Blaire's Ambushed Heart
Page 14
Lyle exhaled, and Blaire moved next to him to provide comfort. She realized the doctor’s principles were being challenged, for to him, life was precious and worth saving. His shoulders sagged, and Timothy took charge.
“I think we passed it down the road. I’ll help you. Let’s leave these two to catch their breath.”
Joyce-Ann fought off Mr. Frierson, who had taken a pill from a container in his pants pocket, and pushed it down her throat. He held her mouth shut until he saw her swallow and felt her defenses weaken. When the men left the house toting the now docile girl, Blaire gathered her husband in her arms.
“My sweet man,” she sobbed into his shoulder. “I know this is killing you. I empathize that a doctor’s heart—and even the nurse’s heart that beats within me—wants to somehow reach the part of Joyce-Ann that would make her whole.”
“Thank you for understanding. I am so relieved it’s over, but at the same time, I am hurt that this woman is slated for a life of imprisonment.”
“I’ve heard of such cases, and I truly hope her diagnosis is correct and not simply a means to rid the wealthy man of his problem.”
“I suppose it’s not our mission to save the world, Blaire.” He held her by the shoulders. “We have plenty to heal right here in Spalding, and God forgive me, all I can feel right now is gratitude that my wife is back home, and my nurse is by my side, sympathizing with her confused husband.”
“And I shall never leave again, Lyle Frazer. You can count on it…unless, of course, you have another hidden wife who is going to show and up and claim my spot.”
“None. Rest assured, my past is laid bare, and no secrets hide in the shadows.” He sniffed the air. “I thought you were tired, not coming home to cook supper.”
“My last meal,” she said with a solemn face and then broke out laughing. “The woman has a heart. That, or she was, indeed, hungry. Me? I was killing time because I knew my husband would figure out Joyce-Ann’s whereabouts and come charging home to save me from my near fate.”
He snickered. “Great. Now I know two actresses. It so happens that I’m hungry, too.”
“Well, maybe you should find my brother and your ex-father-in-law and bring them back for a before-bed meal. The sheriff might have some questions you need to answer concerning Joyce-Ann.”
Mr. Frierson and Timothy had chosen to sleep upstairs at the saloon, but forty minutes later, all three men were found sitting around Blaire’s table, determined to discuss only light and cheery subjects. Before the company left for the night, a summer July date had been set for the newlyweds to take the train to Kentucky. The trip would provide Lyle the opportunity to meet the family and Blaire to make her peace, face-to-face with her father. It was the perfect solution, given that late fall hung in the air, threatening to soon bring on the snow that would keep them tied to Spalding.
When they were alone, Blaire threw the drying towel at Lyle. “Dishes first, Mr. Frazer,” she said. “Can’t bear to wake up in the morning to this mess.”
“I promise to help…after one kiss. I’ve prayed weeks for this moment.” He swept her into his arms, and she obliged him by wrapping hers around his neck drawing him closer.
“I will here for you the rest of my life, sir, and after I relocate my ring, I will proudly wave it for all of Minnesota to see.”
“Hold that thought.” He wriggled out of her arms, reached into his pocket, withdrew the ring she’d left in the parlor, and dropped to a knee. “Saw this before I left and brought it with me. Wasn’t anyone else ever going to wear your ring. Mrs. Frazer, would you wear my token of love from this day forward and never take it off again?”
“That’s a big request, but you did assure me there would be no more surprise visitors coming knocking on my door, right?”
“Right,” he answered. “I’d like to kiss that smirk off your face.”
“What are you waiting for?” Blaire asked. “I put it there just for you.”
In his arms, she forgot everything: the disappointment, anger, hurt, and even the woman sleeping behind bars at the jailhouse. Never again would she take her husband for granted, and she declared to give thanks to God for this man and the new life He’d given to her for the rest of her days.
THE END
WHAT’S NEXT IN THE SERIES
Lisa Prysock loves to surprise her readers and is up next with her November release,
“Belle of the Ball”
Book 12 in the Brides of Pelican Rapids series
is coming soon. Find the link on the series page.
OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES
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AUTHOR’S BIO
Dream Creations: bringing words of hope for the nations. Marlene writes Christian romance books, both historical and contemporary, with a twist of mystery, adventure, suspense and drama to set your pulse racing. She is a wife, mother, grandmother and follower of Jesus.