“Come, Sally,” he called to his dog. She travelled in one of the stock cars. Aedan didn’t think she was too fond of the train as her legs wobbled when she jumped down.
The heeler kept close to Aedan, occasionally leaning her body against his. Turns out she didn’t much care for crowds either.
It didn’t take long for him to find the church and go inside. The room was dim, and Aedan wondered if anyone was there. As he turned to leave a voice cried out, “Give me a minute. I’ll be right there.”
Aedan took a seat on the last pew and Sally laid down beside him.
A moment later he heard the rustling of papers and then a person came out of a room he hadn’t noticed on the side. It looked like Pastor Stone, but he wasn’t sure, given that it was so dark.
The man lit a candle and turned to see who was in the church. “Aedan!” he said, coming down to embrace him. “I’m so glad you are back in town. Are you here to stay?”
“I hope so. I just needed to see if Gwyn and the children have been by this week.”
“They were here yesterday, I think. Or was it the day before? Doesn’t matter. She came to see the attorney. She won’t be back for at least two more weeks. Why do you ask?”
“I thought I might find her here and get a ride home.”
“Well I can head over that way today. Let me get my coat and we’ll go to the livery.”
“You mentioned she saw an attorney while she was here?” His heart sank. Perhaps she was getting an annulment. He wouldn’t blame her if she did.
“Yes. She went to get some papers filed.”
“You wouldn’t know what type, would you?”
“Why yes, I do.”
“Did she file for an annulment?”
The Pastor laughed. “No, son. She didn’t. She filed to formally adopt those three boys.”
Aedan breathed a sigh of relief. “Any chance we can stop by the attorney’s office on the way out of town?”
“I do believe we can do that, son. I do believe we can.”
Gwyneth washed the pot again in the large basin. The silver gleamed in the sunlight, and still, she felt that it wasn’t clean enough. She scrubbed it again, only to drop the pot back into the basin. She held her hands, looking at the red cracks appearing on her fingers and wanted to scream. It had been nearly a month since Aedan left, but she felt like it had happened yesterday. She had been reliving the moment over and over in her head, chastising herself for not fighting harder.
When she went back to the boys to tell them that Aedan wasn’t coming back, she didn’t know what was worse, seeing him leave or seeing the disappointment on the boy’s faces. Her heart was shattered. That night, the boys cried in her arms as she tried to keep her own tears at bay. Only when she put them to sleep did she allow herself a moment to wallow in self-pity. She told herself that she needed to carry on for all of them; there was no time for her to cry about her circumstances.
And that’s exactly what she did.
She busied herself with her children and her business. She had ventured out a bit further from her home, taking down new game. The variety of meat was becoming diverse and her customers were loving it. The demand was becoming so great she was thinking of hiring a few men to help her with the load.
Kimama had dropped by a few times to offer her help, which Gwyneth took. Even though they never discussed Aedan, she knew Kimama was around to give her moral support through actions and not words, and she was glad for it.
For some time, Gwyneth was contemplating leaving. Yes, the business was thriving, and she was busier than ever. However, she thought about how she was raising the boys and Joy in the mountains.
Wouldn’t it be better if she moved into town where the boys would be closer to other children and she would have the support of the women around her? Maybe she’d even settle down again. Find a nice man that could take care of her and her family.
The attorney asked if she wanted to file for an annulment when she was filling out the adoption papers. She said no, she wasn’t ready to let go just yet.
The boys were thrilled when they found out they were being adopted. Arnold was particularly fond of his new name – Murphy.
He recited it every chance he got. “I’m Arnold Murphy,” he would say in a deep voice.
“How do you do, I’m Harley Murphy,” his brother would reply, giving an exaggerated bow.
Jess couldn’t even get through it without giggling. “Jess Murphy,” he called out.
She was heading into Curdy’s Crossing next week and she wondered about stopping by to see Pastor Stone and if he could help her with an annulment. She was really struggling. She prayed and then cursed the God that tore her heart out. She heard Him clearly in her prayers when he said “But, Gwyneth, I didn’t send him away.”
Her heart screamed at her. Why did she throw Aedan away like that? Her mind screamed back. Aedan made his choice, now she needed to make hers. She couldn’t be selfish when she had many other people to think of.
She heard the boys come into the house. She turned and saw Arnold carrying a basket full of fish. She wiped her hands on the towel around her waist. She flinched as the harsh fabric caught her sore fingers. “Oh my, Arnold! That’s a lot from the traps.”
“Yes, it was a good day,” Arnold said solemnly, as he went to set the fish on the counter. Harley and Jess went to sit on the couch quietly, with their brother following them. She knew the boys partly blamed her for Aedan leaving without a word, though they didn’t say it to her directly. Their actions spoke volumes to her. Even Joy was crying a little bit more than usual; it was as if she knew he was gone and was punishing Gwyneth. She was sleeping now after a fitful few hours and Gwyneth was grateful.
“Are you hungry?” she called over to the boys, who only mumbled words. She sighed, knowing it was going to be another silent dinner. She resigned herself to this life reluctantly, hoping that someday they would understand why she did what she did. She was hurting just as much as they were.
She heard a rustle outside the house. She thought it was strange, as she wasn’t expecting anyone. Fearing the worst, she picked up the shotgun that she hid at the side of the door and pulled the door open slowly. What she saw made her drop the gun.
Standing outside was Aedan. He looked sweaty and out of breath, as if he had run all the way here from Montana. Gwyneth saw Pastor Stone in the wagon behind him.
“Are you coming in, Pastor?”
The pastor waved. “No, I have to get back to town. I’ll come by and visit soon.”
She turned to Aedan, waiting for him to say something.
“I hope I’m not intruding,” he said, as he stepped up on the porch.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, her eyes wide.
“I’m home,” he said, with a smile.
“But I thought your home is Montana.”
“Yes, old Aedan. But that man is gone. A new one was born the moment I laid eyes on you.”
“So, you are back for good? You want to be here?” she asked hopefully.
“Yes, if you’ll have me. Gwyneth, I just want to tell you that I lo-“
She didn’t let him finish before she was in his arms. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him with every ounce of love and life that was in her. He was taken aback for only an instance until he was kissing her back with as much love as was in his heart.
Behind them, they heard the boys whistling and cheering at them. When they finally broke apart, the boys came up to be enveloped in their embrace. Sally barked, letting them know she was happy with the reunion too.
“We have a dog now?” Harley asked.
Gwyneth laughed. “I guess we do.”
Arnold went over and wrapped his arms around Aedan.
“I’m Arnold Murphy. I’m glad you are home, Da.”
Gwyneth half-sobbed, half-laughed, but she was fully complete.
Epilogue
Four months later
Gwyneth smiled to herself a
s she placed Joy on the floor. The baby smiled up at her mother and cooed before rolling over on her belly. Joy was in the early stages of pulling herself up on things. Her little hands grabbing at every surface in the house.
It made Gwyneth’s heart melt.
She was confident that Joy would be walking by the time the little one growing in her stomach was born. She smiled to herself as she pressed her hand to her stomach.
She never thought her life would have so much joy in it. Even before she had come to Wildcat Ridge, she thought her life would be ordinary. She would marry and have a few children. She had hoped that she would love the person she was married to, but then learned that she had to tolerate her first husband. When he had died, she thought her life was over.
But now, as she looked at her young daughter on the floor, she realized that moving was the best thing she could have ever done. If Clint was alive now, she might even thank him for changing it for the better.
Kimama had been there earlier that morning. She immediately saw the change in Gwyneth and went over, placing her hands on Gwyneth’s belly. “It will be a strong boy, born when the trees paint their leaves.”
There was a clang of the door opening, and she saw the boys walk in with fresh game. Harley and Jess were carrying a basket of fish, while Arnold was holding a rabbit and a few birds. “Look what Da and I caught!”
Gwyneth smiled. The boys had truly integrated themselves as a family. Gwyneth was beside herself with happiness, but Aedan was even more so. He couldn’t beam with any more pride. She walked over to Aedan and gave him a long kiss. “I see you were very busy, husband.”
“Yes, as were you I see, wife,” he said as he looked at the table with the fresh bread she had just baked. “Arnold was amazing. He shot those all on his own.”
Arnold beamed with pride as Gwyneth went and hugged him. “You are so brave! Now go with your brothers to wash up.”
As the boys left, she turned to see Aedan playing with Joy. She was smiling and giggling at him, happy to be with her father. She was glad that he would be the one that she would know.
She looked towards the window in her kitchen at the darkening sky announcing snow was coming. She said a prayer thanking God for giving her the life that she had now. She didn’t know how she had become so lucky, but she would never forget to count her blessings.
About the Author
Christine Sterling lives in a pre-civil war farm house with her husband, three dogs – Morgan, Brandi and Samson, and about a dozen rescued barn cats. She has been writing since she was eight years old when her grandparents gave her a Sears & Roebuck typewriter with a hard-plastic cover for Christmas in 1977.
She spent her teen years crafting stories to include all her friends and then she discovered her true love -- romance when her beloved grandmother, Gigi, brought home a free promotional book from the Second Chance at Love Collection.
She was hooked and began to write and read every single romance book she could get her hands on. She has since authored and published many short stories, magazine articles, and the occasional novella. She has also ghost-authored and collaborated as a writing coach on many books.
She is passionate about writing, cooking, gardening, teaching others to write and publish their first book. She straddles the line between fiction and non-fiction, not only writing historical romances, but personal development books as well.
One of her big goals is to grow a 150lb pumpkin and feature it in the county fair.
She loves hearing from her fans and will answer every email personally. You can write her at [email protected].
.
Visit Christine on Social Media
Website
https://www.christinesterling.com/
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/ChristineSterlingBooks/
Amazon
amazon.com/author/christinesterling
Join my reader group
http://bit.ly/scrgroup
Join the Reader Team
Instantly get a free Chapter of A Bride for Jeremiah.
http://bit.ly/2CFGWlA
Plus the newsletter includes all this!
A free eBook: Each quarter I will give away a new book. It could be a short novella or a full-length novel or a journal. It could be part of my backlist or a brand-new story.
Book discounts and updates about my latest projects.
Updates on the Sweet Romance World and what new books are coming out!
Guest interviews, author profiles, and a chance to win a $5 Amazon Gift card just for reading the newsletter!
Reflections on writing, based on my experiences in commercial and independent publishing.
My newsletter is filled with wholesome stories, recipes, daring heroines, and swoon-worthy heroes.
You can unsubscribe at any time.
Upcoming Releases
The following are the books of The Widows of Wildcat Ridge in order of their release:
Book 1 Priscilla, by Charlene Raddon
Book 2 Blessing, by Caroline Clemmons
Book 3 Nissa, by Zina Abbott
Book 4 Gwyneth, by Christine Sterling
Book 5 Dulcina, by Linda Carroll-Bradd
Book 6 Josephine, by Kit Morgan
Book 7 Thalia, by Charlene Raddon
Book 8 Eleanora, by Pam Crooks
Book 9 Garnet, by Caroline Clemmons
Book 10 Grace, by Tracy Garrett
Book 11 Rosemary, by Kristy McCaffrey
Book 12 Clair, by Kit Morgan
Book 13 Cordelia, by Charlene Raddon
Book 14 Diantha, by Zina Abbott
Book 15 Hazelann, by Linda Carroll-Bradd
Book 16 Melanie, by Margaret Tanner
Book 17 Ophelia, by Charlene Raddon
Gwyneth Page 9