Kirsty smiled. They'd be at the homestead soon. It wouldn't be the MacAnliss place anymore. It would be the Kincaid family home.
And, as she guided the buckboard along the trail, Kirsty told herself she liked the sound of that.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
"Are you all ready?" Logan heard Kirsty call into the boardinghouse. Outside, the Sunday morning sunshine was bright. As he and the children made their way downstairs, Logan saw through the open door. Kirsty was standing on porch. She looked beautiful, dressed in her green gown and matching bonnet. Logan's heart skipped a beat and joy filled his heart. He saw Kirsty's buckboard parked beyond the garden gate.
Miss Hannigan emerged from the parlor, tugging on her gloves. She was dressed in her Sunday finest, too. Jack and Alice raced outside and threw themselves at Kirsty. Laughing happily, Kirsty reached down and hugged both children.
"You can come with us, Miss Hannigan," Logan said.
Miss Hannigan shook her head. "I'll let you all go ahead. I'd like to take some exercise." Glancing through the open door, she added: "It's a lovely day."
Logan figured Miss Hannigan just wanted to give him, the children and Kirsty a chance to begin the day together. Not just the day, Logan reflected. Their new life. Upon Kirsty's arrival a few minutes earlier, Miss Hannigan had already congratulated her on the wedding announcement.
He was still reeling from what had happened yesterday. Kirsty was going to be his wife! From this moment on, his life would be complete. Glancing at the children, his heart warmed as he witnessed their joy. Finally, they would have the family they deserved. They'd live at the homestead. Logan and Kirsty had talked about that briefly, last night, before he'd brought the children back to the boardinghouse. They'd also discussed when the wedding would take place. It couldn't come soon enough for Logan.
Kirsty had reminded Logan that she already had a suitable dress, having made one for Abby's wedding. Maybe they'd be married within a week or two. They'd find out this morning when they told Pastor Joseph.
They all hurried to the buckboard. As usual, the children sat on the back. Logan took the reins and glanced at Kirsty. "Ready?"
Kirsty slid her arm inside Logan's. "Let's go and tell the whole town."
Logan smiled and then flicked the reins, sending the single horse moving at a slow stride. Main Street was quiet. Folks were making their way northward along the boardwalk, in the direction of the street which led to the church. A few people glanced at Logan, Kirsty and the children. The onlookers stopped in their tracks and peered disbelievingly at the occupants of the buckboard. Logan grinned. It seemed they'd been noticed.
As the buckboard passed the hotel, a solitary figure walked out onto the boardwalk. The man, dressed in a dark suit and smoking a cheroot, halted and stared at the buckboard. He looked shocked to see Logan and Kirsty and the children all together on the same buckboard.
Logan's breath halted in his chest as he realized who he was looking at.
Haas.
Kirsty tugged on Logan's arm. "Is that the man who stopped me on the trail yesterday?"
"It sure is," Logan confirmed, slowing the buckboard. An idea came to him. A chance to do something to put an end to Haas's ambitions once and for all.
Logan steered the buckboard toward the hotel and halted a mere few feet away from the Haas.
"Morning," Logan called out.
Haas, still visibly shocked looking, took a puff of his cheroot and quickly blew out the smoke. He didn't say a word in response to Logan's greeting.
"Just thought we'd stop and say hello," Logan continued. "And I thought I'd give you the good news."
Haas lifted a weary brow. "What's that?"
Logan swept his arm around Kirsty's shoulder and hugged her tight. "Miss MacAnliss and I are engaged to be married."
Haas coughed loudly and dropped his cheroot. "You're what?"
"We're getting married," Kirsty confirmed. "Isn't that wonderful?"
Haas took a while to get his breath back. Eyes watering, he stared at Logan and Kirsty. Then he peered at the children. Haas cleared his throat. When he spoke, his voice was a dry wheeze. "You're all going to be living at the homestead?"
"We sure are," Kirsty stated. Turning, she smiled at the children. "All four of us. One big happy family. Isn't that right?"
Jack and Alice didn't let Logan down. They both cheered loud enough that the sound echoed all the way down Main Street.
Logan peered at Haas and smiled. "I'm sure you're happy for us," he said in a teasing tone of voice.
Haas's brows furrowed and he was silent for a few long moments. Reaching down, he picked up his cheroot and stuck it between his lips. For a long moment, he peered steadily at Logan. Logan saw the darkness in Haas's eyes. Logan didn't doubt that the man knew he'd been beaten.
Haas bowed his head once and then smiled. "Congratulations. I hope you'll all be happy in your homestead."
Logan sighed. Sometimes life could be so good, he said to himself. He corrected that thought immediately. The Lord was good. He moved in mysterious ways, but He knew how to bring good into the world. Haas had been defeated, and he knew it.
Logan knew that his beautiful bride-to-be and their precious family were all the good he'd ever need.
He bid farewell to Haas and drove the buckboard all the way to the church. On the way there, Kirsty looked at him. "What are you smiling so much about?" she asked.
"I'll tell you some other time," he replied.
They arrived at the church and made their way inside. They told Pastor Joseph the good news. He was overjoyed and gave them his most sincere blessings.
And, once the church was filled to capacity with the congregation of worshippers, Pastor Joseph stood and made the announcement of Logan and Kirsty's engagement. He invited Logan, Kirsty and the children to stand up as everyone applauded.
The blessings of the Lord were great, indeed, Logan said to himself as he gazed at Kirsty and the children.
THE END
THANK YOU
Thank you for reading The Cowboy's Frontier Courtship. I hope you enjoyed the novel.
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Brides of Inspiration series.
The Rancher's Bride Arrangement
The Rancher's Marriage of Convenience
The Rancher's Second Chance Bride
The Rancher's Bride Surprise
The Rancher's Bride Blessing
The Rancher's Devout Bride
The Rancher's Christmas Miracle
The Rancher's Christmas Wish
The Rancher's Reunion Bride
The Rancher's Beloved Bride
The Rancher's Frontier Family
The Cowboy’s Frontier Courtship Page 20