Chasing Clovers (33 page)
Authors: Kat Flannery
When the song ended, the men erupted in loud applause, hooting and hollering for more. Giving them what they wanted,
she belted out "Yellow Rose of Texas", "Home Sweet Home", and "I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen". The last song affected even the tough guys, as they wiped a tear from their eyes. The cowboys tossed long-stemmed daisies, roses, and lilacs, to show their gratitude for the fine music she shared with them.
Holding an armful of the wildflow
ers―there were more at her feet―she asked the men to join her in her last song, "Home on the Range." They belted out the lyrics while clanking their glasses and dancing around the tables with each other. Carrying on well after the song had finished, the cowboys didn't notice as she slipped off to the side and went up to her room.
John
was the exception. When her last song ended, he had to keep from jumping up out of his chair and rushing to where she stood. Instead, he waited impatiently for her to leave. His dark eyes followed her as she ascended the stairs, entered the third door on the left and closed it behind her.
He
weaved his way through the crowd of boisterous men and climbed the stairs, two at a time, to her room. Taking a deep breath, he knocked.
"
Who is it?" Livy called from the other side.
"
It's John, Livy." He rammed his hands inside his pockets and then pulled them out again. He shifted his weight from his left foot to his right.
The door creaked open a
crack, and Livy peeked out. Her eyes widened when she saw him.
"
I…" He took a breath. "Livy, I have somethin' to say."
She
stepped back from the door to let him in. She was still wearing the maroon dress, and he let his eyes roam over her. "You're beautiful," he whispered.
She blushed, and crossed her arms
, covering her breasts from his view. "Why are you here, John?"
Swallowing past the lump in his throat, his face hot, he took off his hat and ran his hand through his hair. "I've come for you."
"
Well…"
He
held his hand up to stop her. "Please Livy, let me finish. I said some things to you that I shouldn't have. I-I didn't give you a chance to explain, and I'm sorry for that." He stared into her green eyes. "I didn't realize…I didn't know it then…"
She
stood away from him. "Say what it is you've come to say, John."
"
I love you, Livy," he whispered his eyes misting. He watched as her bottom lip trembled.
"
What did you say?" she whispered.
"
I said I love you, damn it." He went to her, pulled her into his arms and kissed her, softly, sweetly, holding onto her, not wanting to let go.
She wrapped her arms around his neck.
"
I need you with me," he whispered against her mouth. "I love you, Livy, and I'm sorry―so very sorry."
"
I-I love you too," she said.
He
pulled away from her. "I want you to come home, darlin'. I want us to be a family."
Tears flowed down her cheeks.
He lifted her chin with his thumb.
"Do you want to come home with me, Livy, and be my wife?"
"
Yes," she cried, "yes, I want to come home."
He
wasted no time scooping her up into his arms and walking toward the door.
"
Wait."
She
pressed on his shoulders so he'd let her down. She ran over to the nightstand, picked up the brown box Ben had given to her, and went back to John.
"
What's that?" he asked, his arms around her again.
She
glanced up at him, and he knew he'd never tire of looking into her beautiful green eyes.
"
Ben gave it to me the night I left, but I couldn't open it."
"
Well, open it now."
He watched as
she lifted the lid off the box, and more tears fell from her eyes onto her cheeks.
"
I can't believe it."
"
What is it?"
She
tipped the box, and showed him nestled inside, Ben's four-leaf clover.
He
pulled her close. "Well, now, I have all the luck I need," he said as he brushed his lips on hers. "I have you, my shamrock-eyed Angel."
"
And I have you," Livy whispered. "And Ben and Emily."
Standing on tiptoe
, she kissed him with all her heart and soul.
Message from the Author
Dear Reader,
Mail order brides have always fascinated me. In the 1800's women married for a sense of security, and financial stability. They were widows seeking help to raise their children, lost souls searching for independence.
In the early stages of writing
Chasing Clovers
, I laid awake countless hours mulling over how to develop this story into an emotional journey for my readers. I took the concept of Mail Order Bride and started asking myself questions. What if Livy came from an elusive past? What if she had a child who was her salvation from that past? And what if the child died? Destitute and alone, she needs to survive and marries a man she's never met.
As I wrote, Livy came to life. She burrowed inside of me, and soon I began to feel her pain, her sorrow, her guilt. I understood her anger and resentment toward others around her. A scorned woman, she longed to feel accepted, needed—wanted. John Taylor was that man. Proud and arrogant, he stepped into Livy's life and demanded she fit in with his family.
John and Livy are a very special part of me. Their story is one of faith and courage, and I will miss them.
I hope you enjoy reading
Chasing Clovers
, and fall in love with John and Livy as I did.
Kat
About the Author
Kat Flannery has loved writing ever since she was a girl. She is often seen jotting her ideas down in a little black book. When not writing or in school, she enjoys snuggling on her couch with a hot chocolate and a great book.
Kat has had her writing published in numerous periodicals. She is now hard at work on the next novel. When not focusing on her creative passions, she is busy with her three boys and doting husband.
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