Pioneer Devotion: The O’Rourke Family Montana Saga, Book Six
Page 20
“Perhaps,” Dunmore murmured, lowering his head to kiss her again. “We’ll never know, as none of us have a penchant for murder.” He kissed her. “Unless our wives or daughters are mistreated.”
Maggie took a deep breath and gripped his shoulders, as she pushed herself up to look into his eyes. “Do you know what this means?” she whispered. At his subtle shake of his head, she blushed and bit her lip. “I can travel into the Territory with you now. I can go on adventures with you.” When he stared at her intently, without saying anything, she flushed and ducked her head. “Or not. How foolish of me.”
“No,” he rasped, his hand rising to stroke her silky soft cheek. “I was lost for a moment, envisioning you beside me, as I rode to Cow Island or Helena. Imagining how exhilarating the trip would be as we talked and as I saw everything through your eyes, rather than the usual boring routine.” He took a shaky breath. “I don’t want you to feel you need to go on adventures.” Yet he was unable to hide the boyish enthusiasm and hope from his voice.
Her blue eyes filled with joy, as she ran her fingers over his cheeks. “I want to go on adventures with you.” She flushed. “At least until we have a child.”
His gaze flashed with delight at the possibility. “A child. A babe of our own.” He took a deep breath, before he whispered, “I always assumed you’d want children. Do you?” At her nod, he beamed at her, before he sobered. “If we can’t have a child, my love for you will never falter, Maggie.”
She frowned as she stared at him. “We’ve been married a little over a month. Why this concern?”
He kissed her reverently, before resting his head against hers. “I see how Kevin and Aileen try to hide their sorrow at each announcement by your siblings. I’m not blind.”
She sighed, kissing him softly. “No, you’re observant and kind.” She pressed against him. “They suffer, each month that passes without the chance of a babe of their own.”
Wrapping his arms around her, he murmured, “They’ll find their way. Just as we will.”
Maggie sighed, pressing a kiss to his chest. “As long as I have your love, I know we can survive anything.”
“You have it, my darling,” he murmured. “My hope is that we’ll be like your parents. Strong and filled with hope, as our love grows and adapts with our family.”
“We will be,” Maggie vowed. “We will be.”
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Lucien’s gaze tracked Samantha as she ran in the snow chasing after little Gavin. When she slipped, tumbling into the snow, he moved to aid her only pausing when she squealed with laughter and flopped onto her back to make a snow angel. Releasing a deep breath, Lucien forced himself to focus on his brother’s son, Gavin. On the beautiful day. On the fresh snow. On anything other than the woman who captivated him.
She’s just a friend, he chanted to himself, over and over again. He knew the chant would fail to diminish his fascination. Nothing had worked, and he feared he would live in this half heaven-half hell forever as her friend.
He attempted to focus on his family scattered around him as they had impromptu snowball fights, rode sleds and enjoyed their outdoor excursion. The O’Rourkes had ventured out to one of the hills to play, and he marveled at being part of this family. The man he thought of as his father, Seamus, whooped with laughter as he tossed a snowball at his eldest son, Ardan. His mother, Mary, stood to the side making snow angels with the youngsters and calling out encouragement to both teams. “That’s treason, love!” Seamus called out to his wife, laughing as a snowball pelted him in his chest.
Although Lucien had been with the O’Rourkes for three and a half years, there were times he felt as though he were in a dream. How could they be his family? He tried to forget his memories living with his mean father, Francois, and cruel uncle, Jacques, but some memories could not be erased. With a shake of his head, he focused on the day and the growing snowball battle between the eldest O’Rourkes. Soon, a truce was called, with none the victor, and all were laughing and joking with plenty of backslapping and hugs. Lucien always marveled at how easily affection was expressed between family members.
He turned his attention again to watching Samantha quietly entertaining young Gavin. As he watched, his brother and best friend, Niall, tossed a snow ball in Samantha’s direction, earning a laugh and a smile. Lucien swallowed down his envy at their easy camaraderie. Lately, Lucien had felt all thumbs around her. Battling a grief he suspected would only become more acute, Lucien knew he had to accept his brother would win the heart of the woman he loved.
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Also by Ramona Flightner
The O’Rourke Family Montana Saga
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Follow the O’Rourke Family as they settle in Fort Benton, Montana Territory in 1860’s.
Sign up here to receive the prequel, Pioneer Adventure to the new Saga as a thank you for subscribing to my newsletter!
Pioneer Adventure (Prequel)
Pioneer Dream (OFMS, Book 1)- Kevin and Aileen
Pioneer Desire- (OFMS, Book 2)- Ardan and Deirdre
Pioneer Yearning- (OFMS, Book 3) Niamh and Cormac
Pioneer Longing (OFMS, Book 4)- Eamon and Phoebe
Pioneer Bliss (OFMS, Book 5) Declan and Lorena
Pioneer Devotion (OFMS, Book 6) Maggie and Dunmore-
Pioneer Ardor (OFMS, Book 7) Coming in September 2021!
Pioneer Redemption (OFMS, Book 8) Coming in January 2022!
Bear Grass Springs Series
Don’t worry, I am busy at work on the next book in the series! If you want to make sure you never miss a release, a special, a cover reveal, or a short story just for my fans, sign up for my newsletter!
Immerse yourself in 1880’s Montana as the MacKinnon siblings and their extended family find love!
Montana Untamed (BGS, Book 1) Cailean and Annabelle
Montana Grit (BGS, Book 2) Alistair and Leticia
Montana Maverick (BGS, Book 3) Ewan and Jessamine
Montana Renegade(BGS, Book 4) Warren and Helen
Jubilant Montana Christmas (BGS, Book 5) Leena and Karl
Montana Wrangler (BGS, Book 6) Sorcha and Frederick
Unbridled Montana Passion (BGS, Book 7) Fidelia and Bears
Montana Vagabond (BGS, Book 8) Jane and Ben
Exultant Montana Christmas (BGS, Book 9) Ewan and Jessamine
Lassoing a Montana Heart, (BGS, Book 10)- Slims and Davina
Healing Montana Love (BGS Book 11)- Dalton and Charlotte
Runaway Montana Groom (BGS, Book 12) Peter and Ph
ilomena- Coming Soon!
Substitute Montana Bride (BGS Book 13) Coming in July 2021!
Enraptured Montana Bachelor (BGS Book 14) Coming in November 2021!
The Banished Saga
Follow the McLeod, Sullivan and Russell families as they find love, their loyalties are tested, and they overcome the challenges of their time. A sweeping saga set between Boston and Montana in early 1900’s America.
The Banished Saga: (In Order)
Love’s First Flames (Prequel)
Banished Love (Banished Saga, Book One)
Reclaimed Love (Banished Saga, Book Two)
Undaunted Love(Banished Saga, Book Three) (Part One)
Undaunted Love (Banished Saga, Book Three) (Part Two)
Tenacious Love (Banished Saga, Book Four)
Unrelenting Love (Banished Saga, Book Five)
Escape To Love (Banished Saga, Book Six)
Resilient Love (Banished Saga, Book Seven)
Abiding Love (Banished Saga, Book Eight)
Triumphant Love (Banished Saga, Book Nine)
About Ramona
Ramona is a historical romance author who loves to immerse herself in research as much as she loves writing. A native of Montana, every day she marvels that she gets to live in such a beautiful place. When she’s not writing, her favorite pastimes are fly fishing the cool clear streams of a Montana river, hiking in the mountains, and spending time with family and friends.
Ramona’s heroines are strong, resilient women, the type of women you’d love to have as your best friend. Her heroes are loyal and honorable, men you’d love to meet or bring home to introduce to your family for Sunday dinner. She hopes her stories bring the past alive and allow you to forget the outside world for a while