His Mountain Miss (Smoky Mountain Matches)

by Karen Kirst

  “Care to take a stroll in the gardens, my love?”

  Smiling up at him, she slipped her hand in the crook of his arm. “I thought you’d never ask.”

  Blushing at the knowing looks her family cast their way, she walked with him through the house—she still couldn’t quite grasp it was to be her new home—and on to the back porch, where they encountered Nathan leaning against the porch railing, staring moodily out at the gardens.

  He turned at their approach. Smiled and clapped Lucian on the back. “In case I forgot to say it, welcome to the family, Beaumont.” Then he kissed Megan’s cheek. “Congratulations, cousin. I’m glad you found your happy ending.”

  “Ah, but this isn’t an ending.” Lucian shared a smile with her. “It’s a beginning.”

  “Right you are,” Nathan conceded. “To a happy beginning, then.”

  Megan touched his arm. “You looked upset a moment ago. Are you all right?”

  He looked surprised at the question. “I’m fine.” At the quirk of her eyebrow, he continued, “This is your wedding day. Go enjoy some time with your husband.”

  “I didn’t see Sophie today,” she persisted. “Wasn’t she supposed to come?”

  A barely perceptible change came over him, and he fought to hide his frown. “She told me she’d be here. It could be that her grandfather wasn’t feeling well. I’m heading over there soon to check on them.”

  “Please tell her that we missed her.”

  “I will.”

  When he’d gone inside, Lucian guided her down the steps and along the stone path they’d traveled countless times. “Who’s Sophie?”

  “You don’t remember Sophie Tanner? My aunt and uncle’s neighbor?”

  His eyes lit with recognition. “Oh, do you mean the young tomboy? The one with a younger brother about ten years old? I forgot his name.”

  “William. And you can’t blame Sophie for being a bit rough around the edges. She hasn’t had a female role model in her life. Her mother died when she was very young, and her father ran off soon after. She was raised by her grandfather.”

  “I see.” He stopped before the rose arbor, lowered himself onto the stone bench and tugged her onto his lap, wrapping his arms loosely about her. “Enough talk about Nathan’s friend. I’d much rather focus on my beautiful wife. How much longer before everyone goes home?” he said wryly.

  Arms draped about his sturdy shoulders, she laughed and wiggled her eyebrows. “Perhaps we’ll just have to hide out here for a while. They’ll get the hint eventually.”

  “Good idea,” he whispered before he brought his mouth to hers in a soul-stirring kiss. When he lifted his head, he gazed at her adoringly. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re the loveliest, most radiant bride that ever lived?”

  “Actually, they have,” she teased. “You’re just one in a long line of people.”

  “What?” He reared his head back in mock horror. “That’s unacceptable.”

  Smoothing his collar, she grew serious. “Are you absolutely certain you’ll be happy here? You won’t miss city living? Your work?”

  His smile was patient and gentle, as if this wasn’t the twentieth or so time she’d asked this exact question. “My home is where you are, mon chou. All that matters is that we’re together. Besides, I like it here. I have a new family. New friends who don’t give a fig what my last name is or how much I’m worth. As for work, Fred isn’t getting any younger. I’m going to enjoy helping him work the land. I’ve got plans, my dear. First on the list is building your mother and sisters a new barn. Owen still needs help, and Nathan and your uncle can always use an extra hand—”

  “Okay, okay.” She laughed, convinced he was sincerely eager to dig into rural life. “I can see you’ve got it all figured out.”

  “And if we feel the need for a change of pace, we can visit the city anytime.”

  “I can’t wait for you to meet my sister and Evan. They’re going to love you. And I can’t wait to hold baby James.” They planned to stay about a week in Cades Cove before heading down to Louisiana. His father had sent his regrets—not a surprise to Lucian—along with an extravagant gift. She was a bit nervous about meeting him. “How long do you think we’ll stay in New Orleans?”

  “For however long you’d like. One day. One week. A month. We’ll play it by ear.” Then he tossed her a roguish grin that made her blood heat. “We can’t stay away too long, though, if we’re to get a head start on those ten kids you’re set on having.”

  “And what if all ten are girls?”

  His expression turned intense, a fiercely protective glint in his eyes. “I’ll love each and every one because they’ll be a part of me and you, proof of our love and commitment.”

  Satisfied, she caressed his cheek. “Twins run in my family, you remember. My father and Uncle Sam were twins. And, of course, Jessica and Jane.”

  Leaning slightly forward, arms secure about her waist, Lucian glanced around the rosebushes at the stately Victorian awash in golden sunlight, his smile brimming with joyful expectation. “Then it’s a good thing we have plenty of space.” His expression turned thoughtful. “What do you think my grandfather would think about us?”

  “Charles would be thrilled, no doubt about it. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’d considered such an outcome. He knew me well enough to know I’d fight to use the house. And I think he came to know a little about you, too, from your mother’s letters. He must’ve suspected you’d want to hold on to the house.”

  “He may have willed me a house, but he gifted me with so much more.” Eyes burning bright, he buried his fingers in her loose curls. “I love you, Megan.”

  At home in his arms, she moved in close for a kiss. “And I love you.”

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from The Cowboy's Surprise Bride by Linda Ford

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you for choosing His Mountain Miss, the third installment in my Smoky Mountain Matches series. I’ve always dreamed of having my very own English-style garden like Lucian’s, one with winding paths and fountains and secret hideaways where I could sit and read for hours without distraction. When I mention this to my husband, however, he points out my poor track record with plants. Maybe one day I’ll have that garden...with hardy varieties that can survive my bumbling attempts at gardening!

  When I began Lucian and Megan’s story, I had no idea how God would work through it to help me deal with my dad’s unexpected passing months earlier. Like Lucian, I chose not to face my grief. But as I wrote, God helped me to see that in doing this, I was not honoring my dad’s life. I still have a long way to go, but I’m working through it with God’s help. I hope that if you’ve lost a loved one, something in this story helped you, too.

  Please feel free to write me at karenkirst@live.com or swing by my Facebook page. If you’d like to find out more information about the O’Malleys and this series, please visit my website, www.karenkirst.com.

  Blessings,

  Karen Kirst

  Questions for Discussion

  In the beginning, Megan and Lucian had preconceived ideas about each other’s motives and characters. Have you ever made assumptions about someone that later proved to be incorrect?

  Has anyone ever judged you unfairly? How did you handle the situation?

  Lucinda led Lucian to believe his only grandfather wanted nothing to do with him. Has a
nyone ever deceived you? How did you cope when the truth came to light?

  In Lucinda’s mind, she was acting to protect her marriage. What does God’s Word say about lying and deception?

  Leaving his predictable life behind, Lucian assumes his business in Gatlinburg will be concluded quickly and without complications. When his plans go awry, he feels out of control. How do you cope with changes—both expected and unexpected—in your life?

  Based on past experience, Lucian’s first inclination is to be suspicious. How does he ultimately overcome this to trust Megan?

  As he learns more about Megan’s friendship with his grandfather, Lucian becomes jealous. And as Megan grows to care for him, she’s jealous of the socialites who possess everything he requires of a wife. How do you handle jealousy in your own life?

  Because of Megan and Tom’s long-standing friendship, she is reluctant to hurt his feelings when he declares his intentions. Do you think she could’ve handled it differently? How so?

  Jane is in love with Tom, who not only views her as a little sister but has proposed to Megan. Have you ever experienced unrequited love? How did it work out?

  Have you ever felt, like Lucian, that God was far away, distant and uncaring of your personal struggles? What happened to make you change your mind? Can you point to specific Bible verses that helped you?

  Why do you think Charles left the house to Lucian? Do you think he was right not to insist on having a relationship with his grandson? Could he have done something differently?

  Sarah’s illness forces Lucian to deal with his own grief. How do you think refusing to deal with our losses affects us?

  Because of his parents’ troubled marriage, Lucian is hesitant to trust in love. Have you experienced a similar situation? How did you overcome your fears?

  As the story progresses, Lucian slowly comes to suspect Megan is right about his mother and Charles’s ongoing correspondence. The letters confirm everything. Though devastated, he is ultimately able to forgive his mother. How do you go about forgiving someone who’s wronged you? What does the Bible say about forgiveness?

  1 Corinthians 13 is often called the love chapter. What does it say about love and its importance? What are the characteristics of authentic love?

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired Historical title.

  You find illumination in days gone by. Love Inspired Historical stories lift the spirit as heroines tackle the challenges of life in another era with hope, faith and a focus on family.

  Enjoy four new stories from Love Inspired Historical every month!

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  Chapter One

  Northwest Territories, Canada

  October 1881

  For the first time she was about to meet Eddie Gardiner. The man she intended to marry. The answer to her prayers.

  Linette Edwards parted the curtains on the stagecoach—meant to keep out the dust and cold. The first few days of their trip, dust had filtered through them, and now cold with the bite of a wild beast filled every inch of the tiny coach. Four adults and a child huddled against the elements.

  “You’re letting in the cold,” her traveling companion complained.

  “I fear we are in for an early snowstorm,” one of the male passengers said.

  Linette murmured an apology but she managed to see the rolling hills and the majestic mountains before she dropped the curtain back in place. Since they’d left Fort Benton, headed for the ranch lands of the Northwest Territories of Canada, she’d peered out as much as she could. The mountains, jagged and bold, grew larger and larger. A song filled her heart and soul each time she saw them. This was a new country. She could start over. Be a different person than she’d been forced to be in England. Here she would be allowed to prove she had value as a person. She ignored the ache at how her parents viewed her—as a commodity to be traded for business favors.

  She shifted her thoughts to the letter of invitation hidden safely in the cavernous pocket of the coat she’d acquired in Fort Benton. She longed to pull it out and read it again though she had memorized every word. Come before winter.

  “I expect more than a shack,” her friend Margaret had fumed when she’d read an earlier letter from the same writer. “After all, he comes from a very respectable family.” With bitterness edging each word, Margaret read the letters describing the cabin Eddie assured her was only temporary quarters. “Temporary? I’m sure he doesn’t know the meaning of the word. A year and a half he’s been there and he still lives in this hovel.”

  “It sounds like an adventure.” Linette could imagine a woman working side by side with her man, being a necessary asset to establishing a home in the new world. It sounded a lot more appealing to her than sitting and smiling vacantly as a female spectator. She’d been raised to be the lady of the manor but she wanted more. So much more.

  Margaret had sniffed with such disdain that Linette giggled.

  “I have made up my mind,” Margaret said. “I cannot marry him and join him in the wilds of the Canadian West. I expected far more when he asked for my hand before he left to start a Gardiner ranch out in that—” she fluttered her hand weakly “—in that savage land.” Her shudder was delicate and likely deliberate.

  “Oh, Margaret, surely you don’t mean it.”

  “Indeed I do. I’ve written this letter.”

  Seated in the overstuffed parlor of Margaret’s family home in London, Linette had read each word kindly but firmly informing Eddie that Margaret had changed her mind and would not be joining him now or anytime in the future. I expect it makes me sound small and selfish, but I can’t imagine living in a tiny house, nor being a woman of the West.

  “But what about your feelings for him? His for you?”

  Margaret had given her a smile smacking of pity. “I enjoyed his company. He was a suitable candidate for marriage. There are plenty other suitable men.”

  How often she’d envied Margaret the opportunity to head to a new world with so much possibility simply for the eager taking of it. “But he’s counting on you. Why would you want to stay here when the whole world beckons?” Wouldn’t he be dreadfully hurt by Margaret’s rejection?

  “You should marry him. You’re the one who thinks it would be a lark.” Margaret was clearly annoyed with Linette’s enthusiasm. “In fact, write him and I’ll enclose your letter with mine.”

  “Write him? And say what?”

  “That you’re willing to be his wife.”

  “I don’t know him.” A trickle of something that felt suspiciously like excitement hurried up her limbs to her heart. But it couldn’t be. It wasn’t possible. “My father would never allow it.”

  Margaret laughed. “I think the Gardiner name would make even your father consider it a good idea. And would it not provide an escape from the marriage your father has planned?”

  Linette shuddered. “I will not marry that old—” Her father had chosen a man in his fifties with a jangling purse of money and a drooling leer. His look made Linette feel soiled. She would do anything to avoid such a fate. She’d been praying for a reprieve. Perhaps this was an answer to her heartfelt petition.

  Yes, the Gardiners were an old family, well respected, with a great estate
and vaults of money, as her father so often said with utmost reverence in his voice.

  “Of course,” Margaret started, considering her with a mocking smile, “if you’re dreaming of love and romance—”

  Linette jerked back. “All I’m thinking of is escape.” Love did not enter into a suitable marriage, which was fine with her. She fully intended to keep her feelings out of the picture. A trembling in the depths of her heart warned her that love would make her weak, vulnerable, ready to give up her personal goals. Not something she intended to let happen. She grabbed a piece of paper. “I’m going to do it. Anything is better than what my parents have in mind.” Being a rancher’s wife in the new world suited her fine. She was weary of the social restrictions her parents insisted on and not at all loath to living the kind of life she’d heard existed in the new world. There, women marched side by side with their men. They were even allowed to own land! Doubtlessly they’d be allowed to get their hands dirty and be involved.

  Before she could change her mind, she’d penned a short letter. A marriage of convenience if it suits you. Please reply to Margaret’s address. She knew her father would read any letter that came to the house. Much better to know she had a positive answer from Mr. Gardiner before confronting her father. If she had to be part of a business deal, it would be on her terms. She’d say who and where.

  She clasped her fingers on the answering letter that had carried two tickets—one for herself and one for a traveling companion. The missive was brief. Not much more than an invitation to come. Her heart had danced for joy. Margaret was right; her father had glowed at an invitation from a Gardiner.