Everlasting Hope

by Annie Boone

  “But, you think Jude is good enough, now, don’t you?” Ellie asked, suddenly feeling a little anxious.

  “I do. He has proven himself over and over. If a man like him is not good enough for you, there will never be a man alive who is. That I ever thought him not to be is my sin, not his.”

  Ellie could make out the slightly off-key tones of the old piano that Mr. Langdon from the saloon had donated to the church playing a sprightly wedding march. She smiled up at her father and took a deep breath. “I do wish you could be the one to marry us,” she said.

  “But then I could not walk you down the aisle, to give you away to the man you love.” Her father quickly put his arm around her shoulders and gave her a squeeze. “Are you ready?”

  “I am,” she said, giving him a grin. “I can’t wait.”

  They stepped inside. The entire town was crammed into the pews, and the children had strewn flowers they had picked from the hillside everywhere. But, it was Jude that caught and held Ellie’s gaze. He was dressed in a fine suit, and his chin was clean-shaven. She’d never seen him look so fine. He’d told her about growing up on a Georgia plantation and he looked every inch the southern aristocrat he once had been. Ellie wasn’t sure if she preferred him this way, or in his rugged mountain man attire, but either way, she knew she loved him with all her heart.

  She looked up into his eyes as she reached the altar.

  “Who gives this woman to be wed in holy matrimony,” her father’s oldest friend, Alexander Massey asked.

  “I do, and I wish my Ellie and Jude all the happiness in the world,” Daddy said as he put Ellie’s hand into Jude’s. Jude nodded gratefully to him and Ellie beamed at them both.

  “I love you, Daddy,” she whispered as he dropped a kiss on her forehead before taking his seat behind them.

  Ellie could barely remember another thing, the ceremony seemed to pass so swiftly. She made her vows, and felt her heart swell as Jude made his to her, and in no time, Pastor Massey had bound their hands together.

  “I now pronounce you man and wife. Let no man put asunder, that which God has joined in holy matrimony,” he said proudly.

  They made their way through the throng of townsfolk to the door where Jude bent his head and kissed her deeply. A cheer erupted behind them. “I think it’s time to take you home,” Jude said, a cheeky grin lighting up his handsome face.

  “That sounds wonderful,” Ellie said.

  He lifted her into an open carriage that stood right outside, and whipping the horses to a canter, they raced up the mountain. Ellie gasped when they broached the hill, and they drove out onto the ridge. A handsome new house stood waiting for her, looking out over the horizon.

  “You built this for me?” she breathed happily.

  “And for our children, and all the travelers, of course,” Jude said smiling indulgently at her. Ellie flung her arms around his neck.

  “Shall we start with three?” she asked.

  “Travelers?” Jude teased.

  “Children. And maybe dog,” Ellie retorted, swatting him affectionately.

  Jude jumped down from the carriage and lifted her down. But, instead of setting her onto her feet, he walked purposefully towards the house, and carried her over the threshold. “We need to get some furniture,” she noted as she looked around the empty rooms.

  “I figured that can wait for a day or two.” Jude laughed deeply peppering her eyes, her nose, her cheeks, her neck and finally her lips with kisses.

  “I can live with that.”

  It’s not quite the end!

  * * *

  Have you read Annie’s first Hero Hearts story? Here’s a little about it.

  Tess Bonner has lost her parents and the family money is long gone. Her easy life hasn’t prepared her to be anything but a privileged society wife. When an opportunity falls in her lap, she can’t pas it up. A girl has to eat.

  Sheriff Zachery Maitland is intent on ridding wholesome Springville, Texas of the gambling outfit that’s taken hold. There’s a sinister feels the man he suspects is running it and he’s digging in to find all the players. He vows to keep his town safe.

  When Zach meets Tess, he’s intrigued, yet wary. She’s with his main suspect and he can’t decide if she’s another victim or part of the scheme. He hopes she’s as innocent as she seems, but it could be part of her act.

  As he pulls back the layers of the case, he starts falling for Tess. The more he hears of her story, certain details don’t make sense. Is she just a terrible liar or is something else going on? Something even she doesn’t know about?

  * * *

  Turn the page to read a preview of Lawfully Played. The story takes place in Sprinvgille, Texas seventeen years later than Everlasting Hope.

  Lawfully Played - Preview

  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.

  It had only been two weeks since the tragic deaths of her beloved mama and papa, and she was still reeling from the loss. Now it appeared she was to be left destitute, with nowhere to turn. She could feel the panic that lingered so close to the surface these days begin to rise up within her, her breathing growing more shallow.

  She closed her eyes and tried to focus on taking a single deep breath, but her throat was closing in, her chest growing tighter and tighter, and soon she was gasping for air. Tess had always had a weak chest, and the doctors warned her mama that she should try to avoid anxiety as it would only make it worse.

  “Miss Bonner, are you quite all right?” Mr. Hornsley’s nasal tones dripped with false sympathy. “May I fetch you a glass of water?”

  She nodded. She needed a moment alone to compose herself. With the odious little man out of the room, she was able to calm herself. She leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes to focus on breathing deeply and evenly.

  Hearing footsteps in the corridor outside, she opened her eyes and sat up straight as Mr. Hornsley came back into the room. He held a mug of water, which he handed to her. His hand brushed hers, and Tess had to stifle a shudder at his inadvertent touch. His skin was cold and clammy.

  “Thank you,” she said as politely as she could muster and took a sip. The water was refreshing, and it did help her to get her thoughts together once more.

  Hubert Hornsley took his seat opposite her and 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 t
o be long gone from this man’s office before it escaped. “Good day.” She swept from the room with as much confidence as she could manage and moved toward the exit.

  She had barely set a foot upon the sidewalk before she collided with a large and unyielding force. She stumbled, putting a hand out to break her fall. “Ouch!” She gasped loudly as she hit the gritty path, her right wrist doubling over.

  “My goodness, I am so terribly sorry.” The voice she heard was gentle and kind, and a large, calloused hand appeared before her face. It was open for her to take it, and she did. Wincing, she realized she’d offered him the hand she’d just damaged in her fall. She gave him a wry smile and raised her left hand instead.

  He helped her to her feet and began to inspect her damaged wrist. “I believe it’s just a strain, but maybe we should take you to the doctor’s office to be sure. There’s a very good physician just a few doors down, if you would permit me to accompany you. I’ll pay the fees, of course.”

  “I couldn’t accept that,” Tess said, feeling awkward at the kindness of this stranger. He wasn’t exactly good-looking, but he had fine features and a gallant way about him, though Tess had a strong feeling that he wasn’t entirely comfortable in his fine suit. He looked as though his muscular body might escape its confines at any moment. “I should have been looking where I was going.”

  “As should I,” he said, chuckling. “May I at least introduce myself?” She nodded. “Thomas Roper, at your service.”

  “My name’s Tess Bonner,” she said, smiling as he tentatively tried to shake her injured hand. “Oh, my. It’s a bit sore already.”

  “And it’s swelling rather rapidly, too,” Mr. Roper said. “Please, Miss Bonner, permit me to put my own mind at rest that I have caused no lasting damage?”

  “I have the feeling you won’t take no for an answer.” She smiled at him and allowed him to usher her toward the doctor’s office. The elderly gentleman doctor assured them that it was indeed simply a strain, that no bones were broken. He instructed Tess to rest it as much as possible.

  “Well, Miss Bonner, that is truly good news, and I am quite relieved to not have caused you lasting difficulties.” Mr. Roper smiled as they stepped back onto the street from the doctor’s office. “Please allow me to escort you home. A young lady shouldn’t be wandering the streets alone.”

  “That’s not necessary, Mr. Roper. I appreciate the offer, but I’ll be fine on my own.” She smiled and took a step away.

  “No, no. Now I insist. It’s the least I can do.”

  She looked at him and smiled. “Well, that’s kind of you. I don’t live too far from here, so I hope it won’t take too much of your time.”

  They walked and talked easily for total strangers. It turned out that Mr. Roper had a sense of humor.

  “Just look at the smart people in their smart carriages. No wagons for them. Wouldn’t be seen in a wagon—that would hurt their reputations as well-to-do people in town, you know. Cattle rich, I call them.” He pointed out one after another as they walked through town.

  “Cattle rich?” Tess wrinkled her nose knowing what he meant but felt to have him clarify.

  “The people who got wealthy because of cattle. Some are ranch owners, some are merchants, some are bankers. They’re all here because of the cattle. Just watch how they turn their noses up at those not in their class.” He chuckled, and she laughed with him.

  Tess was almost embarrassed as she looked up at the lovely townhouse that had been her home these past three years. “I hope you won’t judge me too harshly,” she said as he gave a low whistle at the sight of it.

  “I would never judge you, Miss Bonner. I don’t deride their wealth,” Mr. Roper said, indicating toward the busy street. “I find their attitude toward those who may not have had the benefits they enjoy rude and unfeeling. I doubt you would ever be so unkind or dismissive of a soul not blessed with the same chances you were born into.”

  “You’re probably right. But surely you are a wealthy man in your own right.”

  “Don’t let the linen and velvet fool you,” Mr. Roper said with a wry smile. “I’m a man who has fought for every penny I’ve ever earned.”

  Tap here to get your copy of Lawfully Played on Amazon

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  Also by Annie Boone

  If you like stories like this one be sure to check out Annie’s other books including the newest book in the Cutter’s Creek Series, Committed, and dive deeper into the quirky historical world of Cutter’s Creek.

  Annie’s sweet historical romance stories will help you step back in time to simpler days. Escape the stress of every day life and live in the past for a while through more than fifty books to carry you away.

  Annie is a bestselling author with books in series and stand alone stories. Each series is a set of books with a common thread, but stories don’t have cliff hangers and every couple finds their own path to lasting and true love.

  Find all of Annie’s books on her Amazon Author Page.

  Cutter’s Creek Series

  A collaboration with Kit Morgan, Vivi Holt, and Kari Trumbo – Read about the fun and quirky people of Cutter’s Creek, Montana, a fictional town where the residents have lots of stories to tell.

  Colorado Matchmakers Series

  Find out how a tender-hearted woman who couldn’t have children of her own talked her husband into helping women in need. In the process, she’ll bring many couples together to find true love even when the odds are against them.

  God Bless the Children Series

  Children are often the heart of a home. Especially in the old west, children didn’t always join a family the typical way. Enjoy these heart warming stories of open hearts, open minds, and open arms as children enhance these sweet love stories.

  Kansas Mail Order Brides Series

  Set in Derby and Wichita, Kansas, these sweet stories tell of loss, tragedy, and disappointment and how the women and men triumphed over it all. Watching these couples find love in spite of difficulty will make you believe that love is worth the struggle.

  The Parson’s Daughters Series

  Be inspired as you come to love the three sisters who strike out to make their way in California after the Civil War. Though they’re different, these girls have a strong bond forged in faith and family. Go with them as they fall in love and make choices that will take them far away from their Georgia roots.

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  About Annie Boone

  Bestselling author Annie Boone admits that sweet historical love stories are a passion for her. Writing about days gone by, the struggles and victories faced by people of an earlier era, and falling in love in spite of their circumstances, is a dream come true.

  Annie has always had a quiet story teller hiding inside and now she has the time to put those stories on paper and share them. Her hope is that her stories will entertain readers and her words will inspire the ones who need it most. The Christian elements she includes often help remind her of her own faith as she writes.

  Annie lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and the two most wonderful cats in the world. She loves to travel, cook for her family and friends, and watch as much sports as possible. She also loves to read – of course!

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