Santa Fe Woman

by Laura Stapleton

  He didn’t move for a moment before hugging her again. “My darling. I’ve loved you from the moment we met. Every day since has led me to dread saying goodbye to you.”

  “We can’t leave each other…”

  “No, we can’t.” He rubbed his thumb over her lips, smiling when she gave him a kiss. “Marry me today. Be my wife and I vow I’ll make a Santa Fe woman of you in a few years.”

  Her lips still tingling from his touch, Rachel nodded. “Yes, I want to marry you, and will hold you to your promise.”

  Patrick kissed her again before saying, “Let’s tell Isaac about our plans. I’m sure his fury at our news will get him on his feet in no time.” His hand slid down to hers, and he led her to where her brother was being cared for.

  As soon as they stepped into the circle of wagons gathered to protect the wounded, Isaac groaned. “Oh God, tell me no. You two aren’t getting married.”

  She and Patrick looked at each other. He grinned and asked her, “Has he always been a good mind reader?”

  “Sadly, yes. He’s far too perceptive for my own good.”

  “Great,” Isaac moaned. “Now I can’t die in peace because you’ll stay here and give me all sorts of nieces and nephews to spoil.”

  Rachel’s face burned at his insinuation. “Well, we haven’t talked so far ahead.”

  “I’m sure it’ll happen sooner rather than, ow!” He turned to the second-lieutenant-turned-doctor. “Have a care, will you? Arrowheads hurt.”

  She hurried to the side opposite his injury. “Do be careful.” Rachel peered at the deep scrape. “Wait, where’s the arrow?”

  “On the ground somewhere,” he sighed. “I don’t know. I didn’t save it as a souvenir.”

  Narrowing her eyes, she glared at him. “You’ve had worse injuries tree climbing back home.” Rachel shook her head and motioned at the medic. “Go on and tend someone who truly needs help. Do you have a needle and thread? I can easily sew him up myself.”

  “No, don’t let her,” Isaac said and looked at Patrick. “She’ll make flowers and leaves all along the scar.”

  “Sounds pretty,” Patrick replied before turning to Rachel. “Don’t you need colored threads?”

  She chuckled. “There’s no need. I’ll keep him as utilitarian as possible.” After giving a glance at Isaac, she hugged Patrick and said, “I know you have plenty of other more serious tasks. We’ll be fine until you’re finished.”

  “Yes, darling.” He kissed the top of her head before leaving.

  As soon as he was gone, she asked, “Are you fine with our plans? He really should have asked you before proposing to me.”

  Her brother shrugged and winced from the pain. “Do you love him?”

  “I more than love him.” She settled in where the officer had been tending Isaac.

  “Do you like him?” he asked with a yelp as she began sewing.

  “Of course. Who wouldn’t like him?”

  “Remember what Ma always said.”

  She chuckled. “I do. Loving is easy, liking is far more difficult.” Rachel tied up the end of the stitches. “Lucky for me, Patrick is easy to like and love.”

  “I’m glad you found him.” He stared up at the clear sky. “I only have one regret. When you marry, I’ll have to live up to my big words and actually explore the world.”

  ***

  Patrick regretted wearing his uniform jacket during the Indian summer afternoon. Still, he couldn’t marry the love of his life half-dressed. He gave her a shy glance. Another wagon train had stopped in the evening, and they happened to have a group of ladies. Rachel had been thrilled to not be the only woman in the area.

  Isaac stood next to Rachel with a rare smile on his face. If Patrick had to guess, he’d bet his bride’s new friends lit the man’s spirits. Helping-the-ladies-fever had affected all of the nearby men, it seemed.

  Not him, however. He stared at the minister and tried to pay attention to the words. Patrick had already had his fill of chatter today. His mother would either be overjoyed to have a new daughter-in-law or furious she’d missed the ceremony.

  He glanced at Rachel again. The women had wound little wildflowers in her hair and given her a bouquet to carry in one hand while she held his hand with the other. The ribbons tying up her glorious blonde hair were probably borrowed, too.

  “Patrick, do you take Rachel Analisa Stewart to be your wife, to have and hold from this day forward?”

  He took a deep breath, his heart in his throat. “I do.” She squeezed his hand, and he smiled at her. As the preacher talked more, Patrick couldn’t look away from her.

  “Rachel, do you take Patrick Michael Anthony Sinclair to be your husband, to have and hold from this day forward?”

  “I do.”

  “By the authority vested in me by the State of Kansas, I declare you man and wife. Captain Sinclair, you may kiss your bride.”

  His troops catcalled and he grinned before sweeping her in his arms. “Are you sure you want this life with me? We’ll have difficulties, especially here in the middle of the wilderness.”

  “Yes, I’m more than certain,” Rachel replied, and pulled him closer for a kiss hot enough to blaze a new trail to New Mexico and back.

  Thank you for reading Rachel and Patrick’s love story! If you enjoyed this book, please consider sharing the love and leave a review for me. Check out the About the Author section for more information on keeping in the loop on new books for you.

  Continue reading for an excerpt of Dmitri’s Heart, the fourth book in the American West series.

  Dmitri’s Heart-Bonus Material

  The American West Series

  Chapter one

  “Did you meet Beth?” Samuel Granville brought Anne Galway’s hand to his lips. “She’s a lovely woman, albeit not as beautiful as you.”

  She smiled when he glanced up at her. The man was far too handsome for his own good. His tanned skin brought out his twinkling blue eyes. Every time he returned from one of his trips over the Oregon Trail, he looked a little older. The sun also brightened his usually dark hair. “Yes, I have, and you’re right. Nick did well in marrying her.”

  He winked at her and let go of her hand. “She didn’t do too shabby herself, marrying into the Granville family and all.”

  Anne laughed. “So I’ve been told.” She stepped closer to him. “When do we set a date for our own marriage? You’ve promised this was your last trip east without me.”

  Sam put his hands on her shoulders to pull her into a hug. “Hmm, I’m not sure. How do you feel about a springtime wedding? Say, in May or June?”

  Her heart sank, yet Anne struggled to keep a smile on her face. She marveled that he could wait until spring while Nick and new wife had married before reaching Oregon Territory. How had passion been given to one brother and not the other? She ignored her dismay and kissed his cheek with a smile. “Sounds perfect. I’ll begin planning. I have plenty of time to change my mind a hundred times between now and then.”

  Sam chuckled. “In that case, I’m sure you’ll need every minute. Just don’t change your mind about me.”

  “Oh?” She leaned back to stare him in the eyes. Needing more of a declaration from him, Anne prodded, “So you do want to marry me?”

  His eyebrows rose. “Of course I do! You’re beautiful, a true Irish rose.” He pulled a long corkscrew tendril that had escaped her bun and let go so it’d bounce back into place. “Right down to the hints of red in your chestnut hair. Plus, your eyes are the color of summer leaves. It’s perfect we marry among the June rosebuds.”

  She tilted her head. His words were a good start for sure, but she hadn’t heard the exact phrase vital to any marriage. “You have to love me for more than my heritage and beauty, don’t you?”

  Sam laughed. “Fine. You’re fishing for compliments and I’ve been remiss in giving them.” He knelt on the Persian rug and held her hand with both of his. “Apart from your appearance, your solid family and their financial
acumen, which you happen to share, your charm and grace, and finally your wonderful fashion sense, I love you for how you make me laugh and needle me for yet more praises than I already give.” He stood and brought her chin up. “And I love you for the long history we share. I can’t imagine another woman more flawless than you. The rest of our lives together will be perfect.”

  “You always say the most charming things.” Anne pulled him over and sat on one of the parlor’s chairs. He took a seat close to her and she smiled while searching his clear blue eyes. He’d answered appropriately, yet, had he? Still, she didn’t feel as if her heart believed him. “There’s no other girl you’d rather marry?”

  “Certainly not.” He leaned back on the poppy red settee and let go of her to put his arms behind his head. “Why would you ask? I’m charming to other women, but you’re the one I want.”

  His lack of action nagged at her. In a perfect world, he’d insist on a Christmas wedding next month. Anne stood, anxious to pace the floor while in thought. Maybe she was too impatient and pushy. He’d never acted as if she were anything but his one and only. But, she needed him to desire her and so far, he didn’t seem to any more than in a “next spring” way. “I suppose I am,” she replied and turned to him. “You’re always devoted to me when in town, anyway.”

  Sam frowned before smiling. “Oh, I see. I didn’t send enough love letters to you while on my way back, did I?” He patted the seat beside him and she complied as he continued, “I’ll have to spend this winter convincing you of my love and grand passion.” He put his arm around her and kissed her cheek. “And help you plan the most romantic wedding the west coast has ever seen.”

  His answer helped sooth her neglected feelings a little more and she relaxed against him. “All right. I’ll let you.” She smoothed an errant lock of black hair from his forehead. “Will you be joining us tonight?”

  “For what, dearest?”

  The blank look on his face irritated her. “Oh come on, Sam. The dinner party?” He could remember a thousand and one details about the expeditions he’d been on but not the events important to her? “You must know you’re one of the guests of honor tonight. You and this new business partner of father’s are the main reason for the event at all.”

  His eyes narrowed. “New partner, huh? Just to your father?”

  Sam’s suspicion exasperated her. One moment he acted disinterested, but the next? She shook her head. “Yes, he’s some sailor who’s been all over and is a valuable contact for international trade. He and a few of his people will be there. You’re supposed to attend as my fiancée and future business owner. Tell me you’ll be there.”

  He leaned back, letting his arm fall from her shoulders. “Would love to, darling, but I can’t. I’m already spoken for at Nick and Beth’s reception.”

  Anne raised an eyebrow at him. Sam had to be playing a joke. He wouldn’t choose a delayed party over an important dinner with her. Especially not after his having spent most of the year with Nick and Beth already while in the wilderness. “They’ve been married how long?”

  “I know.” He leaned forward, staring her in the eyes. “You know I’d be there if I could. It’s important to Mother that she launches them into polite society.”

  She stood, unable to keep the frost from her tone. “Fine. I’ll just inform my parents of your cancellation.”

  Sam also stood and turned her around to take her hands. He began swinging their arms as if paying a mutual childhood game. “Come on, now, sweetest, don’t be angry. I’ve just arrived and you have to love me.”

  Anne gently pulled from his grasp, still irritated yet a little more mollified due to his smile. “I do adore you. I’m just very disappointed over finding we’re at cross purposes tonight.”

  He hugged her, giving Anne a light kiss on her nose. “Not cross purposes so much as representing our families. You’ll represent me at your father’s to-do and I’ll be you at mother’s reception.”

  “Ha!” She snorted before remembering her manners. “Does this mean you’ll be in one of my dresses?”

  After a chuckle, Sam responded, “I don’t know about that shade of yellow on me, but you’d be beautiful in my trousers.” He slipped out of her grasp and began backing out of the room. “Give my regrets to your family and keep Saturday open for me, all right? There’s a dance I want us to attend.”

  “Very well. Saturday is yours.” She followed him to the large foyer, both of their heels clicking on the Spanish tile floors. “You’ll be at the next dinner party, promise?”

  Sam opened the heavy wood door and a gust of fresh air blew inside. “Absolutely. Count on it.”

  Anne watched as he strolled down their walkway before she closed the main door. She leaned against the closed front door and stared up at the foyer’s crystal chandelier. After a quick glance at the ornate grandfather clock chiming the hour, she shook her head. He’d been back in Oregon City for two weeks and they’d spent an hour of that time together. Only one hour.

  She’d planned on spending the entire afternoon with Sam. Her mother was overseeing the servants in the hotbox of a kitchen and didn’t need her help. None of her friends would be free to call on, either. She climbed up the curved staircase, specific steps squeaking more than the others.

  Once in the privacy of her bedroom, she sighed and slumped against the closed door. The very idea of listening to a night of economics and business dealings bored her to tears. Sam being with her would have kept the evening bearable. She would have to make do with any kindred person among the attendees.

  Her spirit brightened. Anne never turned down the chance to make a new friend. She went over to the ornate bed and kicked off her shoes before lying down. Although, her father hadn’t mentioned if wives were included in the dinner party. She assumed so.

  Sam most likely had left her a seventh or ninth wheel for tonight. She groaned and rolled over onto her stomach. Her meeting and falling for a handsome new suitor would serve her reluctant fiancé’ right. He needed a reminder of who she was in town.

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  The American West Series

  Sweet and charming love stories for busy readers.

  The Complete Oregon Trail Series

  One trail, two brothers, three epic love stories.

  About the Author

  With an overactive imagination and a love for writing, Laura Stapleton decided to type out her daydreams and what-ifs. She currently lives in Kansas City with her husband and a few cats. When not at the computer, you’ll find her in the park for a jog or at the yarn store’s clearance section.

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