Wagon Train Proposal

by Renee Ryan

She inhaled a shaky breath.

  The girls crowded around her. Daisy tugged on her sleeve. “I love you, too, Miss Rachel.”

  “Me, too,” Violet and Lily said in unison.

  The exuberant declarations got her sobbing—big, gasping, choking gulps of air. She gathered the girls into her arms.

  Tristan smiled at the picture they made. He hadn’t sought love. He certainly hadn’t sought it with Rachel. She was the complete opposite of what he’d once believed his girls needed.

  How wrong he’d been. Rachel was everything they needed, everything he needed.

  “I love you, Rachel Hewitt.”

  Her lips started to tremble.

  “Will you marry me?”

  The girls cheered and jumped around them both, adding their very vocal opinions on the matter. “Say yes. Say yes.”

  Four against one, not exactly fair odds, but Tristan wasn’t in the mood to play fair. He was in the mood to win Rachel’s kind, tender heart for the rest of his life.

  Half laughing through her tears, half crying, Rachel shook her head. “Oh, Tristan, you know I want a real marriage, while you want—”

  “A real marriage, too.”

  She took a gulping, shuddering breath.

  He closed his hand over hers and placed it against his heart. “I never expected to fall in love twice in my lifetime. But I did, Rachel. I fell in love with you. It’s just as deep and real as the first time, different, but equally powerful.”

  “Oh, Tristan, I love you, too. So very much, but—” she lowered her head “—I want a...large family.”

  “I want that, as well,” he said. “I want more children.”

  The girls cheered again. “Does that mean we can have a new baby soon?” Daisy asked.

  Tristan chuckled. “It means I’m willing to consider it.”

  More cheers.

  Deciding the rest of this conversation was for Rachel’s ears only, he ushered his daughters out of the room. “Go find your baby dolls and practice being good big sisters while I talk to Miss Rachel in private.”

  They didn’t exactly rush out of the room, but they didn’t argue with him, either.

  Alone at last, he caught Rachel’s face between his palms and kissed her again. “I want to marry you and be a real husband to you, in every sense of the word, the way the Lord intended.”

  Tempered hope filled her gaze. “You said you didn’t want to risk putting another woman through childbirth.”

  Ah, Rachel, his sweet, bold, outspoken Rachel. Of course she would expect a thorough explanation.

  She deserved a thorough explanation.

  “The thought of putting you at risk still terrifies me. But, as we discovered today, danger comes in many forms.”

  Her gaze sobered. “When Grant showed up, all I could think was that I had to protect my girls. And then I worried that Amos was out there somewhere, maybe even attempting to hurt you. I’ve never been angrier in my life.”

  “Remind me never to cross you.” He kissed her nose. “I took care of Amos. He’s locked up in a jail cell as we speak. No need to worry about him hurting me or anyone else.”

  She released a sigh of relief. “So it’s over.”

  “No, it’s only just beginning.”

  She smiled.

  He took her hand again. “I’m sorry I held back from loving you. I let myself get weighed down by memories. Instead of using my past to guide me into the future I allowed it to keep me rooted in fear.”

  “You lost someone very precious to you.” It was her turn to cup his face between her palms. “I don’t want to take Siobhan’s place in your heart. I know there’s room in there for both of us.”

  Even in that, Rachel proved herself a very wise woman.

  “I have no idea what the future has in store for us,” he said. “Good or bad, I want to face it with you by my side. I trust God will walk with us every hour of every day.”

  “I love you, Tristan McCullough.”

  “Does that mean you’ll marry me?”

  “Ask me again.”

  Chuckling at her bossy tone, he lowered to one knee. “Rachel Hewitt, my love, my heart, will you marry me?”

  “Yes. Oh, yes, I will.” She pulled him to his feet and slipped her arms around his neck. “Now kiss me, Sheriff McCullough.”

  He couldn’t think of anything he wanted more, so he simply did as she requested. He kissed her.

  Epilogue

  On a cold mid-November morning, with less than five minutes before the ceremony was scheduled to begin, wedding guests continued spilling into the church. Their shoes and coats were dusted with new snow.

  A burst of cold air swept into the gathering area where she waited to make her entrance. Clara Pressman hurried into the church with her sister and brother-in-law one step behind.

  The two women broke away from Bertha’s husband and approached Rachel.

  “Oh, my dear, dear girl, you make a lovely bride.” Bertha took Rachel’s hands and opened them wide, evidently so she could inspect her dress. “Pale blue is definitely your color.”

  “Thank you, Bertha.” Rachel smiled, then turned and greeted the other woman beaming at her. “Hello, Clara.”

  Clara hugged her. “Congratulations, Rachel, I pray you have a long, happy life with Sheriff McCullough.”

  “Thank you.” Rachel knew how hard it was for the young widow to attend her wedding so soon after her husband’s death. “I’m very happy you came today.”

  “I wouldn’t have missed it.”

  Rachel gave Clara one more squeeze, then stepped back. “Where’s your sweet baby?”

  “Lucy O’Brian is watching her for me this morning.”

  Of course. The pretty young emigrant was still looking for a permanent position. Rachel started to say more, but Grayson stepped into view and touched her arm. “It’s time.”

  Oh. Oh, my. Her heart lifted and sighed. Happiness filled her to near bursting.

  Clara and Bertha joined the rest of the stragglers hurrying to find seats. By some tacit agreement, the only people left in the tiny gathering area were Rachel and her three siblings.

  The Hewitts had known their share of tragedies. They’d lost their wealth, their parents, as well as Grayson’s wife and his unborn son. But they’d always had each other and Rachel was one of them. She’d always been one of them.

  Had it only been a year since Grayson’s letter arrived, encouraging them to come out west? Ben, Emma and Rachel had stuck together. Their dedication to family and faith in God had seen them through every trial along the way, making every triumph that much sweeter.

  Ben had married the only woman he’d ever loved. Emma had married the only man for her. Grayson would soon be a father and now...

  Rachel was getting her very own new beginning, as well.

  Ben was the first to reach for her and pull her into his arms. “I’m proud to call you sister. Be happy, Rachel.”

  “Oh, Ben, I am happy, so happy.”

  She had only a moment to cling to him before Emma scooted in between them and took her turn.

  “Tristan is a good man and your perfect match,” she said through a sheen of tears. “I’m thrilled you two found one another.”

  Choked up, Rachel managed a short nod. “Thank you, Emma.”

  Both still smiling, Ben and Emma each gave Rachel one last kiss on her cheek. Shoulder to shoulder, they headed down the aisle to claim their seats in the front pew with their respective spouses.

  Grayson gave her a brotherly kiss on the forehead. “Tristan cherishes you, as only a man deeply in love could. I don’t think I would have let you marry him if I believed otherwise.”

  She quirked an eyebrow. “Let me?”

  He threw his
hands in the air. “Perhaps I should rephrase that.”

  “Perhaps you should.”

  Chuckling, he cleared his throat. “Tristan adores you, Rachel. I predict a very happy life together.”

  “Why, thank you, Grayson, that’s so kind of you to say.”

  They both laughed.

  Impatient now, she linked her arm through her brother’s and the two of them took their positions at the back of the church.

  Up front, Tristan stood tall and looked as handsome as any groom Rachel had ever seen. Her stomach fluttered with emotion. He would soon be hers, all hers.

  Blinking back tears of joy, she noted how Tristan had arranged his daughters beside him, oldest to youngest. All four waited for Rachel to make the short trek to them.

  Grayson squeezed her arm. “Ready?”

  “Ready.” She looked to the ceiling, offered up a prayer of thanksgiving and then allowed her brother to guide her down the aisle.

  As she made her way toward Tristan, his gaze never left hers. He seemed to be calling her to him, urging her to fill the empty space beside him, not only during the ceremony but for the rest of their lives.

  Rachel was up for the challenge.

  The next few minutes went quickly. Grayson gave her away. Tristan took her hand and lowered his lips to her ear. “I love you, Rachel, with all that I am. I will never let you go.”

  And the ceremony began.

  After they said their traditional vows, Rachel lifted her hand to stop the preacher from declaring them husband and wife. “I have one more promise to make.”

  She lowered to her knees and gathered Tristan’s daughters into her arms. “Daisy, Lily and Violet, you have become the daughters of my heart. I promise to love you always, and care for you as my very own for the rest of my life. You are my very own precious gifts from God.”

  With her thumb nowhere near her mouth, having conquered the problem weeks ago, Violet asked, “Are you our new mommy yet?”

  Tristan laughed at the question, as did the rest of the congregation.

  “She’s almost your mommy,” he said as he bent over to look his daughter in the eye. “We have to finish the ceremony first.”

  He took Rachel’s hand and helped her stand. At last, the preacher pronounced them husband and wife, then added, “You may kiss the bride.”

  “Gladly.”

  Tristan’s first kiss as her husband was full of silent promises that Rachel knew he had every intention of fulfilling.

  Heart overflowing with love for him, she turned toward the back of the church and, after a quick swipe at her eyes, took Daisy’s hand. She reached out and took Lily’s hand next. Tristan picked up Violet and the five of them navigated the journey down the aisle.

  In the gathering space they were quickly surrounded by family and friends. The girls glowed under all the attention.

  Rachel would miss them in the next few days while they were at Grayson’s house. But she had to admit she was looking forward to spending time alone with her husband.

  Anticipation filled her at the thought.

  Nearly thirty minutes passed before the crowd eventually thinned out.

  Tristan drew Rachel into his arms. He opened his mouth to say something but was interrupted by James Stillwell.

  “Sheriff. Mrs. McCullough.” He nodded to Rachel. “I congratulate you on your marriage. I wish you a long, healthy, happy life together.”

  “What a lovely thing to say.” Rachel smiled at the insurance agent who’d joined the wagon train to catch a pair of thieves and had now become a part of their community. “Thank you, Mr. Stillwell, for your kind words.”

  “You’re most welcome.” He turned his attention to Tristan. “I’ve organized transportation back to Missouri for myself and the Tucker brothers. I don’t have their trial date set yet, but I’ll get word to you when they’re officially brought to justice.”

  Tristan nodded. “When do you leave?”

  “As soon as the weather lets up.”

  “Let me know if there’s anything else I can do.” Tristan reached out and shook the other man’s hand. “If you ever find yourself in need of a job, I could use a deputy.”

  “I just might take you up on that offer, once the trial is over. In the meantime, this is for you and your wife.” He dug into his jacket and pulled out a small brown paper package.

  Neither Rachel nor Tristan reached for it. “We requested no wedding gifts.”

  “It’s not a gift. It’s a reward for helping me catch the Tucker brothers. I couldn’t have done it without either of you.”

  Rachel shared a look with Tristan. For a moment, they simply stared into each other’s eyes, silently communicating their thoughts. Together, they said, “We don’t want a reward.”

  “Nevertheless, someone should take the money.”

  Rachel swung her gaze to her daughters. They were speaking energetically with Emma and Abby. Maggie stood close by, Grayson’s arm around her waist. Ben and Nathan soon joined their wives. All four of them laughed over something one of the girls said.

  Gratitude filled Rachel’s heart. She had innumerable blessings, more than her share. It didn’t seem right to take the reward money.

  Tristan must have gone through a similar thought process because he placed his hands on Rachel’s shoulders and turned her to face him. “We could donate the money to the church. With Oregon City growing faster than any of us expected, we’ll need a bigger building soon.”

  “I like that idea.”

  “Then it’s settled.” Tristan turned to the other man. “Give the money to Reverend Mosby.”

  “Good enough.”

  Rachel waited until Mr. Stillwell went in search of the preacher before she cupped her husband’s cheek and smiled into his moss-green eyes. “You’re a good man, Sheriff McCullough.”

  “We have an exciting future ahead of us, Mrs. McCullough.” He kissed her on the lips. “Whether we have five days together, or fifty years, I look forward to every moment I get to spend with you by my side.”

  Still smiling, she wrapped her arms around his waist. “I say we get started on our life together right now.”

  “We are of one mind.”

  Hand in hand, they said their farewells as quickly as possible without issuing too much offense.

  They hurried home to embrace their first day together as husband and wife. As Tristan scooped her into his arms and carried her inside their house, Rachel realized she’d found where she belonged. She would always be a Hewitt, but now she was also a McCullough.

  The Lord had blessed her with two families instead of one. And that, she decided, was the best gift of all.

  * * * * *

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you for choosing to join me on the final leg of the Oregon Trail with the incomparable Hewitt family. I hope you enjoyed Rachel’s journey across the rugged frontier. There were several bumps along the way, but she weathered them rather well, don’t you agree? I loved being able to give her a family of her own, with an honorable man who loves her with all his heart and three adorable children in desperate need of a new mommy.

  This is my third venture into writing a book in a publisher-generated continuity miniseries. It was an honor and a privilege to work with two authors I greatly admire. I found both Linda Ford and Lacy Williams extremely generous with their time and input, a must in these types of projects.

  This book was especially fun for me to write because I had the chance to research a time period and setting I haven’t explored previously.

  I always love hearing from readers. Please feel free to contact me at my website www.reneeryan.com. You can also find me on Facebook and Twitter, @ReneeRyanBooks.

  Wishing you a life full of faith, hope and love. Happy Reading!

 
; Renee

  Keep reading for an excerpt from

  HER CONVENIENT COWBOY

  by Lacy Williams.

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired Historical title.

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  Chapter One

  Early December 1900

  “Halloo, the house!”

  Davy White pulled up his horse outside his brother Oscar’s cabin, in the sparsely settled hills of east central Wyoming. His breath misted in the cold predawn air; the rising sun was just a hint of light at the eastern horizon.

  The saddle creaked as he dismounted from his horse. One of Oscar’s horses nickered in welcome from the nearby corral. The smell of wood smoke from the stove tickled his nose as he tied off his horse and stepped up onto the back porch.

  He didn’t know if one could call his pa’s homestead and the surrounding area unsettled, not with the way their family was growing. It now included Oscar’s brood; his brother and sister-in-law, Maxwell and Hattie, doctors who split their time between town and their cottage on the family homestead; Edgar and his wife and her siblings Emma and Daniel. Daniel had married and settled close by as acting schoolteacher. Add in Davy’s unmarried siblings Matty, Seb and Breanna, along with his pa and ma and their biological kids, and the homestead was practically a town in itself.

  There was just one missing. His adopted brother Ricky. And as he and Davy had been closer than any of the others since the day they’d found each other in Cheyenne eleven years ago, Davy felt a gaping hole in their family every day he was gone. It had been six months with no word, not a single letter to let them know he was okay. Davy could only pray for his brother and hope the other man’s orneriness was enough to keep him safe and alive.