He’d make others and so would she, but today promised a new beginning.
Beau turned back to Clay. “I chased you for five years with more hate than a man should feel. I’d have done anything to see you dead. I wanted vengeance, but only God can make that call. Today you’ve given Lucy justice. I think it’s time for mercy for us both.”
Clay took a deep breath. “I expect to hang for what I did.”
“We’ll leave it up to a judge,” Beau answered.
Dawes pushed to his feet. So did John Baylor. “You got my gray?” the rancher asked.
“Yes, sir.”
“I want it back.”
Clay looked proud. “It’s out front.”
Dawes maneuvered past the people in the pew. “You’re under arrest, Johnson. For Lucy Morgan’s murder and raiding the Rocking J.”
Clay stepped into the aisle. Dawes jerked the outlaw’s hands behind his back and herded him out the door. Beau’s chase had come to an end. Dani touched his arm. “Are you all right?”
His eyes twinkled. “I’ll be better after I kiss the bride.”
She smiled. “That sounds good to me.”
Josh spoke in a low tone. “I can finish up or—”
“Finish up,” they said in unison.
Josh signaled the congregation for quiet. “Ladies and gentlemen, we have a marriage to witness.”
As the crowd settled, Dani and Beau laced their fingers together. She glanced at the girls, wide-eyed but unafraid, dressed in white with red ribbons in their yellow hair. Her gaze rose to the pink cross, then shifted to Beau’s meadow-green eyes. The ring on her finger sparkled with silver and blue.
In that blending of all colors—the fullness of perfect light—Dani and Beau took the vows that made them man and wife. One flesh, one life, one hope. Forever and ever. Amen.
Dear Reader,
Halfway into writing this book, I came to a scary realization. I didn’t know a thing about dairy cows and I had to learn. I’m very grateful to Patricia Schroedl, who kept me from making some embarrassing mistakes. I thought cows gave milk all year round. Nope! The mamas get a break before delivering their calves. Patricia gets credit for everything that’s right in this story. If there are any mistakes, they’re mine.
By the time I finished the book, I was in awe of the men and women who gave life to this country’s dairy industry. I’ll never pour a glass of milk again without being grateful for someone’s hard work. It takes love, skill and discipline to make a dairy farm a success. Cows don’t like to be kept waiting. They can be as cantankerous as Beau Morgan and as sweet as Dani.
Another thank-you goes to my brother. He’s a genuine cowboy these days, riding the Colorado trails and helping to run a ranch. We both grew up listening to Marty Robbins singing “El Paso” and “Big Iron.” While I’ve chosen to write about the West, John’s living it. I’m proud of him!
Best wishes,
Victoria Bylin
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
Beau Morgan is determined to catch Clay Johnson, the outlaw who murdered his wife. Does he cross the line between seeking justice and seeking revenge? If so, when and how?
Dani comes to Castle Rock expecting to marry Patrick and adopt his daughters. Instead her world is turned upside down. How did she cope with Patrick’s unexpected death? Why did she feel so strongly about adopting his daughters?
Emma, Ellie and Esther cope with their father’s death in different ways. Which daughter most touched your heart? Why?
The color pink is significant throughout the book. What does it represent?
The milking contest is a test for Beau. What happens to crack his reserve with Dani and the girls?
How does Dani cope when she finds Patrick’s letters to his deceased wife? Would she have been justified in burning them to protect his daughters? How would burning them have affected her future?
In spite of his reluctance to love again, Beau slowly loses his heart to Dani. Which events in the story are turning points for Beau? Describe how his feelings evolve.
When Beau proposes a marriage of convenience, Dani must choose between her desire for a loving marriage and a compromise that would allow her to keep Patrick’s daughters. What tools does she use to make that choice? How does she find peace?
Reverend Joshua Blue preaches on Isaiah 50:10. What does this verse mean to you? What happens when Beau puts his faith in himself instead of God?
When Harriet Lange threatens to take the girls to Minnesota, Dani compromises her beliefs and agrees to a marriage of convenience. Is her decision noble or desperate? Is she acting in fear or faith?
Beau follows Clay Johnson into Sparrow Canyon in spite of a coming storm. It’s an act of stubbornness, but he survives. How does the experience change his perceptions of God and Clay Johnson?
Beau’s unrelenting pursuit of Clay Johnson comes at a personal cost. What does he sacrifice? What motivates him to finally give up the chase?
What motivates Clay Johnson to turn himself in? What role does prayer play in his decision?
Dani and Beau both endure personal tests. What is Dani’s greatest challenge? What is Beau’s most difficult choice? What motivates their decisions?
ISBN: 9781408938034
The Bounty Hunter's Bride
© Vicki Scheibel 2008
First Published in Great Britain in 2008
Harlequin (UK) Limited
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