In the center of it all stood the love of her life, the handsomely dressed Noah.
Derrick spoke the words, to join Valerie and Noah together as husband and wife.
As she left the church, clutching the hand of her new husband, she gathered up the folds of her dress and stepped into the carriage waiting to whisk them away to their honeymoon voyage.
As the carriage began to roll down the road, Valerie lay in her husband's embrace and sighed. "I'm so happy, Noah. So very happy."
He stroked her cheek. "As am I, my love." He punctuated the endearment with a kiss on her forehead.
A sigh of contentment escaped her throat.
He ran his hand down the pearl embellished bodice of her gown. "And I plan to enjoy you immensely."
She raised her face for his kiss, and as his lips touched hers, she let herself be swept away by the love she felt for her lawman.
The carriage took them to the train depot in Oakland. As she was helped down from the seat by her husband, she met his eyes. "Are you certain of this, Noah?" They'd been planning this very special journey for weeks now, but she wanted to make sure her husband remained as excited as she was about it.
He nodded, a smile touching the corners of his lips. "When we return from this honeymoon trip, my happiness will be made complete."
Touched by the sincerity of his words, she grasped his hand and let him lead her toward the platform to await the train.
Over the next four days, they traveled northwest via the Central Pacific Rail line, with stops in Sacramento and a few other towns and cities. The private car they traveled in had been a wedding gift from her father, and throughout the journey, they delighted themselves in each other, consummating their marriage in every county they crossed. Body and soul, she gave all to the man she loved, and he gave nothing less in return, making her sing and sigh for him with every touch. As the train rollicked down the track, she discovered the many and varied joys of the marriage bed.
Upon reaching the depot in Colfax, they changed trains, boarding the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad train bound for Grass Valley. The small, bustling town, home of the gold-rich Empire and North Star Mines, had been a hub of activity since its founding during the Gold Rush of '49. For Valerie and Noah, however, the town held a different, more profound significance.
Watching the bellhop bring her luggage into their second-floor suite at the well-heeled Holbrooke Hotel, she felt her nerves getting the better of her again. She turned to the window, watching the colorful bands of sunset that striped the sky. "Tomorrow is the day, Noah."
He eased up behind her, and slipped his strong arms around her waist. His body pressed against hers, he leaned in to nuzzle her neck. "Yes, my love. Tomorrow." He kissed her, his lips brushing the delicate skin just beneath the shell of her ear. With slow, passionate kisses and caresses, he drew her into the bed.
The next morning, she rose with cockerel, roused her husband, and made haste to get herself dressed. Once they had gotten ready, and had a light breakfast in the hotel dining room, a hired hack took them to Mount Saint Mary's Convent and Orphan Asylum.
A nun escorted them inside. With each step, Valerie could feel her heart pounding. She fairly vibrated with excitement and anticipation. This was a day she'd thought would never come, and now that it was happening, she couldn't seem to temper her emotions. Brushing a tear from her cheek, she held fast to Noah's hand, and followed the young nun into a small chapel. There, at the altar, waited another, older sister, as well as a priest. In the sister's arms was a squirming young boy.
Holding fast to the child, the nun spoke. "Mr. and Mrs. Rogers, I'm Sister Mary Matthew. It's so nice to finally meet you." The nun spoke with the thick accent of her native Ireland. "This is Father McClanahan."
She offered a greeting to them, as did Noah, but her eyes were locked on the child. From her correspondence with Sister Mary Matthew she knew the child to be male, about ten months old, and as curious and willful as ever a child could be. A chocolate skinned tot with eyes the color of polished copper, he wore a white gown lovingly fashioned of cotton and lace.
"Have you decided what to name the boy?" The question came from the smiling priest, whose accent was just as pronounced as that of the nun.
She wanted to answer the question, but found herself too emotional to speak.
As if sensing her plight, Noah answered. "Yes. He's to be named Abraham Silas."
She looked at her husband, and felt her love for him blooming anew. Once again, he'd come to her rescue, just as he'd saved her from the mayor's careening carriage, and from the darkness that almost consumed her after her mother's death.
Sister Mary Matthew held the child over the basin of water that rested on a pedestal before the priest. He squirmed all the more, but remained quiet save for a few coos.
"Very well, my child." The priest dipped his fingertips into the basin, and sprinkled the droplets of water on the child's forehead. "Then I baptize you this day, Abraham Silas Rogers. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen." He took a cloth from the folds of his robes, and dabbed the moisture from the babe's face. "May God bless your new family."
Sister Mary Matthew passed him into Valerie's waiting arms. He was far lighter in her arms than Adam Smart, but every bit as endearing. Little Abe looked into her eyes briefly, then rested his curly head upon her bosom. As she held her child close, she felt everything within her become overwhelmed with love for him. "Isn't he precious, Noah?"
Tears standing in his eyes, Noah embraced them both, and offered a serene smile. "As precious to me as you, my love."
They took Abraham home a few days later. Bernard was delighted to meet his brand new grandson, and was immediately enamored with him. By the time the new year dawned, Abe had taken his first steps, right into Noah's waiting arms. One spring day, when the buds began to pop open and flower, Abe stood in the garden of his parent's home. Raising his arms to Valerie, he called her "Mama," and she hugged his little body and kissed his face while tears filled her eyes.
And when the summer sun shone down on the town of Ridgeway, it cast it's rays on the newly remodeled schoolhouse, bearing a sign that read:
Doris Ridgeway Primary School
Dedicated to the memory
of a beloved member of the founding family
by the people of Ridgeway;
June, 1886
The End
A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR
Hello, reader. Thanks so much for reading Loving the Lawman. I know the tone of this book was just a shade or two darker in tone than the two previous books in the series, and I hope this didn't distract you from the love between Noah and Valerie. I truly appreciate the time you've given to this book- I know there are many things competing for our attention these days.
You're probably wondering if there will be another installment in the Roses of Ridgeway series, now that I've completed a trilogy. The answer is yes... but there may be a little bit of time before book 4 hits the stands. I'm currently developing several projects, but I will return to Ridgeway as soon as I can manage. The best way to keep up with what I'm doing, where I'm going, and what I'm working on is to subscribe to my newsletter. You can do that by going to my website's homepage.
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If you enjoyed this book, I'd appreciate you taking the time to leave an honest review. I've made it super easy for you by including a live link to the product page. Thanks in advance for your feedback.
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Did you miss the first two books in the series? If you did, here are the links to those:
Kissing the Captain
The Preacher's Paramour
All the Best,
Kianna
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Other Titles by Kianna Alexander
(**links are live on available titles**)
-Darkness Rising, Book 1
-Embrace the Night, Book 2
-Midnight's Serenade, Book 3
The Phoenix Files Trilogy (contains all 3 titles)
Graham's Goddesses (Sensual to Erotic Historical Romance)
-Freedom's Embrace, Book 1
-Love's Lasso, Book 2
-Deputy's Desire, Book 3
Climax Creek: Contemporary Erotic Romance
-Seducing Sheri
-Vying for Vivian
-Adoring Ava
-Persuading Patrice
Loving the Lawman (Roses of Ridgeway) Page 12