A Bride's Agreement

by Elaine Bonner

  “And to Jacob,” she said. “Do I continue to call you Toby?”

  He thought for a minute. “I am a white man who has been delivered by God through the Indians of this vast country time and time again. I’m proud of my experience with them, but I am Toby Carlson.”

  She reached out for his hand. “I’m so proud to be your wife. I love you no matter what you choose to be called.”

  “And I’m blessed to have the love of a fine woman.”

  On the shores of the sparkling Columbia River, the Cayuse helped Toby construct a raft. When it was completed, Toby and Sarah Jane bundled their few belongings together and turned to the Indians.

  “Thank you again,” Toby said, hearing his words swell with emotion. “You saved our lives.” He grasped the shoulder of the man wearing the horned headdress—the one Toby called a friend.

  “Remember to pray for our people.” The man smiled.

  “I give you my word. I do not even know your name.”

  “Names are of no purpose when God calls us brothers.”

  “I understand.” Toby stared into the man’s dark eyes. Peace and warmth radiated from the dark pools.

  “Your leg will heal without a limp.” The man paused. “God has healed your heart and your body. Show to others what He has done for you.”

  Toby nodded and swallowed hard. “God bless you, my friend and brother.”

  The Cayuse turned, and the men disappeared into the trees. Toby wrapped his arm around Sarah Jane. “God’s ways are mysterious,” he whispered and planted a kiss on her forehead. “With His guidance, I will never return to my black moods. I am a free man who knows his source of strength.”

  Sarah Jane leaned her head upon his chest as he balanced on his crutch. The rush of water whirled around them. “I am not afraid of what’s ahead.”

  He pulled her closer. “Neither am I.”

  EPILOGUE

  Toby, how will we know it’s Jacob?” Sarah Jane asked. Her gaze flitted from one man to another among the small crowd in Oregon City.

  “I don’t know. Maybe I should be carrying a sign stating ‘Looking for Jacob Carlson.’” He, too, searched all around them. Men, women, and children went about their business. “I wish I knew if he had a wife or what he looked like. We’ll ask for the nearest logging camp, talk to everyone we meet, and keep looking until we find him.”

  Sarah Jane held her breath. There, not ten feet in front of them, stood a man who looked identical to Toby: the same walnut-colored hair and beard, the same broad shoulders and stocky build. She tugged on Toby’s sleeve. He turned to the man.

  “Jacob?”

  The man stepped forward with outstretched arms. “Toby.”

  The two enveloped each other with hugs and laughter.

  Jacob stood back and shook his head. Tears streamed down his face. “I’ve prayed twenty-three years for this day. I heard from a Charles Greenham that you’d been left behind on his wagon train. Since that day, every time I got word of new emigrants making their way into Oregon City, I’ve been here.”

  Toby wrapped his arm around Sarah Jane’s waist. “This is my wife, Sarah Jane.”

  Jacob first grasped her hand, then pulled her into his arms. “Welcome, my sister. If the good Lord took me home this hour, I would live in gratitude for seeing Toby and his bride before me today.”

  “Thank you.” Tears trickled down Sarah Jane’s face, and she quickly whisked them away.

  “We have years to catch up, little brother.” Jacob turned to Toby and laughed long and hard. “I have so much to tell, and I want to hear about the years you spent with the Kiowa.”

  “When can we get started?” Toby asked. He paused and nodded as though pleased with life and everything in it.

  “Tonight,” Jacob said. He grasped Toby’s shoulder. “And what are your plans now that you are here?”

  Toby shrugged. “To find work, maybe farm.”

  “I could use a partner at the beginnings of a lumber camp—if it suits you.”

  Sarah Jane felt her emotions rise to the surface. She knew Toby’s desire to work with his brother.

  “That would suit me just fine. God does listen to the prayers of the heart,” Toby said. He gazed into Sarah Jane’s eyes, then looked at Jacob. “He’s answered every one of mine.”

  ABOUT THE AUTHORS

  ELAINE BONNER lives in north Texas where she works as a registered nurse. When not working or writing, she loves to spend time doting on her three grandchildren. Her goal is to portray through her writing the importance of having Christ in the center of life.

  RAMONA K. CECIL is a wife, mother, grandmother, freelance poet, and award-winning inspirational romance writer. Now empty nesters, she and her husband make their home in Indiana. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers and American Christian Fiction Writers Indiana Chapter, her work has won awards in a number of inspirational writing contests. Over eighty of her inspirational verses have been published on a wide array of items for the Christian gift market. She enjoys a speaking ministry, sharing her journey to publication while encouraging aspiring writers. When not writing, her hobbies include reading, gardening, and visiting places of historical interest.

  NANCY J. FARRIER is an award-winning author of numerous books, articles, short stories, and devotions living in Southern California. She is married and the mother of five children and one grandson. Nancy feels called to share her faith with other through her writing.

  JOANN A. GROTE lives on the Minnesota prairie which is a setting for many of her stories. Once a full-time CPA, JoAnn now spends most of her time researching and writing. JoAnn has published historical nonfiction books for children and several novels with Barbour Publishing as well as the American Adventure and Sisters in Time series for children. Several of her novellas are included in CBA best-selling anthologies by Barbour Publishing. JoAnn’s love of history developed when she worked at an historical restoration in North Carolina for five years. She enjoys researching and weaving her fictional characters’ lives into historical backgrounds and events. JoAnn believes that readers can receive a message of salvation and encouragement from well-crafted fiction. She captivates and addresses the deeper meaning between life and faith.

  DIANN MILLS is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.

  Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian Fiction category for Firewall.

  DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers; the 2015 president of the Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope & Love chapter; and a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association and International Thriller Writers. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

  DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.