by Kari Trumbo
Her lip quivered and she bit it to keep from crying. “You?”
“No, the one who binds me to you today, the Lord. I have nothing to forgive. You are a spotless and pure bride and I love you.”
She stepped into his arms. “Thank you, Hugh, for reminding me that this day marks something more important than you or I alone. It marks you and I together as one. And now I wish I did have a white gown.”
He cupped her face with his large hand and smiled warmly as he tilted her face to him. He leaned over, coaxing her lips to his own. She slipped her hands around him and tilted her head back to accept him, loving how she fit just perfectly within his arms.
He sighed contentedly as she squeezed him closer. A rumble vibrated against her cheek, first softly, then growing in strength with every breath. She’d never heard him laugh before and her own giggles erupted from her lips.
“I’m sorry, Hattie, I’m just so happy. I can’t help it.”
She cupped his cheeks. “I never want another day to go by where I don’t hear you laugh and see your smile.”
He brushed his lips over her forehead. “While I can’t promise you that, I can promise you’ll never be alone again.”
She wanted to tell Hugh how she felt, but showing was so much easier than telling. She slid her hand around his neck, guiding him to her. He groaned and pulled her closer to him, his warmth seeping through to her very heart. His lips crushed hers for a moment, then he tensed and pulled back, softening, tempting. She didn’t want to stop. She pulled him to her again and this kiss was tender, a sweet nibbling at her lips. Her body felt light as a surge of heat spread like fire.
“My sweet. It’s time to see the preacher.”
Historical Elements
This book was birthed from a 2016 trip to South Dakota with my family, though it was not my first trip to Keystone. We had such a wonderful time. We visited a lot of delightful towns, and some of them will find their way into this series.
The mines: Keystone has many mines just outside of town. The five mentioned in the story are some of the most popular in the area, though not all of them were active during the time of this book. I included them as a way to pay homage to the rich history of the area, a history you can still experience today, as one of the mines is open for tourists as of this printing. While we think of South Dakota as a gold rush state, the mines there are rich in many minerals, including copper. Though the mining operations in Keystone closed during the first and second World Wars, Keystone still hosts gold panning excursions.
The businesses: I mention quite a few businesses in Kisses in Keystone, some are real, some purely fiction, some a blend of the two. You can take a walking tour of Historic Keystone to see the sites where some of these businesses actually stood. Some people, such as Peggy the blacksmith and Jennie Franklin, were real people; pioneers in the budding town of Keystone. The Red Garter Saloon is fictitious but is based on a restaurant I love to visit when we’re in Keystone and the story of Ros and her guns comes from one popular establishment there.
Deputy’s in Keystone: I contacted a historian to help me with this. Originally, I’d written Deputy Peterson as the sheriff, when I found out that the only law they had in Keystone in 1893 were deputies from Hill City, I had to revise that part of the story. The jail itself is fiction. As far as I can tell, Keystone didn’t have a jail.
Prostitution in the Wild West: It is an unfortunate fact that, in almost all growing western towns, prostitution was a part of life. While some western towns were merely stops for cat wagons, (wagon trains that provided services and traveled somewhat like a circus) many had saloons and brothels. While there are documents and photos that suggest some of these women were quite happy in their chosen profession, others, like Hattie, were not.
I’d like to take a moment to thank the Keystone Historical Museum for their help with research for this book. I highly recommend a stop there. Just a few miles from Mount Rushmore, it’s a perfect place to spend a relaxing afternoon and learn about the history of mining, the buildings, Mt. Rushmore, and Carrie Ingalls, who lived in Keystone for a time.
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Kari Trumbo is an inspirational romance author, blogger and proud home schooling mother to four great kids. She interacts often on reader groups on Facebook and volunteers at the local library when needed. When she isn’t writing, she is obsessively reading and expanding her skills as a wordsmith. Kari lives in her great-grandfather’s remodeled 1890-built home in central Minnesota with her husband, children, cats, and one hungry wood stove.
Other Books by Kari Trumbo:
Cutter’s Creek Series:
A Lily Blooms
A Penny Shines
A Carol Plays
A Ruby Glows
Western Vows Series
Forsaking All Others
To Honor and Cherish
For Richer or Poorer
To Love and Comfort
Seven Brides of South Dakota
Dreams in Deadwood
