Lawfully Loved (Texas Lawkeeper Romance)

by Jenna Brandt

  As they walked hand-in-hand down a winding path, Rebecca was grateful for her time with Jake, but lingering in the recesses of her mind was the knowledge that soon he would be returning to his job in Abilene.

  When she could take the nagging thoughts no longer, she whispered, “You’ve finally finished your assignment and are free to go back to Abilene. When will you be leaving?”

  “I won’t be ever again. I finally feel like I can start planning a future.” He stopped moving and looked directly into her eyes. “And I hope to plan that future with you.”

  “Oh, Jake, I want that too,” Rebecca said with a voice full of hope. “But how can that work with your life in Abilene and mine here?”

  “I know your family needs you and I’ve grown to care for them as well,” Jake said. “Leaving is not an option for you and I would never ask it.”

  “And I don’t want you to give up your dream of being sheriff for me,” Rebecca stated.

  “Sometimes your dreams change. When I was riding to Woody, God helped me see that my future is with you. It’s why when I telegraphed Sheriff Greystone, I told him about the need for a deputy to be assigned in the area and I wanted the position.”

  “And what was his response?” Rebecca asked as she held her breath. The sheriff’s answer would determine her entire life going forward.

  “He said he would hate to lose me in Abilene, but he supported my decision. He agreed the need was valid and granted my request. I’m the new deputy sheriff stationed in the southwest part of Taylor County.”

  Rebecca’s heart jumped for joy as a massive smile took over her face. “That might be the best news I’ve ever heard.”

  “I received your father’s permission tonight; I want to court you, Rebecca,” Jake said with resolve. “And I want you to know, when I say courting, I mean with the intent to marry you in the near future.”

  “Nothing would make me happier.”

  As Jake pulled Rebecca into his arms, she felt herself dissolve into his embrace. His lips descended to hers and she felt the warmth of his mouth cascade over her own. The kiss was tender and full of promises of a lifetime. Rebecca felt like the most loved woman in all of Texas and she couldn’t wait to start her life with Jake.

  Epilogue

  The town square was swarming with people rushing to and fro preparing for Jake and Rebecca’s wedding celebration. The ceremony would take place in the town’s church, which was already decorated for the event, but Rebecca and Jake chose the town square for the party after. They both wanted to celebrate where they felt their relationship first started during the town’s founding celebration, even though it hadn’t been official at the time.

  “Deputy, I wanted to let you know, while you’re on your honeymoon, I’ll keep everything in order around here,” Otto Gardner promised as he trailed after Jake, who was finishing putting the last set of table and chairs in the center of the square.

  Ever since Jake settled into his job as the deputy sheriff in the area, Otto had taken it upon himself to act as his unofficial junior deputy. Gathering supplies, fetching his telegraphs and mail from the newly installed telegraph and post office, and taking reports on crimes around town. At first, Jake found Otto’s involvement peculiar, then annoying, and finally after a few weeks, Jake grew accustomed to his new shadow.

  When word got out that “Bullseye” Bolton was guarding the southwest part of Taylor County, the lawlessness receded and a relative peace settled in the area.

  Jake’s personal life was thriving as well. Ginger was fully recovered and living comfortably on the new piece of land Jake bought six months ago near the Caldwell property with the money he had been saving. With help from some of the local townsmen, Jake built a house for Rebecca and him to live in once they were married. The finishing of their house was the chief reason they had waited to get married six months.

  Mr. Caldwell was smiling as he and Georgie approached Jake. “I don’t think I’ve seen you this happy since the day you proposed to my daughter.”

  Four months prior, Jake asked Mr. Caldwell for permission to marry Rebecca, which he gratefully gave. Jake remembered the night fondly.

  When Jake took Rebecca into Woody for a dinner at the local hotel, he was ripe with tension over the purpose of the evening.

  As they pulled up in Jake’s new buggy, he took in a deep breath as he hopped down from the driver’s seat and came around to Rebecca’s side. He held out his hand and helped her down.

  She looked beautiful in her chocolate satin dress with white lace edging at the collar and sleeves, and her blonde hair half up with ringlets cascading down the nape of her neck.

  “You look stunning, Rebecca.”

  “Thank you, Jake,” she said with an alluring smile.

  “May I take care of your horse and buggy for you?” one of the hotel workers asked.

  Jake nodded absent-mindedly. He could barely focus on anything other than the woman he loved. He guided her inside the hotel and to the table he reserved last time he had been in Woody on sheriff work.

  Through the entire meal, Jake was nervous. He couldn’t wait until it was over and he could move ahead with his plan.

  Just as they finished their dessert, Jake asked, “Would you care to go for a walk in the garden? I hear the Wilton Hotel has one of the most beautiful ones in all of North Texas.”

  Rebecca nodded. “That sounds lovely.”

  Jake stood up and came over to Rebecca, pulling her chair out and extending his hand to her. Once she was on her feet, he took her hand and placed it in the crook of his arm.

  He guided her out through the double doors into the hotel’s garden. The pathways that wove through the gardens were lit with gas lamps which made the night air glow.

  They walked for several minutes in comfortable silence before Jake found a bench in the corner. “Would you care to sit for a moment?”

  She nodded as he escorted her over to the bench. She sat down and patted the wooden seat next to her as she looked at him expectantly. But instead of joining her, Jake got down on one knee in front of her. He reached inside his jacket pocket and pulled out a handkerchief, then opened it to reveal an antique sapphire ring inside.

  Rebecca gasped as her hand flew to cover her mouth. They both knew what was coming.

  “You’re the woman of my dreams, Rebecca, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you do me the honor of being my wife?”

  Tears formed in her eyes as she nodded her head and whispered, “Yes, Jake, yes, I want nothing more than to be your wife.”

  He lifted the ring from the handkerchief and placed it on her hand. She looked down at it and said with disbelief, “Is this my grandmother’s ring?”

  It was Jake’s turn to nod his head. “When I asked your father for his permission to marry you, he insisted this be the ring I used. I told him I planned on buying you a ring, but he wouldn’t hear of it.”

  She held out her hand and looked at the ring. “He was right. This makes it even more special.” Her eyes met Jake’s as she said, “I love you, Jake Bolton.”

  “And I love you, Rebecca Caldwell.”

  Standing up, he pulled Rebecca from the bench and into his arms. His mouth found hers and they kissed under the twinkling sky as a newly engaged couple.

  Otto pulled Jake out of his reminiscing when he asked, “Is there anything else you want me to do, Boss?”

  Jake shook his head. “You’ve helped plenty, Otto. Why don’t you go get ready for the ceremony?”

  “Alright, but if you need anything, you let me know,” Otto said before sauntering off towards the east side of town.

  Jake really needed to find some room in the local sheriff budget to pay Otto for all he did. The man might be a bit odd, but he was a good worker.

  “Are you ready for this, Jake?” Mr. Caldwell asked.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever been more ready for anything in my life.”

  * * *

  Rebecca took one final look i
n the mirror before pulling her veil over her face.

  She was wearing an ivory satin gown with a fitted bodice and bustled bottom. Her veil was a thin layer of lace which matched her dress and flowed around her shoulders and down her back. Although simple, Rebecca had made it herself and enjoyed the time she spent with Judy sewing it.

  Rebecca picked up her pink and yellow bouquet and handed Lydia her basket of flower petals. The little girl twirled around in the matching ivory dress Rebecca made for her, giggling as she made the dress dance.

  Judy had sown a soft pink dress for the occasion which matched the flowers in her own bouquet. “You look so beautiful, Rebecca. The prettiest bride I have ever seen.”

  “Thank you, Judy,” she said as she smiled at her friend. “Soon this will be you, now that Mr. Breecher proposed to you last month.”

  “I can hardly believe a robbery led to my engagement, but seeing Paul in action that day, I didn’t view him as just the general store owner after that.”

  “And he pursued you without relent,” Rebecca pointed out. “Never saw a more devoted suitor.”

  Pink colored Judy’s cheeks as she nodded. “Paul is wonderful. I feel so lucky.” Then with a shrug, she stated, “Enough about that. Today is all about you and Jake.”

  With her free hand, Judy fluffed out Rebecca’s veil and made sure every fold was perfect on her dress before she asked, “Are you all set?”

  Rebecca nodded. “I’m ready.”

  Judy opened the door to the Caldwell house and helped Rebbecca safely exit with her dress intact.

  Mr. Caldwell was waiting for them on the porch. He smiled at his daughter with tears in his eyes. “You look so pretty, Rebecca. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more beautiful bride.”

  “Not even, Mother?” Rebecca inquired, as a twinge of sadness pecked at her heart over the fact her mother wasn’t well enough to attend her wedding.

  “Don’t tell her I said so, but yes, even more than your mother.”

  “Thank you, Papa,” Rebecca said as she lifted the edge of her veil and kissed him on the cheek.

  The wedding party walked the short distance to the church where everyone was waiting inside.

  The pews were filled not only with the majority of the townsfolk, but with all the deputies and the grey-haired Sheriff Greystone from Abilene.

  As the organ played music, Judy went down the aisle followed by Lydia who tossed petals along the aisle. Once they both arrived at the end, the music changed and the bridal march played.

  With her father by her side, Rebecca put one foot in front of the other as she glided towards the man she loved. Her eyes found his, and his wide grin and tear-filled eyes told her he was just as much in love with her as she was with him.

  When they reached the front of the church, Pastor Gable asked, “Who gives this woman away to this man?”

  Mr. Caldwell replied, “I do,” as he handed Rebecca off to Jake and took his seat.

  Filled with excitement, Jake took Rebecca’s hands in his own. They faced each other as all the assembled guests looked on.

  Pastor Gable smiled out at the wedding guests. “Dear friends and family. We’re gathered here today to see the joining of Jake Bolton and Rebecca Caldwell. Rebecca has been a part of this community since birth, but Jake has only recently become a part. We are grateful to have him as he has proven himself to not only be a dependable lawman, good neighbor and friend, and devoted Christian, but the perfect match for Rebecca.

  “Please repeat after me. I Jake, take you, Rebecca, to be my lawfully wedded wife, promising to be faithful to you all the days of my life until death parts us.”

  Jake repeated the words followed by Rebecca saying the same vows.

  “May I have the rings?” Pastor Gable asked.

  Jake handed their gold bands over to him.

  “These circles are a symbol of the love Jake and Rebecca have for one another. As they wear them throughout their lives, it will be a constant reminder of their promises today and their commitment to each other.

  “Rebecca, place your ring on Jake’s finger, and repeat after me: With this ring, I thee wed.”

  She did what the pastor said and then Jake repeated the same process.

  “With the power invested in me by God and by Taylor County, Texas, I now pronounce you, husband and wife.”

  Everyone started cheering and clapping as Jake and Rebecca sealed their wedding with a kiss. A few moments later, they turned to face all their friends and family and ushered in the start of the rest of their lives.

  It’s not quite the end!

  * * *

  Did you enjoy — Lawfully Loved? You won’t want to miss the rest of the books about Texas in the series from — Annie Boone, Kate Cambridge and Lorana Hoopes.

  Turn the page for a sneak peek of all three standalone books!

  Preview – Next Books in Series

  Annie Boone’s Lawfully Played

  Fort Worth, Texas; 1883

  “Mr. Hornsley, are you sure that’s what it says?” Tess Bonner pursed her lips as she looked hopefully at the smartly dressed man sitting across the desk from her.

  He removed his half-moon spectacles and looked her squarely in the eye. His gaze made her insides squirm, and she felt tears pricking at the back of her eyes. She was determined not to let him see her be so weak and womanly, so she held her head high.

  “You may read it yourself, Miss Bonner.” He handed the document to her. His eyebrow raised slightly, almost as a challenge.

  She took it from him. “But Papa always said he’d done everything he could to ensure that Mama and I would be provided for should something like this ever occur. He worried about that, especially when we moved here to Texas. Papa was so careful in such matters. I cannot, and will not, believe he could possibly have left his affairs in a mess like this.”

  Tess jutted her chin out defiantly. When Mr. Hornsley didn’t respond, she looked down at the sheaf of documents in her hands. Scanning through the long pages of legal language she barely understood, she took in a deep breath and let it out slowly.

  Hubert Hornsley folded his hands primly on his desk. “Miss Bonner, I am sorry to be the bearer of such tidings and can entirely understand your shock at finding out the truth about your father’s estate. I wish I could have given you better news.”

  “I am sure,” Tess said waspishly, sure she saw a glimmer of amusement in the man’s cold eyes. “This will not be the last you hear of me,” she assured him as she stood up and fastened the buttons of her coat.

  He stood and gave a shallow bow, more of a discourteous nod than a show of respect, but Tess didn’t care for niceties any longer. A well of anger was surging inside her, and she wanted to be long gone from this man’s office before it escaped. “Good day.”

  Kate Cambridge’s Lawfully Charmed

  1885, Bareglen Creek, Texas

  He shifted in the saddle, his eyes scouring the landscape as though the source of the unease in the pit of his stomach would somehow manifest in the early morning horizon. Days like this didn’t end well, and Sheriff Sullivan “Sully” Clarke sat up straighter in his saddle, urging his mount forward. He’d learned the hard way that it was best to meet a challenge head on, and best to keep his premonitions to himself.

  “Sheriff, what’s the rush?” Jim Hawarden, his Deputy Sheriff’s baritone voice boomed from behind him.

  The Sheriff raised his hand and pulled the reins, patting Cider’s neck as he came to a sure stop, sidestepped and whinnied, shaking his mane. Did he sense it, too? “Easy boy.”

  Jim pulled alongside, tipped his hat and wiped the sweat dripping down his face on the back of his sleeve. “Jeez, Sheriff, when are we gonna take a break?”

  Sheriff Sully sighed as he glanced at his deputy. Jim was just shy of his own height at six feet, and an impressive figure with dirty blonde hair that always looked like it needed a trim and gentle brown eyes. He was a good man, but was he really cut out for this work? He was eager
to help—driven to help, even, but part of Sully believed he’d be better off full-time at his sister’s farm. The man was simply accident prone, and for a man who’d chosen Texas, he hated being out in the heat. But then again, when his sister, Mary Trost, lost her husband, she’d needed help with the small farm they’d purchased. Jim may not love the Texas heat, but he clearly loved his sister, and his business degree and savvy is probably what saved her from having to sell. “We’ve only been riding for an hour, Jim—”

  A shot rang out, echoing like thunder across the hills. Cider reared as Jim’s steed raced past them without his rider. Sully fought to spin Cider around, leaped off and raced toward his deputy—now prone on the ground, a red circle spreading on his chest. “Jim, Jim, can you hear me?” Fear tightened his chest as he reached his side.

  Lorana Hoopes’s Lawfully Matched

  Boston, Massachusetts 1883

  Mary Katherine Whidby grabbed the local paper and moseyed to a corner to read in private. While she hated to leave her beloved Boston, she was quickly approaching the spinster age of twenty-five, and all the men around her seemed intimidated by her brains or more likely her strong-willed spirit as her brother Robert liked to remind her.

  Mary Katherine, or Kate as her family called her, had always held a grand notion of love, so agreeing to marry a complete stranger caused distaste in her mouth every time she thought about it, but her options had run out when her parents died.

  She opened the paper and scanned the offerings:

  ‘Forty-year-old widowed rancher. 5 foot 7 and 150 pounds looking for wife who can be mother to his three kids.’