Savannah's Promise (The Promise Series Book 2)

by Lynn Landes

  Whatever may come, I will always be there.

  As I have given you my hand to hold,

  So, do I give you my life to keep.

  I, Savannah Ward take you Dayton Patrick to be my wedded husband,

  To share God’s plan for our lives, I will cherish our friendship, I will trust

  And honor you, for better or worse, in sickness and in sorrows,

  I give you all that I have,

  my heart, my soul and my body.

  As I have given you my hand to hold,

  So, do I give you my life to keep.

  The pastor blesses their hands and asks for the rings.

  Savannah feels the love growing stronger by the second. Dayton’s hand trembles as he slips the ring on her finger and she grows calmer by the second, as she is sure that this was God’s plan all along. When his lips touch her for their first kiss as husband and wife, she can feel the exquisite ties that bind two souls together.

  When they step outside the tower bells ring, and Mr. and Mrs. Patrick laugh in joy.

  “Congratulations!” Belinda says, and Maxwell hands Dayton the keys to the cabin he rented.

  “What are you up to now?” she asks Dayton as he wraps an overcoat around her shoulders. Belinda hugs her and kisses both cheeks.

  They wave goodbye as the carriage pulls away and Savannah stands confused.

  “Do you trust me?” he asks.

  “Of course,” she stammers.

  “Excellent, walk with me.” The dirt road leads to a small wagon, hitched with one horse. Together they climb inside, and he grins as he flicks the reins.

  Savannah snuggles next to him and leans her head on his shoulder, ignoring the biting cold wind whipping her from the lake and just enjoys the passing scenery.

  It’s growing darker by the second, and she gasps when a light glows around a bend. “Look, Dayton, I see a house,” she points.

  “So, it would seem,” he smiles and turns at the lantern hanging on a small wooden marker. The horse drives back down a lane and turns, before opening up on a tiny white wooden house with glowing windows.

  Dayton jumps down and ties the horse off before scooping his wife up in his arms and carrying her to the door. Savannah laughs in delight and pats him when he stops at the door.

  “Could you?” he asks with a groan.

  “Now you’re hurting my feelings,” Savannah reaches down and grabs the door and turns throwing it open.

  He sets her on her feet as she glances around the small three-room cabin. Its beautifully appointed with a velvet sofa in front of an already lit fireplace, a kitchen and a bedroom with a bathing room. Flowers and candles are sprinkled around the room and Savannah smiles and throws her arms around him, drawing his head down for a kiss.

  Soft and heady. “Dayton, it’s perfect!”

  “There’s wine in the kitchen, make yourself comfortable, I’ll just see to the horses.”

  Savannah watches him go and smiles. He’s just as nervous as she is. She walks to the bedroom and smiles at the simple double bed with a fireplace and her bags!

  A note sits on the end table beside the bed, and when she reads it, she holds it to her chest and laughs.

  “Belinda! You think of everything!” Savannah runs to the bathing room and finds a sheer lace nightgown made of the star lace from her ballgown! “Oh, it’s exquisite!” Her fingers run over the lace, and she wonders if she’s brave enough to wear it.

  “For Dayton,” she whispers thinking of the look in his eyes when he kisses her. She quickly changes strips out of her layers and pulls all the pins and flowers from her hair. Finger combing it, Savannah releases the curls and pulls on the lace, shivering at the feel of it on her body.

  Savannah stands framed in the firelight when Dayton returns. Her red hair curling over her shoulders and framing her face. Her eyes are glowing and her lips, plump and inviting. She is simply, sweet perfection, and his! Everything about her draws him close, the white sheer lace gown hides nothing and reveals everything to his eyes.

  “I knew you’d be beautiful Savannah, but my dreams don’t hold a candle to you.”

  Shy and bold determination flickers across her beautiful face, and he can barely focus. Dayton’s eyes change as they travel down her body and back up to her face. He stalks over to her and jerks her into his arms. She freezes for a second before his mouth claims hers.

  “Mine,” he growls between kisses and his hands travel all over her body, driving her crazy. His kiss softens for a moment until she drags his head back by a fistful of black hair.

  “Yours,” she groans back and tilts her head back to give him access to her throat. Dayton picks her up and carries her to the bedroom.

  “I love you, Mrs. Patrick,” he whispers as he makes love to her in the firelight. Savannah’s nerves float away, replaced by a raging desire to please and be pleased, to love and be loved.

  “Then show me, husband,” she demands, and he does.

  Chapter 45

  “Tell me about your home,” Savannah asks him over breakfast in the dining car on the way to Kentucky a few days later. Max and Belinda promised to visit for the race, in just two weeks. Leaving was bittersweet, but Savannah is excited to start her life with Dayton.

  “Our home,” his eyes light up, “Paris, Kentucky with gently rolling hills, covered in a soft morning fog that burns off as soon as the sun rises. Rich, nutrient filled grasses so green that your eyes water just looking at it.”

  “You love it,” she smiles and touches his hand.

  “I do, and I hope you will love it,” he kisses her knuckles and sits back to look at her.

  “Tell me about the facilities. How many acres do you have and the barns?”

  “Patrick Place sits on two hundred acres with a river, called Starlight river running through the property. We have thirty stalls, two barns, two auxiliary residences, and multiple equipment barns.” Dayton laughs at the look of shock on her face.

  “Dayton are you joking? Thirty stalls? I thought you were just beginning to build?”

  “No, I’m almost finished with the flat race track, in fact, I’m hoping my brother Rafe will have it completed and begun training on it. With your help, I’ve raised enough money to cover the first-place prize. Now I need to drum up more business.” He sips his coffee and watches her smiles.

  “That’s easy Dayton. In your infinite wisdom, you married the infamous S.E. Ward, photographer extraordinaire. Let me use my skill for something other than war and destruction,” she pleads softly.

  “I’m listening, wife,” his eyes glow with a promise of what’s to come, and she blushes and hides her face. “Forgive me, for teasing you, carry on.”

  “Every time you say that I have images flash in my mind,” Savannah grins when his mouth falls open. “You will have to call me something else, besides that,” she tells him.

  “Not a chance! I’ll never call you by name again, wife,” he growls. “Let’s return to our cabin.”

  “No,” Savannah laughs at his crestfallen look. “At least, not yet, let me finish first.”

  “Okay, but be quick,” Dayton listens as she details an idea for marketing using his track, jockeys, and horses. “I will photograph them, in a pretend race. I have contacts Dayton, lots of contacts from my time during the war, I can send some to the newspapers in the major cities.”

  Dayton is quiet for a moment and stares at her with growing admiration. “Savannah Patrick, I do believe you are a genius.”

  “Thank you, Dayton. I think it could work.”

  “I agree. There isn’t much time left before the race. I need a good turn out.”

  “With pictures from that race, you will be sure to drum up more business for the future. It’s so exciting. I can’t wait to see the track.”

  “You haven’t asked about the house, why not?” he asks softly.

  Savannah looks at him, “I didn’t think about it. I’m so used to moving from place to place, in different conditions, it
didn’t occur to me,” she answers honestly.

  “Will it bother you?” he asks.

  “What? Staying in one place?”

  “Yes. How will you handle leaving your home?” he watches her carefully for her response.

  “You are my home, now, Husband,” she says simply. “I will be happy so long as I’m by your side.”

  Dayton smiles at her, “Good answer. Now, wife?” he asks standing and holding out his hand.

  She struggles not to burst out laughing and hurries to join him. Two more days and they will be home, and life will get complicated. He’s trying to enjoy as much time as possible with his bride until then. It only occurs to him later, when she’s resting that she still didn’t ask about the house.

  Savannah Patrick is in for a bit of a surprise, and he finds that he likes shocking her. Hopefully, she will think it’s a good surprise.

  The entrance to his home is flanked by a rock fence that gives way to a long drive through mature oak trees. The three-story main house sits on a beautifully landscaped lot with a massive full-length wrap around porch on the first level.

  Savannah stares in shock as they pull down the drive and into the yard. “Dayton? I ... I thought you were just building?” she demands.

  “No, what I said was that my parents gifted me the land for the track. The house was built a few years ago.”

  Dayton stops the carriage and helps her down, and waits for her to take it all in. Hand in hand they walk inside and Savannah stares in awe. From the wide center hall double pocket doors open to each side with access to the dining and living rooms. A large bay window lets light flood inside, reflecting off the oak floors. Dayton guides her through each room, pointing out details like the louvered shutters and nine and a half foot ceilings.

  When they finally reach the master bedroom, he sweeps her from her feet and saunters inside. Savannah’s gasps again but doesn’t speak. A large master suite with a gorgeous fireplace and four-poster king bed. A private bathroom with marble tile awaits.

  Dayton sets her on her feet and steps back. “Well?” he asks. “What do you think?”

  Savannah stares at him and smiles, “It’s perfect, Dayton.”

  Relief flashes through him, and he tugs her into his arms. “You are perfect. I gave the staff the next two days off so we could have time alone. What should we do first?” he asks as she starts to unbutton his overcoat.

  “What should we do second?” she teases.

  Dayton laughs, “I repeat you’re perfect.”

  Epilogue

  Well-muscled horses line up on the flat combed dirt track. From fillies to stallions no two are the same, and all are striking animals. The eight animals line up, snorting, stomping the ground and raring to go. Savannah is dressed in the required jockey wear. Only her hair could give her away, which is why she braided it down her back. The youngest jockey is just thirteen, but she isn’t worried. She’s been riding all of her life. Her eyes are drawn to the track, and she reaches down and pats her horse, Starlight. Dayton and his brother Rafe walk over to the sidelines to watch, and while both men are striking, Savannah’s heart belongs to only one.

  One minute he is smiling and relaxed, waiting for the practice race and the next second, his body stiffens when he recognizes Savannah. The gun goes off before he can move, and they erupt in an explosion of energy. She leans low murmuring to Starlight and Dayton watches with his heart in his throat. Her heartbeat matches the rhythm of the pounding hooves, and she can swear the very ground rumbles beneath them from the power of the majestic animals.

  In the crush of animals and men, Savannah fights to pull ahead, she knows the deal. They will try to unseat her, so she holds back the power, soothing the frustrated animal as they start to pull ahead of her. Some of the jockey’s shout in excitement, others kick their animals harder. Starlight trusts her rider, she’s used to practicing in a sea of men and horses, it doesn’t bother her only the driving desire to burst free. Savannah feels the urge swell inside her heart, but she is waiting for just the right moment.

  It comes the moment when the beasts begin to separate. Four pull forward, separating themselves from the pack and Savannah grins, calling out, “Now!” Starlight reacts instantly with a push of energy.

  Dayton runs down the track leaving Rafe standing beside him, shouting as Savannah releases Starlight who shoots past the stunned jockeys. Both beast and rider lean forward, moving as one and they close in on the finish line.

  The bystanders leap to their feet, cheering for their favorite rider. Twin red-headed girls watch with awe! They have no clue their Mama is closing in on last years, Derby winner.

  Dayton runs, watching the dirt fly up with each hoof and he shouts when she breaks cross the line by a full head!

  Savannah shouts and sits up and allows Starlight to finish running out before turning to guide her back to the sidelines. Dayton is pacing like a lion, and she grins when he reaches up and tugs her off the horse. He kisses her deep and hard in front of God and country, and she feels the passion laced with fear.

  “You will have faith in me, husband,” she demands when he releases her mouth.

  “What if you get hurt?”

  “I don’t race in the Derby since females aren’t allowed. It’s the only time I get to race, Dayton,” she snaps as a stable hand comes to claim Starlight and clean her up.

  Uncle Rafe offers each five-year-old a hand and smiles down at them. “Shall we go congratulate your Mama?”

  “Did Mama win again?” Cleo asks.

  “Of course,” Calista says with a giggle.

  “Mama!” Cleo shouts and runs with Calista hot on her heels. They run up and wrap their arms around her legs.

  “What did you think?” she asks the girls.

  Dayton smiles at his beauties only to stare in openmouthed shock when Calista says, “I think you could shave off a few seconds if you sit back in the stirrups a little more.”

  Rafe throws his head back and roars with laughter at the look of horror on his brother’s face.

  “When I win the Derby,” Cleo says, “I’m gonna beat all the boys!” Savannah laughs as the girls start arguing over who will win and takes each one by the hand to walk back to the stable.

  “Did you know you were gonna win, Mama?” Calista can be heard asking. She stops and looks over her shoulder at her husband and smiles with all the love in her heart shining in her eyes.

  “Of course, a Patrick never loses.”

  The End

  Before you go!

  If you enjoyed this title

  You might want to check out

  Another book by Lynn:

  Perilous Dreams

  Thank you for taking the time to read this book! If you enjoy a book, one of the best things you can do to support an author is to leave an honest review. Thank you for taking the time to let others know what you thought.

  If you want to connect with me online, and check out my other books, please visit my website:

  www.followlynnsthread.com

  About the Author

  Lynn Landes is the author and independent publisher of multiple books in all age brackets. Her stories span the spectrum of Fiction, from historical romance, paranormal, romantic suspense to Christian fiction and fantasy including the best-selling Mercy’s Promise.

  Educated as a teacher Lynn never lost her love for literature and began writing at an early age. Poetry, short stories and fiction. She regularly can be found in the car rider line at her children’s school writing on receipts, napkins or whatever scraps are at the bottom of her purse. A Virginia girl at heart, she lives with her husband and three children in South Carolina, where she is currently studying Dragon Script with her ten-year-old daughter.

  Visit Lynn at www.followlynnsthread.com

 

 

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