“Is it too hard for you to believe you were wrong? That Jack is the killer? He's sitting in jail at this moment, telling the sheriff everything. Including your part in the destruction of the vineyard. Do you want to add murder to your list of crimes as well?”
He waved the gun in his hand at Daniel.
“Shut up! Change of plans. I'm going to kill Katie. I'm going to kill you and make it appear as if you had a lovers quarrel, which everyone in town knows you did. No one will question whether you killed Katie or not,” Frank said, walking towards Daniel.
Daniel noticed his shoulder was hanging at an odd angle and blood was oozing down his shirt. “What happened to your shoulder? Looks like someone stabbed you.” He lowered his voice. “Remember how we wrestled in college? Remember how I always won?”
Frank's eyes widened and with a scream he lifted the gun.
Seeing the weapon aimed at his chest a spark of fear zinged up Daniel's spine. He dropped and rolled on the floor, slamming into Frank's legs, knocking him down. The gun exploded. Wrestling on the floor, he grabbed Frank's wounded arm, and yanked it behind him while Frank screamed in pain.
Daniel twisted the gun from his hand. Doubling up his fist, he punched him in the face and he slumped unconscious on the ground. When Daniel saw Frank was out, he stood and hurried to Katie. He yanked the cloth from her mouth.
“Are you all right?”
“I'm fine,” she said. “So glad to see you. I should never have left you and the vineyard. I should have stayed and fought for you.”
Quickly he untied her and then pulled her into his arms. “No, you were right to leave. I'm sorry, Katie. I should never have come in and yelled at you this afternoon. Please forgive me.
“I was wrong to think you were the one doing the damage to the vineyard. I know it was Jack and Frank. When I came home the house was cold and empty without you. I love you, Katie, I want to spend my life with you. Have babies and grow old, please forgive me. Stay and I promise I'll trust you from now until eternity.”
She smiled at him and wrapped her arms around him. “I love you, Daniel. Almost as soon as I got to town, I regretted leaving. I love the life we're creating together. I want to be by your side and learn about wine and raise your children.”
He smiled at his mail-order bride, his heart filled with warmth.
“I love you Katie Maverick O'Malley. You've stormed into my life and filled it with sunshine and laughter, and please don't ever leave me ever again. I need you.”
She laughed. That delightful sound that always made him smile. “I love you, Daniel. I love our vineyard and think we will have a very bright future selling wine and raising grapes and children.”
Squeezing her tightly to him, he kissed the tip of her nose and then her lips. “I'm ready to take you home, where you belong.”
With a smile she wrapped her arm around his waist and then she pulled back, her eyes widening. “Daniel, I found signed contracts. All they needed was your signature.”
“They're invalid. We won't lose the vineyard. I'll never sign.”
He closed his eyes. His best friend, a person he considered his brother. Frank's betrayal consumed him, filling him with rage, his stomach clenching. He hated that his best friend, a man he trusted, tried to ruin him.
A noise from behind startled Daniel and as he whirled seeing Frank reaching for the gun. He raised it toward Katie and he stepped in front of her as the gun went off.
The sound of a second shot, surprised him as the bullet slammed into his shoulder and he was falling towards the floor. He slumped onto his wife's soft body, managing to break his fall to keep from hurting her.
Pain radiated from his shoulder as the sheriff rushed into the office. Darkness started to descend and he heard Katie screaming. “No.”
#
December 20, 1890
Dear Genny and Julia,
So much has happened since my last letter. I would tell you about the events, but then you would worry about me, so I'm just going to tell you that our home is happy and filled with love.
Even Mother O'Malley has changed and we are good friends. Sometimes there are reasons why people are so angry and I learned she had every reason to be unhappy. But that is all in the past and Daniel and I are so blessed.
I'm expecting our first child sometime in late August. We're both excited and his mother is busy knitting blankets for the little one. I'm thrilled to be starting our family and can't wait to see our child.
Of course, I worry with the death of my family that my child could become an orphan, but I try not to let those thoughts intrude. And even if it happens, I know my mother and father's presence is what guided me. If the worst happens, I will guide this child as well.
I thank the good Lord every day for sending me to Daniel. He's become an excellent husband who I love so very much. Though the first months was extremely rocky, we have now settled the issues and are partners building our wine business, preparing for the future.
May this letter find both of you happy and celebrating the holidays. As always, I miss you and hope if ever you are near, you will spend time at our home. I know with the baby coming, I won't be able to visit you, but someday, my friends, we will be reunited.
As always, I keep you in my prayers and know the factory fire we all hated was a blessing in disguise. Happy holidays to you and yours.
Much love,
Katie
#
New Year's Eve, Daniel stared at the people seated at their dinner table. His wife had once again outdone herself. The atmosphere was happy and everyone was celebrating the holidays.
His shoulder was still bandaged but healing nicely, though his wife would not let him do anything strenuous around the vineyard. But his new foreman had kept things running and came to the house every day to give him a full report on the vines and even the wine.
His mother was happier than she'd been in years. She seemed to be thriving with the company they were now having since he had been completely cleared in Eloise's death. And while he hated that Frank, his best friend had been killed by the sheriff, he couldn't help but think the man he'd been friends with had ceased to exist years ago.
Jack Edwards confessed to killing Eloise and was on trial for her murder. Daniel was relieved to finally put this all behind him, and felt relieved Eloise would receive justice for her premature death.
Next year looked to be the best year the vineyard had to date, but there was something even more exciting to look forward to and he couldn't wait to tell everyone.
He rose from the dinner table and walked over to the chair where his wife sat. He stood in front of her, gazing at her bemused expression. “Thank you all for spending New Year’s Eve with my family. My wonderful mother, Betty. Katie, my ray of sunshine, I love so very much and have a surprise for.”
He turned her chair to face him. “When you got off the train, I had no intention of marrying you that day. When I look back and think I almost let you go, it frightens me. We had a rushed ceremony and I had no ring. You never even received a proper proposal of marriage from me, just a letter Frank had written.”
Sighing he dropped to one knee, pulled the ring box out of his pocket and opened it to a sparkling band with tiny diamonds surrounding an emerald. Katie’s eyes widened and her hands flew up to her face. “I want to make it up to you. Katie Maverick O’Malley, will you do me the honor and marry me again, in a church this time?”
She threw her arms around his neck and whispered in his ear. “Of course, I will. And it would be wonderful to have a ceremony with your mother and our friends there. And baby O’Malley growing inside me.”
He leaned back and slid the ring on her hand. She kissed him on the lips, as a tear slid down her cheek.
“I love you, Daniel.”
He smiled. “Don’t ever leave me, Katie, I have more love for you than my heart can hold.
Sighs were heard around the table and several of the women were wiping their eyes, including h
is mother.
He stood and pulled Katie to her feet. Picking up his wine glass he raised it in the air and everyone followed his example. “A toast to my lovely bride. We've been blessed this year and next year looks to be the best year ever for both our vineyard and our personal lives. My beautiful wife is expecting our first child sometime next summer and I couldn't be happier. To the coming year.”
When life looked so very bleak, Frank had brought him Katie, his bright ray of sunlight that had chased away his demons and helped him clear his name. Katie, his American Bride.
<<<<>>>>
Thank You For Reading!
Dear Reader,
Thank you. I know I say this at the end of every book, but I do so because we’ve just shared an experience together. Without you, my stories would all just be words on paper.
If you enjoyed reading this book, there are 49 more in the series! Find out about the rest of the American Mail-Order Brides here, http://www.newwesternromance.com
As always, If you’re inclined, I would appreciate you letting everyone know by leaving a few words on your favorite vendors website. Whether or not you loved the book or hated, it-I’d enjoy your feedback. Here is a link to my author page on Amazon. You can find all my books listed there along with a video on My Lipstick and Lead series. Click the follow button to learn when a new book is released.
If you enjoy western historical authors, please join the Pioneer Hearts group on Facebook. This is a fabulous group of readers and authors who enjoy westerns. Pioneer Hearts Facebook Group
Sign up for my newsletter if you’d like to learn about my new releases as soon as possible, at: Newsletter
Reading one of my books is like spending time with me, and I just want to say Thank You from the bottom of my heart.
Yours in Drama, Divas, Bad Boys and Romance!
Sincerely,
Sylvia McDaniel
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Julia
Sheriff Fletcher Adams has no intention of taking a wife, but when mail order bride Julia Benson is stranded at the train station after her intended husband rejects her, it starts to seem like a good idea.
Too bad she doesn’t agree.
Available now on Amazon
Genevieve
A warehouse fire in Lawrence, Massachusetts has taken Genevieve “Genny” Copeland’s livelihood, but opened a new opportunity for her. If she takes the chance, she could have the family she’s always dreamed of but it would mean leaving everything she’s always known. Believing that opportunity only knocks once, Genny gets on a train west to Elko, Nevada and a new life. She becomes a mail-order bride.
Stuart MacDonnell lost his wife in child-birth six months ago. Now he’s left to raise a 2 year-old and a 6 month-old baby alone. He needs a wife but doesn’t want to court someone and pretend to be in love. He’ll never love again, but he needs a wife now and orders a mail-order bride.
Can Stuart and Genny come together and find happiness when they are at odds with each other? Will they find common ground and will love bloom amid the beautiful Ruby Mountains of Nevada?
Available now on Amazon
Abigail
Women Wanted – Feisty, Head Strong Women Need Not Apply
In New Hope, Texas women like children, are to be seen and not heard. Their only job in life is to marry, procreate and be a loyal, obedient wife. Thus the shortage of available women. Until, Abigail Vanderhooten is unexpectedly called home, her head filled with ideas of changing the world where a woman can own a business and have a bank account. This little rebel is determined to bring the town’s laws into the nineteenth century, even if it means sacrificing her reputation.
Jack Turner likes being the mayor in a small, quiet western town where the biggest rabble rousers are cowboys on Saturday night. Everything is about to change when Abigail Vanderhooten, a tiny sprite of a woman returns to town, ready to take on the local laws. While trying to keep the town from splitting apart, he’s surprised how her strong spirit captivates him. And he’s shocked when she manages to worm her way into his bachelor heart, with her controversial ideas of women earning a living the same as a man.
With a woman’s revolution brewing, will Jack be forced to run her out of town, before he has a chance to convey how she’s changed him. Or will Abigail give up on New Hope, Texas and return to Boston?
Can love blossom and change a woman and a man with different ideals?
Available now on Amazon
Books By Sylvia McDaniel
Western Historicals
A Hero's Heart
The Burnett Brides Series
The Rancher Takes a Bride
The Outlaw Takes a Bride
The Marshal Takes A Bride
The Christmas Bride
Boxed Set
The Burnett Brides
Lipstick and Lead
Desperate
Deadly
Dangerous
Daring
Determined
Deceived – Coming Soon
Scandalous Suffragette Brides
Abigail
Bella – Coming Soon
Callie – Coming Soon
Southern Historical Romance
A Scarlet Bride
American Brides Series
Katie – November 2015
The Surprise Brides
Ethan
The Cuvier Women
Wronged
Betrayed
Bequiled
Boxed Set
The Cuvier Women
Contemporary Romance
My Sister's Boyfriend
The Wanted Bride
The Relationship Coach
Boxed Set
Kisses, Laughter & Love
Christmas Romance
The Reluctant Santa
Short Sexy Reads
Racy Reunions Series
Paying For the Past
Cupid’s Revenge – Coming Soon
Author Bio
Sylvia McDaniel
Sylvia McDaniel is a best-selling, award-winning author of western historical romance and contemporary romance novels. Known for her sweet, funny, family-oriented romances, Sylvia is the author of The Burnett Brides a historical western series, The Cuvier Widows, a Louisiana historical series, Lipstick and Lead, a western historical series and several short contemporary romances.
Former President of the Dallas Area Romance Authors, a member of the Romance Writers of America®, and a member of Novelists Inc, her novel, A Hero’s Heart was a 1996 Golden Heart Finalist. Several other books have placed or won in the San Antonio Romance Authors Contest, LERA Contest, and she was a Golden Network Finalist.
Married for nearly twenty years to her best friend, they have one dachshund that reigns Queen Supreme over the house and a good-looking, grown son who thinks there’s no place like home. She loves gardening, hiking, shopping, knitting and football (Cowboys and Bronco’s fan), but not necessarily in that order.
Sign up for Sylvia’s newsletter at www.SylviaMcDaniel.com
Visit Sylvia’s website at www.SylviaMcDaniel.com
Follow Sylvia on twitter at www.twitter.com/SylviaJMcDaniel
Join Sylvia on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SylviaMcDanielAuthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/150774.Sylvia_McDaniel
You can write to Sylvia at P.O. Box 2542, Coppell, TX 75019 or visit her website.
Copyright
Copyright © 2015 by Sylvia McDaniel
All Rights Reserved
Published by Virtual Bookseller, LLC
Cover Design: RomCon - www.romcon.com
eBook formatting by Ink Lion Books
Release date: November 2015
This book and parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise—without prior written permission of the author and publisher, except as provided by the United States
of America copyright law. The only exception is by a reviewer who may quote short excerpts in a review.
Table Of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Julia
Genevieve
Abigail
Books By Sylvia McDaniel
Author Bio
Copyright
Katie: Bride of Virginia (American Mail-Order Brides 10) Page 13