“Nope,” Stoney said. “I remember now…what he told me once when I asked him what he done with all his diamonds. I didn’t believe him—thought he was just tellin’ tales again. But he said after he got rich off his diamond mine, he moved out west, built this old house…” Stoney paused to laugh. “He said, ‘After I found Sanora, I didn’t want them diamonds no more. They didn’t sparkle as purty as Sanora did.’ Buddy told me he threw ’em out. ‘Tossed ’em up to the heavens. That’s where the stars come from, Stoney,’ he said. ‘The stars in the sky are all that’s left of them ol’ diamonds.’”
Violet laughed as Stoney’s dimples deepened—as his opalescent, jeweled eyes sparkled with amusement. She thought then that she knew what old Buddy Chisolm meant, about the diamonds not owning the beauty Sanora did, for nothing in the world was as beautiful to Violet Fynne as the light of pure joy in Stoney Wrenn’s opaline eyes.
“Diamonds,” Stoney whispered as he helped Violet down from the trunk and bed. “That sneaky ol’ devil.”
Violet stared up at the ceiling. As the sun continued to set, the sparkle of the diamond stars in the ceiling dulled until only the painted moon was still bright.
Stoney opened a drawer in the little table by the side of the bed. He pulled out a match and lit the lamp sitting there.
“Well, what are you going to do with them, Stoney?” Violet asked.
But Stoney shook his head and chuckled, “Oh, no you don’t, Viola. Buddy gave the diamonds to you. That’s yer choice, not mine.”
“But you own the house,” she said. Suddenly, the responsibility of hidden wealth caused Violet a great discomfort. She didn’t want wealth; she had Stoney. What need did she have for diamonds?
“It don’t matter,” Stoney said. “The diamonds are yers.” He smiled at her, his eyes smoldering in the lamp light.
“Then I choose to leave them where they are,” Violet said, smiling as she slid her arms around his waist and kissed him tenderly on his strong chin. “For as long as this house stands with you as the owner, I think they should stay—Sanora’s stars.”
Stoney smiled. “Maybe you could let me have just one,” he whispered. “Let me take just one of Sanora’s stars so that I can have a real purty weddin’ ring made for you. And every time you look at it, you’ll think of ol’ Buddy…how he loved Sanora…how much I love you. That way we’ll always carry a piece of ol’ Buddy Chisolm with us, not just in our hearts, but really carry it with us.”
Violet felt tears trickle down her face. “Wedding ring?” she breathed. “Are you—”
“Proposin’ marriage?” he interrupted. “Of course! I been practicin’ since I was twelve, though it didn’t come out quite like I’d planned all this time.”
Violet wiped a tear from one cheek. Stoney bent and kissed the tears on her other. “Will you marry me, Violet Fynne?” he whispered. “I’ve been waiting so long to love you. Will you stay with me forever? Will you live in this house with me, let me hold you in my arms every night, kiss you every mornin’?”
Violet trembled, her body quivering with joy. “Only if you’ll promise not to ask Mr. Asbury for permission to court Layla when you go to supper tomorrow night,” she teased.
Stoney chuckled. “I promise,” he said.
“Then I will marry you, Stoney Wrenn,” Violet whispered. “I’ve been planning to marry you for a long, long time.”
“How long?” Stoney asked, kissing the corner of her mouth.
“Since I was five years old and you gave me that daffodil on Easter,” she said.
“That is a long time,” he whispered.
Violet gasped, and Stoney looked to the window. It was dark out, but Violet was certain she’d heard something: laughter.
“That didn’t sound like Coby Fisher or Mr. Deavers,” he said.
“Sounded like a girl,” Violet whispered.
“You don’t think that no-good Hagen Webster is out here sparkin’ some poor filly again, do you?” Stoney asked.
Violet shrugged as Stoney lifted the lamp.
“Come on,” he said. Taking Violet’s hand, he led her out of the room and down the stairs.
“I think I see something,” Violet said as they peered out through a downstairs window. Stoney turned the lamplight low, set the lamp on the floor, and followed Violet’s gaze.
She heard him chuckle, and as her own eyes adjusted to the darkness, she smiled as well. She gazed through the window to where Jimmy Ritter and Maya Asbury stood in the moonlight. Jimmy seemed to say something, and Maya nodded. Violet felt her heart flutter as Jimmy took Maya’s face between his hands then, kissing her ever so softly on the mouth.
“Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to take two stars from Sanora’s sky upstairs,” Violet whispered. “Just two. One for my wedding ring—”
“And one for Maya Asbury’s?” Stoney asked.
Violet nodded. “But that’s all. Just two. I want to lie in your arms and gaze at Sanora’s stars the way Buddy and Sanora did. I want to name our memories by them…name them after our children.”
“There are hundreds of diamonds in the ceiling, Viola. How many children you plannin’ on us havin’?” he teased.
Suddenly, Violet’s eyes filled with tears once more. She reached up, running her fingers through the softness of his hair—caressed his whiskery cheek with the back of her hand.
“Ten years,” she whispered. “Ten years…stolen from us.”
Stoney brushed a hair from her cheek. “It doesn’t matter,” he said. “All that matters is now. We’re together now.”
Violet nodded. He was right, and her heart was at peace. He was there—Stoney Wrenn—standing before her, holding her in his arms, and nothing would separate them again. Her very soul knew it.
“Do you want to go down to the creek? We could cool our feet in the water and talk,” Violet suggested.
Stoney smiled, and Violet’s entire body was suddenly alive with mad fluttering. He bent, placing a moist, lingering kiss to her throat.
“How ’bout we go down to the crick and kiss ’til the sun comes up?” he whispered.
Violet giggled, her entire body rippling with goose bumps.
“Then we can run in to town first thing in the mornin’ and have the minister marry us. What do ya say?”
“I say I love you, Stoney Wrenn,” Violet breathed as he pressed his mouth to hers. “But I do wish it was tomorrow already.”
He chuckled, his opaline eyes gleaming in the lamplight. “Oh, don’t you worry, Viola,” he whispered. “Between the crick coolin’ yer feet and me warmin’ up yer mouth, tomorrow will be here before ya know it.”
“Promise?” she asked, lovingly kissing his chin.
“I promise,” he whispered. “I promise.
Violet melted against Stoney. Lost in his arms, lost in the pure pleasure of passion’s kiss, Violet felt as if Stoney embraced her very soul. Stoney Wrenn—her friend—her lover. When the sun rose, he would be her husband, and they would spend their days together—and their nights. Oh, such nights they would spend in loving, in naming memories, and in gazing at the painted moon and Sanora’s diamond stars.
My everlasting admiration, gratitude and love…
To my husband, Kevin…
My inspiration…
My heart’s desire…
The man of my every dream!
About the Author
Marcia Lynn McClure’s intoxicating succession of novels, novellas, and e-books—including The Visions of Ransom Lake, A Crimson Frost, The Rogue Knight, and most recently The Pirate Ruse—has established her as one of the most favored and engaging authors of true romance. Her unprecedented forte in weaving captivating stories of western, medieval, regency, and contemporary amour void of brusque intimacy has earned her the title “The Queen of Kissing.”
Marcia, who was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has spent her life intrigued with people, history, love, and romance. A wife, mother, grandmother, family historian, poet, and author, Marcia Lyn
n McClure spins her tales of splendor for the sake of offering respite through the beauty, mirth, and delight of a worthwhile and wonderful story.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
(By first in print publishing date.)
The Heavenly Surrender (2001, 2002, 2009, 2011)
The Visions of Ransom Lake (2002, 2007)
Shackles of Honor (2002, 2009)
Dusty Britches (2003, 2008)
Desert Fire (2003)
To Echo the Past (2003, 2011)
The Fragrance of her Name (2004, 2009)
An Old-Fashioned Romance (2004, 2010)
Divine Deception (2005, 2011)
The Touch of Sage (2007, 2010)
Daydreams (2007)
Born for Thorton’s Sake (2007)
Sudden Storms (2007, 2011)
The Whispered Kiss (2008)
The Prairie Prince (2008)
The Highwayman of Tanglewood (2008)
Love Me (2009)
The Time of Aspen Falls (2009)
A Crimson Frost (2009)
Saphyre Snow (2009)
Beneath the Honeysuckle Vine (2009)
Weathered Too Young (2010)
The Windswept Flame (2010)
The Anthology of Premiere Novellas Romantic Vignettes (2010)
The Pirate Ruse (2010)
The Rogue Knight (2010)
The Heavenly Surrender 10th Anniversary Special Edition (2011)
The Heavenly Surrender Hardcover Edition (2011)
Kissing Cousins (2011)
The Trove of the Passion Room (2011)
Sweet Cherry Ray (2011)
Midnight Masquerade (2011)
The Light of the Lovers’ Moon (2011)
Kiss in the Dark (2011)
The Tide of the Mermaid Tears (2011)
A Better Reason to Fall in Love (2011)
Take a Walk With Me (2011
The Pirate Ruse
Historical Romance
Abducted! Forcibly taken from her home in New Orleans, Cristabel Albay found herself a prisoner aboard an enemy ship—and soon thereafter, transferred into the vile hands of blood-thirsty pirates! War waged between the newly liberated United States and King George. Still, Cristabel would soon discover that British sailors were the very least of her worries—for the pirate captain, Bully Booth, owned no loyalty—no sympathy for those he captured.
Yet hope was not entirely lost—for where there was found one crew of pirates—there was ever found another. Though Cristabel Albay would never have dreamed that she may find fortune in being captured by one pirate captain only to be taken by another—she did! Bully Booth took no man alive—let no woman live long. But the pirate Navarrone was known for his clemency. Thus, Cristabel’s hope in knowing her life’s continuance was restored.
Nonetheless, as Cristabel’s heart began to yearn for the affections of her handsome, beguiling captor—she wondered if Captain Navarrone had only saved her life to execute her poor heart!
Weathered Too Young
Historical Romance
Lark Lawrence was alone. In all the world there was no one who cared for her. Still, there were worse things than independence—and Lark had grown quite capable of providing for herself. Nevertheless, as winter loomed, she suddenly found herself with no means by which to afford food and shelter—destitute.
Yet Tom Evans was a kind and compassionate man. When Lark Lawrence appeared on his porch, without pause he hired her to keep house and cook for himself and his cantankerous elder brother, Slater. And although Tom had befriend Lark first, it would be Slater Evans—handsome, brooding, and twelve years Lark’s senior—who would unknowingly abduct her heart.
Still, Lark’s true age (which she concealed at first meeting the Evans brothers) was not the only truth she had kept from Slater and Tom Evans. Darker secrets lay imprisoned deep within her heart—and her past. However, it is that secrets are made to be found out—and Lark’s secrets revealed would soon couple with the arrival of a woman from Slater’s past to forever shatter her dreams of winning his love—or so it seemed. Would truth and passion mingle to capture Lark the love she’d never dared to hope for?
The Windswept Flame
Historical Romance
Broken—irreparably broken. The violent deaths of her father and the young man she’d been engaged to marry had irrevocably broken Cedar Dale’s heart. Her mother’s heart had been broken as well—shattered by the loss of her own true love. Thus, pain and anguish—fear and despair—found Cedar Dale and her mother, Flora, returned to the small western town where life had once been happy and filled with hope. Perhaps there Cedar and her mother would find some resemblance of truly living life—instead of merely existing. And then, a chance meeting with a dream from her past caused a flicker of wonder to ignite in her bosom.
As a child, Cedar Dale had adored the handsome rancher’s son, Tom Evans. And when chance brought her face-to-face with the object of her childhood fascination once more, Cedar Dale began to believe that perhaps her fragmented heart could be healed.
Yet could Cedar truly hope to win the regard of such a man above men as was Tom Evans? A man kept occupied with hard work and ambition—a man so desperately sought after by seemingly every woman?
Beneath the Honeysuckle Vine
Historical Romance
Civil War—no one could flee from the nightmare of battle and the countless lives it devoured. Everyone had sacrificed—suffered profound misery and unimaginable loss. Vivianna Bartholomew was no exception. The war had torn her from her home—orphaned her. The merciless war seemed to take everything—even the man she loved. Still, Vivianna yet knew gratitude—for a kind friend had taken her in upon the death of her parents. Thus, she was cared for—even loved.
Yet as General Lee surrendered, signaling the war’s imminent end—as Vivianna remained with the remnants of the Turner family—her soul clung to the letters written by her lost soldier—to his memory written in her heart. Could a woman ever heal from the loss of such a love? Could a woman’s heart forget that it may find another? Vivianna Bartholomew thought not.
Still, it is often in the world that miracles occur—that love endures even after hope has been abandoned. Thus, one balmy Alabama morning—as two ragged soldiers wound the road toward the Turner house—Vivianna began to know—to know that miracles do exist—that love is never truly lost.
A Crimson Frost
Historical Romance
Beloved of her father, King Dacian, and adored by her people, the Scarlet Princess Monet endeavored to serve her kingdom well—for the people of the Kingdom of Karvana were good and worthy of service. Long Monet had known that even her marriage would serve her people. Her husband would be chosen for her—for this was the way of royal existence.
Still, as any woman does—peasant or princess—Monet dreamt of owning true love—of owning choice in love. Thus, each time the raven-haired, sapphire-eyed, Crimson Knight of Karvana rode near, Monet knew regret—for in secret, she loved him—and she could not choose him.
As an arrogant king from another kingdom began to wage war against Karvana, Karvana’s king, knights, and soldiers answered the challenge. The Princess Monet would also know battle. As the Crimson Knight battled with armor and blade—so the Scarlet Princess would battle in sacrifice and with secrets held. Thus, when the charge was given to preserve the heart of Karvana—Monet endeavored to serve her kingdom and forget her secreted love. Yet love is not so easily forgotten…
Saphyre Snow
Historical Romance
Descended of a legendary line of strength and beauty, Saphyre Snow had once known happiness as princess of the Kingdom of Graces. Once a valiant king had ruled in wisdom—once a loving mother had spoken soft words of truth to her daughter. Yet a strange madness had poisoned great minds—a strange fever inviting Lord Death to linger. Soon it was even Lord Death sought to claim Saphyre Snow for his own—and all Saphyre loved seemed lost.
Thus, Saphyre fled—forced to leave all familiar
s for necessity of preserving her life. Alone, and without provision, Saphyre knew Lord Death might yet claim her—for how could a princess hope to best the Reaper himself?
Still, fate often provides rescue by extraordinary venues, and Saphyre was not delivered into the hands of Death—but into the hands of those hiding dark secrets in the depths of bruised and bloodied souls. Saphyre knew a measure of hope and asylum in the company of these battered vagabonds. Even she knew love—a secreted love—a forbidden love. Yet it was love itself—even held secret—that would again summon Lord Death to hunt the princess, Saphyre Snow.
The Highwayman of Tanglewood
Historical Romance
A chambermaid in the house of Tremeshton, Faris Shayhan well knew torment, despair, and trepidation. To Faris it seemed the future stretched long and desolate before her—bleak and as dark as a lonesome midnight path. Still, the moon oft casts hopeful luminosity to light one’s way. So it was that Lady Maranda Rockrimmon cast hope upon Faris—set Faris upon a different path—a path of happiness, serenity, and love.
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