by Chloe Carley
“Well, it seems that Sammy agrees, too,” Thomas said.
“Well, he never did like Harrison,” Aline replied. “I should have trusted Sammy all along, he’s always liked you.”
“And I always liked him,” Thomas said.
He leant forward and kissed her, the two of them kneeling on the rug by the stove and Aline feeling such happiness as she’d never felt before. What a terrible ordeal they’d faced together, but now their future was assured. She could almost feel her mother and father watching over them, here in the place which was always meant to be her home. Now, it truly felt like home—it was her home, the home she’d always dreamed of and Aline couldn’t wait to see how the future unfolded.
Epilogue
It was two weeks later, and Aline and Thomas were standing at Lakestone station. They could hear the sounds of the approaching train, puffing and chugging its way along the tracks. A moment later, a plume of smoke came into view and the train appeared, slowing to a final halt by the boards.
“Lakestone, Montana, all alight for Lakestone,” the train guard called out, stepping down from the train.
Aline craned her neck, looking along the boards before letting out a cry of delight and running down to greet the figure who’d just emerged from one of the carriage.
“Aunt Miranda, oh, Aunt Miranda, you made it,” she cried, flinging her arms around her aunt, who smiled broadly and embraced her.
“Oh, my dear Aline. What a journey, I feel like every bone in my body has been shaken up,” she said, laughing.
“But you’re here now, and welcome to Lakestone,” Aline said.
She’d written to her aunt just as soon as Thomas had made his proposal, explaining all the terrible events that had occurred. Her aunt had replied at once, telling Aline she was tired of life in Widesdale and wanted to see the place her niece now called home. She’d caught the next available train and here she was, as large as life and happy to be in her niece’s company once again.
“And now, this must be Thomas,” her aunt said as Thomas stepped forward and held out his hand.
“That’s right. Aunt Miranda, meet Thomas—my savior and my soon-to-be husband,” Aline said proudly.
“A pleasure to meet you, ma’am,” Thomas replied, shaking Aline’s aunt warmly by the hand.
“I’ve heard ever so much about you, though every letter seemed to bring something different,” Aline’s aunt said, laughing.
“I’m grateful you gave your permission for us to marry,” Thomas replied.
“Oh… don’t be so silly. All I’ve ever wanted is for Aline to be happy and it seems she is, so she can marry whomsoever she chooses. She doesn’t need me to give my permission,” Aline’s aunt replied.
“Goodness me, Aunt Miranda, you’ve brought a lot of things,” Aline pointed out as the guard finished unloading the trunks from the luggage car.
“Well, I’ve had it with Widesdale, and since you told me that your father’s ranch is now yours, I figured I’d come live here with the two of you. If you don’t mind, of course?” her aunt said, and Aline smiled.
“Of course not. I’ve missed you something terrible, and so has Sammy,” Aline said.
“Oh, that cat. I can’t wait to have him in my arms. Who needs a man when you’ve got a cat like that?” her aunt said, winking at Aline as they made their way along the boards to the waiting trap.
Thomas drove them back to Lampeter Ranch and Aline and her aunt gossiped as they sped across the prairie. The wedding was to be in just three days’ time and there was much excitement in the town at the prospect of the handsome former sheriff marrying the pretty out-of-towner.
“I’m so happy,” Aline told her aunt while Thomas unloaded the trunks in the ranch yard.
“And so you deserve to be, Aline. What a rough life you’ve had—your poor parents, that awful Damon Hale, this terrible ordeal in Lakestone. But I think you’ve chosen well,” her aunt replied, smiling at Aline and glancing over at Thomas.
“Why do I get the feeling I’m being talked about?” he said, and Aline laughed.
“Because you are, dear,” her aunt replied, “but only in the very best of terms.”
***
The little mission church was packed on the day of the wedding. Pastor Warren had to borrow extra chairs from the schoolhouse to seat all those who turned out to celebrate with the happy couple and, as Aline drew up in the trap, pulled by Scout, she couldn’t believe how many folks were waiting to greet her.
“Oh my,” she said to her aunt as she clambered down to the ground.
“Congratulations, Mrs. Redmond,” Mr. Ford said, stepping forward and tipping his hat.
“You look beautiful,” his daughter Susan added.
She was on John Hoskin’s arm, and the deputy smiled and tipped his hat.
“I’ve never seen him so nervous, not even in the middle of a fire fight,” he said, laughing.
“I hope he’s not changed his mind,” Aline replied.
“Oh, you’d need a hundred horses to drag him away. But don’t leave him waiting too long,” the deputy replied, pointing to the door of the church.
Taking her aunt by the arm, Aline walked up the steps and into the church. The pastor was waiting for her and she could see Thomas at the front, waiting expectantly.
“God bless you, Aline,” the pastor said, shaking her warmly by the hand.
Aline could see Lita Morrell in the congregation, and Marie Fisher the school mistress. It seemed as though the whole town had turned out to wish them well on their wedding day and, as the organ began to play, Aline knew she’d made the best decision of her life.
Her aunt walked her down the aisle to where Thomas was waiting. He’d not turned to look at her, but now, as she came to stand next to her, he slipped his hand into hers and smiled.
“You look beautiful,” he said.
She was wearing a pretty white dress, made in some haste by her aunt with the help of Lita Morrell. In her hands she carried a posy of wildflowers, picked by the school children, and she wore a veil that had belonged to her mother, which her aunt had brought with her from Widesdale.
“And you look very handsome,” she replied, squeezing his hand.
Thomas was dressed in a new tunic, with a cravat and well-polished shoes. He was every bit the gentleman rancher and had taken to his new role with relish.
“Dear friends, we’ve gathered here by God’s grace and goodness to witness the marriage of Thomas and Aline. May God richly bless them and bring them much happiness and joy in their lives ahead,” the pastor said, smiling broadly at them as he began the wedding service.
In their vows, Aline and Thomas promised faithful fidelity to one another, in sickness and in health, wealth and poverty, and in all that life would bring them. As Aline made her vows, she knew there was nothing she desired more than to marry Thomas and settle down to life together at Lampeter Ranch. She loved him with all her heart and she knew he loved her in just the same way.
“Then I now pronounce you man and wife,” the pastor proclaimed, holding out his hands in blessing. “You may kiss the bride.”
Aline smiled as Thomas leaned in to kiss her. A cheer went up from the congregation and a spontaneous round of applause broke out.
“I love you,” he whispered.
“I love you, too,” she replied, and just at that moment, who should appear but Sammy, running up and leaping into their arms.
“Sammy, where did you come from?” Aline said, looking at the cat in complete surprise as he nuzzled into them.
“You couldn’t leave Sammy out,” her aunt replied, “I had Lita Morrell look after him while we got ourselves ready.”
“Oh… thank you, this is the most perfect day,” Aline cried, looking up at Thomas. “I never thought it would come.”
“Well it has, and we’ve got a lifetime of happiness together,” he replied.
He leaned in to kiss her once again, as Sammy purred with contentment and a fresh cheer went
up from the congregation.
Lakestone had been good to Aline and, despite everything that had happened, she couldn’t be happier than she was now. She was Mrs. Aline Redmond of Lampeter Ranch, Lakestone and she knew that life would be good to her from now on—for with Thomas at her side, how could it fail to be?
“And it starts today,” she replied, taking him by the arm as he led her from the church to the new life which awaited, and all the adventure and possibility it would bring.
“I love you, Aline,” he said again, pausing to kiss her on the steps of the church.
“I love you too, Thomas, and I always will.”
THE END?
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Extended Epilogue
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Blurb
He was the only one that had faith in her. What will he do now that they have taken her away?
Riley Sewell is a determined young woman who has been orphaned in St Louis and heads out for El Paso to reunite with her older brother. But after discovering that he has turned to crime, she intends to stop his plans and help him through Faith to find himself and live a righteous life.
Gideon Lawson is a young rancher who grew up in a loving family in Texas. Instead of helping out, he misspent years as an outlaw. After a narrow escape, he returns home to turn over a new leaf.
As they randomly meet at the edge of a river, Gideon is the only one who believes Riley’s claim that her brother’s gang is about to attack the town.
In an effort to make amends with his family, Gideon confesses his outlaw past and seeks forgiveness from his family and himself. An action that brings him closer to God and to Riley as well.
While they both develop feelings for each other, her brother and his gang arrive in town to raid it. As things begin to get dangerous, Riley’s life is endangered by a person they all trusted, causing Gideon to walk willingly into a trap to save her.
How can Riley and Gideon reunite into safety and come closer to their families?
"A Feisty Gracious Bride For the Rancher" is a stand-alone Christian Historical Romance Novel with no cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after. Buy it now to discover Riley's inspirational story today!
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A Feisty Gracious Bride for the Rancher
STAND-ALONE NOVEL
A Christian Historical Romance Novel
by
Chloe Carley
Prologue
Northern Texas, May 1856 …
Gideon Lawson, aka Red—for his dark red hair—hunkered down behind the corral, wishing he and his gang had left the area at sunrise like they’d originally planned. It was a tight fit for his broad shoulders and tall height, and he forced his legs to bend a bit further, not wanting to ruin a perfectly good hat by getting bullet holes in it.
For the last three years he’d been riding with a group of misfits that had turned into outlaws in order to survive. It wasn’t the life he’d planned for himself when he’d left his father’s ranch, but he’d learned that life didn’t always go the way you hoped. It sometimes took a drastic turn that left you feeling like you were headed for a waterfall with no way to stop. That’s what he felt like today.
For a few minutes, he allowed himself the luxury of thinking about how he’d come here. At first, he had only been a gun for hire. Gideon had enlisted him to search for other outlaws, excited over the adventures he was going to have. Rustlers had been killing and stealing cattle from a ranch down by where Arizona and Texas met. He’d loved the excitement and the hint of danger, and with his sharp shooting skills, it hadn’t taken long to apprehend the outlaws and hand them over to the authorities.
That’s when things had taken a wrong turn. His skills had no longer been needed and he’d set out for the next town, hoping to find similar work. He’d come up with nothing. He’d hooked up with his current friends outside of town, and together, they’d tried to make a life for themselves--but with no jobs, no lands, and no prospects, things had gotten bad. So bad, that two of his new friends had robbed a stagecoach, killing the driver and terrorizing the passengers. Gideon had been horrified when he’d ridden into town a few days later and found all four of them were `wanted for the murder and robbery.
He’d hightailed it back to their camp with a posse hot on his tail. Thus had begun two years of criminal behavior. Stagecoaches had been robbed, wagon trains had been detoured and robbed, and the four friends had become a tight knit group of outlaws, roving the Texas countryside and trying to survive. It wasn’t the life Gideon had ever dreamed of having, but it was his only means of survival. Gideon had left his father’s ranch, abandoning his birthright and his brother, in search of fame and fortune in the untamed territories of the Wild West.
The dime store novels he’d been reading about Marshalls and Texas Rangers had blinded him to the harsh realities that awaited him. Feeling like a failure, and ashamed of his criminal actions, he slink back home. He didn’t think he could bear to see the disappointment in his parents’ eyes.
“Red, they’ve got us pinned down,” Lou called from behind a cluster of rocks. They were currently at a small homestead cabin with a box canyon behind them.
Red pulled his thoughts back to saving his backside, turned around, and peered over the wood of the corral, ducking down when a bullet shattered the post mere inches from his head.
He pulled off his hat, looking for holes, and breathed a sigh of relief when he found none. “Boys, we’re going to need to make a run for it.”
“How are we supposed to do that? The horses are on the other side of that lynch mob,” Hobbs pointed out. The man was the oldest of the bunch and had seen his fair share of gunfights before he’d hooked up with Gideon and the others. Dark, weathered skin told of the hard life he’d led; the black braids spoke of a Mexican heritage common in these parts of Texas. Hobbs’ mother had been from Mexico and had fallen in love with a cavalryman. He spoke fluent Spanish and more often than not was mistaken for an Indian until people got right up close to him. He was a good fella to have around and was full of wisdom about living off of the land.
“Well?” Hobbs demanded, waiting for Red's orders.
Red was their unofficial leader and he felt a responsibility to come up with a plan to get them out of this pickle. They’d been lying low since robbing the stagecoach headed for Santa Fe over a week ago. They’d thought they were in the clear, but Hobbs had ridden into town the day before and then raced back with news that a lynch mob had been formed and was thundering after them. He thought he’d gotten away without anyone seeing him, but the presence of the lynch mob here this early in the morning told a different story.
“Hobbs, you and Lou go around to the east. I’ll make a dash for those trees and draw their fire. Grab the horses and Finn, and I will climb out of the canyon and meet you at the river by the washout.”
Hobbs gave him a dubious look, but a fresh volley of bullets provided all the motivation he needed. He crawled to where Lou was taking shelter and once he’d explained the plan, he nodded at Red.
Red took a deep breath and then fixed his eyes on the trees where Finn was hiding. The spot was only about thirty yards off, but he’d be dod
ging bullets the entire way. He cracked his neck and bolted for the trees, his long legs eating up the distance. Bullets hit the dirt all around him, sending up shards of rock pelting his body as they returned to the ground.
A sharp pain in his shoulder told him he’d taken a bullet, but he didn’t have time to stop and evaluate the injury. He still needed to reach the shelter of the trees so that the others could get to the horses. He dove the last ten feet. His breathing rushing out as he hit the dirt hard, but he turned his head at the last moment and saw Hobbs and Lou silently leading their horses away.
