Lawfully Taken

by Elle E Kay

  “The views are magnificent, Nathaniel.”

  “They are. The Creator of heaven and earth made this place extra special.”

  “Yes, He did.”

  Nate enjoyed seeing her face as she took in her surroundings, including the log cabin with the porch wrapped around the house, so you could view the surroundings from every angle.

  “Can we go inside?”

  He dismounted Sunfire and reached for Adeline. “Let’s go in.”

  Anna was on the ground before he could help her dismount. “You two go ahead. I’ll get the horses settled. I see the paddock and barn,” Anna offered.

  “Are you sure? I don’t mind taking care of the horses.”

  “You two are newlyweds going home together the first time. I think I’d prefer to spend my first couple of hours with the horses.”

  Nate chuckled. “I think I see your point. Let yourself in when you’re done out here. I pay the neighbors kid, Jeb, to take care of the livestock when I’m away. I think he’s fifteen now. He can show you around if you run into him. Otherwise, I’ll show you both around the property tomorrow.”

  Adeline moved a cobweb out of her way as she entered through the front door. “I see you don’t have a housekeeper.”

  “I do now.” He laughed.

  She punched him in the arm. “It’s sparsely furnished for such a lovely home.”

  “You can change it to suit your needs.”

  “Don’t you mean our needs?”

  “Yes, our needs.”

  “I’d say it is definitely in need of a womanly touch.”

  “And you’re the ideal woman for the job.” He bent over and kissed her.

  She touched his shirt where it was soaked with blood. “Nathaniel, did you rip out more stitches?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  She ripped at his shirt to see his wound. “If you want to get me out of my clothes, all you had to do was ask.”

  “It’s not time to be funny. You’re bleeding.”

  “Concern is cute on you, love.”

  “You’re insufferable. Where are the bandages?”

  “In the kitchen.”

  She went in search of them and when she returned he’d removed his shirt and was standing there waiting for her.

  “You are beautiful,” Adeline said.

  “Not the words a man longs to hear.”

  “Handsome?”

  “I’ll take it. Although, I’m not certain a man can be handsome with a gaping hole in his side.”

  He longed to take her in his arms, but knew she would protest if he didn’t let her change his dressing again.

  ∞∞∞

  Adeline admired her husband’s physique. She longed to run her fingers along his muscular arms and curl up beside him once again, but this was not the time for fulfilling such desires. It was time to wrap his wound and stop the bleeding. “You’re going to need to rest, Nathaniel.”

  “I still like the way you say my name.”

  She swatted away his hand when he reached for her. “Not now. You need to rest.”

  “Some things are more important than rest.” He stilled while she wrapped the bandage around his body.

  Her fingers itched to touch him, and as if he read her mind, he took her hand and placed it over his heart. She could hardly breathe. He gathered her into his arms and carried her to their bedroom. “We can finish the tour later,” he whispered. She wanted to admonish him for lifting her when he was supposed to be taking it easy, but didn’t want to ruin the moment.

  Anna rejoined them as Adeline was preparing dinner. There wasn’t much to work with, but Nathaniel promised to go into town soon and get whatever she needed to stock the pantry.

  She wandered out on the porch and walked over to the rail, watching the sun begin it’s descent. She could see herself being happy here with Nathaniel. Hopefully, they’d be raising a family of their own here. She rested her hand on her belly. Her hopes were high and her spirit soared.

  Nathaniel came up behind her and pulled her in close. “You smell appetizing.”

  “Do I?”

  “Yes.”

  “I guess that’s what happens when I spend the afternoon cooking.”

  “I like it.” He kissed her neck.

  She turned into his embrace. “This feels perfect.”

  “Yes, it does.”

  He released her and leaned over the porch rail to admire the sunset.

  “Do you think your brother will come to our wedding celebration?”

  “Once we have a date set, I’ll send a telegram, but he doesn’t always get them immediately.”

  “I hope to meet him soon.”

  “You will. Even if he doesn’t make the celebration, he’ll come to see us soon.”

  “How can you be sure?”

  “He’s my brother.”

  “What’s it like to have a sibling?”

  “It’s pleasant now. Growing up it was harder. He was always messing with my stuff.”

  She laughed.

  “What’s this your father tells me about a new job?”

  “It was supposed to be a surprise. He told you?”

  “He mentioned a job, but wouldn’t give me the details.”

  “It’s only preliminary. Harry offered me a deputy sheriff position. He plans to retire in a few years and thinks I should be Santa Fe’s next sheriff.”

  “That’s wonderful news! You won’t be running off chasing bad guys anymore.”

  “I’m sure there will still be bad guys to chase, but I won’t be traveling as much.”

  “Is it safer?”

  “Somewhat.”

  Chapter 8

  Adeline was impressed with Nathaniel’s skill. She hadn’t expected him to be well-acquainted with ballroom dance, but he’d surprised her. Her father interrupted after the third dance, after spinning her around the room once, he reminded her she should mingle with the guests. As she and Nathaniel drifted from person to person, she pondered how she despised social niceties. People could be so fake. Living in the New Mexico Territory would be a pleasant change. No pretending to be someone she was not.

  A smile crossed her lips when she spotted James tucked in a corner whispering to Anna, who had a serving tray in hand. Her father should’ve given her the night off. She hoped his parents would be as understanding about his choice as her father had been about Nathaniel.

  The celebration had been postponed two-months at her father’s insistence Nathaniel be fully recovered and at his best before they traveled.

  She barely knew the people who filled the ballroom. She’d seen some of them at functions she’d been forced to attend over the years. The cavernous space was beginning to close in on her like a closet as people pushed closer wishing her congratulations. Her vision started to dim, and she swayed.

  “You look like you could use some air.” Nathaniel tucked her arm in his and led her away from the smothering crowd of people. “It’s a beautiful night. Did you see the moon? It looks like it’s been dipped in orange paint.

  “It’s magnificent.” When they reached the gardens, Adeline sat on the wrought iron bench. “Thank you. I needed to get out of there.” She breathed in the fragrant air.

  “We will have to go back in before too long.” He stood behind her and rubbed her neck and shoulders.

  A sigh escaped. “I know.”

  He came around the bench and squatted in front of her taking her hands in his. “You’ve been pale for days. Are you ill, Adeline?”

  Her eyes found his and she watched him closely. “I’ll need the doctor to confirm, but I believe I am with child.”

  He stood and pulled her into his arms. “I’m overjoyed, Adeline. I love you.”

  “I’ve longed to hear you say those words since before we were wed. I love you too.”

  “How could you not recognize how much I love you? I wouldn’t have married a woman who was no more than a passing fancy.”

  She stared at the ground. “Y
ou needed me. You told me as much, but you never mentioned love.”

  “I call you ‘love’ regularly.”

  “It’s not the same,” she said.

  “I should’ve spoken the words. Forgive me?”

  Adeline nodded, and buried her face in his chest. A moment later, she lifted her head for his kiss. He obliged, and her knees gave out. He kept her from falling. She couldn’t remember a moment when she’d felt more content.

  “Do you know how soon the baby will come?”

  “I haven’t had my womanly time since before our wedding night, so I think I’m three months pregnant.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “You were recovering from a gunshot wound. And I wanted to be fairly certain before I mentioned it.”

  “And now you’re ‘fairly certain’”?

  “My body is changing. I can’t think of what else might cause such changes. I wish my mother was around to ask.”

  “What about Maria?”

  “She doesn’t have biological children. I’m not sure she’d know.”

  “Talk to Rosa. She would love to be there for you.”

  Her father appeared on the back patio and called out to them. “You two are missing your own wedding-reception.”

  Nathaniel took her hand and led her back inside. She spotted a man who looked remarkably like her husband and hurried to greet him. “You must be Isaiah.”

  He nodded, grinning. “Do we look that much alike?”

  It was her turn to nod. “You do.”

  Isaiah shook his brother’s hand, but Nathaniel pulled him into a hug. “I’m glad you’re here.”

  Adeline stood back and watched Nathaniel interact with his brother.

  Leaving them to catch-up, she joined her father on the other side of the room.

  “Are you happy?” he asked

  “I am.”

  “I asked Isaiah Hayes’ boss to send him.”

  “That was kind of you, Daddy.”

  “That’s what family is for.”

  “Does this mean you think of Nathaniel as family now?”

  “He is a fine addition to our clan. You chose well, Addy.”

  “I love you, Daddy.”

  Nathaniel joined them a few minutes later and led her back to the dance floor. “You are the most beautiful woman in the room.”

  “You’re telling lies again.”

  “It’s the absolute truth. Thank you for being my wife.”

  She smiled. “I love you.”

  He captured her lips with his. “I love you too, my love.”

  Dear Reader,

  I hope you enjoyed reading my historical romance novella, Lawfully Taken. Please check out some of my other titles, including my debut novel, Stella, the first book in my Endless Mountain series. The second book in that series, Claudia, released on December 15, 2017. The third and final book in the Endless Mountain series of stand-alone novels is Sofie, which will release later this year.

  If you enjoyed Lawfully Taken, the most helpful thing you can do is leave an honest review. So, please consider submitting a review on Amazon and/or GoodReads. It doesn’t cost anything other than a moment of your time and can be tremendously beneficial to me. Your quick review helps to get my book into the hands of other readers who may enjoy it.

  https://www.amazon.com//dp/B079Y861CK

  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38751760-lawfully-held

  For a list of my current books and upcoming releases check out the novel page on my website: https://www.elleekay.com/novels/

  Thank you.

  Elle E. Kay

  https://www.elleekay.com

  https://www.lawkeeperseries.com

  About Elle E. Kay

  Elle E. Kay lives in the Back Mountain area of Pennsylvania. She loves life in the country on her little farmette. Elle is a born-again Christian with a deep faith and love for the Lord Jesus Christ. She desires to live for Him and to put Him first in everything she does.

  She writes children’s books under the name Ellie Mae Kay.

  You can connect with Elle on her website and blog at https://www.elleekay.com/ or on social media:

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElleEKay7

  Twitter: https://twitter.com/ElleEKay7

  Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/elleekay7/

  Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+ElleEKay

  Amazon Author Central: http://www.amazon.com/author/ellekay

  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elleekay7/

  Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15016833.Elle_E_Kay

  To join the Lawkeeper Series mailing list, please sign-up at https://lawkeeperseries.com/newsletter

  To view the other books in the Lawkeepers series, please visit our Amazon page at: https://www.amazon.com/The-Lawkeepers/e/B079MNY47R/

  Acknowledgements

  I would like to give special thanks to my husband, Joe Kelleher, who encourages me and takes the time to read my work and make suggestions. Thanks also go out to my fellow Lawkeeper authors who invited me to join the series. I’m happy to be a part of the group.

  This story is a product of my imagination and a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of my imagination or in the case of actual towns, historical persons, and companies mentioned, they have been used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Any errors or deficiencies are my own.

  Coming Soon

  the next book in the Lawkeepers Series

  Lawfully Challenged

  A K-9 Lawkeeper Romance

  by Ginny Sterling

  Pulling up to the kennel, Cindy saw that there were a few others already there to get their dogs as well. She wasn’t sure how many were scheduled to arrive, only that she was instructed to be there at nine promptly as per Officer Wesson’s curt email. She’d been the only person from her precinct selected to be assigned to K-9 duties. A few minutes early was enough time to chug down the remainder of her coffee and dispose of the cup. Getting out of her car, she ran over to the trash bin and prepared to fling it inside, fully intent on joining the others without a moment to spare.

  “NAME?”

  Cyndi jumped at the loud male voice that barked at her from nearby. Glancing over toward the tall man that yelled at her she did a double take. He was gorgeous. Tanned, dark hair with a thick five o’clock shadow. Rippled biceps that went on for days. He looked like he could have stepped off the pages of a Men’s Health magazine. The coldest set of black eyes she’d ever seen stared at her like she was vermin.

  “Excuse me?”

  “Did I stutter? What is your name, princess?” he snapped as he studied the clipboard. Perhaps Chief Martin was correct in his assessment of Mad-dog Wesson’s personality after all? She was the only woman there, so he had to know what her name was. He was just being difficult.

  “Well it’s not princess, I can tell you that!”

  “No, it’s apparently LATE or TARDY. Name?”

  “Its eight fifty-“

  “LATE. Name?” Wesson cut her off again, tucking the pencil behind his ear as he glared at her. She stood there with her empty coffee cup in hand, stunned at the malice directed her way. What exactly was his problem?

  “Officer Cynthia Lance, twelfth precinct.”

  “I don’t care what precinct. I just asked for your name, princess.” Wesson said abruptly and turned to walk away. Several of the other officers around her held back smirks as their eyes glittered with laughter. She could feel her face flush with heat as her temper rose dramatically. Either way, she wouldn’t let this man dissuade her from her goals or prove to the others that she couldn’t do this.

  Get your copy of Lawfully Challenged

  https://www.amazon.com/Lawfully-Challenged-Inspirational-Christian-Contemporary-ebook/dp/B07C2M1FTQ/

  ∞∞∞

  Personal T
estimony

  I first came to know Jesus as a young teen, but before long I strayed from God and allowed my selfish desires to rule me. I sought after acceptance and love from my peers, not knowing that only God could fill my emptiness. My teen years were full of angst and misery, for me and my family. People I loved were hurt by my selfishness. My heartache was at times overwhelming, but I couldn’t find the healing I desperately desired. After several runaway attempts my family was left with little choice, and they put me in a group home/residential facility where I would get the constant supervision I needed.

  At that home I met a godly man called ‘Big John’ who tried once again to draw me back to Jesus. He would point out Matthew 11:28-30 and remind me that all I had to do to find peace was give my cares to Christ. I wanted to live a Christian life, but something kept pulling me away. The cycle continued well into adulthood. I would call out to God, but then I would turn away from Him. (If you read the old-testament you’ll see that the nation of Israel had a similar pattern, they would call out to God and He would heal them and bring them back into their land. Then they would stray and He would chastise them. It was a cycle that went on and on).

  When I came to realize that God’s love was still available to me despite all my failings, I found peace and joy that have remained with me to do this day. It wasn’t God who kept walking away. He’d placed his seal on me in childhood and no matter how far I ran from Him, He remained faithful. When I finally recognized His unfailing love, I was made free.

  2 Timothy 2:13

  “If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.”

  Ephesians 4:30

  “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”

  I let myself be drawn into His loving arms and led by His precious nail-scarred hands. He has kept me securely at His side and taught me important life lessons. Jesus has given me back the freedom I had in Christ on that day when I accepted the precious gift He’d offered. My life in Him is so much fuller than it ever was when I tried to live by the world’s standards.

  I implore you, if you’ve known Jesus and strayed, call out to Him.