A Courageous Bride to Bring Him Hope: A Historical Western Romance Book

by Cassidy Hanton

  The train finally stopped at the station, and passengers started pouring out. Pauline stood on her toes in hopes to spot her mother quicker.

  "Mamma," Pauline screeched running toward Viola. Viola hearing her daughter's voice turned and then started running as well. Mother and daughter embraced, meeting halfway.

  The sight warmed Clementine's heart. She tried her best to give Pauline everything she needed during their separation, however, there was only one mother in this world, and her love and her care were irreplaceable. Clementine joined in.

  "I've missed you so much."

  "We missed you too," Clementine replied for the both of them.

  "Pauline, you have grown so much," Viola observed, approvingly. "I see that Auntie Clementine must have been feeding you all your favorite meals."

  Pauline giggled at that. It was true. Clementine often scolded Alexander for pampering Pauline, yet in reality, she was just as bad.

  "I'm sorry," Clementine blurted out. She didn't want to do this here and now and apparently couldn't stop herself. "Viola, I am so sorry for everything that happened."

  "Do not cry Auntie, I am all right. Uncle Alexander saved us."

  Viola noticed the "uncle" part. She did not comment on it. That was a story for some other time and place. Viola simply hugged Clementine even harder. "It wasn't your fault, Clementine."

  She looked at her friend. In part, it truly was, and her face suggested as much. Viola stubbornly shook her head. "Everything turned out all right so let it go."

  Clementine felt bad Viola had to be the one comforting her when it should be the other way around. The least she could do was stop making a spectacle of herself. Clementine simply nodded, admiring Viola's strength.

  "Let's not speak about it ever again," Viola advised.

  "All right," Clementine replied, feeling quite relieved she still had her friend. She was so worried Viola would never speak to her again after putting Pauline in danger. And she would have every right to do so. Blissfully, Viola decided to forgive her.

  "Where is Pa?" Clementine changed the subject, looking about.

  "Probably still conversing with his new friend, you know how he gets," Viola explained with a smile. "I only hope he left the wagon. I do not wish to have to pick him up in some other town," she grumbled. There was no true heat in her words. Viola was glad Pa Shamus came to Courtfield, as was Clementine.

  It was true he could talk for hours without a single pause especially if he had found a suitable interlocutor. That was not to suggest he was dull or overbearing in any way, far from it. Pa Shamus's stories were the best, and Clementine adored listening to them. It was always a delight when he came to visit. Over time, as he grew older the visits thinned out, but his letters were just as fascinating.

  "There he is," Pauline spotted him first.

  "Pa," Viola called out to him and he slowly approached them. Clementine was pleased to see he looked rather healthy considering his age and the fact he was sick for a substantial period of time.

  After this last illness, Viola managed to convince her father to sell his estate and move to Courtfield to live with her and Pauline. Clementine was relieved he saw reason and decided to do such a thing. Living alone on that remote farm was not for someone his age especially when he had family that loved him and wished to spend as much time as possible with him, here.

  Pa Shamus greeted Pauline and then gave Clementine a big hug. It has been quite some time since they saw one another last.

  "It's good to see you walking about, Pa Shamus," Clementine complimented.

  He chuckled, doing a little dance much to Pauline's delight. "It is good to be walking. My daughter is an angel however there are things a man needs to do on his own."

  Clementine could understand that. In some regards, she felt the same way. They chatted for a bit on their way to the waiting carriage. It was a short walking distance to Viola's house from the station, all the same, Clementine didn't want Pa to overexert himself.

  "I heard a rumor you are about to be wed again," Pa Shamus said without beating around the bush. That was his usual manner of speaking that was always close to Clementine's heart. There was no criticism in his voice, simple curiosity.

  "I heard the same one," Clementine replied with a smile. This time she was glad a rumor about her was true. "I can't wait for you to meet him, Pa." Clementine was certain the two men would instantly grow fond of one another.

  "I am very happy for you, my dear," Pa Shamus told her. "I wish this Alexander Carson to be a better husband to you than my Steve was."

  "Thank you," Clementine was rather touched by his words. His blessing meant a great deal to her since she always loved him as though he was her own father.

  Clementine helped Pa Shamus to settle into his new home, allowing the mother and daughter to spend some much needed alone time. They chatted for what felt like hours before Clementine had to leave them to go to work. It was a strange feeling she didn't have to take Pauline with her. Despite everything, she would miss the company of that little girl.

  Naturally, the first thing Pauline did as they returned home was to show her mother and grandfather her dollhouse. Alexander was kind enough to move it to her room the day before.

  She saw the sheriff on her way to the store and he simply nodded in her direction, she did the same. Entering the store she was welcomed by all the familiar faces and usual scenes of people picking up their groceries, socializing with each other. Greeting her colleagues, Clementine went to work.

  Clementine agreed to keep working at the store until the wedding that was fast approaching since neither Alexander nor Clementine wanted a long engagement. She didn't see a point of one, at any rate, she wanted her life with her love to start as soon as possible.

  Both Garry and Osmond were suffering from separation anxiety as a result of it. They never missed an opportunity to tell her how much they were going to miss her although they were overjoyed she was marrying Alexander.

  When she tried to point out she was not moving away from Courtfield or worse, they ignored her. So she let them be and deal in their own way with it. Because in some way they had a point.

  Things were about to change between all of them. For the first time, Clementine welcomed the change, accepted it as something good. Since it was. Her life definitely turned for the better since she met Alexander, and she hoped that this trend would continue.

  "Excuse me, Miss? May I order, please?" a rather familiar voice asked from behind, snapping her from her reverie.

  Clementine smiled while turning. She adored when he was playful like this. "And what would you like, kind sir?" Clementine played along, looking at Alexander's beautiful face. She still could not quite believe this wonderful man was going to be her husband in mere weeks.

  He pretended to ponder about his options. "I want something rather strong to drink and I want a kiss from you," he added moving closer to her.

  Clementine pretended to be outraged in return. "I will get you your drink, but you must forget about that kiss. My fiancé does not look kindly on such jests.

  Alexander signed. "Shame."

  They both laughed. Alexander opened his arms and Clementine went willingly to his embrace. He asked her about Viola and Pa Shamus since he knew they were arriving today, and she told him.

  "Pa Shamus gave us his blessing," she added at the end.

  "I'm glad," Alexander replied settling even closer to her. "John will be here in two weeks. He is bringing his whole family with him."

  Clementine liked John, and couldn't wait to meet his wife, children. In a way John reminded her of Garry, they had a similar sense of humor. When she pointed that out to them, both men frowned at her, claiming they were utterly unique in this world, which she found rather amusing.

  Clementine wanted those two weeks to fly by because that would mean their wedding day finally arrived. "I can't wait to become your wife," she told him honestly.

  "I can't wait to become your husband."
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br />   If anyone told her a year ago, or even a few months ago, her life was going to turn out like this, that she would meet the most loving man in the world with whom she wanted to spend the rest of her life, Clementine would have laughed.

  Without logic, Clementine was drawn to this stranger for a reason. It did not matter if you called it providence, faith or divine intervention. Some kind of force brought them together and Clementine would be forever grateful since such occurrences were rather rare.

  The key was to recognize these crucial moments in life and be open to the experience because it just might make all your dreams come true. And then, simply be grateful for all the marvelous things that happen as a result of these events.

  "Clementine?" Alexander prompted.

  "Hm?"

  He laughed. "What are you thinking about so intently?" he asked with mild curiosity, clearly amused by her absentmindedness.

  "You," she replied instantly.

  Alexander chuckled, kissing her brow. "I like that, do carry on."

  It was her turn to laugh.

  Garry coughed. His meaning was obvious. Although he did not appear mad, only jolly since he knew he could now tease her even more, it was about time she returned to work. He was not paying her to spent time with her fiancé and serve customers.

  Reluctantly, Clementine and Alexander parted. "I better get back to work," Clementine stated the obvious, clearly stalling. Two weeks felt like a lifetime at the moment.

  "And I'll be waiting for you," Alexander replied in the same manner.

  She couldn't stop smiling not that she wanted to. It was good to finally have so many reasons to smile about. "I like that," she borrowed his words. "Do carry on."

  Clementine never worked with so much joy and energy as she did in those last days because now, she actually had something to look forward to. A whole life ahead of her with Alexander by her side.

  A true happily ever after with her one true love.

  And what could ever be better than that?

  Epilogue

  Clementine was overjoyed when the day of her wedding arrived. She was so excited she barely slept the night before, thinking about her handsome, kind, loving husband to be and their future life together.

  A lot of things happened in the days leading to the wedding. Alexander's friend and best man John arrived in Courtfield dragging his whole family with him. They resembled a caravan when Clementine and Alexander went to greet them at the station. Or as Alexander put it, they were more like a traveling circus, numerous, loud and lovely.

  John's wife, Colette, especially made an impact on Clementine. She presented her with the most beautiful, delicate lace for her wedding present. Clementine had been working on her wedding dress for weeks but seeing this lace she knew she had to use it, so with the help of Colette and Viola, they incorporated it into the existing piece. And the end result was stunning.

  It was not in her character, yet Clementine felt like she could stare at it all day, couldn't wait to wear it on her wedding day and see Alexander's reaction when he saw her in it for the first time. Clementine simply knew he would love it too.

  Pa Shamus agreed to be the one giving her away. She was aware it was a bit unorthodox, however, he was family and Alexander did not mind. The two men took a liking of one another just as Clementine hoped they would. Their common ground was the army, and they could talk about it for hours.

  Viola and Pauline came and slept with her the night before the wedding. Actually, though only Pauline slept. Clementine was too excited, and as it turned out so was Viola, so they chatted into the wee hours.

  When the morning finally came, Viola helped Clementine to get ready. That felt like old times since Viola was always the one who cared about such things and pampered her before an outing. In this case, Clementine did not mind, quite the contrary; she wanted to look her best for Alexander.

  She bathed using a special fragranced soap lack of words when Viola announced she was done. She was sitting in front of her burrow mirror as Viola worked.

  "Oh, Viola, you truly have a gift. It's beautiful."

  "You are beautiful," Viola replied hugging her from behind. "I am so happy you found your true man. Nobody deserves this more than you. After what my brother put you through—"

  "Stop," Clementine had to intervene. "You'll make me cry, and this is a happy day."

  "You are right," Viola agreed. "I love you, sister of mine."

  "I love you too."

  In a blink of an eye, Clementine was riding in the carriage toward the church. As expected, Alexander was rendered speechless when he finally laid his eyes on her. It appeared as though he was not blinking at all, Clementine was pleased.

  She experienced something similar looking at him. Alexander wore the new black suit and his hair was pulled back just the way she liked it. She could feel her cheeks heating us as they stared at one another. Clementine felt like the luckiest woman on Earth because this man was all hers and in mere minutes, they would say their wows in front of God, family, friends and be joined forever.

  A while back it occurred to them that none of their family members would be present because they had none. Clementine hoped her mother and father would be by her side at least in spirit, and she was certain that was true for Alexander's Honey, as well. Their loved ones would watch over them from above.

  At the same time, for Clementine and Alexander, their friends were their family, the ones they loved no matter what, the ones they chose so neither one of them felt lacking in any regard.

  Clementine couldn't help shedding a few tears when Father Thomas pronounced them man and wife. Alexander kissed her then without shame as the crowd cheered.

  The wedding celebration was held at the store. Garry closed it for the day, moving all the inventory out of the way to make room for chairs and tables. The place was spick and span for the party, and it was even decorated to Clementine's delight.

  Naturally, Osmond, with a little help from a few friends completed the experience by providing music. Clementine was so grateful and happy she felt like her heart was about to burst.

  "What are you thinking about, Mrs. Carson?" her husband asked.

  She smiled, liking the sound of that. Clementine put her arms around him before replying. "About how blessed I am."

  "I feel the same way."

  And the notion he did, made all difference in the world.

  "Would you care for a dance?" He asked, offering his hand.

  "With you, always," Clementine replied honestly.

  Osmond changed tune and Clementine instantly recognized the music. It was the same one they danced to for the first time, on that annual fair.

  "You arranged this," she guessed.

  Alexander tried not to smile and failed. "Perhaps."

  They danced for a while in silence, simply enjoying each other's company, adjusting to this new reality when they were man and wife.

  "I have a surprise for you," Alexander said at some point.

  "What is it?" Clementine couldn't resist asking.

  He gave her the look. "You'll see," he replied cryptically, and she smiled. Clementine was glad some things would never change.

  "When will I get it?"

  "Later. It's not here," he explained.

  That piqued her interest even more. In this case, she decided to be patient having full trust it would be all worth it.

  They danced until their feet hurt, and they ate delicious food, drank whatever Garry poured them to drink and jested with all their friends. The day was everything Clementine wished it to be, how she pictured her wedding in the first place. And the best part was that this was just the beginning. She got to spend the rest of her life with Alexander. Start a family with him which was something she longed for and grow old together.

  "It's time for your surprise," Alexander informed her, right when she completely forgot about it.

  They said their goodbyes to everybody and rode out of town. Clementine tried her best not to sh
ower him with questions about this surprise. When they were about half-way there, Clementine started to have some suspicions about it. Some ideas arose inside her head that couldn't possibly be true.

  "Alexander—"

  "Please, don't ruin this surprise. It's for both of us."

  "All right."

  Eventually, they reached the gate of the farm Clementine did not know what to think. She was utterly stunned, to say the least. When Alexander dismounted, Clementine did the same. They walked the rest of the way, at a slow pace, toward the house.