“But I thought we were going to ask him together--” Zeke glanced from Genevieve’s departing form to the preacher’s expectant face.
“Something you wish to ask, son?” Pastor Hammond offered a congenial smile.
Zeke suddenly had difficulty finding his tongue. “Well, sir. I realize this may seem a bit unorthodox from what was planned…it’s well…just that….”
Culver Daniels appeared at Zeke’s side.
“It’s just that he’d like to request you to marry him and Mrs. Walters.” His large hand landed on Zeke’s shoulder. “Ain’t that right, Zeke?”
Pastor Hammond looked at Zeke. “Well now, are those your wishes, son?”
Genevieve returned. Her face was aglow. Placed over her face, she wore the veil Birdie had made. In her hand she carried a small bouquet of juniper branches, tied with a gingham ribbon.
“What I’m trying to say, Pastor Hammond, is that by some miracle our lives have managed to come together again after all this time and--” Zeke seemed to suddenly stumble over his words, the realization of his dream coming true hit him.
Pastor Hammond reached in his pocket, searching for his watch. “Blast it all, where is that watch?” He mumbled, busy with searching his pockets for the lost article. “Please go on. I’m riveted, truly.”
Zeke scratched his chin. “As it happens, wouldn’t it satisfy one of the obligations required by the railroad if Genevieve and I to marry? Not that I feel any obligation, of course…”
“Of course, it’s because you love her.” Pastor Hammond squinted into his vest pocket.
Hearing it said out loud by another brought a warmth to his heart. Zeke grinned. “Yessir. It would be my profound honor and privilege to spend the rest of my days seeking to create a happy life with her.” He placed his arm around Genevieve. It was the most open he’d been about his feelings in years.
“Awwww,” arose a chorus of responses from the ladies present. Even a few of the men seemed to soften at Zeke’s heartfelt admission.
“I can’t think of a better reason than that, son.” preacher said. “I can’t see why it wouldn’t work. Of course, the final decision would rest with Percival and his uncle.” Pastor Hammond glanced up and smiled at the pinched-faced man, who stood with arms folded at the back of the saloon.
Percival crossed his skinny arms over his chest. “He didn’t draw a straw.”
Pastor Hammond tossed a grimace at the persnickety man. “We’ve had brides and groom changing places all week long, Percival. What’s the difference of one more?” The preacher looked to be exhausted. Zeke couldn’t blame him.
“The woman lives in Denver.”
All eyes turned to Genevieve.
Genevieve scanned their faces. “That is…was true.” She looked at the preacher. “May I explain?”
He nodded. “Of course.”
The pride on Genevieve’s face was unmistakable as she glanced around the room at each of the new brides. “Denver has nothing on the beauty and warmth of Noelle. And each of you has shown me an enterprising resilience and determination that is needed to make a community thrive. We’ll need women like you to teach our schools--”
“Schools?” Woody interjected. “When did we get a school?”
Pastor gave him a droll smile. “We haven’t yet, Woody. Go on, Mrs. Walters.”
“And we’ll need good midwives when the children start coming.” Genevieve smiled, looking at the women gathered there.
Pastor Hammond cleared his throat. “Yes, well it appears Noelle is going to be a busy place. Maybe we should get on with the marriage part before we start talking about children?”
Keiza’s little Jemimah wailed loudly as if on cue, causing a titter of laughter to ripple throughout the room.
Genevieve smiled. “What I’m trying to say is I think Noelle is a perfect place to bring ladies who are seeking new adventures in business and matrimony in the new west.” She looked at the preacher. “Once the railroad is established, Noelle is sure to thrive, and I would like to stay right here and be a part of that, along with the rest of you.”
She looked up at Zeke. In her eyes, he saw his future. Noelle’s future. “If life has taught me nothing else, Pastor Hammond, it’s made me a believer in possibility, in new beginnings—in second chances,” she said.
“That’s good enough for me!” Pastor Hammond clamped his hand over Zeke’s, clasping it together with Genevieve’s.
“If you’re ready?” He looked from one to another, then ushered them to the front of the seated group.
Birdie, who’d stayed at the front to adjust the veil, spoke softly to Genevieve. “It’s too bad there’s nothing to place on the tree with all the other lovely ornaments.”
Agatha Boonesbury stood from where she’d been sitting behind Gus Peregrine. “I believe Gus has something he could offer for the tree.”
Gus, his bushy brows knit over his amber-colored eyes, peered at Agatha. “I do believe yer misguided, madam.”
She narrowed her gaze. “Now Gus-Gus.” Agatha smiled at him. “Are you certain? Why, what’s that lovely gold chain dangling from your coat pocket.”
He pulled out the watch fob. “I found this out front,” Gus sputtered. “Laying on the walk. Fell clean between the cracks.”
“There’s my watch!” Pastor Hammond walked over to Gus. “It was my father’s. Thank you, Gus.” Taking his place in front of Zeke and Genevieve, Pastor Hammond smiled.
“Dearly beloved--”
“Pastor Hammond?” Zeke interrupted. “I have a gift for my bride. If I may?” Pastor Hammond checked his watch, cast a tolerant look to the ceiling, and nodded with a tolerant smile.
Zeke pulled out his harmonica and holding Genevieve’s gaze, played her the tune he played the night they had first kissed. When he finished she held out her hand, took the small red mouth pipe and carefully tucked it on the tree branches alongside the other ornaments—one for each of the wedded couples that had been mysteriously placed on the tree over the past few days.
Returning to Zeke, she placed her hands in his and together they faced Pastor Hammond.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here…”
About the Author
Amanda McIntyre’s storytelling is a natural offshoot of her artistic creativity. A visual writer, living in the rich tapestry of the American heartland, her passion is telling character-driven stories with a penchant (okay, some call it a wicked obsession) for placing ordinary people in extraordinary situations to see how they overcome the obstacles to their HEA. A bestselling author, her work is published internationally in Print, eBook, and Audio. She writes emotional contemporary and historical romance and truly believes, no matter what, love will always find a way. Learn more, subscribe to my newsletter, and join my social networks by visiting: amandamcintyresbooks.com
Other Books by Amanda McIntyre:
CONTEMPORARY WESTERN ROMANCE:
KINNISON LEGACY:
Rugged Hearts, Book I Wyatt & Aimee
Rustler’s Heart, Book II Rein & Liberty
Renegade Hearts, Book III Dalton & Angelique
All I Want for Christmas (Kinnison holiday novella)
LAST HOPE RANCH:
No Strings Attached, Book I
Worth the Wait, Book II (TBA)
END OF THE LINE, MONTANA:
Lost and Found/Crossover novella
Georgia on My Mind/Crossover Novella
Hurricane Season/KW Crossover Novella
KINDLEWORLD SINGLE TITLE:
Hurricane Season /End of the Line crossover novella
Thunderstruck/Hell Yeah Kindle World
Going Home /Sapphire Falls Kindle World
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE:
Stranger in Paradise
Tides of Autumn
Unfinished Dreams
Wish You Were Here
HISTORICAL:
A Warrior’s Heart
The Promise
Closer to You (formerly Wild & Unruly)<
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Christmas Angel (formerly Fallen Angel)
Tirnan ‘Oge
The Dark Seduction of Miss Jane
Find out how the series wraps up on the 12th day…
September 1876, Denver, Colorado
“There is no greater joy for a woman than the happiness one finds in a good marriage.” Genevieve Walters lifted a blue and white Wedgewood pot and carefully poured steaming tea into two china cups positioned on the small table within easy reach.
Penny debated whether to lift her cup by the slender handle, or use her fingers to circle the rim and pick it up that way. Or she might do better lifting it by the handle and putting her hand underneath, just in case the handle broke. That would be just her luck.
“Don’t you agree, Penelope?” Genevieve’s green eyes sparkled with intelligence and just a hint of design. She wasn’t asking an idle question. Though it should come as no surprise she felt as she did, being engaged in a benevolent mission to match up women who needed husbands with men looking for wives.
“I’m sure that’s true for most woman. However, I can’t say that I’ve found great happiness in marriage. Perhaps mine were too brief.” Penny lifted the cup by the handle while at the same time holding onto the saucer to catch any spills. “I’m sure you’re right, though. I’m delighted that you accepted my application for a position here at the Benevolent Society of Lost Lambs. I came out here looking for a way that I could be of service.”
“That’s exactly why I believe you would make a perfect bride for one of the gentlemen in Noelle.”
“What?”
The handle slipped in Penny’s fingers. She jerked up the saucer to catch it. The fragile china bottom of the cup broke off and hot tea went everywhere, burning her fingers in the process.
“Oh! Oh dear!” Penny tried to catch the broken teacup in her lap, but Genevieve leapt from her chair and pulled Penny to her feet, shaking her skirts and sending the china cup and saucer to the floor, along with the tea that hadn’t yet soaked in.
“Brush it off your skirt, dear! The hot tea will leak through and burn your legs.”
Her cheeks were the warmest part of her body at the moment. The tea hadn’t yet soaked through three wool petticoats and heavy stockings. “I’m so sorry!”
“It’s nothing that can’t be cleaned up.”
While Genevieve calmly retrieved the saucer, Penny collected the pieces of the broken cup. What rotten luck…and it seemed to have to gotten worse, not better, since she’d left Boston. Tears welled in her eyes. She’d so hoped this move would break the cycle, but it appeared she couldn’t escape her ill fortune.
“I’ll buy you a new cup.”
“Nonsense. I have more cups.” Genevieve handed Penny a tea towel. “Use this to mop up that tea on your dress. I have something that will remove the stains.”
“Perhaps I should go upstairs and change.”
“Before you leave, I want you to take this and read it. It’s a letter from a miner in Noelle. You know I’ve been trying to match up twelve men from that community. When I received this, I just knew in my heart this was for you.”
“I don’t think so… no, no I’m not interested in marrying again.”
“You may change your mind after you read his letter.” Genevieve held out an envelope.
Penny’s heart urged her to take it. But she’d lost two husbands. What made her think this third time would be the charm? If she remained single, she couldn’t be disappointed again…and she would never know if she had walked away from her only chance to find true love.
She took the envelope. “I’m not making a commitment. But I’ll read it, and let you know my decision tomorrow.”
Genevieve folded her hands in front of her and a gentle smile lifted her lips. “I have a feeling that you’ll find what you’re looking for in Noelle.”
Find out how the series ends…
The Drum by E.E. Burke - A bad luck bride, an exploding disaster…can Noelle be saved in just one day?
A wonderfully exceptional series! Get all twelve at Amazon! http://amzn.to/2ibnG7S
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