by Annie Boone
Turning to stare at him straight on, Elizabeth furrowed her brow as she repeated his words. “Used to?”
Clayton swallowed hard and nodded. Looking down at her, he replied, “I thought this was the most wonderful place on Earth but that was before I met you.”
The words took Elizabeth by such surprise she was certain her face reflected her confusion. Stepping back, she looked up into Clayton’s face which was clouding with his storming emotions.
“Elizabeth,” he began slowly, very self-conscious as he felt he couldn’t let this opportunity pass him by. “I probably shouldn’t just hit you with this news without a little bit of warning, but I’m no good at these things. Before you came to Plainsville, I was perfectly content just being on my own and doing things by myself. But now, all that’s changed. You don’t realize it, but you’ve become a huge part of my entire existence. I can’t do anything without thoughts of you floating through my mind.”
Elizabeth’s eyes glistened with unshed tears as she listened to the rough sheriff explain his feelings with the eloquence of a toddler.
“I don’t want you to pretend to have feelings for me if you don’t, but I want you to know that you’ve stolen my heart,” Clayton stated.
His jaw worked furiously as he opened himself to her. When his eyes looked up to meet Elizabeth’s, his jaw dropped. She was crying.
“Oh no, I didn’t mean to make you cry. I really didn’t.”
Jerking his hat off his head, he slapped it against his leg before saying regrettably. “I guess this was a really bad idea.”
Stepping forward so she was standing only inches away from him, Elizabeth reached out to take his hand in her own. Staring up into his eyes, she tried to put her own feelings into words.
“Clayton dear, Clayton. I am so glad you told me. I’m glad you told me, because I feel the same way about you.”
Clayton’s eyes widened and he looked at her in total shock.
“I just thought you didn’t like me so I held back,” Elizabeth said. “You seemed so wrapped up in the heartaches of the past, I thought it might be impossible for you to ever find room in your heart for me.”
Clayton shook his head and let out an incredulous chuckle. “And I thought you were so fed up with men you’d never give me a chance.”
Together they laughed about the opportunity they both almost missed. Somehow, in the midst of it all, Elizabeth found herself enveloped in Clayton’s strong arms. Held her tightly against his body and everything in the world was finally at peace.
“Would you allow me escort you to the church social Saturday night?” Clayton asked, his voice still sounding somewhat uncertain.
Nodding her head against his chest, Elizabeth smiled. Stepping back, she looked up into his eyes before replying.
“I can’t think of anything I’d like more.”
Clayton bent over her and lowered his head closer to hers. In an instance, their lips met, providing Elizabeth with the kiss she had so desperately longed to experience. Savoring the moment, it felt far too short when they finally pulled away.
Leaning back against her man’s chest, Elizabeth allowed herself to be held tenderly in his arms.
Finally, she had found a home. She had managed to escape from one bad situation to find love in someone so honorable and kind. Elizabeth couldn’t wait to see what the future held for her and Clayton but, for now, she was simply going to focus on treasuring the present.
Epilogue
Standing in the dress shop, Elizabeth worked hard to finish up the last hem of a blue skirt. Smiling to herself, she considered the hard hours she had put into the dress, and she was anxious to finally have it completed.
Elizabeth had come to love her work in the shop and, although she hated that she no longer had the companionship of Mrs. Jennings, she was glad the elderly woman had been given the opportunity to move north to live with her son.
“Dear Mrs. Jennings,” Elizabeth whispered under her breath.
There was no other woman on Earth Elizabeth loved any dearer or owed a greater a debt. When Mrs. Jennings decided to move north to be with her family, she had left the dress shop in Elizabeth’s competent hands, choosing to give her the business without expecting a dime in return.
Yes, moving to Plainsville had given Elizabeth many dear friends, but Mrs. Jennings was one of the dearest. Mrs. Jennings and Amy would always be her two favorites.
Dear Amy.
Clayton and Elizabeth still went to her house to eat every week, although Elizabeth had to admit that the meals were getting somewhat less appealing now that Amy had the twin boys to care for. Laughing to herself, Elizabeth thought of how having a baby could alter one’s life in such a serious but blessed way. Surely the difficulties they presented were worth it all for the love that they provided.
Straightening her shoulders, she thought about the family she and Clayton were now making together. They had married six months ago, and Clayton had purchased a small plot of land on the outskirts of town soon after. He had built them a modest home on it in a few weeks with the help of the men from church.
While the house she shared with Clayton was small in comparison to the grandeur she had been offered at Reeve Ranch, Elizabeth knew she’d rather spend the rest of her life living in a soddy with Clayton than anywhere with anyone else.
Clayton was a dear man and Elizabeth loved him more with each passing day.
Right on cue, the door to the dress shop opened and Clayton stepped inside, a happy smile on his lips.
“Hello, darling,” he called out as he made his way into the room.
“Hello, dear,” Elizabeth replied, a broad smile crossing her face at the sight of her husband.
Stepping up close to her, Clayton gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek.
“I just wanted to let you know that I’m going to have to make a trip out of Plainsville for a few days. I’ve got a prisoner I need to take to Denver so he can be tried for last week’s robbery.”
Raising her eyebrows, Elizabeth nodded her head. She hated it when Clayton had to make the long trips away from home but she had come to learn that it was part of the job as sheriff. Many times, Elizabeth would ride along with him when he had to be gone for days, giving her the chance to both be by his side and a feeling that she was somehow protecting him.
“Well,” she said with a sigh. “Be careful while you’re out there. You know I don’t like it when you have to be away from home for days, especially not now.”
Clayton eyed her suspiciously and bent over to give her another kiss, this time on the lips.
“Are you all right? Generally, I’m used to you asking all sorts of questions and trying to get involved in my work. Have you decided that you’re sick of adventure?”
Feeling a smile tug at the corner of her lips, Elizabeth placed a hand on her abdomen.
“I think I’d better get all the rest I can now because this child is bound to be adventure enough once he or she arrives.”
Turning to look at her husband, Elizabeth smiled when she saw the confused look on his face. He looked from her eyes to her stomach and then back up at her eyes.
“Elizabeth,” he began slowly. “You don’t mean…”
Allowing the smile to break out across her face, Elizabeth nodded and threw her arms around him, pulling him closer to her.
“Yes, yes, my dear husband. We’re expecting a baby.”
Wrapping herself in his arms, Elizabeth shared the special moment of joy with her husband.
It never ceased to amaze her that, just when she had decided that her life had no value and that the future was hopeless, she had managed to find such a perfect ending.
She truly was living her happily ever after, and she wasn’t going to change a thing even if she could.
Did you love this happily ever after sweet love story?
Turn the page for the preview of Susannah and Lucas, Book 1 in the Colorado Matchmaker Series. This series is full of happy endings!
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bsp; Preview - Susannah and Lucas
Colorado Matchmakers - Book 1
Annie Boone
Chapter One
Rocky Ridge, Colorado; 1882
Just like that, it was spring again. Snow still topped the caps of the mountains, but melted on its way down into the rivers. Flowers were beginning to bloom and the meadows once again looked lively.
No longer was the world white and grey, but filled with greens and almost all the colors of the rainbow. Even the air felt different. Susannah Jessup inhaled deeply and brushed her blonde curls back over her shoulder.
“It’s going to be a beautiful day,” she announced, hearing footsteps behind her.
The door swung open and soon Lucas’s hands were wrapped around her waist. His scruffy chin settled on her shoulder, a familiar and warm weight. Susannah couldn’t help but smile.
“And so it shall be,” he murmured, his voice still thick with sleep.
She touched his head, running her fingers through his coal black hair. “You’re awake early today. Did I keep you up?”
A heavy sigh seeped out and she felt his shoulders slouch even further down. “It’s all right.”
His grip tightened around her waist and Susannah bit her tongue. It was her fault. Lately she was just so restless, and most nights she woke in the dark to stare at the ceiling. There was no reason for it, but there was just no peace to be found.
“I’m sorry,” she apologized all the same and turned so that she could wrap her arms around him as well. The man was warm, and they still fit perfectly together after all this time. Susannah smiled, finding this comforting. “I’ll try to be quieter.”
His fingers moved gently up and down her spine, tracing imaginary circles that soothed the stress in her shoulders. They had been married for ten years now, and he never ceased to amaze her. Lucas always knew how to help her in one way or another, and it was always exactly what she needed. Closing her eyes, she gave him a tight squeeze before turning the two of them towards the door.
“Let’s get some breakfast, shall we?” And with their arms around each other, they headed inside. Their cabin was spacious, one that had been made for a large family. Over the last five years, a second story had been added on top, and there were additions on the barn as well. It was 1882, and the Jessups had managed to turn their twenty acres in Rocky Ridge into a lovely home and boarding house.
The sun was barely peaking up over the horizon, and no one would interrupt the two of them for another hour or so. Besides, Susannah and Lucas liked the occasional quiet time together. Meeting each other’s gaze, Lucas pulled out the flour as she brought out the bacon and eggs. Every Monday morning started like this, and it was a tradition they enjoyed.
“’Adown by the murmuring stream, that merrily winds through the valley, I wandered in days that are gone. With the joy of my heart’ – Susie,” he changed the name in the song at the last moment, making her grin. His voice was low and husky, his eyes dancing merrily.
“Shh,” she tried to remind him, but he kept on singing, though a little softer now, as he came around and put his hand over hers, mixing the dough together. Around and around their hands went, and Susannah wondered how she could ever feel restless in a place like this. With a man like Lucas.
But deep down she knew why. And Susannah knew that Lucas knew as well. Ten years could be a long time, especially when it was just the two of them. Without a doubt, they had been happy for the time they had been together. Well, for the most part.
It had been six years ago when she realized they needed to face the truth. There was no reason to keep leading themselves on with false hope when the facts were set right before them. She would never bear a child.
After years of trying, it just wasn’t going to happen. Susannah had felt the dread that afternoon, as though someone had officially told her. One instant there had been that vein of hope, and the next there was a cold, hard truth. It was a small whisper in the back of her mind, but she knew it to be true.
Chapter Two
Rocky Ridge, Colorado; 1876
Lucas walked in the door and immediately known something was wrong. Taking his hat off, he dropped it and marched right over to her. Susannah could always meet that strong, steady gaze of his, but not this summer afternoon.
When they had first met, it was his eyes that had pulled her in. His eyes had convinced her to trust him and helped her to know she had been making the right decision to give him a chance. So when she didn’t look at him when he walked through that door, he knew.
“What is it?” He demanded her attention, grabbing her. “What’s happened? Are you all right? Did someone—”
Shaking her head furiously, Susannah ashamedly burst into tears. Hiding her face in her hands, she allowed him to lead her to a chair, and tried to gather her emotions. A grown woman, a woman with a lovely house and a wonderful husband, still wanted something more but couldn’t have it. Though she’d tried to prepare these words all day long, now they failed her.
He asked several times over. “Something is clearly wrong, and I won’t have it. Did someone hurt you? Who hurt you?” At first Lucas had been loud, ready to take charge and ride into the problem no matter what it might be. But then he grew softer, and knelt beside her. “Susannah, my darling, please. Let me help you.”
Long blonde tresses covered her face as she tried to hide her tears. It was one of her crowning achievements, the luxurious locks that she knew often caught the gaze of envious women. When it was completely unpinned, it went right past her hips. In the sun, it shined boldly like gold and she knew Lucas liked to run his hands through it. But this time, he was trying to push it out of the way, to reach her. The pounding in Susannah’s heart only grew louder as she knew she couldn’t put it off, that she couldn’t lie.
“I’m sorry,” she gulped, finally straightening up. Sniffling, she tried to wipe away the tears. There were too many, however, so she took to rubbing her face. Lucas grabbed her hands and pulled them away, bringing out his handkerchief.
He gave her such a look of gentleness that it made her want to burst into tears again. After all, he had no idea of what she was about to tell him. He couldn’t possibly know just as she couldn’t know how he would react. After all, the house had been built to ensure enough rooms for their future children.
Shaking her head, she forced herself to inhale, and motioned for him to sit down. Lucas did, but still leaned forward and took her hands in his. “Susannah, you can’t do this to me,” he tried to tell her delicately. “I just—”
“I can’t have children.”
She hadn’t meant for the words to come out like that, so… stark and harsh. But she couldn’t take his tenderness knowing how upset he would be with her keeping the truth from him. Turning away, she slipped her hands out of his and clasped them together in her lap. It took all of her strength not to run away.
Lucas stuttered. “Well now, you don’t know that for sure—”
She prayed for strength as she continued. “I don’t, but I believe that’s the case. It’s the only thing that makes sense. I know it was the same for, um, for two of my aunts. They were barren all their lives, you see, and I didn’t think… well, I believe that’s the case for me. I can’t—I can’t have children.” She choked on the words, squeezing her eyes shut. The words hurt so much to say out loud or quietly in her heart. “Lucas, if you want, I’ll go. I know this isn’t what you wanted out of our marriage. I’m sorry.”
Of course, she wanted him to beg her to stay. She wanted to hear him say that she was being silly. She wanted to hear him say that not having children wasn’t the end of the world. She wanted to hear him say he loved her no matter what.
But he didn’t say anything and the silence lingered. Susannah’s shoulders slumped as she buried her face in her hands again, and she prayed for guidance. Surely God wouldn’t desert her, too.
But Lucas did. He silently stood up and left the kitchen, walking out through the back door. She didn�
�t know it until she heard the door slam shut. The noise startled her and she jumped, finding herself alone.
When she realized he wasn’t coming back, she wasn’t sure what to do. It was late in the evening, well past suppertime and she was still alone in the house. She tried to go to bed, but sleep wouldn’t come.
Each minute seemed like an hour as she tried to decide if she should stay or go. She couldn’t bear the thought of never seeing Lucas again, but she may not be able to control that. She was certain he deserved a wife that was a complete woman. A woman who would bear his children and be the heart of their home and family.
But she couldn’t be those things for him—or anyone else. As she paced the floor hoping her husband would come home and tell her everything would be fine, she knew it was likely that her marriage was over.
Now she had to decide if she should pack her things and go before he came home or wait to hear it from him that she should leave.
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About Annie Boone
Bestselling author Annie Boone admits that sweet love stories are a passion for her. She also enjoys history, so writing about the two together is the perfect combination for her. Her love of history was passed down by her father and cultivated by her husband.