Pioneer Love: Damaged Hearts Head West: Mail Order Bride 5 Bundle (24 page)

Grace stared up at him. None of the others could take their eyes off him. His cheeks burned with color, and his voice reverberated through her bones. He really meant it. She couldn’t believe it. He really did care for her the way she always dreamed some man would. He would protect her and defend her when no one else would. She let herself shrink into his embrace, and the care of the last several weeks melted from her heart.

All of a sudden, Thomas let go of her and strode across the room. He walked straight past Cynthia and held out his hand to Grace’s father. “Mr. Oakes, we haven’t been formally introduced. I’m the Reverend Thomas Pikes. It’s an honor to meet you at last, and I would like to formally request the honor of your daughter’s hand in marriage.” He cast a quick glance over his shoulder. “If she’s willing, of course.”

George Oakes shook Thomas’s hand. “I’m the one who’s honored. After the things you just said about my daughter, I’m delighted to give you my blessing. I always knew Grace would find a man who was worthy of her and who would love and care for her the way she deserves.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

Dreams Come True

J
ACKSON
AND
T
HOMAS
stood side by side on the front porch of the ranch house. They wore identical suits with bow ties, and the mid-morning sun shone off their polished boots. Thomas’ belt buckle gleamed between his coat lapels. His friend Cecil Curtis stood on his other side, and another minister friend of his stood a few feet away. A door opened at the head of the stairs inside, and he and everyone else present looked up through the open door at a shimmering white vision on the upper landing.

Grace squeezed her father’s arm tighter when she gazed down at Thomas through her veil. His eyes pierced her soul, and the rest of the world vanished from her mind. How many nights and days had she dreamed of this moment? How many times had she consoled herself that love and joy belonged to other women?

He didn’t see her scars. He didn’t see her years of hardship and anguish. He didn’t see the tears she shed over the countless men who turned her down. He saw only her. He saw her radiant heart, her devoted affection. He loved her pure soul and her sincere godliness. All she had to do was remember his arms around her, and the peace and protection of his love washing her clean of care and despair.

She floated down the stairs on a cloud and found herself standing in front of him. She turned and found her father in tears at her side. He sniffed and nodded when he placed her hand in Thomas’. She kissed his damp cheek and he took his place in line with the other guests.

Grace didn’t hear a word of the ceremony. She kept her eyes on Thomas’ face. She read everything she needed to know about love and marriage and commitment in his piercing green eyes. At last, the minister said, “I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

Thomas lifted her veil, and nothing remained to separate them for the rest of their lives. He kissed her lightly on the lips, but then he pulled away and took her by the hand. The bottomless depth of their connection could wait until they went home to their own house that night.

Thomas turned her toward the guests, and their friends and families crowded around the happy couple. George blew his nose and wiped his face on his handkerchief. Emma hugged Grace and wiped her tears, and Mercy sniffed and sobbed on a chair by the door.

Thomas shook hands with everybody—everybody except Cynthia, that is. Soon they were all sat at the table in the parlor celebrating with an enormous meal.

Two hours later, after the feast broke up, Emma’s father, Henry Johnson, strode up to Thomas and shook his hand for the fifth time. “Thank you very much for your hospitality. I can’t thank you enough for arranging for us to stay out here at your brother’s ranch. It’s been a delightful experience, and my wife Nancy and I wish you and your bride all the happiness in the world.”

Thomas bowed his head. “Thank you. I hope you find the same happiness soon with your own daughter’s wedding.”

Henry stiffened. “My daughter won’t be getting married anytime soon. We’re taking her back to Boston with us.”

Thomas’s eyes widened, and he glanced at Jackson. “But you know my brother…”

“I know all about your brother,” Henry shot back. “I know your brother was engaged to marry Grace and even paid for her train fare out here, whereupon he fell madly in love with my daughter and rejected Grace under the most unacceptable circumstances.”

Thomas lowered his eyes. “I admit it wasn’t the most ideal circumstance in the world, but you have to admit it worked out for the best for me and Grace.”

“That’s not the behavior of a man I want as a son-in-law,” Henry told him. “We’re leaving as soon as the festivities are over, and we’re taking Emma with us.”

Emma jumped up from the table. “You can’t do this! I’m not leaving Jackson.”

“You’re coming with us,” Henry insisted. “If you don’t, I’ll send the Sheriff after your man there. He’ll be arrested for indecency, and he’ll lose the ranch and everything else he’s worked for.”

Emma sank back in her chair. Thomas sighed. “I’m sorry to hear that. I was hoping you might think favorably about my brother when you saw his prospects. He makes a good living with this ranch, and he has the potential to do even better as time goes on. Your daughter couldn’t make a better match.”

Henry shook his head. “I don’t think so. I’m sorry you went to the trouble of putting us up here if that was your reason for doing it.”

“That wasn’t my reason for doing it,” Thomas told him.

George Oakes stepped forward. “We’re taking Mercy home, too. She’s well enough to travel now.....”

“Thanks to Grace,” Thomas added.

Cynthia put her hand on her daughter’s knee. “You’ll be happier at home, darling. We can take better care of you there, where it’s safe and clean and quiet.”

Mercy brushed her mother’s hand off her knee and turned away without answering. Cynthia crossed her arms and harrumphed.

Henry took Emma by the hand and raised her from her seat. “Come along, my dear. It’s time to go. Say good-bye to your friends. The buggy is waiting for us outside.”

Emma’s head shot up. “So soon?”

Henry nodded and headed for the door. Emma threw herself into Grace’s arms and burst into tears. “Can you ever forgive me, Grace?”

Grace patted her on the back. “There’s nothing to forgive. I couldn’t be happier. I should be thanking you for taking Jackson away from me so I could meet the man of my dreams.”

Emma sobbed into her neck. “You’re too good for me, Grace. I don’t deserve a friend like you.”

Grace pushed her off and stroked her cheek. “Don’t worry. You might be back some day soon, and then we’ll be together again. You never know.”

Emma dabbed her eyes and glanced toward the door. “I don’t think Papa will ever let that happen.”

“Don’t lose hope,” Grace told her. “You can find happiness in the face of overwhelming despair. If you ever doubt that, just look at me.”

Emma wiped her eyes. “Good-bye, Grace. I know you’ll be happy out here.”

They embraced again, and Emma cast one last forlorn look at Jackson before her mother led her to the buggy outside. The family climbed aboard and waved to the company standing on the porch. Henry clucked to the horse, and the buggy disappeared into the towering mountains.

A sniff made Grace turn around. Jackson stood behind her with his face hidden under his hat brim. No other sound came from him, but his shoulders shook with sobs. She put out her hand to comfort him, but he spun away from her and disappeared into the house.

Another buggy rolled up to the porch, and George Oakes handed Cynthia into the seat. She waved her imperious hand at Grace. “Good-bye, Grace, and good luck.”

“Good-bye.” Grace bit her lip to stop herself from smiling.

George climbed the steps and put his arms around his eldest daughter. Then he broke down in tears. “When will I ever see you again?”

Grace sniffed back her own tears and held him close. “You might come back. It only took you three weeks to get here this time. Travel gets faster and easier with every passing year. You might decide to visit more often. Besides, when there are some little Thomas’ running around they will need their grandpapa to come love on them!”

George nodded and kissed her on the cheek. “I always knew you’d find the right man. It was only a matter of time.”

They clasped each other by the hand, and George turned toward Mercy’s chair. But she wasn’t paying any attention to them. She gazed down into the face of Cecil Curtis, who knelt at her side.

“Who is he?” Grace asked Thomas.

“He’s been my best friend since we were boys,” Thomas replied. “He works as a lumberjack in town.”

As they watched, Mercy offered Cecil her hand, and he pressed it between his. Snatches of whispered conversation passed between them. Then Cecil got to his feet and helped Mercy to her feet. She held him by one hand, and in the other, she supported herself with a cane. Cecil walked her out to the porch and down the steps. He only let go of her hand when she climbed into the buggy.

“I’ll write to you,” he called up.

She smiled down at him. “I’ll see you again soon.”

The buggy separated them, and Cecil walked after it for a dozen yards before he stopped. Grace took Thomas’s hand again. “That's it, then. I didn't think they would leave so soon.”

Thomas drew her closer to him. “They might be back before you know it.”

“I hope so,” she replied.

He kissed the back of her hand. “Let’s go home.”

The End

I hope you have enjoyed this first story in the
Grace & Mercy Find Peace on the Prairie
series. No doubt you will be wondering what becomes of Emma and her lovelorn suitor, Jackson. Continue reading as we follow Emma’s terrifying ordeal, and her journey to hard won happiness, in the next book in the series,
Emma’s Escape
. It is available right now on Amazon for just $0.99 or Free on Kindle Unlimited…
Emma’s Escape

NEVER
MISS A GREAT STORY!

To find out about new releases why not join the
Terri’s Update List
.

You will also receive a FREE EXCLUSIVE SHORT STORY -
Not Available Anywhere Else