The Mail-Order Bride Carries a Gun: A Sweet Historical Western Romance (Brides of Sweet Creek Ranch Book 1)
Page 16
Wyatt’s boyishness receded behind a look of purpose and determination. “You’ll whip em’ up just fine. I left the recipe for my cowboy omelets beside the bottle of hot sauce.”
She wasn’t giving up yet. “Why can’t you work at a ranch closer to home?”
Wyatt handed her the basket and kissed her cheek. “Don’t cry, Miss Ella.”
She staunched the selfish tears and put on a smile for his sake. “Don’t mind me, sweetie. I never did like parting company with those I love. Now promise me you’ll find yourself a sweet Texas bride and bring up a passel of cute little Texas cowboys and cowgirls.”
Blushing, Wyatt hooked his thumb in his pockets. “I hope my wife calls me ‘sweetie.’”
“Get going, you rascal,” Ty said, squeezing Wyatt’s shoulder, voice heavy with emotion.
Wyatt straightened. “Are you sure you can deal with Blackwell if he causes more trouble?”
Ty’s fingers pressed more firmly against her waist. “Don’t you worry about us. Ella can handle herself in a fight. And we will make sure Seth and Billy get plenty of shooting practice.”
Wyatt nodded. “Miss Ella sure did catch on fast to the quick draw.”
Now she really wanted to cry. A bunch of flowery compliments couldn’t have pleased her half as much.
Wyatt shook hands with Ty, then, winking, he leaped over the railing, landing at the boys’ feet, much to their delight.
Ella sighed, watching Wyatt, Levi, and Ace teasing and laughing with the boys.
Ty hugged her close. “This isn’t the end. They will be back. Sweet Creek is in my brothers’ blood, just like it’s in yours and mine. You and I will rebuild and grow the cattle operation. And we will take in more boys who need a second chance. And my brothers and you and I will raise our families here.”
She was filled with the same awe and wonder she felt when she saw the beautiful ranch house nestled among the snowcapped Big Horn Mountains and the majestic ponderosa pines. “You truly believe that?”
Peacefulness and love marked his rugged face. “I do.”
Her heart swelled to bursting. She hadn’t expected to find a family when she came to Wyoming Territory. Hadn’t expected to call Sweet Creek Ranch her home. Hadn’t expected to fall in love with Ty Haven. But, oh, how much richer and fuller her life was for it. She kissed his cheek. “And you and I will continue in hope and happiness.”
She and Ty beamed at each other, trusting the spirit and dream embodied in the ranch wouldn’t just survive.
Sweet Creek Ranch would thrive.
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~ Author Note ~
Thank you for reading The Mail-order Bride Carries a Gun! As an author I love feedback. So, tell me what you liked, what you loved, even what you hated. I’d love to hear from you. You can write me at: wathomas723@gmail.com
Finally, I need to ask you a favor. If you are so inclined, I’d love a review of The Mail-Order Bride Carries a Gun. Reviews can be hard to come by these days. You, the reader, have the power now to make or break a book.
~ Books By Wanda Ann Thomas ~
BRIDES of SWEET CREEK RANCH
The Mail-Order Bride Carries a Gun (Book One)
Gunslingers Don’t Die (Book Two)
THE HEROD CHRONICLES
The Warrior (Book 1)
The Stonecutter (A Herod Chronicles Novella)
The Barbarian (Book 2)
Warring Desires (Book 3)
For more information, please visit my website
www.wandaannthomas.com
~ About the Author ~
Wanda Ann Thomas is the author of Sweet Historical Westerns and Historical Christian fiction. She adores heart-felt love stories, featuring honorable heroes and courageous heroines. Men and women who will brave any danger for loved ones and who struggle against overwhelming obstacles to win their happily ever after.
A native of Maine, Wanda starts each day bright and early at her computer writing and drinking coffee. When the weather allows she and her husband average three rounds of golf a week. She confesses to being overly fond of chocolate chips cookies, winter vacations spent in sunny Florida, and her large boisterous family.
Copyright © 2016 by Wanda Ann Thomas
Published by Wanda Ann Thomas of Maine. All rights reserved. This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author.
Email
wathomas723@gmail.com
Cover Artist
www.WickedSmartDesigns.com
Dar Albert
Editor
Jane Haertel
www.crazydiamondediting.com
This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents and dialogues in this book are of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is completely coincidental.