A Lost Love's Legacy (Sons Of A Gun Book 5)
Page 22
I marveled at the towering mountains, the fast-flowing river running along the mountains’ base, and the wide valleys blanketed with green grass and peppered with generous portions of sage and scrub. The land appeared both rugged and beautiful to this city-dweller’s eyes. Little did I know, months later Amanda Manning would become my sister-in-law and I would be looking forward to forever calling this beautiful ranch my home.
To honor her grandmother’s fondness for keeping a diary, Rosie started a journal of her own, recording thoughts and memories as they occurred, the first entry dated on her wedding day. As a result of the pleasure she derived from the exercise, she’d decided to document the lives of the McLennons and her grandfather, Samuel Anderson, and the history of the Double M Ranch for future generations, including her young son and his cousins, to read and learn about their predecessors. She dreamed of having her musings published one day, but that would be something for future consideration. Today, she returned her attention to the beginnings of her manuscript and dipped the pen into the ink pot again.
After reading my grandmother’s journals and erroneously interpreting her musings, I believed Michael Miller to be my real grandfather. Thus, I traveled to Montana to learn about Michael Miller, owner of the Double M Ranch near Milestone. What I discovered upon my arrival and after extensive conversations with the current owner, A. J. McLennon, would change the course of my life forever.
Within these pages, I shall endeavor to record the history of the Double M Ranch and the people who lived and worked here a generation ago. And I shall write about the everyday lives of the current generations to whom these numerous acres are home. It is my fondest hope that future generations of these proud folks will live and work on this land for decades to come, perhaps even for a century and beyond.
A persistent cry coming from the cradle at her side, pulled Rosie from her thoughts. “Young man, are you hungry again?” She set aside her pen and returned the cap to the ink pot. This baby was definitely his father’s son.
“His pa is hungry also.”
“You’re here, Michael,” Rosie exclaimed. She shouldn’t be surprised. Her husband had left the barns and returned to the kitchen for his noon meal every day since the baby’s birth, seeking her out first, despite which room he found her in.
Her grandfather enjoyed spending time with his brand-new namesake. Although he still insisted upon helping out with a bit of preparation for Eric. Sammy especially enjoyed a bit of cooking during busy times like fall roundup. He’d shared his many recipes with Eric, including the secret ingredient in his famous sourdough biscuits. With her limited culinary talents, Sammy refused to share his secrets with his granddaughter until she learned to cook. Rosie chuckled to herself as she changed the baby, suspecting she may never learn the secret. Perhaps he would hand down all his culinary secrets to his namesake one day. She must remember to put a wooden spoon in the baby’s hands, the moment he learned to walk.
“Mrs. Sheridan promised to set aside plates of food for us, so don’t rush our little fellow’s feeding.” Michael settled into the chair beside the rocker his wife occupied.
Rosie chuckled, gazing down at the beautiful infant nursing at her breast. “Believe me, when this baby is hungry, he’s hungry. He’s the one in the rush.”
“Takes after his pa, I guess,” Michael mumbled. “How are you feeling? You were some tuckered out after all that fuss yesterday.”
“Your son’s christening should never be referred to as ‘all that fuss’. I enjoyed the day immensely, especially having the entire family home. Besides, I’m completely rested again,” Rosie claimed, stifling a yawn. When her husband returned to work later, she would indulge herself in a short nap while little Sammy slept as well.
“I apologize. You’re right. Our son’s special celebration was a day to remember.”
“Willow and Adam were the ideal choice as his godparents. And they were both delighted to be chosen.”
Michael smiled. “I agree completely.”
Rosie reached out and Michael wrapped her hand in his, squeezing gently. She couldn’t have explained with words the special connection she shared with her beloved husband. She’d found true love. Forever love.
She leaned back against the rocker and closed her eyes for a few moments, savoring in the contentment of new motherhood. “Do you suppose every new mother is this happy?” she whispered aloud.
“I’m certain of it. Maybe not at two a.m., though.”
Rosie’s eyes flew open. “Those feedings are the best. Sammy and I are the only two people in the world it seems, comfortably cloaked in silence while sharing special time together. Each of us content, living in this serene, love-filled place we call home.”
Michael smiled. “You have a talent with description and you’re the perfect person to record our family history.”
“Our family history. I cannot tell you how much I love the sound of that.” Rosie closed her dress and shifted her son to her shoulder, gently patting his back. “I only hope I’ll do justice to the project.”
“I haven’t a single doubt. You’ll do the perfect job.”
Rosie’s eyes welled with happy tears. “I’ll do my best.” Her efforts were rewarded with a loud eruption from the baby.
“Good job, little man. Now, your parents can eat.” Michael stood and helped his wife out of the rocker.
Rosie settled the baby in his cradle and gazed down at the sleeping infant. A wife. A mother. A loving family and a forever home. This well-to-do city child who grew up feeling unloved and lonely in Boston couldn’t ask for a better beginning to her own Montana story. Happy endings were possible.
Her husband slipped his arm around her middle and kissed her cheek. She looked forward to the rest of her life with Michael and their children, and with her grandfather for as many years as they would be blessed to share together.
Thanks to a fellow named Michael Miller, a man with impeccable morals and a generous heart the size of the state of Montana, a bright future lay ahead for the entire McLennon family.
Haven’t read the Sons of a Gun Series from the beginning?
Start here…
Canceled Order Bride
Sons Of A Gun Series
Book One
Lily Watson arranges to become the mail-order bride of a successful cattle rancher. She’s elated to escape marriage to a conniving man forty years her senior, but minutes before boarding the train, she receives a telegram stating the groom has changed his mind. That will never do! Using money her late mother left her, Lily travels to Montana Territory anyway.
Jackson McLennon enjoys a laugh when he learns his sister corresponded on his father’s behalf with an aging mail-order bride. When Lily Watson shows up at the family ranch despite the canceled proposal, both Lily and his father are in for a shock. Jackson has never set eyes on such a beautiful young woman, and now that his father has met Lily, Jackson worries his pa might regret withdrawing the proposal.
Lily’s determined to make Montana her home. Or will her past follow Lily out West and jeopardize her hopes for a happy future?
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thank you to beta readers Vicki Chatham and S. L. Dickson for offering invaluable assistance with this series, including help with titles and critiquing all five manuscripts. You ladies were a huge part of the planning and the creation of this historical western series, once I finally settled on a series concept and title. And I couldn’t have finished it without your continued support.
Thank you to Su Kopil from https://www.earthlycharms.comhttps://d.docs.live.net/95e0629b28e96031/THURSTON PROJECT/BOOK - SOAG FINAL FORMATTED VERSIONS BOOK 1-5/www.earthycharms.com for creating the five beautiful covers for the books in the Sons of a Gun Series. They are perfect and I love them. And don’t we all adore a handsome cowboy!
Thank you to Ted Williams, times five for the entire series, for once again line editing and finding my grammatical errors while on the lookout for inconsistencies and blatant goof-up
s. I appreciate your passion for the written word and your diligence.
Thank you to my husband for accompanying me to Butte, Montana to complete research for the series set in the fictional town of Milestone, Montana which I imagined to be located several hours travel by stagecoach south of Butte. The fictional McLennon family’s Double M Ranch is situated approximately halfway between Milestone and Butte. The series spans the years 1885 through 1889, and I’ve tried my best to represent the time and era to the best of my abilities as an author, while taking instances of creative license to enhance the storyline where I felt necessary. My apologies for any blatant errors my readers may catch. Butte is a beautiful city oozing with history and stories from days gone by. From mining kings to Irish and Chinese immigrants, from mining disasters to annual celebrations still flourishing today. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Butte and I encourage anyone to check out this wonderful city.
After being preoccupied with several contemporary romance stories and multi-author projects, I’ve enjoyed returning to my first writing and reading love – historical western romance. I loved writing this HWR series! And it’s my fondest wish that my readers will enjoy reading it equally as much. I would much appreciate readers leaving a review—even one sentence will suffice—on Amazon or any social platform of your choice. Thank you so much for your support.
Books by Brenda Sinclair
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B007OXHMES
CANCELED ORDER BRIDE, A REINVENTED LADY,
WHERE THERE’S A WILL, INHERIT A DREAM,
A LOST LOVE’S LEGACY
historical western romance series
The Spirit Creek Series
NO MORE, NO TIME, NO CHANCE, NO TIES, NO WAY, NO HOPE
NO PEACE (Novella)
historical western romance series
Carsen Family Trilogy
TANGLED HEARTSTRINGS, TANGLED MEMORIES and
TANGLED INTENTIONS
Town of Pineview
CHRISTMAS IN PINEVIEW and TROUBLE IN PINEVIEW (sequel)
Escape to Alaska Trilogy
NOT WHAT IT SEEMS, ALMOST DOESN’T COUNT, and NEVER A BRIDE
A BANDIT CREEK MIRACLE and WHEN DREAMS COLLIDE (sequel)
LOVE TO THE RESCUE
50% of the author’s royalties will be donated to Humane Society shelters
A THURSTON PROMISE, Book 1 and A THURSTON CHRISTMAS, Book 12
Part of the Thurston Hotel Series
SADDLE A DREAM
Women of Stampede Series, Book 3
COOKING FOR COWBOY and SECRETS FOR COWBOY
Stampede Sizzlers
WAR BRIDE
Short novella
About the Author
Brenda Sinclair is the author of over twenty historical western and contemporary romance novels. After a career in the accounting field, she traded in numbers for words to become a full-time author. A member of her local romance association, she supports and mentors other writers, believing in paying it forward by helping others.
Brenda has been married to her loving husband for over forty-five years. During that time, they raised two sons and welcomed three wonderful grandchildren.
When Brenda isn’t writing or researching her next novel, she enjoys walking her little dog, Kelly, checking out what Jack Abbott is up to on today’s installment of The Young and The Restless, or snuggling with Kelly on the sofa and enjoying a good book.
Brenda believes life is good, and for days that life isn’t so good, just get over it. There’s always tomorrow.
Find Brenda at:
Website: http://www.brendasinclairauthor.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/brendasinclairauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bsinclairauthor
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Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title
Story Blurb
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Acknowledgements
Books by Brenda Sinclair
About the Author
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