by Rita Hestand
Essie joined them, "Corporal Riley asked me to wed him."
"And what did you say?" Jennifer prodded her.
She looked up at her, and burst into a big grin, "I said yes, of course!"
"I only hope the preacher has enough wind in him to carry out the services." Jennifer laughed.
"He will," Victoria smiled and produced a revolver, "I'll make certain of that."
Everyone laughed.
It was early August, a beautiful Texas day, the birds were singing, the sun was shining, and the small church was so full of people some were outside standing at the windows to watch as Jennifer, Victoria, Katherine, Sylvia, and Essie got married.
Carriages were lined up with cans and ribbons outside.
As Jennifer took her vows, she sighed happily as Quirt put a small gold band on her finger. All the others did the same. And then the preacher smiled, "I now pronounce you all, husbands and wives."
Rice went everywhere as they ran down the aisle and out to their carriages.
There was a dance at Ft. Davis and all the troops were there to celebrate with them. They would be leaving in a week, the fort would be closed, leaving only a couple of people to maintain it.
Ft. Davis had seen little of the civil war, and Quirt was glad of it. Some day they'd reopen the fort and it would be used once more for the purpose it was built for, he was sure of that.
The other women would stay here and be escorted to Ft. Worth by the Confederate Army. They would go home to an active war, closer to the front lines. Some of them would never see the end of the war, others would be patriots of it.
Quirt and Jennifer settled close to the Apaches on a small ranch. They weathered the war, had six children and lived happily in a state they loved and held dear to them. Jennifer never returned home. Her father came to visit her a couple of times after her mother died. Her young brother was taken in by an older sister.
They lived to be true Texas pioneers to the end.
The End
About the Author
Rita has lots of books for your enjoyment. Rita has spent her life writing stories that come into her head. She loves writing and spreading romance around the world.
She's a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She lost her soul mate back in 2006, but she keeps on writing.
Whether it is contemporary or western, or even historical, Rita loves to write romances. She's tried her hand at writing western thrillers, and she writes children's books too.
Rita's Other Books
The Travers Brothers Series:
Chief Cook & Bottle Washer
Courting Abby
Hannah's Man
Along Came Love
Avalanche of the Heart
The Amory's
Heart of the Wild
Sweeter Than Wine
Mail Order Nanny
The Dream Catcher Series
Beyond the Dream Catcher
Just One Kiss
Ask No Tomorrows
A Promised Heart
Be Free my Heart
My Captured Heart
Teach Me Your Love
The Red River Valley Brides
Heart of a Lady
Dancing with the Preacher Man
Last Bride, Last Man
Winning the Lady
Maggie's Dreams
Brides of the West Series
Heart of a Family
Delivering the Bride
Heart of a Woman
Wanted: Bride
This Side of Forever
Shotgun Bride
A Love as big as Texas
Heart of a Captive
Wherever my Heart Roams
In the Arms of an Angel
Bride from Shenandoah
Falling for the Bride
An Unexpected Welcome
A Desperado's Bride
The Filly and the Gambler
The Lady Train
Comes a Hero
Single Titles:
Nick's Baby
Pretend Mom
Strictly Business
Suspicions of the Heart
Wandering Heart
Runaway Bride
Historicals
Always Remember
Jodi's Journey
Love Rules
Contemporary:
The Connor's Series
Cinderella Nanny
Guarding Red Riding Hood
Finding the Fairytale
Saving Sleeping Beauty
Beauty's Beast
Wester Serial Killer Series:
Better Off Without Her
Good Day for a Hanging
Bad Day for a Killing
The Ghost of Victor Frank
Daughter of Iniquity
Cowboy Lovin' Series
Broken Hearted
His to Hold
All My Yesterday's
Coming Soon:
The Armstrong's
Forever in Love (out now)
A Rebel's Heart
Remember Me
Plunder My Heart
Stalker Series
Afraid in the Dark (out now
The Car Stalker
Beyond Scared
Hidden
In the Eye of the Beholder
Look for my children's books, short stories and teen stories too. New Adult line too!