Biker Romance: Never Love an Exile (Exile Love Biker MC Series Book 3)

by Summers, Kara

  “May I suggest we start with a salad, followed by steak and baked potato, and for desert well have some cheese cake,” Clara suggested, and everyone nodded their approval.

  The evening had turned out to be lovely and we had thoroughly enjoyed being together. Rose and I had so many ideas for Clara’s office we totally forgot about Jason alone in the front of the carriage. He looked back at his wife and smiled.

  “Don’t forget Clara said you should take it easy,” he reminded.

  “Oh we’re alright Jason, besides women have babies every day,” she said with a wave of her hand.

  “Well maybe so but it would make me feel better if you took it easy.. Eden it’s your job to keep her from get over tired,” he said.

  “Yes sir!” I saluted him and Rose and I collapsed in a fit of giggles.

  “So have you picked out names yet?” I asked when we regained our composure.

  Rose looked at me shyly. “We were thinking of Bannon Saunders for a boy. That way he would be both family names.”

  “Papa would like that,” I said without thinking.’’

  Rose nodded and held back the tears.

  “Oh Rose, there’s no need to cry!” I tried to comfort her “Papa will come around. Even though he’s too stubborn to admit it out loud, I know he’s excited.”

  Rose wiped at her eyes and nodded, not sure if she believed me or not.

  “What about a girl’s name?” I asked, trying to change the subject.

  She looked at me and put her head down. “Oh no, don’t tell me you’re going to name that poor baby something like Beatrice or Agnes or-”

  I saw a smile come to her face and she looked up. “Eden Ciara is the name we decided on.”

  Her words came as a total shock..

  “Jason said I missed you so much that the only thing to thing to do was to name our daughter after you. That way my Eden would always be with me.”

  Then it was my turn to cry.

  Clara, Rose, and I were so busy, I hardly noticed two months had passed by. It was a slow afternoon when I decided to fill out one of the questionnaires in Clara’s office. I had never intended to place it on Clara’s desk but somehow it ended up there. It was early afternoon when Clara called me in her office.

  “Eden dear, I see you filled out a questionnaire. Are you interested in a young man from back home or-”

  “Oh no!” I interrupted her. “It’s just that I see so many woman fill these out and they struggle with some of the questions. I thought maybe if I filled one out, I might be able to better help them. I don’t know how that ended up on your desk.” “What a wonderful idea,” Clara said, beaming. “You’re always thinking of the clients. I like that.”

  Later that day Clara placed my questions in the active file without my knowledge She proceeded to write to Clayton telling him she’d like him to read the profile of a young lady she felt would be a great new writer for his company.

  Three weeks later Clayton Reeves, on his way back to Boston, stopped in Colorado Springs to see Clara and this mysterious woman who was perfect for his company.

  Chapter Five

  It was a sunny morning when Clayton walked into the office and I looked up, startled to see him standing in front of my desk. “Well hello there,” he said with a smile.

  All I could do was smile back. It took me a few minutes to compose myself. He was as I remembered, tall and handsome with eyes that twinkled when he smiled.

  “Fancy running into you here,” he offered.

  I finally regained my composure and answered him. “Yes, quite the irony isn’t it?” I wasn’t sure if I should tip my hand and let him know that I knew about his conversation with Clara but I decided to play coy and let him make a move.

  “Clara told me you’d be stopping by, she’s expecting you,” I said and waved my hand toward her office..”

  “Thank you,” he said as he walked to the door, gently knocked, and went in.

  It was all I could do to keep from putting my ear to the door to listen to what was being said. Luckily, a prospective client walked in and I busied myself with helping her navigate the questionnaire.

  It was nearing lunchtime and Clara and Clayton were still holed up in Clara’s office discussing who knows what. I had promised to meet Rose in town to pick out fabric for curtains for the nursery so I left a note for Clara that I would be back later and turned the sign to ‘closed.’

  It was late afternoon when I got back to Clara’s Place and I found

  Clara at my desk. I noticed, with some disappointment, that Clayton was nowhere to be found.

  “Where is Clayton?” I asked, trying to feign nonchalance.

  Clara smiled up at me, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. “He’s back in my room at the hotel resting from his trip,” she said. “Why don’t you join us for dinner tonight?” she asked.

  I wasn’t quite sure I could sit through a dinner with Clayton without turning bright red at his every look but I hated to be rude to Clara.

  “Yes, that would be very nice,” I said.

  “Well, I don’t think we will be seeing much more action here today,” Clara said. “Why don’t we close up and get on home?”

  I set about closing the place up for the night, making sure curtains were closed and the door locked. I walked with Clara to the hotel and hailed myself a coach back to Rose’s.

  “I’ll see you tonight dear, seven o’clock sharp,” Clara said, patting my arm.

  I climbed into the coach and groaned out loud. What had I gotten myself into?

  When I arrived at Rose’s house, I nearly tripped up the front steps in my effort to get inside.

  “Good Lord, Eden. What on Earth is wrong with you?” she asked, taking one look at my red face.

  I sat down heavily at the table and Rose gestured for Martha to bring me a glass of water. I gulped the cold liquid and set the glass down a little harder than I had intended, startling even myself.

  “He’s here,” I finally managed to say. “He’s here and I have to have dinner with him tonight.”

  “Wait, who’s here?” Rose asked

  “Clayton Reeves, Clara’s nephew,” I sputtered.

  Rose sat back and smiled. “Ah, the handsome gentleman you spoke of in your journal. The one with the ‘dreamy eyes,'” she said.

  I nearly died of embarrassment right then. “I can’t believe you read my journal!” I said loudly.

  “Well you left it out in the open,” Rose said defensively.

  “Oh Rose, what am I going to do? I think Clara is trying to get us together,” I said, starting to panic.

  “And what is so wrong with that?” Rose wanted to know.

  “Oh Rose, he’d never want a girl like me. He comes from a wealthy family and surely wants a girl who is refined. I froze when looking at the menu at Clara’s hotel!” I said, mortified. “I can’t go, I just can’t. I’ll make a fool of myself,” I whined.

  “Now you stop right there Eden O’Bannon. Any man would be lucky to have you on his arm,” Rose scolded. “So what if you don’t know exactly which fork to use for which course? A man worthy of you will love you for who you are, not for your table manners.”

  With that, Rose ushered me upstairs where she helped me wash and set my hair and rouge my cheeks. She lent me a gown in a beautiful deep purple and helped me to fasten the buttons.

  Once I was dressed and my hair was fastened away from my face with a pair of pearl barrettes, Rose stood back and looked me over.

  “Oh Eden, you are so lovely,” she whispered.

  We went downstairs and Jason, who was waiting to escort me to the hotel, let out a low whistle.

  “It’s a good think Clara is going to be there to chaperone you two,” he said with a wink.

  I walked into the dining room and spotted Clara and Clayton sitting at a table near the window. Clayton’s eyes found me and he stopped in mid-sentence, his mouth hanging open as he stared. Suddenly I felt claustrophobic and had to fight the urge to
run from the room. Clara said something to Clayton that broke the spell and he rose at once, coming to escort me to the table.

  “Miss Eden, you look absolutely stunning,” he said, taking my hand and leading me across the room.

  Clara rose to give me a peck on the cheek as we approached the table. “My dear, you are a sight!” she exclaimed gleefully.

  I noticed Clara look between Clayton and I with a knowing smile but ignored it. All could focus on right now was not embarrassing myself in front of these two who had much more experience with fine dining and etiquette.

  “So Eden, how are you liking Colorado Springs so far?” Clayton asked once we were all settled in our seats.

  “I am loving it here,” I admitted. “The sunsets are spectacular and the people are very friendly.”

  “Yes, Aunt Clara has told me some stories of the people you’ve met at her agency. Some of them have very interesting backgrounds.”

  “Yes, that is very true,” I replied.

  “And what about you?” Clayton asked. “Have you given any thought to filling out one of Aunt Clara’s questionnaires?”

  “Good Heavens, no!” I exclaimed, blushing hotly. “I mean, I pass no judgement on those who do but it’s just not for me,” I quickly explained, not wanting to insult my employer and friend.

  Clayton nodded thoughtfully. “Well if you were to fill one out, what would it say?” he asked curiously.

  I picked up my water glass and took a long drink to quench my parched throat. Good Lord this man and his questions made me nervous. I wondered where he was going with this line of questioning but thought to myself that he was just trying to make small talk and I didn’t want to seem rude. I cleared my throat.

  “Well I guess I would say that I am looking for someone to share my life with, to be a true partner. Someone who is educated and likes to read,” I said.

  “And what about travel?” Clara asked.

  “Well yes, that would be nice as well. My trip to Colorado has piqued my interest in what else there is to see in the world,” I answered.

  “What about looks?” she asked.

  “What about them?” I replied.

  “Well do you like tall men?”

  “Yes.”

  “Blonde hair or dark?”

  “Blonde I suppose.”

  “Blue eyes or brown?”

  “Blue-“ I stopped speaking and my cheeks flushed a deep red as I looked to Clayton who was staring at me with a dazzling smile. I quickly looked away from him and swung my eyes in Clara’s direction. She looked like the cat that ate the canary, with a smile as bright as the sun. I was mortified to realize that I had just described Clayton Reeves to a tee.

  “Um, excuse me, I think I need some air,” I said, rising from the table. I gathered up my skirts and all but ran out of the dining room and out onto the patio. I took large gulps of fresh night air and jumped slightly when I felt Clayton’s hand on my elbow.

  “Eden are you alright?” he asked, sounding worried.

  I swallowed and nodded, willing my heart to slow to its normal rhythm. Clayton guided me over to a chair and helped me to sit. He perched on the chair next to me and took my hand in his.

  “Do you know what my questionnaire would say?” he asked softly.

  I shook my head, unable to speak.

  “It would say that I am looking for a spirited woman who loves her family so much that she would travel across the country by herself to be with them. A woman who befriends old ladies and helps them start a business. I would say that I’m looking for a woman who writes about her journey but is too modest to thing anyone else would be interested in her story. I would say that I want you, Eden,” Clayton finished, bringing my hand to his lips.

  “Oh Clayton, I don’t know what to say,” I gushed, my cheeks burning bright.

  “Say you’ll come back inside and finish dinner before Aunt Clara sends out a search party,” he chuckled.

  I nodded my head and allowed Clayton to lead me back into the dining room.

  The next several days were spent getting to know Clayton better. Clara declared herself able to handle the agency alone for a few afternoons, allowing Clayton and I to stroll through the streets of the city. We visited a few shops where I picked out some fabric for clothes for Rose’s baby, as well as shops where Clayton bought me sweets and flowers.

  What our courtship lacked in length, it made up for in intensity. After just one weeks’ time, Clayton and I knew without a doubt that we wanted to be together forever. Clara, Rose, and Jason were all thrilled for us and Clara and Rose couldn’t wait to start planning the wedding.

  There was just one obstacle left to overcome.

  Chapter Six

  For the next two weeks Clayton was in upstate New York convincing papa and mama that he would make me a good husband. Papa was reluctant to let his baby girl go, and so far away, but mama reminded him of what his stubbornness had done to their relationship with Rose. Papa finally agreed to give Clayton my hand and when I received that word, Rose and I danced for joy. Well, I danced, Rose waddled.

  Clayton needed to be in Boston for a few months to take care of the publishing company and I missed him terribly but we wrote to one another regularly. The days were growing shorter and the air took on a distinct chill. Winter was approaching, and with that, Rose’s due date. Things at the agency had slowed while everyone was getting their crops and cattle ready for the approaching cold so I was able to stay close to home with Rose.

  November third at four in the morning Bannon Saunders was born. He had his mother’s red hair and a pair of lungs that would wake up the neighborhood. I looked at my beautiful sister with her husband and child and I felt truly happy. I pictured that one day, Rose would be the one at the foot of the bed looking on at me with Clayton and our child. There was so much to be hopeful for now.

  With Rose recovered from having Bannon I felt it was time I headed back home. I said my goodbyes to them all and climbed in the coach to start my long journey home. I sat by the window and watched the landscape in reverse. I let my mind wander to Clayton, wondering what he was doing and if he was still as excited about marrying me as he had been nearly six months ago now. I closed my eyes and dozed, only to wake moments later with the feeling that I was being watched. Before I could even open my eyes and look up, I heard a voice that I knew so well.

  “Excuse me ma’am is this seat taken?”

  I smiled at up at him, “well I was saving it for a handsome gentleman, but I suppose you’ll do just fine,” I said, teasing.

  “Do you travel much?” he said, settling down beside me.

  “Not really,” I said. “I am just returning from visiting my sister in Colorado.”

  “Colorado is a beautiful state. I was there for a bit myself,” he said.

  “Oh? And how was your stay?” I asked.

  “It was perfect really. I went to visit my aunt and ended up falling hopelessly in love with a beautiful girl. I think I want to marry her,” he said.

  It took everything in me not to jump out of my seat. “Oh?” I said coyly. “And do you think she wants to marry you?”

  Clayton reached into his pocket and pulled out a yellow diamond ring with rubies on each side. “Well what do you think? Do you think she’ll say yes to this?” he asked.

  “Oh Clayton it’s beautiful!” I exclaimed.

  “So you’ll marry me then? Please say yes, Eden. You’ll make me the happiest man in the world,” Clayton said.

  Tears sprung to my eyes and I threw my arms around his neck. “Yes, Clayton, yes I will marry you,” I said as he slipped the ring onto my finger.

  Mama and papa were at the station when we arrived and we were married two months later. Rose, Jason, and Bannon were there for the wedding and even Clara made the trip. Papa was excited, both his girls were married and happy. He made a toast at our reception and said he would like to have a few more grandchildren like Bannon.

  Rose spoke first. “Well Eden, you h
eard the man!”

  With that, everyone clinked their glasses and toasted our future.

  THE END

  Mail Order Bride: Mari’s Child

  Chapter One

  Mari sighed softly as she felt the wind blow through her golden curls. It was a beautiful day and she couldn’t think of any other way she’d rather be spending it. Her best friend, Brian, was laying in the grass beside her staring up at the clouds as they moved through the clear blue sky.

  Her fingers snaked through the grass, enjoying the feel of it against her skin as she tangled her fingers with his and turned her head, offering a smile.

  “It’s such a lovely day, isn’t?” she hummed.

  Even though she was a child she still enjoyed the beauty of nature and was thankful for particularly beautiful days. Brian smiled and nodded.

  “It is. But only because we’re together,” he mused, turning to catch her sapphire gaze.

  Their eyes met and her cheeks turned pink. At fifteen, the two youngsters were coming up quickly on the age at which they would be expected to marry. And at thirteen, they knew they wanted to spend the rest of their lives with each other. Mari and Brian had known each other their entire lives. Their families would also have been more than happy to see them fall in love and live out their lives together. It seemed like the perfect match and one that was rarely seen in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.

  Most people from their small town married out of desperation rather than love. Some married for money, and others married because their families could no longer afford to feed them. It was a time when a girl was expected to be married by nineteen or she was considered to be broken in a way that no man could fix.

  Mari didn’t want to fall victim to that mentality, and as long as Brian was here she knew she wouldn’t. He would always be there to love her and take care of her and that was really all she could ask of him.

  She sighed and turned to face him, the grass tickling her cheek as she took in his perfectly browned skin. Years working on his father’s farm had toughened his skin and tanned it to a handsome glow. She reached out and brushed her delicate fingers against his arm.