In seconds, Daniel had retrieved the weapon and stood over the prone man while Pearl gazed at him wide-eyed. She watched him kneel down beside Jedidiah and press his fingers to his neck, and then he rose as if dismissing the man altogether and rushed to the settee to pull her into his arms.
“Pearl, thank God! I feared I’d lost you.”
She hugged him back, burying her face in his coat even as she heard a groan coming from the hallway. At once Daniel released her and went to her grandfather, who struggled to sit up with Margaret’s help.
Overwhelming relief swept Pearl that he was alive, and she sank back onto the settee even as Franklin suddenly ran into the house.
He stopped cold at the sight of his father’s body, blood pooling on the flagstones, but his face didn’t hold any grief at all. Only a blank expression that told Pearl the boy must have suffered greatly at his father’s hands, her heart going out to him.
She heard more horses outside and then Andreas rushed inside, followed by Joshua Logan and Seth Davis, all of them dressed in their evening clothes.
She wanted so desperately to go to her grandparents, but her cane lay on the floor out of her reach—until Andreas, his handsome face pale, seemed to have read her mind and hastened toward her.
“Let me help you, Pearl.” He swept up her cane, but didn’t hand it to her. Instead he leaned down and gathered her into his arms to carry her to the hallway where Daniel was helping her grandfather to his feet.
“Oh, lassie…Margaret!”
Andreas set Pearl down so her grandfather could embrace her, Michael drawing both Pearl and his wife into his arms as his eyes glistened with tears.
Everyone surrounding them appeared touched by emotion, though Joshua cleared his throat and went to survey the scene in the drawing room. Seth threw his arm around Franklin’s shoulders and led him out onto the porch, followed by Andreas.
That left only Daniel. Pearl kissed her grandfather’s wet cheek and then reached out to her beloved, who drew her once more into his fierce embrace.
His kisses rained down upon her own damp face, her hair, her lips as she thanked God for answered prayers…and for Tante Kari and Mariah, who had whispered to her of hope.
Chapter 10
“I, Pearl McMaster, take thee, Daniel Grant, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish forever, according to God’s Holy Ordinance, and thereto I give thee my pledge.”
Pearl stared into Daniel’s eyes, her heart full as she echoed the words that he’d said to her only a moment before…his hands holding her left hand, his thumb caressing the gold ring on her finger.
In the front pew, their eyes wet with joy, her beloved grandparents looked on while a small gathering had joined them on this Christmas Eve morning to see Pearl and Daniel wed.
Anita and Andreas, Kari and Seth, Ingrid and Joshua, Lily and Caleb, and a few close friends of Margaret and Michael’s to keep the ceremony small and simple.
“Those whom God hath joined together, let no man put asunder,” intoned Reverend James Thomas solemnly, a shaft of sunlight illuminating his white hair.
Their wedding day had dawned crisp and brilliantly sunny, a light dusting of snow blanketing Walker Creek that Pearl had seen as a gift from heaven.
She had welcomed Daniel’s desire to marry on Christmas Eve as a gift, too, that had matched the overwhelming longing in her heart not to be parted from him.
So many wondrous gifts bestowed upon her!
The beautiful ivory satin dress that her grandmother had worn on her wedding day forty years ago.
Her friends, Kari, Ingrid, and Anita, surrounding her the past week with affection and excitement.
And now Daniel, staring into her eyes with such love as Reverend Thomas read from his Bible to complete the sacred service.
“Forasmuch as Daniel and Pearl have consented together in Holy Wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company of witnesses, and thereto have given their pledge, each to the other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving a ring, and by joining hands, I now pronounce them husband and wife.”
An immediate ripple of approval went up from their guests, while Daniel glanced with a broad smile at Reverend Thomas.
“Of course, Dr. Grant, you may kiss your bride!”
He did, too, sweeping Pearl into his arms, her cane clattering to the floor as she threw her arms around his neck to kiss him back.
Joyfully, thankfully…while the sweetest, most angelic laughter floated to them from the balcony that only Pearl and Daniel could hear.
SAGE
Walker Creek Brides, Book 5
If you enjoyed Pearl, Book 4, don’t miss Sage!
Coming soon…
Also by Miriam Minger
Romance from sweet to sensual and historical to contemporary, you’re sure to find stories to love!
WALKER CREEK BRIDES
Sweet Western Historical Romance
Kari
Ingrid
Lily
Pearl
THE MAN OF MY DREAMS
Regency Historical Romance
Secrets of Midnight
My Runaway Heart
My Forbidden Duchess
Kissed At Twilight
My Fugitive Prince
THE O’BYRNE BRIDES
Irish Medieval Historical Romance
Wild Angel
Wild Roses
Wild Moonlight
On A Wild Winter’s Night
CAPTIVE BRIDES
Medieval Historical Romance
Twin Passions
Captive Rose
The Pagan’s Prize
DANGEROUS MASQUERADE
18th Century Historical Romance
The Brigand Bride
The Temptress Bride
The Impostor Bride
TO LOVE A BILLIONAIRE
Steamy Contemporary Romance with an Historical Romance Story within a Story
The Maiden and the Billionaire
The Governess and the Billionaire
The Pirate Queen and the Billionaire
The Highland Bride and the Billionaire
ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
Operation Hero
INSPIRATIONAL ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
Operation Rescue (as M.C. Walker)
About the Author
Miriam Minger is the bestselling author of sweet to sensual historical romance that sweeps you from Viking times to Regency England to the American West. Miriam is also the author of contemporary romance, romantic suspense, inspirational romance, and children’s books. She is the winner of several Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Awards—including Best Medieval Historical Romance of the Year for The Pagan's Prize—and a two-time RITA Award Finalist for The Brigand Bride and Captive Rose.
Miriam loves to create stories that make you live and breathe the adventure, laugh and cry, and that touch your heart.
For a complete listing of books as well as excerpts and news about upcoming releases, and to connect with Miriam:
Visit Miriam’s Website
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Pearl: Sweet Western Historical Romance (Walker Creek Brides Book 4) Page 8