by Karen Kirst
His compassion and understanding bolstered her spirits. How blessed she was to have met and fallen in love with this man!
“Are you gonna marry Halloway or not?” someone said.
Laughter trickled through the crowd.
Adam moved close and tenderly smoothed a stray curl from her forehead. His smile made her knees weak, the look in his eyes made her feel like she was the only woman around for miles. Going down on one knee, he took her hands in his and gazed up at her with naked hope.
“I hadn’t planned on an audience, but I don’t have any secrets left. Deborah, you’ve taught me the meaning of love and trust, courage and self-sacrifice.” His thumbs grazed endless paths over her knuckles, and there was a telltale tremor in his voice. “You make me want to be a better man. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. What’s your answer? Will you have me?”
“Yes.” She nodded, her smile splitting her face. “Yes. The sooner, the better.”
With a shout of joy, he got to his feet and hugged her around the waist. “I love you so much,” he murmured above the cheering and clapping. “I can’t wait to start our lives together.”
She held him tightly, overwhelmed with gratitude. “I thought we already had.”
Then, no longer caring who was watching or what they thought, she pulled him to her for a kiss to seal the deal.
Epilogue
Three months later
“What if I disappoint her?” Adam ran a finger beneath his suit collar.
“Trust me, you will.” Russ dusted the lint from Adam’s sleeves. “You’ll make too many mistakes to count.”
“You’re not helping.”
The chairs set up on the lawn were beginning to fill. The three town founders had arrived with their wives and children. Will, Daniel and Noah’s friendship had given birth to this town. How proud they must be to see it flourishing. Will’s campaign was gaining steam, and Russ was looking forward to being mayor. Adam was confident his brother would do a splendid job.
The reverend chatted beneath a wooden arbor profuse with vibrant autumn flowers. Adam examined the house that, from this day forward, would be his and Deborah’s home. She was inside with Sadie and his sisters-in-law, preparing for their nuptials.
He’d waited impatiently for this day to arrive. Now that it was nearly time to make Deborah his wife, he was confronted with his failings.
“I don’t know the first thing about being a husband.” He yearned to be a good partner to her. “I know even less about being a father.”
His gaze searched out Liam, who stood chatting with Tate, his new best friend. The boy no longer resembled the one Adam had surprised in that tent. Liam was confident and happy. He was also starting to enjoy being a carefree boy and lessen his overprotective stance regarding Lily. He trusted Adam and Deborah to care for them both.
Seth grinned. “Stop fretting, little brother. You learn as you go. That’s what I did.” He nodded toward the wide porch, to where Marigold was emerging with Anna. “I’m still learning.”
Adam’s anticipation ratcheted up. Any minute now, Deborah would step through that door. He couldn’t wait to see her.
Stepping up beside the brothers, Evelyn smoothed Adam’s hair, her eyes shining with pride. “You love each other. That’s what counts.”
Deborah emerged at last, resplendent in a beaded white gown and trailing veil. Her hair was caught up in a mass of curls, thin, shiny ribbons wound through it. A sparkling topaz necklace adorned her neck, the perfect match for her eyes. She was beautiful, inside and out. And she was his.
His mouth went dry. What had he done to deserve her?
Thank you, Lord, for this gift.
A bright smile curved her mouth as she surveyed their property and the wedding-related decorations. Tables had been set up beneath the trees, some boasting gifts and others platters of food. A tall cake she’d baked herself anchored the far end.
Lily shot out of the house, dancing around Deborah and the others, her joy unmistakable. She clutched her original doll, Sally, which Adam had located at Daniel Gardner’s. They’d found the doll and were happy to release it to the rightful owner.
He chuckled, his anxiety evaporating. The Lord had blessed him with a fresh start, an amazing woman and children he hoped one day he could call his own. God would guide and strengthen him.
“I’m so grateful,” Evelyn said, the tears already starting. “My three sons in one place, with families of their own. This is a new chapter in the Halloway saga, and it’s going to be better than the last. Your pa would be so proud.”
Adam bent and kissed her cheek. He wished his pa could be here on this special day, but he found comfort in the fact that his reputation had been restored and his name cleared. He looked at his brothers. “It’s good to be around family again.” He gestured to the acres of prime land he’d purchased from one of the ranchers who Ogden had driven off. The rancher had already settled elsewhere and was happy to sell. “And to be working the land again.”
He’d resigned his position with the Pinkertons and had no regrets. He’d had enough solitude and danger to last a lifetime.
“Now, if you’ll excuse me, my bride awaits.”
Adam crossed the yard to her side, took her hand and brushed a kiss on her knuckles. “You are flawless, sweetheart.”
Deborah blushed a becoming pink. “I had help.” She caressed his cheek. “You have never looked more handsome. Maybe because you’re about to officially belong to me.”
“I would dearly like to kiss you.”
She grinned. “Why don’t you? Who cares what anyone thinks?”
“Your father’s in attendance.” While Gerard hadn’t yet given Deborah his blessing, his continued presence in Cowboy Creek and attendance today pointed to the possibility of a reconciliation.
“This is my wedding.” She lifted her chin. “If I want to kiss the groom before the vows, I can.”
Deborah’s gown made whispering sounds as she inched closer and, rising on her tiptoes, planted a lingering kiss on him that made his blood heat.
His sisters-in-law spoiled the moment.
“It’s time to start the ceremony,” Marigold admonished. “You can tend to that later.”
Deborah remained unapologetic as they proceeded to the arbor. His bride exuded radiant confidence in herself and in his love for her. Gazing into her misty golden eyes, he pledged his devotion and commitment. They sealed their vows with another kiss that curled his toes.
Not long after Reverend Taggart made the official announcement and the guests meandered toward the food tables, Russell pulled them aside, an official-looking envelope in his hand.
“What’s this?” Adam said, his arm anchored around Deborah’s waist.
“A wedding present.” He held it out. “Open it.”
Deborah opened the letter and gasped. She turned tear-filled eyes to Adam. “It’s adoption papers.”
Adam scanned the words. “Liam and Lily are officially Halloways.”
They took turns hugging Russell. When he’d rejoined Anna, Adam pulled Deborah into his arms and smiled down at her.
“Can you believe it?”
“If you’d asked me when I boarded that train if my life would turn out this way, I would’ve said no.” Joy sparkled in her eyes. “I have everything I’ve ever wanted.”
“A bakery of your very own.”
After consulting Deborah, Adam had approached Mr. Lowell and offered him a generous amount for the bakery. The man had accepted reality—that he wasn’t qualified—and taken him up on it. She’d been cleaning and painting for days, and soon she’d host a grand opening. He had no doubt she’d be a success.
She looped her arms around his neck. “The bakery is wonderful, but I could do without it. What I couldn’t do without is you, my dearest love. And the kids.”
“We chose each other.”
Their kiss spoke of dreams fulfilled and hope for the future. When he reluctantly eased away, he gestured to their guests. “I’m looking forward to being alone with my bride. For now, how about we find Liam and Lily and give them the good news?”
She laughed. “I can tell you where we’ll find Lily.”
“Drooling over the cake?”
That’s exactly where they found her. They urged Liam to join them. Their news was met with squeals and tears and lots of leaping for joy.
They were a true family unit with a permanent home. God had brought them together, and Adam had faith He’d lead them into the future.
* * * * *
Don’t miss a single installment of
Return to Cowboy Creek:
The Rancher Inherits a Family
by Cheryl St.John
His Substitute Mail-Order Bride
by Sherri Shackelford
Romancing the Runaway Bride
by Karen Kirst
Find more great reads at www.LoveInspired.com
Dear Reader,
Thank you for taking the time to read my book. I hope you enjoyed returning to Cowboy Creek and our heroines and heroes—familiar and new—as much as I did. Adam and Deborah’s love story was such fun to explore. Some fictitious couples give me more trouble than others. Not so the detective and the runaway bride! These two took an almost instant liking to each other, so I was glad to have all those secrets keeping them apart until the very end. They also have a lot of personal issues to work through. Toss in a pair of adorable orphans, and I had my work cut out for me.
Writing this book has been a bittersweet experience. It will be my last for the Love Inspired Historical line, which is unfortunately closing this month. I feel blessed to have been able to work with the wonderful Love Inspired editors and complete this, my seventeenth book. While I will miss writing about the past, I’m fortunate that I will be switching to the Love Inspired Suspense line. You can find more information on my website, www.karenkirst.com. I’m also active on Facebook and Twitter @KarenKirst.
If you missed the first two books in this Return to Cowboy Creek continuity, check out Cheryl St. John’s book, The Rancher Inherits a Family, and Sherri Shackelford’s His Substitute Mail-Order Bride.
Many blessings,
Karen Kirst
Keep reading for an excerpt from A Cowboy of Convenience by Stacy Henrie.
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A Cowboy of Convenience
by Stacy Henrie
Chapter One
Near Big Horn, Wyoming, July 1901
Vienna Howe didn’t immediately take note of the knocking at the door. From inside the ranch house kitchen, she thought the pounding sounded more like the distant thwack of a hammer than anything else. She blew a breath upward to disrupt the blond hairs sticking to her damp forehead, her hands covered in pastry dough. The wranglers at the Running W Ranch never turned down her food—especially not dessert.
“Who’s at the door, Mommy?” Two-and-a-half-year-old Harriet, known as Hattie by everyone on the ranch, looked up from where she sat at the nearby table, pretending to feed her baby doll. The doll had been a gift from Vienna’s employers, though Edward and Maggy Kent had been and always would be her dear friends, first and foremost.
The thudding noise repeated and this time Vienna cocked her head to listen. “Is that the door? I thought the boys might be fixing a fence.” She grabbed a towel to wipe off her hands and headed for the door.
“I wanna see who’s there.” Gripping the doll about the neck, Hattie trailed her through the dining room and into the front hallway.
Remembering her apron at the last minute, Vienna untied it, hung it on the nearby hall tree and smoothed her hand down the front of her wrinkled white blouse and long skirt. She opened the door to find the sheriff standing there. Not the one from the nearby town of Big Horn, either. Sheriff Tweed, from seven miles away in Sheridan, looked relieved that someone had at last answered his knock.
“Just startin’ to wonder if no one was around, after all,” the man said as he removed his hat.
Vienna shot him an apologetic smile. “So sorry to keep you waiting, Sheriff. I was baking in the kitchen.”
“That’s all right.”
When he didn’t say anything more, she added, “I’m afraid my daughter and I are the only ones here. Edward is in town, and Maggy and Mrs. Harvey are gone on official detective business.” In addition to helping her husband run their successful horse ranch, Maggy Kent operated her own small detective agency with the help of the Kents’ head cook and housekeeper, Mrs. Harvey.
“I saw Mr. Kent earlier, which is how I knew you’d likely be here, Mrs. Howe.”
She blinked in surprise. “You’re here to see me?”
“Mommy, what does he want?” Hattie tugged on Vienna’s skirt, reminding her of her daughter’s presence—and the little girl’s rapt attention.
At that moment Westin “West” McCall, the ranch foreman, strolled across the yard toward the porch, a ready smile on his face. “Howdy, Sheriff. What can we do for you?”
“Howdy, McCall.” The sheriff smiled back. “I’m here to speak to Mrs. Howe.”
West glanced at her, his expression and honey-brown eyes as wary as the emotion now churning in her stomach. “Everything all right?”
“Not to worry, son,” the sheriff said, turning back to Vienna. “But I’m afraid I need to speak with Mrs. Howe in private.”
Vienna scooped up Hattie and walked past the sheriff. “West, do you mind watching her for a few minutes?”
“Not at all.” The man gave Hattie a gentle smile as he took her from Vienna and set her on her feet again.
The little girl gazed up adoringly at him. “You can help me feed my baby, Mr. West.”
“Now remind me what her name is again,” he asked as he led her in the direction of the corral.
“Hattie! Like me...”
Vienna felt both gratitude and pain watching the pair of them. While she was thankful her daughter had honorable male figures in her life such as Edward Kent, the wranglers and most especially West McCall—Hattie’s favorite by far—she still grieved and worried over her little girl�
��s lack of a father in her life.
“Come on into the parlor, Sheriff,” she said, waving the lawman inside. Once he stepped into the house and followed her into the room, she motioned for him to take a seat on the sofa.
He declined with a shake of his head. “I won’t be long, but you might wish to sit down, Mrs. Howe.”
“All right.” Her heart pulsed faster with dread as she sank onto the sofa and folded her hands demurely in her lap. “What is it you wish to tell me?”
The man shifted his weight, his gaze more on the hat in his hand than on her. “There’s no easy way to say this.”
She gave a stiff nod, though he wasn’t looking at her, then swallowed hard. “Is it something to do with my aunt?” After the death of her parents, she’d lived with her aunt and uncle, who had represented Sheridan’s high society for many years. Her uncle had passed away two years ago, at which time her aunt had gone to live with Vienna’s cousin in Buffalo.
“No, it isn’t about your aunt.” The sheriff finally looked her directly in the eye. “It’s about your husband, Mrs. Howe. I learned earlier today that Chance is...well, he’s dead, ma’am.”
Dead? Vienna blinked in surprise before staring down at her hands, waiting for some emotion to push through her shock. When it came, it felt more like resignation than sorrow.
Chance Howe hadn’t been her husband in the true sense for the past three years, which he’d spent in the Wyoming territorial prison for arson before being released just a few days ago. And before that... A shiver that had nothing to do with the sheriff’s news and everything to do with her five-year, turbulent marriage tripped up Vienna’s spine.
Reflexively the memories brought a flash of fear, but she reasoned it away. She’d been safe from Chance for a long time now, and that wasn’t about to change, especially if he was no longer among the living.
“How did it happen?” she asked.
Sheriff Tweed looked away again. “He...um...got in a fight in Sheridan after a card game. The other man had a revolver. I was told it was over quick, no suffering on his part.”