“Wait for me,” Austin said. “I’ll run upstairs and check on Violet. Hopefully, she’s still asleep.”
As everyone wandered to the dining room, Brock walked alongside Leah, and whispered, “Well, you got what you wanted?”
Leah frowned, and looked at him. “What do you mean?”
“Austin might be charmed by your pretty face, but I know you’re a schemer. Just like Shirley was.”
“I don’t know why you don’t like me, Brock. I’ve been nice to you.”
“Time will sort you out, Leah. In time, your kind is always revealed.”
When they reached the dining room, Brock moved to the other side of the table, and took a seat.
Beth pointed to a chair. “You sit here, Leah and we’ll leave that seat free for Austin.”
When Austin came back into the room and took his seat, James stood. “Since we’re talking about weddings and the like, I’ve an announcement to make.” A hush fell across the room, then he continued, “I’m going to be married soon. You all know that I’ve been writing to a young lady, well, in a few days I’m to be married. She’s coming here to marry me.”
Everyone was happy for him. Amidst the congratulatory remarks and back slapping, Leah looked at Brock. Brock was not happy at James’s news, either. Maybe he was just an unhappy person. Looking around, it appeared to Leah that she was the only one who noticed Brock’s surly face. After everyone settled down, a roast dinner was served.
They’d barely finished dessert, when Austin insisted that he get Leah back home.
“I’d like a word with Leah before you rush off, Austin,” Mrs. Wright said.
Leah walked with Mrs. Wright to the living room, and they sat on the couch.
Mrs. Wright said, “I’m very happy for you. I knew you were perfect for my son as soon as I saw you. I prayed that my son would see sense, and God answers prayers.”
A small giggle escaped Leah’s lips.
“Mind you, I didn’t even pray that he would marry you in particular, because the Lord knows what we don’t know. I prayed that Austin would marry the best woman for him, and look what happened.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Wright.”
“Now, the rest of my boys will be married. Before I leave this earth, I’d like to see them all married to nice girls. I prayed about that too, and now James is getting married.”
Leah wondered if Mrs. Wright considered that the woman coming to see James might not be suitable, but from the happiness on her face, it was as if she hadn’t given it the slightest thought. Beth came rushing into the room, and crouched down in front of Leah.
“Leah, this is everything I could have hoped for, you’re so right for each other.” She took hold of Leah’s hand. “And now we are to be sisters.”
Mrs. Wright sniffled. Leah knew she was thinking about her youngest daughter.
Beth looked at her mother, and said, “Maude will be back, Mother. She’s in God’s hands, and He won’t let her come to harm.”
“Am I interrupting?” Austin walked into the room. He saw his mother’s face, and put a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Everything will be well, Mother, don’t concern yourself about anything. I give you my word that we’ll find Maude.”
Mrs. Wright nodded. “I’m grateful for all my children. I know that God is looking after all of us, including Maude, wherever she is.”
Austin’s gaze went to Leah. “Are you ready?”
Leah rose to her feet. “Yes, I’m ready.” She looked back to Mrs. Wright. “Thank you for a wonderful dinner.”
Mrs. Wright nodded, as Austin ushered Leah out of the house. When he’d shut his mother’s front door behind them, he said, “I’m sorry, Leah. I just had to get you out of there. I hope you don’t mind. They would’ve babbled on for a few more hours.”
“I don’t mind at all.” She tried to put Austin’s brother’s words out of her mind, but she couldn’t.
“My family is happy about us getting married, but not as happy as I am.”
“Austin, I didn’t want to say anything, but Brock isn’t happy.”
Austin chuckled. “One thing you’ll learn about Brock is that he’s never happy. He hasn’t been happy since his wife died. Don’t you worry about anyone but me.” Right there on his mother’s porch, he placed his arms around her waist. “Thank you for coming into my life, Leah Morgan. I do believe that, right now, I am the happiest man alive. When I saw you sitting at the station after you’d said that you weren’t Victoria, I was planning to go back and speak to you.”
“You were?”
He nodded. “I felt a pull toward you, an unexplainable pull.”
“Austin, I felt that, too.”
He lowered his lips onto hers, and briefly kissed her.
“If you’d never written to someone, we might not have met,” Leah said.
“Many small things had to happen to cause us to meet that day.” He reached into his pocket, and pulled her toward a seat on the porch. When they were both seated, he said, “Just one more thing.” He opened his hand to reveal a small, dark blue, velvet box.
“What’s that?” she asked frowning.
Without speaking, he opened the box to reveal a sapphire and diamond ring. The sapphire was round, and surrounded by diamonds on a gold band.
“Oh, Austin it’s beautiful.”
“This sapphire is the same color as your eyes. When I saw this ring, I knew it was the one.” He slipped it onto her finger, and it fit perfectly.
She held her hand out, and the diamonds sparkled in the moonlight. Austin pulled her back toward him, put his arm around her, and she leaned into the hardness of his chest. Now, she was home. When she’d left for Dodge City, she had never thought that she deserved to find such a perfect man with a wonderful family. She closed her eyes, and thanked God that He is a God who cares, and answers prayers above and beyond what we could hope for.
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding
Abundantly above all that we ask or think,
according to the power that worketh in us,
Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus
throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Ephesians 20:20-21
* * * The End * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Thank you for your interest in
Mail Order Bride: Deception
Book 1 in Western Mail Order Brides series
To keep up to date with Samantha Price’s
giveaways and new releases
click here
Book 2
Mail Order Bride: Second Choice
Josie was pleased to be heading to Dodge City to marry James. They had only been corresponding for a short time, but Josie knew it was right.
Brock Wright, James' brooding brother, met Josie at the train station.
Josie was immediately attracted to Brock and was delighted to find out that he was single, but knew she must put him out of her mind and concentrate on her husband-to-be.
Things fall into disarray when James's previous girlfriend returns, expecting to marry James.
Josie is devastated, as she had come a long way to be married and create a new life.
James is faced with the fact that he has asked two girls to marry him.
What solution will Brock find to ensure that Josie can still get married?
Will Josie find out why Brock is so distant and hostile toward her?
Book 3
Mail Order Bride: Revenge
When Catherine learns that her brother has been killed, the only thing on her mind is vengeance. When she receives an anonymous letter naming Hank Wright as the killer, she wastes no time in seeking revenge. Lady luck plays into her hands when Hank Wright advertises for a bride. After an exchange of letters, Hank asks Catherine to take the journey to Dodge City where they will be married. Catherine accepts his proposal and comes up with a plan to avenge her brother's death.
Will Catherine go ahead with her
plan when she hears different accounts of what happened the day her brother died? Or will the revenge in her heart blind her to the truth that is before her?
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Other Clean Romance Books by Samantha Price:
Amish Maids series Books 1 - 7
Book 1. The Amish Nanny
Amish girl Olive Hesh and her friends have no husbands, so in order to contribute to their families, Olive decides they should work as maids. When the fancy Sonia Worthington and her grandson, Leo, meet Olive, Sonia offers Olive a lucrative job as her grandson's nanny and will not take no for an answer.
The handsome widower, Blake Worthington, is furious with Sonia's impulsive decision to employ Olive.
Is Blake's continual anger toward Olive because he does not want her there, or is something else causing his anger?
Will Olive be able to keep her new job looking after the young Leo Worthington whom she adores?
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Amish Baby Collection series Books 1 – 4
Book 4 is:
‘Amish Baby Surprise’
Abram returned from his rumspringa glad to be home, but weeks later, when a young lady knocks on the door of his parents' home, he has some explaining to do.
The young lady, Ida, brings with her proof of a marriage to Abram, and has another surprise entirely.
Abram has no choice but to accept this woman as his wife, especially as she agrees to join his Amish community. Abram is resentful that he's forced to live a life that he never planned for.
Weeks later, devastated by Abram's coldness toward her, Ida sees the only thing to do is to leave Abramand the community.
When Abram arrives home to find his wife and unborn child have vanished, he is forced to face his circumstances. What he decides to do will affect the lives of many people.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Samantha loves to hear from her readers.
Connect with Samantha Price at:
[email protected]
http://twitter.com/AmishRomance
http://www.samanthapriceauthor.com
Mail Order Bride: Deception (Historical Western Romance): Clean Romance Series (Western Mail Order Brides Book 1) Page 10