by Sara Luck
A lump lodged in Jana’s throat as she thought back to the night when their mother had sent them out to steal a ride in a pig wagon to catch a train to the unknown. She recalled the cacophonous noise of the bawling livestock, coupled with the stench of the Yard where Greta had nearly died from the burning hell that was Chicago. And from that despair the dear girl had brought home the pamphlet that had led them to this place and this time.
The Dakota Territory. Who would have thought that a place called the Badlands could be the source of such unbelievable happiness?
“Are you ready?”
Jana looked toward her dear friend. “Oh, Hank, am I doing the right thing?”
“Of course you are, darlin’. If I was your blood daddy, I’d say the same thing. No man has suffered as much as Drew—losin’ Addie the way he did—and then thinkin’ he lost you. Just look at him, standin’ there watchin’ your ever’ move. I know he loves you, but the question you have to answer is, do you love him?”
Jana kissed Hank on the cheek. “Yes, I love him. With all my heart.”
“Then let’s not keep him waiting.”
Just then there was a commotion as a wagon pulled into the yard and two people jumped out and hurried toward the small group.
Jana clasped her hand to her mouth as she let out a gasp.
“Do you know those folks?”
“It’s Mama! Johan brought my mama to my wedding!”
“I’m happy for you girl, and if I don’t miss my bet, it was Drew who made it happen. Now, we’d better get going ’fore that orchestra has to play the ‘Wedding March’ again.”
As Drew watched Jana and Hank coming down the path toward him, he thought his bride was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her dress was all white satin and lace, while the orange blossoms that held her hair in place scented the spring air. Just as Jana approached the gathering, two little boys rose from their seats and went running to her. In spite of the billowing dress, both grabbed her legs and buried their heads in the folds of satin.
“We thought you had left and weren’t coming back,” Sam said as both boys held her so tightly that she couldn’t move.
Jana leaned down to embrace them, smothering each boy with kisses.
Father Cotes, who was to celebrate the marriage, spoke up then. “Folks, I know we’ve set up the altar and flowers here, but it seems that there are a couple of young boys who have their own ideas. Drew, shall we move this marriage rite to your family?”
“Yes, sir,” Drew said as he went swiftly to Jana’s side.
“Daddy, can we marry Jana, too?” Sam asked.
“I don’t know why not,” Drew replied with a smile.
The guests, who had been facing the river, now turned toward the priest and the wedding party. Father Cotes began the service. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this company, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony.”
As the priest intoned the marriage rites, Jana could barely hear the words, so overcome was she with happiness. Then she heard him ask, “Do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
“I do,” Drew said.
“Me, too,” Benji said.
“So do I,” Sam added.
Tears of happiness streamed down Jana’s face. “And I take all three of thee,” she said. She had a family.
SARA LUCK is the author of three previous romantic novels of the American West: Susanna’s Choice, Claiming the Heart, and Tallie’s Hero. For six years, she taught school in Alaska, spending much of that time in Point Hope, two hundred miles north of the Arctic Circle. Married to a retired Army officer who is also a novelist, Sara and her husband live on the beach in Alabama with a Jack Russell terrier named Charley.
Visit www.saraluck.com or contact the author at [email protected].
authors.simonandschuster.com/Sara-Luck/
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COVER ILLUSTRATION BY ALETA RAFTON
ALSO BY SARA LUCK
Tallie’s Hero
Claiming the Heart
Susanna’s Choice
Fantasy.
Temptation.
Adventure.
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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2013 by R. R. Vaughan
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First Pocket Books paperback edition February 2013
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ISBN 978-1-4516-7389-0
ISBN 978-1-4516-7392-0 (ebook)