They’d said he had been a wild one—trouble following him like a stalking lion. She’d never known that side of him. And she never would.
Then as the music died, they knelt for prayer. She closed her eyes, knowing Jake would be there when she opened them.
At the preacher’s amen she stood, side by side with her beloved. Hand in hand—hers soft and trembling, his callused and strong. They betrothed their fortune. Their fidelity. Their love. In a solemn voice, the preacher, his own eyes misty, pronounced them man and wife.
When Jake bent to kiss her, she reached a hand around his neck and pulled him to her. His breath caressed her face before their lips met. The kiss lingered longer than was proper, and neither of them cared.
In the distance, they heard the whistle of the northbound train, the one they must board. They barely had time to stand on the church steps for a photograph and then change out of their wedding finery.
The O’Grady sisters helped Juliette and Annie into their traveling costumes, all the while exchanging pledges to write and visit. Juliette wanted to come back for visits. Except for the last two years, she left many good memories here. Many friends. Her parents’ final resting place.
Yes, the whole family would visit.
Rhyan had hired two buggies to carry them to the depot. When they stopped in front of the heaving train, Jake got out and gave her his arm. “Are you ready, Mrs. Gresham?”
“Very ready.”
“Jake’s our brother, now,” Corky said, crowding in.
“That’s right. I lost my brother when I was about your age. Now I have two brothers and a pretty little sister, as well as the most beautiful wife in the world. If I was struck dead right now, I’d die a happy man.”
The full import of Jake’s words warmed Juliette like the first breath of summer. He was her husband now, and nothing could separate them until death. Not even then.
Her hand found his, and they wove their fingers together. “You’ll have to hold that happiness a long time. I hope to spend twice as many years as Mrs. Gresham as I did as Juliette Kendal.”
“And I will do my best to be right there with you.” He tucked her hand in the crook of his elbow.
A short while later, they settled in their seats. “By the way,” Jake said for her ears only, “we’re going to spend the night in Atlanta and take Rhyan’s private railcar tomorrow.”
The full import of those words sent a flutter to her stomach. “Lovely. I’ve always wanted to see Atlanta.”
“We might have time to do that too.”
She smacked his knee and smothered a giggle. The train lurched forward, taking them to their future.
A future rich with purpose and children. Laughter and love.
Author’s Note
Thank you, dear reader, for reading Escaped. Readers are so important to the success and growth of good Christian fiction. If you enjoyed this book, please help us promote it by letting your friends know through social media and word of mouth. Subscribe to my newsletter and receive a free ebook, Cloaked in Love, and announcements about future books. https://dl.bookfunnel.com/or10xrsvje And, most important, pray for me and other authors. The publishing industry is an important way to enlighten the public about the love of God in an entertaining way. Since reviews are more important than ever for books to get noticed, please leave a review at Amazon.com and Goodreads. I write only for the Lord’s glory and the reader’s pleasure, so I would much appreciate your opinion.
Books by this Author
The Annex Mail Order Brides series:
Adela’s Prairie Suitor
Ramee’s Fugitive Cowboy
Prudie’s Mountain Man
The Annex Mail-Order Brides Boxset
Intrigue under Western Skies series:
Book 1, Pursued
Book 2, Surrendered
Book 3, Revealed
Book 4, Escaped
The Wolf Deceivers series:
Book 1, The Chieftain’s Choice
Book 2, The Duke’s Dilemma
Book 3, The Captain’s Challenge
Also:
The Perfect Gift, a Christmas Novella
The Washwoman’s Christmas
Cloaked in Love
About the Author
Elaine Manders writes wholesome, Christian romance about the strong, capable women of history and present day and the men who love them. She lives in Central Georgia with a happy bichon-poodle mix. When not writing, she enjoys reading, sewing, crafts, and spending time with her daughter, grandchildren, and friends. Y0u may contact the author at any of the following.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elaine.manders.35
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ehmanders
Email: [email protected]
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/elaine-manders
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14151675.Elaine_Manders
Escaped (Intrigue Under Western Skies Book 4) Page 26