Molly beamed, looking better than she had before the sisters had moved to town a few months ago. Was it because she'd have a family of her own to take care of? Or the promise of livestock?
Either way, both Maggie and Molly would always share their wedding anniversaries together.
Epilogue
Three days later
Peter looked down the row where he and his new family sat together in church. Maggie was holding Alice and softly talking to the baby. Christian sat between Maggie and him, quietly studying the people around them. And Bonita...switched back and forth between their laps twice already. She had too much energy to sit still this morning.
Pastor hadn't started the service yet. As usual, he was waiting for Kaitlyn to finish visiting and take her seat on the front pew. Of the six men who came to town, only Wesley and Squires sat on the pew with Kaitlyn now. The others, now married, had moved to the back church pews to sit with the couples who had small children.
“Papa?” Christian said in the quiet voice he started using a day ago.
“What, Son?” Peter said with pride, happy he could call the boy by that name.
“My heart feels happy now,” Christian whispered shyly.
“I’m so glad to hear that. That makes me, and your Mama happy, too,” Peter answered as he hugged the boy to his side.
Peter never guessed when he and his five friends decided to take a chance in Clear Creek, Kansas, that he'd find a job, home, community, a loving wife, and an instant family.
He reached his arm across the top of the bench seat to stroke Maggie's shoulder.
She turned toward him and smiled.
“Did you hear Christian?” Everyone marveled that the boy was finding his voice and expressing himself now.
“Yes, and I'm happy about Christian talking, and some other things too.”
“Like what?” Peter teased, but he wanted to know.
“How things turned out for us, our children, and our community of friends,” Maggie smiled at Peter, and his chest filled with pride. They would have a good life together.
“I'm happy that the Peashooters’ plan brought me to town to find you and the children,” Peter softly said to Maggie.
“I'll have to agree,” Maggie said as she looked down at their children and back up to Peter.
“I wonder how our children will find their spouses twenty-some years from now.”
Maggie smiled, probably thinking of the antics the older women used to get their group together. “Who knows, but their weddings will happen before we know it.”
“Well, I'm sure you, your sisters, and friends will help guide our children to their future spouses,” Peter winked at his wife and then turned to face the front of the church.
Kaitlyn was walking down the aisle. Pastor could start the church service now.
***
“I was so surprised to come to town today and find out two of my granddaughters had married. I wish I could have been at their weddings,” Cate Connely said as she met with her friends after the church service.
“Neither wedding took a minute to complete. Pastor condensed the vows down to one line to have them married before they adopted their children,” Kaitlyn consoled Cate.
“But we still need to celebrate their marriages and adoptions," Cate commented.
"Thank you, Helen, for allowing us to have their reception at the hotel next Sunday afternoon,” Cate added.
“You’re welcome, Cate. Think the Peashooters can get Maisie wed by next Sunday to celebrate all three sisters’ marriages at once?” Helen Paulson joked, knowing that wouldn't happen.
“Maisie would insist on a bridal dress, veil, and flowers for her wedding. No quick one-minute vows for her,” Sarah, the girl’s mother announced, knowing her youngest daughter's taste in fashion and wedding protocol.
“You never know about these young women,” Darcie Shepard said as she wagged her index finger at the group. “We may have set them up to meet and marry men, but three of the first four wedding dates have surprised us.”
Helen thought of her daughter, Nadine. Wesley Preston seemed interested in her, but Nadine wouldn’t give him the time of day. Maybe they weren’t meant to be a couple.
But what about the other mismatched couple, Maisie Brenner and Squires Miller? Helen knew something was brewing between them. But would their continual clashing turn into lasting love?
~*~*~*~
What the next book in the series to read?
Maisie Swaps her Groom
Maisie Brenner and Squires Miller are the next mismatched couple to fall in love and marry. Look for their story to release soon on Linda Hubalek’s Amazon page.
Dear Reader:
I hope you enjoyed reading one of the stories in the Mismatched Mail-order Bride Series. Please help other readers discover my books by either recommending them to family and friends by word of mouth or writing a review. I’d appreciate it.
For more information on this series, you can go to www.LindaHubalek.com, or go online to your favorite retailer, or ask your local library to order them for you. These are standalone stories, but I recommend reading the books in order to get the full benefit of the storyline.
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Many thanks from the Kansas prairie!
Linda K. Hubalek
Books by Linda K. Hubalek
Historical Romance Series
The Mismatched Mail-Order Brides Series
The third series set in Clear Creek, Kansas, 1892)
The Peashooter Society’s Plan
Amelia Changes her Fellow (Amelia and Barton)
Avalee Exchanges her Fiancé (Avalee and Gordon)
Maggie Shifts her Gent (Maggie and Peter)
Maisie Swaps her Groom (Maisie and Squires)
Molly Switches her Man (Molly and Tobin)
Nadine Trades her Partner (Nadine and Wesley)
Grooms with Honor Series
The second series set in Clear Creek, Kansas, 1885-1892)
Angus’ Trust (Angus and Daisy)
Fergus’ Honor (Fergus and Iris)
Gabe’s Pledge (Gabe and Iva Mae)
Mack’s Care (Mack and Pansy)
Cullen’s Love (Cullen and Rose)
Seth’s Promise (Seth and Lily)
Adolph’s Choice (Adolph and Poppy)
Nolan’s Vow (Nolan and Holly)
Elof’s Mission (Elof and Linnea)
Jasper’s Wish (Jasper and Julip)
Tully’s Faith (Tully and Violet)
Kiowa’s Oath (Kiowa and Mary)
Brides with Grit Series
The first series set in Clear Creek, Kansas, 1873
Rania Ropes a Rancher (Rania and Jacob)
Millie Marries a Marshal (Millie and Adam)
Hilda Hogties a Horseman (Hilda and Noah)
Cora Captures a Cowboy (Cora and Dagmar)
Sarah Snares a Soldier (Sarah and Marcus)
Cate Corrals a Cattleman (Cate and Isaac)
Darcie Desires a Drover (Darcie and Reuben)
Tina Tracks a Trail Boss (Tina and Leif)
Lorna Loves a Lawyer (Lorna and Lyle)
Helen Heals a Hotelier (Helen and Ethan)
Faye Favors a Foreman (Faye and Rusty)
Amy Admires an Amish Man (Amy and Eli)
~*~*~*~
Contemporary Romance Series by Linda K. Hubalek
The Clear Creek Legacy Series features descendants of the Brides with Grit and Grooms with Honor families (available and future titles)
The Saddler’s Legacy (featuring the Shepard families)
The Rancher’s Birthright (featuring the Reagan families)
The Marshal’s Gift (featuring the Wilerson families)
The Cowboy’s Heritage (featuring the Hamner families)
The Soldier’s Bequest (featuring the Brenner families)
Historical Fiction Series by Linda K. Hubalek
Trail of Thread Series
Trail of Thread
Thimble of Soil
Stitch of Courage
Butter in the Well Series
Butter in the Well
Prairie Bloomin’
Egg Gravy
Looking Back
Planting Dreams Series
Planting Dreams
Cultivating Hope
Harvesting Faith
Kansas Quilter Series
Tying the Knot
About the Author
Linda Hubalek has written over forty books about strong women and honorable men, with a touch of humor, despair, and drama woven into the stories. The setting for all the series is the Kansas prairie which Linda enjoys daily, whether by being outside or looking at it through her office window.
Her historical romance series include Brides with Grit, Grooms with Honor, and the Mismatched Mail-order Brides. Linda's historical fiction series, based on her ancestors' pioneer lives include Butter in the Well, Trail of Thread, and Planting Dreams.
When not writing, Linda is reading (usually with dark chocolate within reach), gardening (channeling her degree in Horticulture), or traveling with her husband to explore the world.
Linda loves to hear from her readers, so visit her website to contact her or browse the site to read about her books.
www.LindaHubalek.com/
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Epilogue
Books by Linda K. Hubalek
About the Author
The End
Maggie Shifts Her Gent Page 11