Relief such as he’d never felt had rushed through him when he’d finally found her. His brave Livy had managed to signal him by throwing rocks to alert him of her whereabouts.
The flap to the tent opened, and Eli emerged. He groaned as he straightened his back, then made eye contact with Caleb.
“She wants ta see ya.”
Caleb pushed the cup into Kyle’s hand, spilling half the contents, then darted past the old cook and ducked into the tent. He widened his eyes to adjust to the dim light, his gaze falling on the cot where several layers of covers engulfed Livy. She smiled when she saw him and rolled to the side to lean on her arm.
“Don’t get up.”
Caleb lowered himself to the edge of the cot and reached for her hand. His eyes pored over her, at least the parts of her that weren’t covered. Her hair was missing its normal shine, and she had dark circles under her eyes. The skin of her face was pale and marred by several bruises.
“I want to thank you for finding me.” Livy smiled, which instantly brightened her eyes.
Caleb squeezed her hand tightly between his. He lifted it and pressed a kiss to her bruised and skinned knuckles.
“I told you before that I would always find you.”
Livy lowered her gaze. “I thought that was all in my imagination.”
Caleb shook his head. “No. It wasn’t.”
He adjusted his seat and leaned forward so she could lie back, but she remained supported on her arm. If her face and exposed limb were any indication, the rest of her had to be just as battered and bruised. Clearly, her independent spirit hadn’t been affected by her ordeal.
Caleb swallowed back the anger at the man who had nearly killed her. After returning to camp with Livy at the crack of dawn, his first instinct had been to seek out Jack. The urge to do harm to someone had never been stronger. Kyle and Josh had ended up physically restraining him to keep him away from the man. Mr. Washburn and Judge Hedges had taken up the matter, making it clear there would be consequences once they returned to Helena.
Caleb cleared his throat. “Livy, I know this isn’t the right time to ask you this, but there’s something that’s been on my mind for days. Yesterday, I made a firm decision to finally talk to you, and when I realized what had happened to you, I nearly went mad with worry.”
Her forehead scrunched at his words, and she shifted to sit up more. She visibly gritted her teeth, and pain clouded her eyes. Eli had said he suspected her ankle was sprained, but luckily she hadn’t suffered any bone breaks.
“Are you sure you want to sit up? You should be resting.”
Caleb smiled. She would fit in just fine with the rest of the Walker women. First, though, she had to be agreeable to his proposal. It was no longer enough to take her to see the Tetons and where he’d grown up, and to meet his family.
“I can sit up, Caleb Walker.” She returned his smile. “I don’t think I’ve spent any time lying around in bed more than once in my life, and I don’t plan to make a habit of it now.”
He chuckled. “What if I won’t let you get out of bed? What if I say you have to rest and get well because it’s what’s best for you, and you need to do what I say because I’m looking out for you?”
Her eyes narrowed. “I’d say you simply want to be bossy.” Her eyes twinkled, despite looking tired.
Caleb shook his head. He stared into her eyes while his heart pounded against his ribs. “No, Livy. I simply want to be your husband and take care of you.”
Livy’s eyes widened. She instantly sat up straighter, and a strained look came over her face. ‘What?” she croaked.
Caleb adjusted his hold on her hand. “Olivia Barkley, I want to marry you, if you’ll have me.”
Her head slowly moved from side to side. A sinking feeling came over him.
“Why would you want to do that?” she stammered. “I can’t . . . we can’t –”
Caleb leaned forward before she finished her thought. He slid his hand along her cheek and touched his lips to hers. She stiffened for a moment before the tightness left her, and she leaned forward, encouraging him to deepen the kiss.
He released her hand and wound his arm around her back to fully support her, before adjusting his mouth over hers. Livy’s hands crept up along his chest, until her fingers curled around the top of his shoulders. When he eased away, her eyes were dark and filled with disbelief at what had happened.
“I want to marry you because I love you,” he said hoarsely. “Almost losing you last night made me realize it even more. And I think you might feel something for me, too.”
Livy dropped her gaze and her hand. She shook her head again.
“I can’t.”
Her whisper was so quiet, it was as if she hadn’t even said it, as if she hadn’t wanted to say it.
Caleb ran a hand through his hair. Had he gone about it the wrong way? Perhaps he should have waited until she’d had more time to rest and recover from her ordeal. There was no doubt she had feelings for him.
“Why are you denying what’s between us, Livy?” he pressed. “We were brought together as children, and now we’re together again. There has to be a reason.”
Her head lifted slowly, her eyes shimmering in the dim light from the lantern Eli had left sitting on the ground. She swiped a hand across her cheek.
“You’re a wonderful man, Caleb. I’ve spent more time thinking about you than I’ve ever let myself think about anyone. I can’t lie to you and tell you I don’t have feelings for you, and that’s exactly why I can’t be with you.”
Caleb scrunched his forehead. She was making no sense. Had the cold affected her thinking?
“I don’t understand,” he said. “I love you. I’m absolutely sure of it. If you don’t feel as strongly as I do, and need more time to think about it, I’ll wait.”
He reached for her hand again, caressing her knuckles with his hand. Livy reached up with her free hand, and placed her palm against his cheek.
“I’m scared,” she whispered, a pleading look in her eyes.
“Scared of me?” He cursed silently for the way he’d behaved back in Helena. He’d have to introduce her to his mother, or to Tori, if she thought he would order her around as her husband. Her soft thumb caressed his skin, leaving a deep longing inside him. He’d do whatever it took to win her trust.
Livy shook her head. “I’m scared of what might happen if I let myself love you.”
“You’re not making any sense, Livy. I’ll earn your trust. I swear I would never hurt you.”
Her lips formed a sad smile. “Every time something good comes into my life and I’m happy, I lose it again. I realized on this expedition that you’re the best thing that’s ever entered my life. I fear I will lose you, like I’ve lost everything else I’ve ever loved.”
Caleb relaxed. He brought his hand up to cover the one she still held against his cheek. He smiled for encouragement.
“You won’t lose me, silly girl. That’s why I want us to get married. So that we can always be together.”
He leaned forward to kiss her again. Livy hesitated and pulled back to look into his eyes.
“Caleb, I’ve lost almost everyone I have ever cared for. I can’t marry you.”
He studied the fear in her pleading gaze. How could he make her understand?
“Bad things happen sometimes, Livy,” he said, searching for the right words.
She started to pull away, shaking her head. Caleb held her tight. “I can’t promise nothing is going to happen to either of us, but I can promise that every moment of whatever time we have together will be the best you have ever known.”
Livy looked at him, staring up into his eyes. “You promise?” she whispered against his lips.
Caleb pressed his forehead against hers, smiling broadly. “I promise.”
She brought her arms fully around his neck, drawing him closer. Caleb’s hand reached behind her neck, supporting her head while he kissed her, keeping the contact tender.
“Good thing Judge Hedges is with us. Looks like we’re going to have us a wedding.”
Kyle’s voice coming from the tent’s opening barely registered. The only thing that was important at the moment was holding the woman he loved in his arms.
Livy’s heart thumped in her chest, the beats growing stronger and faster with each step the horse beneath her took, bringing her closer to the home in which Caleb had grown up.
Married for more than a month now, she’d never been happier in her life. They’d remained with the expedition until her leg was healed enough for her to ride a horse. Caleb had told Mr. Washburn he planned to take Livy to his family’s homestead, rather than returning with the expedition to the city.
The kind gentleman had smiled knowingly, and given his consent. “My men might mutiny without your good cooking, Mrs. Walker, but I understand you have to be somewhere else. Is there a message you’d like me to deliver to your friend, Jenny Washington?”
Livy had smiled. “Yes, please tell her she was right, and I found happiness, and I wish her all the best.”
Washburn had nodded. “Perhaps someday you can pay her a visit.” He’d shot a meaningful look at Caleb.
The following day, they’d parted ways and said goodbye to the rest of the men. Caleb had said his farewell to Kyle and Josh while Eli had grumbled that the complaining would no doubt start again about his cooking. Livy had hugged the old man, who sniffed and loudly blew his nose in his handkerchief.
While the nagging thoughts kept rearing to the surface on occasion that her happiness was too good to be true and she would lose it any day, Caleb assured Livy she had nothing to fear.
“At some point, we all lose the people we love, Livy,” he’d told her while holding her in his arms one night when she’d confided her fears. “But that shouldn’t stop us from loving someone and enjoying life the way it was meant to be lived.”
He’d held her tight and kissed her to prove his point. “Once you meet Lucas and Tori, you’ll understand. I don’t know of two people who have been through more hardships than they have. But you know what? Their love made them stronger together, and it made them fight for each other, no matter the odds. That’s how it’s going to be between you and me.”
“I believe you. I’ll learn to conquer my fear, because I know you and I can get through anything together.”
Those words rung in her ears now as they approached the homestead where Caleb had found his family and happiness. It wasn’t too late for her, after all, to find the love she’d longed for all her life.
Two cabins came into view as Caleb led the way through the lush valley he called Jackson’s Hole. Several corrals and barns stood off to one side, and dozens of cattle and horses grazed nearby. The Snake River meandered in the distance, and the snow-covered Tetons rose like majestic sentinels into the sky. Livy marveled at their beauty. This would be her home from now on, and she’d be greeted by this magnificent view each day.
Caleb pulled his horse to a stop in front of the larger of the homes. He offered a smile before dismounting, then stepped around his horse to help Livy out of the saddle.
“Welcome home,” he whispered against her neck, sending a shiver down her spine.
“I’ve longed for those words all my life,” she said, smiling at her husband.
The door of the cabin opened and two girls and a boy stepped out.
“Caleb,” they called in unison, running toward him.
Caleb greeted his brother and sisters, then introduced them to Livy.
“Brooke is the oldest. She’s thirteen and likes to think she’s the smartest, while Lauren swears she knows more than her older sister since she turned ten. Of course, Alexander has to listen to them both and get bossed around. It’s no fun being the little brother to two sisters, is it?”
Livy smiled at the exchange between the siblings. There was no doubt they all cared deeply for each other, even as young as they were. They greeted Livy with curious glances and happy smiles.
“I’m gonna get Mama and Papa. They won’t believe you’re married.”
Caleb reached for Livy’s hand. “There goes our surprise.”
He led her into the house to meet his mother. Sophie Walker welcomed her with a warm hug and an incredulous stare. The older woman wasn’t at all what Livy had expected. She appeared delicate like a fragile flower. Her stunning beauty, and the poise of an upper-class lady, gave the first impression that this woman didn’t fit in the rugged mountain wilderness. Her raven hair and deep olive-colored skin hinted at her Indian heritage. Her outward appearance was misleading, however. Her grip was strong, and her eyes sparkled with the self-assurance of a woman who wouldn’t back down when cornered.
“I knew it was time for Caleb to find a wife soon, but it never occurred to me he’d find you on this expedition.” She wiped the tears from her eyes as she watched her husband, Joseph shake hands with Caleb.
“Joseph and I knew each other as little children, too, until we were separated. We found each other again years later. Some things are just meant to happen,” she said. She leaned forward and whispered, “If there is one thing you need to know about the Walker men, Livy, it’s that when they fall in love with a woman, it’s all in. They don’t do it half-heartedly.”
Livy nodded. She’d already had a glimpse of that over the course of the last month. She greeted her father-in-law with a handshake, but Joseph Walker pulled her into his arms for a friendly embrace. His shoulder-length, dark hair showed some hints of gray, and there were lines on his face that hinted at his age, but his eyes showed a youthfulness that made him appear years younger. It was no wonder Caleb had looked up to this man with awe as a little boy.
“Your grandparents will be so pleased,” he said to his adopted son. “I’m sure they’ve already heard. Smiling, he glanced out the door where his son and daughters had stormed off to the other cabin.
“You do know you’ll have to prepare yourself for when Lucas and Tori come to visit.” Sophie Walker embraced her son, smiling mischievously. “They said they would be here tomorrow. It’ll be a wonderful occasion to celebrate your homecoming and your marriage.”
“Can’t wait,” Caleb said, grinning.
Sophie took her husband’s hand and led the way out of the cabin. Caleb stepped up to Livy, and pulled her into his arms.
“I’m ready to fulfill my promise to you, every day, for the rest of our lives.” He leaned forward and kissed her.
Livy wrapped her arms around his neck. “You already are, Caleb. You already are.”
About the Author
Dear Reader
Peggy L Henderson is an award-winning, best-selling western historical and time travel romance author of the Yellowstone Romance Series, Second Chances Time Travel Romance Series, Teton Romance Trilogy, and the Blemished Brides and Wilderness Brides Western Historical Romance Series. When she’s not writing about Yellowstone, the Tetons, or the old west, she’s out hiking the trails, spending time with her family and pets, or catching up on much-needed sleep. She is happily married to her high school sweetheart. Along with her husband and two sons, she makes her home in Southern California. To stay up to date with her characters and future book releases, please join her mailing list
Also by Peggy L. Henderson
To find out more about the Walkers in the Teton Series or the Osbornes and Russells from the Yellowstone Series, please visit click on the following links:
http://amzn.to/2jW4Tgh (Teton Series)
http://amzn.to/2jWcoUv (Yellowstone Series)
Teton Season of Promise is part of the Teton Romance Trilogy, but can easily be read as a standalone. In 1870, an expedition led by Henry Washburn entered the region that today encompasses Yellowstone National Park, to map the area and pave the way for the formation of the world’s first national park. Several historical figures were mentioned in this book, and the route they took is similar to what is described in this story. For more information about Yellowstone or Grand Teton
National Park, please visit the nps.gov website.
There are three full-length novels plus another novella in the Teton Romance Series. It is a spin-off series to the Yellowstone Romance Series, which to date includes seven full-length novels plus four novellas and various short stories.
The Gunsmith’s Bride
Kristin Holt
To hear about New Releases, Special Sales,
and receive a FREE novella,
Sign up for Kristin Holt’s Newsletter.
THE GUNSMITH’S BRIDE Copyright © 2017 Kristin Holt LC
www.KristinHolt.com
All rights reserved. By payment of required fees, you have been granted non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this eBook on-screen. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, stored, introduced to any storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, nor distributed in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author publisher except in the case of brief quotation embodied in critical articles and reviews. Publisher: Kristin Holt LC, P.O. Box 9301, Ogden UT 84409-9301. www.KristinHolt.com
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, business establishments, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.
Editing by RVP The Man Editing.
For the real Elizabeth Louise, “Favorite Cousin Lizzy”. Thank you for loaning me your name. Wishing you the beauty of your own happily ever after with a hero even better than Morgan Hudson.
Gunsmoke and Gingham Page 17
