Winning the Lady (Book 4 of the Red River Valley Brides)

by Hestand, Rita

  The place he bought wasn't rundown at all—a nice house with a big porch and a good barn. The land looked fertile as much as they could tell.

  She stepped down and into her new home, twirling around in a circle. "Oh, Gil, is it really ours?"

  "Every square inch. Do you like it?"

  She ran through the three rooms quickly and saw the rocking chair sitting at the window. Trish turned her head in question at him.

  "When you were having our baby, I sat in the rocking chair next to the window. I don't want to ever forget that day. That's the day we became a family."

  She squealed. "I can't believe it."

  "I'm not just giving up gambling. I'm not drinking any more either. I found a side of me I didn't like. I don't want to ever see that side of me again. So this…" He produced a bottle of some kind of drink and pulled her outside to watch as he crashed it against their house. "Is the last of it."

  "I love it. But answer me honestly."

  "Don't I always?" He sat down in the rocker and took the baby, rocking him gently. Brodie went to sleep. down for him.

  "Can you give up gambling that easy?" she asked, staring into his eyes.

  "Gambling was fun in my youth, but now I'm a family man and my family comes first, no matter what. Yes, I can give it up that easily. Just promise me one thing."

  "What?" She gasped as he took he stared up at her..

  "Never ever leave me again."

  "Never," she whispered as he strained to hold the baby and reach her lips, sealing a promise that lasted for over five decades.

  Trish had seven children: three boys and four girls. Gil never went back to gambling, never took another drink of liquor, and Trish never left him again. He had truly won the lady, and he knew in his heart he couldn't top that with any pat hand.

  THE END

  About the Author

  Rita Hestand is a multi-published, bestselling author of contemporary and historical romances. She also writes for children, short stories and poetry. You'll find her work at Smashwords.

  Rita has quite a collection of series books so don't miss them.

  The Travers Brothers Series

  The Amory's

  The McKay's

  The Western Serial Killer Series

  And now The Red River Valley Brides Series

  Heart of a Lady

  Marrying Maggie

  Catching the Cowboy

  Last Bride, Last Man

  Winning the Lady