by Jenna Brandt
“You look just like your brother,” he mocked with a smug smirk. “I’ll never forget the look I saw in his eyes right before I pulled the trigger. He didn’t cower down or beg for mercy, but looked at me with that same look that you are giving me right now. He looked at me like he wanted to kill me even though he knew I was going to kill him.”
It took every ounce of resolve to keep from pulling his gun and firing it at the other man. He wanted to blow that smug smile right off Wilkins’ face, but he knew he couldn’t do that. The right thing was to turn him over to the sheriff and let him stand trial for what he did.
“You’re wrong about one thing, you’re not going to kill me. I caught you, and now you’re going to hang at the end of a hangman’s noose for the crimes you committed.”
“We’ll see about that.”
Josiah wasn’t sure how it happened, but Wilkins managed to get free from his restraints. He lunged at Josiah, knocking him to the ground. He swung at Josiah like a man with nothing left to lose, making it even harder for Josiah to fight him off. He could feel the other man going for his gun. Josiah did his best to keep Wilkins from getting it free from his holster, but the man was tenacious. Suddenly, he heard a gunshot ring out. He felt something slam into him, and the searing pain from it made him think he might pass out from it.
Nadine screamed right before the other two agents pulled Wilkins off Josiah. They secured him while Nadine ran up to Josiah’s side. She knelt down beside him, crying, “It’s going to be okay, Josiah. We’ll get you to the doctor and everything will be all right.”
Josiah reached up his hand and placed it on the side of her cheek. “If I don’t make it, I want you to know that you’re the best thing to ever happen to me.”
“Don’t talk like that, you’re going to be fine,” Nadine said, grabbing her handkerchief from her pocket and pressing it to the wound in his chest.
“But if I’m not, if I don’t—” he coughed, trying to catch his breath. “You have to know, I love you, Nadine. So much that if I’m going to die, the last thing I want to remember from this world is your lips on mine.”
Nadine nodded, bending down and placing her lips to his. Though it was salty from her tears streaming down her face, it was still better than he could have ever imagined. The soft, sweetness of her lips was like touching heaven. He could die right now and be content knowing he left the world kissing the woman he loved.
“Can you stop milking this, you big baby. It’s just a flesh wound,” Jack said, as Nadine pulled back to look at the other man. He bent down and moved the handkerchief. “It’s in the shoulder and went through clean.”
Nadine let out a small laugh, as she rocked back. “I thought you were dying.”
“Hey, now it still hurts something awful,” Josiah said, “and I think it would feel a lot better if you kissed me again.”
“I guess I could do that for the man I love,” Nadine said, leaning towards him.
“You love me?”
“With all my heart,” she confirmed. “When I thought you were dying, I knew it was true. I love you, Josiah Bell, now and forever.”
“Good, because I plan to spend the rest of my life with you. Not just as Pinkerton partners, or pretend newlyweds, but as a real husband and wife.”
“You’re sure that what we feel isn’t just something between Dina and Joe? How do you know we could actually work without a case keeping us together?”
“I fell in love with Nadine, not Dina, and I want to spend the rest of my life proving that to you.”
“I can live with that,” she said right before giving him the second kiss he’d been waiting for since she gave him the first one. He would never get tired of kissing her, and now he’d be able to do it for the rest of their lives.
Chapter 8
A week had passed. The story about a Pinkerton couple arresting the Wilkins Gang was splashed across all the national newspapers, making Nadine and Josiah local celebrities in Rockwood Springs.
The other two agents were still in town since a wedding was on the horizon. The second sister, Bernadette, and Park decided that there was no time like the present to get married. Judy was excited for any excuse to plan a wedding.
“Are you disappointed you didn’t get a wedding like this?” Josiah asked as Nadine helped put the flowers around the church.
She shook her head. “No, everything that happened with us happened for a reason. I love our little wedding with the judge. It was the start of our journey that brought us to this place where we’re madly in love with each other.”
“If you ever change your mind though, I can make this happen.”
She shrugged. “It doesn’t really matter. I don’t have any family to attend, anyway.”
“You do have family,” her brother’s familiar voice said from behind her.
She spun around to find him standing at the doors that lead into the church. “Mark? Is that really you? What are you doing here?”
He nodded as he came down the aisle. “I saw the article about you and your…husband in the newspaper. I decided I had to get on the first train and come see you.”
“Why?” Nadine asked with confusion. “You made it clear you didn’t want me in your life anymore.”
“No, that’s not true. I told you I couldn’t take care of you anymore. I never thought you would leave and never talk to me again. Besides, Cora was just with me for the money. I found her cheating on me shortly after you left.”
Nadine wasn’t sure what to make of that. She could see the hurt in her brother’s eyes, and she wouldn’t wish that for him. Despite everything, she still loved him.
“That still doesn’t explain what you’re doing here.”
“I’ve come to take you home,” Mark explained. “This is no place for a woman of your refinement. When I heard you nearly died working that preposterous job as a Pinkerton Agent, I realized that I needed to come out here and talk some sense into you.”
She shook her head. “You’re not taking me anywhere. I love my job, and I’m good at it.”
“You’re a woman. How good could you really be good at it?” Mark asked with incredulousness.
“Excellent, actually,” Josiah asserted, coming up and wrapping his arm around Nadine’s shoulders. “One of the best agents I’ve ever seen in action.”
“You’re the Pinkerton husband the papers talked about?” Mark asked eyeing him in a way that made it clear her brother didn’t approve.
“He is, and we’re happy. Once this wedding is over, we’re heading back to the Denver office to receive our next assignment.”
“You can’t be serious, Nadine. You belong reading a book, not shooting a gun.”
“You’re wrong. I’ve made a life for myself, and I’m not giving that up. If you can’t accept that, then you can’t be in my life.”
“You’re picking him over me?” Mark asked in anger. “After all I did for you? We’re family, Nadine.”
Nadine took Josiah’s hand in hers. “Josiah’s my family now, and one day we’ll have a family of our own. If you want to be a part of any of that, you need to listen to me when I tell you, I’m a Pinkerton Agent. That’s not going to change so take it or leave it.”
“Sounds like I don’t have a choice. I don’t want to lose you again.” He reached out his hand towards Josiah. “I suppose I should welcome you to the family.”
Josiah took his outstretched hand and shook it. “Thank you. I want you to know I’m going to take good care of your sister. I love her.”
Mark nodded. “Make sure on your next break, you come visit me in Boston.”
“We can do that,” Nadine said, reaching out and giving her brother a hug. “Thank you for coming. I’m glad I have you back in my life.”
Nadine realized that even though it happened in the most unexpected way, she had everything she could ever want.
Park and Bernadette’s wedding was over and Josiah and Nadine were getting ready to leave Rockwood Springs. It didn’t
mean it was forever, since they had made lifelong friends in this place, but they had to be back to start their next assignment—a string of stagecoach robberies in the Wyoming mountains.
Before they left though, Josiah had one more thing he needed to do. He brought Nadine to the outside of the church, then turned to face her. “Nadine Bell, I hope you know how much I love you.”
She gave him a giant smile as she nodded. “I do, but what’s going on?”
“I was getting to it,” he said, letting out a chuckle. “Patience has never been your best asset.”
“I didn’t realize we were pointing out each other’s faults. Is that what’s going on? What an odd way to show me you love me.”
“No, this is how I’m showing I love you,” he said opening the doors to the church that was still decorated from the other wedding.
“Can I walk you down the aisle?” Mark asked, coming up beside them.
“Are you serious?” Nadine asked, looking back and forth between them and the guests assembled inside the church.
“Of course he is,” Judy said, coming up with a beautiful white dress in her arms. “Josiah had Rebecca and me pick this out at the dress shop in Woody.”
“He did?” Nadine asked with disbelief. She reached out and touched the satin dress with lace trim. “It’s beautiful.”
“We’re glad you like it,” Rebecca said. “I thought it would look perfect on you.”
Both women were dressed in pretty yellow dresses and were carrying flowers, along with a bouquet for Nadine. Lydia and Georgie were standing next to them, wearing their Sunday clothes, ready to do their jobs as the flower girl and ring bearer.
“Pastor Gable is gesturing from the end of the church. It’s time for me to go,” Josiah said, squeezing Nadine’s hands before taking off.
He knew the next time the doors opened, he would be watching their friends and family march down the aisle at his own wedding. Josiah took his position beside Pastor Gable, ready to re-marry the woman he loved.
The music started, cueing the door to open. Rebecca and Judy came down the aisle, followed by Georgie, and finally, Lydia. She was smiling from ear-to-ear, throwing gobs of flower petals out every few feet.
The doors opened a final time to reveal Nadine standing in her brand-new wedding gown. She looked breathtaking, and Josiah couldn’t keep his eyes off her as she glided down the aisle.
She reached the end and Mark handed her over to Josiah. They turned to face Pastor Gable, who greeted the guests before talking about the commitments of marriage. Josiah couldn’t believe that what had started out as a forced marriage, had turned into the best accident of his life. Though his brother and parents couldn’t be there, he knew they were smiling down from heaven. He didn’t feel bad about marrying his brother’s widow anymore. He was certain he would approve of their union.
They said their vows, making all the promises that weren’t part of their first wedding.
“Do you have the rings?”
Josiah nodded. He pulled out the gold bands that were etched with a crisscross pattern on the top, and had something special inside. “I decided we should have our own rings, with something a little better inside than what the agency provided.”
Nadine read the engraving, promise new days always, then let out a laugh in happy surprise. She looked up with tears of joy in her eyes. “They’re perfect.”
The ceremony concluded. The moment Josiah had been waiting for came. Pastor Gable told him it was time for him to kiss his bride. Josiah pulled Nadine into his arms and let his mouth claim hers with his own. It was his declaration to the world that Nadine belonged to him, and he belonged to her. No matter what came their way, they would face it together, knowing they could withstand anything because they had the most important asset an agent could have: love.
A Note from the Author
I hope you have enjoyed my Pinkerton Matchmaker book, and plan to read the rest of the series including my next book, An Agent for Gwendolyn. Also, if you want to know what happens with Rebecca and Judy, you can read my historical Lawkeeper books which take place three years later in Rockwood Springs as well as about Georgie Caldwell all grown up in my two Silverpines books-Wanted: Tycoon and The Tycoon’s Sister.
Your opinion and support matters, so I would greatly appreciate you taking the time to leave a review. If you would like more info, please join my Newsletter and get a free novella just for signing up. I’d also love for you to check out My Reader’s Group!
Happy Reading!
Also by Jenna Brandt
Most Books are Free in Kindle Unlimited too!
Pinkerton Matchmaker Series
As female agents were few and far between, Mr. Gordon came up with the idea of expanding the detective agency by pairing qualified women with a male agent for training, guidance and undercover work. These women came from all demographics – some were looking for a new life, some seeking challenge, some wanting to pave the way for future generations of women. The only caveat – the women wouldn’t be a member of the Agency until their first assignment had been completed.
An Agent for Nadine
An Agent for Gwendolyn
The Civil War Brides Series
During the bloodiest conflict on American soil, two families struggle in the South to not only survive but to thrive.
Saved by Faith
Freed by Hope
Healed by Grace (Early 2020)
Silverpines Series-centered around the fictional town of Silverpines, Oregon, during the turn of the 20th century. When a disaster takes most of the men, the women are left to save the town by placing mail-order groom advertisements. Get to know the various lovable characters and their stories from some of todays bestselling historical authors.
Wanted: Tycoon
The Tycoon’s Sister
Belles of Wyoming Series-centered around the fictional small town of Belle, Wyoming. Each set of books take place during a season of the year in the 1800s.
June’s Remedy
Bride Herder Series-take one failed rancher turned matchmaker and ten unexpected brides at once with no clue as to who wanted them. What could go wrong?
Herd to Please
Mail Order Misfit-a mail order bride story about a woman running from a broken past and a widower with three children who is hiding from a broken heart. What happens when they decide to take a chance on each other?
Mail Order Misfit
The Window to the Heart Saga is a recountal of the epic journey of Lady Margaret, a young English noblewoman, who through many trials, obstacles, and tragedies, discovers her own inner strength, the sustaining force of faith in God, and the power of family and friends. In this three-part series, experience new places and cultures as the heroine travels from England to France and completes her adventures in America. The series has compelling themes of love, loss, faith and hope with an exceptionally gratifying conclusion.
Trilogy
The English Proposal (Book 1)
The French Encounter (Book 2)
The American Conquest (Book 3)
Spin-offs
The Oregon Pursuit (Book 1)
The White Wedding (Book 2)
The Christmas Bride (Book 3)
The Viscount’s Wife (Book 4)
The Window to the Heart Saga
Trilogy Box Set
The Window to the Heart Saga
Spin-off Books Box Set
The Window to the Heart Saga
Complete Collection Box Set
Holliday Islands Resort
After growing his Alaskan resort empire into the “honeymooner’s paradise of the world,” Gordon Holliday is ready to retire. But there’s no way he can cruise the globe in his luxury yacht until his sons are groomed and polished into proper executives to take his place. There’s just one catch: He’s convinced their biggest current job requirement is marriage!
Comet’s Blazing Love
Billionaires of Manhattan Series
The b
illionaires that live in Manhattan and the women who love them. If you love epic dates, grand romantic gestures, and men in suits with hearts of gold, then these are books are perfect for you.
Waiting on the Billionaire
(Also on Audiobook)
Nanny for the Billionaire
Merging with the Billionaire
Second Chance Islands
What’s better than billionaires on islands? How about billionaires finding second chances at life, love, and redemption while on one.
The Billionaire’s Reunion
The Billionaire’s Hideaway
Billionaire’s Birthday Club
Billionaire Birthday Club is an exclusive resort—for the billionaire who appears to have everything but secretly wants more. After filling out a confidential survey, a curated celebration is waiting on the island to make their birthday wishes come true!
The Billionaire’s Birthday Wish
Disaster City Search and Rescue
Step into the world of Disaster City Search and Rescue, where officers, firefighters, military, and medics, train and work alongside each other with the dogs they love, to do the most dangerous job of all — help lost and injured victims find their way home.
The Girlfriend Rescue
The Wedding Rescue