by Jenna Brandt
“You’ll feel differently about that when you’re older, Arthur, I promise,” Harrison said with a chuckle. “Having the right girl by your side makes all the difference in the world.”
After about twenty minutes, Georgie came over to them, with a young, willowy blond woman on his arm. Willa recognized her as one of the miner’s widows.
He gave them both a tentative smile as he said, “Congratulations, to you both.”
“Thank you, Georgie. It means a lot to hear you say that. I’m glad you came today,” Willa admitted.
“Everything worked out the way it was supposed to. If it hadn’t, I would have never ended up with Evelyn here,” Georgie declared, squeezing the woman next to him.
“I’m happy you found someone, Georgie. You deserve to be happy,” Willa stated.
“We are. I can see it’s the same for you two,” Evelyn said with a smile. “We’ll let you get back to the rest of your guests.”
“Make sure to stay for dancing,” Harrison suggested to their retreating figures. “It’s sure to be an enjoyable evening.”
Harrison leaned over and whispered, “It’s good to see him happy. The first month after I proposed, I thought he might actually challenge me to a fight.”
Willa giggled. “I shouldn’t think that’s funny, but I can imagine you having to dodge his blows while trying to talk him out of fighting you.”
“Who says I would have been the one to be level-headed? I’m anything but that when it comes to you, Willa.”
Willa’s breath hitched in her throat as she looked into Harrison’s eyes and saw the desire in them. Before she could make a rebuttal, Mrs. Wallace came up to them next.
“Look at you two together,” she gushed, “After all you have been through, it’s so good to see you happy. You have your dress shop, Willa, and your husband has his new brickyard here—along with all his others—and your family’s farm is paid off now thanks to Mr. Holt.”
Willa’s eyes rounded with shock. “I think you’re mistaken Mrs. Wallace. Someone anonymously paid the loan.”
Mrs. Wallace let out a loud cackle as she shook her head. “Come now, Willa, I have it on good authority your husband is responsible. Who else would pay for your family’s farm to be saved? I mean, many people in town care about your family, but none of them had the means to help, especially after the fire.”
Willa glanced over at Harrison, who had averted his eyes. She could tell by his demeanor, not to mention the fact he didn’t try to refute the accusation, that there was merit to what Mrs. Wallace was saying.
“Don’t be angry with him, dear. I’m sure he kept the information from you for a good reason. It’s obvious he adores you.” Glancing across the park towards the bandstand, Mrs. Wallace’s face scrunched up in anger as she added, “I have to go. I see Penelope talking to a strange man. I need to go stop that this instant.”
Once they were alone, Willa turned to Harrison and asked, “Why didn’t you tell me?”
He let out a sigh and shrugged. “I love you so much I wanted your family to be safe. It didn’t matter if we were going to end up together, I just wanted you to be happy. Then, once we reconciled, I didn’t want you to feel you owed me. When I proposed, I wanted you to say ‘yes’ because you wanted to, not because you felt indebted.” He pressed his lips together for several seconds before he inquired, “Are you mad?”
“Of course not. I’m grateful. You saved my family from being ruined, but my papa needs to pay you back,” Willa insisted.
Harrison shook his head. “He’s just getting back on his feet. Telling him could affect his health. I don’t want that to happen.”
“I suppose if that’s how you really feel,” Willa said reluctantly.
“Consider it a wedding gift from me to you.”
“But you already gave me the dress shop as my wedding gift,” Willa protested. “I haven’t even given you one thing.”
“That isn’t true. Your love is the only gift I will ever need,” he said, tilting his head towards her until his mouth brushed across hers. “Besides, we’re married now. What’s mine is yours. I want to take care of what’s important to you.”
Standing up, Harrison reached out his hand to her. “Let’s forget about all of this and go enjoy our first dance as husband and wife.”
Willa placed her hand in his, allowing him to escort her over to the dance area. The band started a new song as Harrison pulled Willa into his arms. Effortlessly, he spun her around the dance floor, both enjoying their time moving to the music.
The rest of the night passed with merriment, laughs, and love. When the party was over, Harrison guided Willa to his waiting carriage. They would spend their first night in the new home Harrison built for them on the land he bought near the Brown farm, knowing Willa wouldn’t want to be far from her family.
“Thank you, Harrison,” Willa said, letting her body rest against her husband’s.
“For what?” Harrison asked.
“For coming to Silverpines and showing me that I could marry for love. I never thought I would be this happy, and I owe it all to you.”
Harrison leaned into her and placed a kiss on her lips. “I feel the same. I love you, Willa, now and forever.”
As they pulled up in front of their new home, Willa couldn’t wait to make their new house a loving home. Harrison helped Willa out of the carriage and guided her up onto the porch. Before Willa could enter, Harrison shook his head and said, “Oh no, you don’t.” He scooped her up in his arms and carried her across the threshold.
Willa’s eyes couldn’t believe how wonderful the place had turned out. Everything she had asked for, from the polished wooden floors to the large windows, were present. Harrison had spared no expense.
“It’s perfect,” Willa whispered as she turned her head towards Harrison, allowing her eyes to meet his. “Just like you.”
“Just like our life together will be,” Harrison echoed. “I want to spend the rest of my mine making you completely happy Willa Holt.”
As his mouth descended to kiss her for the first time in their new home, Willa knew without a doubt, Harrison could keep all his promises. A joy filled her heart that would never leave. Trials and troubles would come, but as long as she had Harrison by her side, she would always be ready for what the future held.
A Note from the Author
I hope you have enjoyed my book, Wanted: Tycoon, and plan to continue to read the rest of the Silverpines Series. If you enjoyed this story, you might want to check out my other series, The Lawkeepers, My books within that series center around the town of Rockwood Springs. I brought Georgie Caldwell, the brother of the main character in my first book from that series, over to Silverpines. If you want to know more about him and his older sister, Rebecca, you’ll want to grab your copy of Lawfully Loved. Lawfully Wanted and Lawfully Forgiven, the second and third book, also take place in the same town.
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
The Lawkeepers is a multi-author series alternating between historical westerns and contemporary westerns featuring law enforcement heroes that span multiple agencies and generations. Join bestselling author Jenna Brandt and many others as they weave captivating, sweet and inspirational stories of romance and suspense between the lawkeepers — and the women who love them. The Lawkeepers is a world like no other; a world where lawkeepers and heroes are honored with unforgettable stories, characters, and love. Jenna’s Lawkeeper books:
Historical
Lawfully Loved-Texas Sheriff
Lawfully Wanted-Bounty Hunter
Lawfully Forgiven-Texas Ranger
Contemporary
Lawfully Adored-K-9
Lawfully Wedded-K-9
La
wfully Treasured-SWAT
Lawfully Dashing-Female Cop/Christmas
Lawfully Devoted-Billionaire Bodyguard
The Rockwood Springs Series-a spin-off series from Jenna Brandt’s historical lawkeeper books, centering around the fictional town of Rockwood Springs, Texas. The first two books take place during World War I and follow the love stories of two of the town’s families.
Promised to a Soldier
Courted by a Soldier
Second Chance with You Series is written by a group of sweet, clean contemporary romance authors connected by the idea that past loves, broken apart for a myriad of reasons, can be brought back together--some by chance, some by circumstance, some by choice. Jenna’s Second Chance book:
Rekindled
Match Made in Heaven Series-standalone stories that are sweet, clean romances designed to whisk you away. Not every man has six-pack abs, nor every woman the model of femininity, but everyone needs someone. We believe in building a world that begins at the very core of what makes romance stories work—faith, hope, and love. Now it’s your turn to find love. Set your imagination and heart free with us. The next happily-ever-after is at your fingertips, just waiting to be told…Jenna’s Matched books:
Royally Matched
Discreetly Matched (coming in April 2019)
Billionaire Romance
Books about billionaires 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
Billionaire in Disguise (coming in May 2019)
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 a 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
Silverpines Series
Wanted: Tycoon
For more information about Jenna Brandt visit her on any of her websites.
www.JennaBrandt.com
www.facebook.com/JennaBrandtAuthor
www.twitter.com/JennaDBrandt
Signup for Jenna Brandt’s Newsletter
Acknowledgments
My writing journey would not be possible without those who supported me. Since I can remember, writing is the only thing I love to do, and my deepest desire is to share my talent with others.
First and foremost, I am eternally grateful to Jesus, my lord and savior, who created me with this “writing bug” DNA.
In addition, many thanks go to:
My husband, Dustin, and three daughters, Katie, Julie, and Nikki, for loving me and supporting me during all my late-night writing marathons and coffee-infused mornings.
My mother, Connie, for being my first and most honest critic, now and always. As a little girl, sleeping under your desk during late-night deadlines for the local paper showed me what being a dedicated writer looked like.
My angels in heaven: my grandmother, who passed away in 2001; my infant son, Dylan, who was taken by SIDS four years ago; and my father, who left us a few years back.
To my ARC Angels and Beta Bells for taking the time to read my story and give valuable feedback.
To the Jenna Brandt Books Street Team, who have pounded the virtual streets on the internet, helping to spread the word about my books. Your dedication means a great deal.
About the Author
Jenna Brandt graduated with her BA in English from Bethany College. She is an ongoing contributor for The Mighty website, and her blog has been featured on Yahoo Parenting, The Grief Toolbox, ABC News and Good Morning America websites.
Writing is her passion, with her focus in the Christian historical and contemporary romance genres. Her books span from the Victorian to Western eras as well as modern times with elements of romance, suspense and faith.
Jenna also enjoys cooking, reading, and spending time with her three young daughters and husband where they live in the Central Valley of California. Jenna is also active in her local church, including serving on the first impressions team and writing features for the church’s creative team.