“I will never leave you, ever.”
“I might not be agreeable, you know?”
“I know, but I would die to protect you.”
Maggie stood there in the dusky light as Anthony took her hands in his. She was touched and humbled that his hands trembled, as if he were frightened. He was one of the most loving, brave men she’d ever met in her entire life. The look in his eyes spoke volumes and the pride there made her feel like she could take on the world.
“Then let me be with you, by your side, as we vowed together at our wedding. Don’t shut me out by thinking you’ve got to protect me. I am stronger when I am by your side, when I am with you. Where you go, I will go. I am not sure what our future holds, but I do know that I don’t want one without you,” Maggie admitted thickly, her throat working as she swallowed back her fear and put on a brave face for him.
“I have no world unless you are in it,” he vowed quietly.
“Then let me be in it with you,” she whispered. “And if that moment comes, I want your face to be the last thing I see here before we are together for eternity. Whatever comes, we’ll be one.”
“I love you.” Anthony cupped her face and kissed her tenderly, before taking her hand. They walked together towards the hospital tent that had been set up for them to work in. She bravely stared ahead and clenched his hand for strength, ignoring the fallen men nearby. They would take things one day at a time, together.
Ten
April 1836
San Jacinto, Texas
“Take cover!” was screamed out and Maggie ducked down wildly behind a wagon. She was so tired of struggling and wondering if the end was near. Everything in the last few weeks had been a complete nightmare. They’d been taken captive from Goliad and marched down this way in order to serve as medical aid. Anthony hunkered down over her bodily, pushing her farther against the wagon.
“You are crushing me,” she yelled over the sounds of gunfire exploding all around them. “He said get down! So, get DOWN!” Shoving his shoulders down and to the left, she saw him grin as he ducked down next to her instead.
“You’ve grown plucky, my wife.”
“I’m just heartily sick of all the death around us.”
As he nodded, they both quickly ducked their heads as dirt and debris rained down on them from a short distance away. When the battle had begun, it had started in a rushed fervor. Swarms of men came out of nowhere, suddenly. She, along with a few others, had been checking the ill and monitoring injuries as the Mexican army had marched on. They’d been stripped of any weapons long ago and now prayed that they would make it through this battle alive.
A soldier fell dead not far from where they hid. Anthony quickly grabbed him by his bloodied jacket, rolling him over. He yanked the gun from his hand and another from the holster. He spun the barrels with ease to check to see if they were loaded. He handed her a gun and she clutched it to her chest anxiously. Anthony suddenly got to his feet and Maggie realized that he was about to jump into the thick of battle.
“What are you doing?”
“I plan on helping them and gaining our freedom!”
“What if we lose?”
“But what if we win?” he asked with a wide grin. Stunned, she sat back as he pointed and fired, running directly towards the Texian army. She saw soldiers racing around in disarray, firing at every man not in uniform. Jumping to her feet, she leveled the gun and shot a man that was aiming at her husband. She saw him stop at the sudden sound of gunfire so close by and glanced back at her.
“Go!” she yelled, “I’m fine!”
Standing there, she admired and loved him more than she’d ever dreamed possible. Her heart nearly burst with pride as he charged into battle. The fight only lasted eighteen minutes. It was the most horrific scene she’d ever witnessed but those following days after the battle gave them all a measure of hope and pride.
Texas was free.
They were free.
That night, they sat among the others around the campfire. They were no longer prisoners of the Mexican army. They were surrounded by fellow patriots that were wanting a better life for themselves. This was something Maggie heartily understood down to the core of her soul. The pride in their faces, the fountain of hope and earnest lust for life were infectious. They wanted more and were willing to do everything they could to protect their families as well as the land they loved.
“What are you thinking?” he asked her. She felt Anthony’s hand take hold of hers. Smiling, she met his eyes.
“I was just realizing that you were right.”
“Of course, I was,” he teased, kissing the tip of her nose. “Right about what?”
“You said that if I didn’t have a home, I was searching for the right one, remember?” He nodded with a widening smile that made her heart flipflop with joy. She couldn’t wait to tell him that she suspected she might be pregnant. She would tell him tonight, once they were alone. She’d only realized it this morning that she’d missed her monthly courses. That was the only thing that kept her from racing after Anthony as he’d plunged into the battle without her. They’d been inseparable since Goliad. But now, she had someone she would need to protect just like Anthony always swore to protect her.
“I’m no longer searching for my home. I’ve found it.”
Thank you for taking the time to read Fallen Bride. If you enjoyed it, please consider telling your friends or posting a short review. Doesn’t have to be much, just a simple rating and a few kind words work wonders <3 Your thoughts, opinions and feedback are much appreciated.
Sincerely,
Ginny
A Perfect Bride
Orphaned as a child, feisty Colleen O'Mara is discovered by the Cherokee people and adopted as one of their own. She becomes a sister to the chief's only daughter. Learning their ways, she teaches them her language in return. As the United States Army uproots them from their homes, she is fascinated with the dark-haired lieutenant that has come to her rescue as they are forced to make the treacherous journey to the Oklahoma Territory.
Lieutenant Daniel Williams is among the soldiers called up to enforce the removal of the Cherokee people from Georgia. It only took one glance into Colleen's pale green eyes amidst the chaos to become fascinated with the so-called Indian maiden. Feeling guilty over what is happening to the Cherokee and his love for the enchanting young woman, he abandons everything he had once known in order to make things right for his perfect bride.
Outlaw Bride
Kaitlyn McGraw has an exciting opportunity dropped literally right in her lap - land, money and freedom in the great state of Texas, courtesy of a long-lost relative. Masquerading as a widow to protect herself from unwanted attention, the only problem there seems to be, is getting there…
John William Thommason is on the run as a member of the Sam Bass gang. After witnessing a brutal robbery and murder during one of the largest train heists ever, he realizes his once-boyhood friend Sam has gone down a path he cannot follow. When the gang feels he has betrayed them and lost his touch- they abandon him, along with the woman he was trying to protect. But can the young widow trust an outlaw? What kind of future can they have if the only thing he wants stolen is his heart?
Lawfully Yours
Emily and Elias Jessup left their home in southern Texas, tired of living a life of poverty. They soon find out that life is no better alone on their own. With not a penny to their name and no job prospects, the siblings turn to stealing from the rich to survive. Constantly on the run from the law, the two know their days are numbered before the law catches up to them.
Cade Singleton heard stories of the Jessup siblings preying on the rich. When the bounty is increased high enough to entice him into pursuing them, he wants nothing better than to make them see justice.
When he finally catches up to them in a rural area just south of Dallas, Cade captures Emily and decides to use her for bait to apprehend her brother. Can this bounty hunter find it in his heart to
see past Emily's lawless ways and be able to see the kind-hearted woman that lies beneath? Can Emily start over and be freed from her past through loving Cade? And will the Jessup siblings finally find redemption?
About the Author
Ginny Sterling is a Texas transplant living in Kentucky. She spends her free time (Ha!) writing, quilting, and spending time with her husband and two children. Ginny can be reached on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or via email at [email protected]
Fallen Bride, Copyright © 2018 by Ginny Sterling
These books are works of fiction. The 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, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of these books may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any manner whatsoever without express written permission from the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. Thank you for supporting the author’s rights.
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