why can’t she forget about a certain farmer with big brown eyes? Daniel Lawrence, former Texas Ranger, gained immense satisfaction when he purchased his farm and livestock. His new way of life is not only a means to make a living but adds a sense of fulfillment. The only thing lacking is a wife and family.
He is just shy of proposing when a family tragedy forces him to open his home to his grieving sister and his niece. How could he bring a new wife home to this? Lois is heartbroken because Daniel is ignoring her. Can she go against the 19th-century rules of how a woman should behave and have the courage to tell Daniel how she feels?
Combining history, humor, and romance with an emphasis on faith, friends, and good clean fun, fans of historical romance set in late 19th-century will enjoy Lois’s Risk a delightful tale of courage and reminds us how God uses adversity to strengthen us and draw us
closer to Him.
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Connect with Kimberly
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About the Author
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Kimberly Grist is married to her high school sweetheart, Nelson, who is a pastor in Griffin, Georgia. She and her husband have three adult sons, one with Down syndrome, and they have a passion for encouraging others with family members with special needs.
Kim has enjoyed writing since she was a young girl, however, began writing her first novel in 2017. Inspired by so many things life has to offer one of which includes her oldest son's diagnosis of cancer she finds it especially gratifying to write a happy ending.
"I believe you should come away refreshed and inspired after reading a book. In my personal life, I wear so many hats working inside and outside the home. I work hard, try harder and then begin again the next day. Despite my best efforts, sometimes life just stinks. Bad things happen. I need and want an outlet, an opportunity to relax and escape to a place where obstacles are met and overcome."
Combining, History, Humor, and Romance with an emphasis on Faith, Friends and Good Clean Fun, Kim's stories are written to remind us how God can use adversity to strengthen us and draw us closer to Him and give us the desires of our heart in ways we may never expect
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