Love Inspired Historical June 2014 Bundle: Lone Star Heiress\The Lawman's Oklahoma Sweetheart\The Gentleman's Bride Search\Family on the Range (95 page)

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Keep reading for an excerpt from LONE START HEIRESS by Winnie Griggs.

Dear Reader,

This story was both painful and a pleasure to write.
Josie reminded me so much of my vibrant and strong niece. She made me laugh with
her antics. After writing
Love on the Range,
I
really wanted Mary to have a happily ever after, too, and who better than with
Lou Riley, mysterious and charming secret agent? Mary needed someone to trust,
and unbeknownst to her, Lou needed a family. Enter Josie, a murderous uncle and
some funny side characters like Miss Alma and James, and this story started
rolling.

Discovering little tidbits about prohibition in Oregon, the
rise of the Ku Klux Klan and how war affected people's health was an added bonus
in the writing.

I'm so happy that Lou, Mary and Josie have their family
together. Family is one of the most precious gifts a person can have, and thank
goodness blood ties are not required to create one!

I would love to hear what you thought of this story. You can
friend me on Facebook or visit my website at
www.jessicanelson.net
. My email is
[email protected]
, or feel free
to drop a letter to Love Inspired Books, 233 Broadway, Suite 1001, New York, NY
10279.

Many blessings,

Jessica Nelson

Questions for Discussion

1. Which characters can you identify with? What part of their journey mirrors your own?
   
2. Lou had a past that no one knew about. Why do you think this secret was destroying him? Have you ever felt like God took something irreplaceable? How did you move past that feeling?
   
3. Mary suffered trauma through no fault of her own. How has forgiveness factored into your life? Especially when you feel someone is undeserving of your forgiveness?
   
4. Mary's desire to protect Josie caused her to lose sight of how Josie's mother felt. Sometimes good intentions can cause others pain. Has that ever happened to you, and how did you rectify the situation?
   
5. Josie scared Lou because she reminded him of the family he lost as a young man. Soon he began to see that what he feared was what he actually needed in order to heal. Has facing a fear ever led you to a place of healing? What prompted you to face the fear rather than run from it?
   
6. James battled alcoholism as a young man. He lost everything until Mary took him in. Have you ever faced addiction or known someone trying to recover from it?
   
7. Fear can be overcome, but often not without great struggle. Has Mary overcome her fears? How did she do it? In what ways have you conquered your own fear?
   
8. Both Lou and Josie's uncle were angry at God. In the end, they dealt with their anger in different ways. Which way do you think is healthier, and why?
   
9. When trauma or loss occurs, it is natural to question God's love. Have you ever felt angry with God? How did He bring you peace?
   
10. Josie was filled with questions about God. What kind of questions have you struggled with in your life? Where and how did you find the answers to your questions?
    
11. Mary told Josie that God loves her and wants to answer her. In what ways has God answered your cries for help?
    
12. Mary was wary of intimacy with men because of her past, but she trusted Lou. Who in your life do you trust, and why?
    
13. Lou ignored his own emotional needs for a long time, covering them with an active life helping others, and laughter. Do you think this was healthy in the long run? Is there a balance between meeting our own needs and the needs of others, and how can you find that balance?
    
14. Reading the Bible comforted both Lou and Mary in many ways. How often do you read the Bible and what are your favorite passages? Why are they your favorite?
    
15. Lou was afraid to love again. What would you say to someone who has suffered a great loss? Have you ever experienced trauma and what steps did you take to heal from the pain?
    

We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired Historical title.

You find illumination in days gone by.
Love Inspired Historical
stories lift the spirit as heroines tackle the challenges of life in another era with hope, faith and a focus on family.

Enjoy four new stories from Love Inspired Historical every month!

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Chapter One

Texas
June 1896

“T
his doesn't look good.”

Ivy gently set the hoof back down on the grassy road and patted the mule's side. “No wonder you're limping, Jubal—it 'pears like you've picked up a honey of a stone bruise.”

The mule turned around to nip at her, but she avoided him easily enough. Although Jubal might be ornery at times, he usually wasn't mean. Unfortunately, these weren't usual circumstances.

Maybe she shouldn't have set such a demanding pace this past day and a half, but she'd hoped to make it to Turnabout in two days' time. A woman traveling alone for this distance, even if she was dressed as a boy, was vulnerable to gossip and worse.

But it looked as if she was doomed to spend another night on the trail.

“Not that anyone's gonna notice we're late,” she told Jubal, “since no one is expecting us exactly. I'm just anxious to find out what the mysterious inheritance is that this Drum Mosley fellow is holding for me.”

Ivy gave the mule's side another pat as he brayed out a complaint. “I wish there was something I could do to make you feel better.” They were a day-and-a-half's ride from home and headed in the opposite direction. It had been several hours since they'd seen signs of people or habitation, so she figured they'd be better off pressing forward. “Guess we'll just have to get by as best we can.”

She turned to her other traveling companion, also of the four-legged variety. “Well, Rufus, I guess I'll be walking the rest of the way alongside you.”

The dog barked in response and she rubbed his head, comforted by the feel of his shaggy coat and the trusting look in his eyes.

“Let's hope we find a homestead with neighborly folks who won't mind strangers bunking in their barn.” She straightened. “At least there's lots of good foraging to be had this time of year.”

She took off her straw hat and wiped her forehead with her sleeve. It might be the first week in June, but the summer heat had already set in.

How far had they come since they'd started out at dawn yesterday? Other than a couple of short breaks, they'd only stopped when darkness made it unsafe to travel last night. They broke camp at daybreak this morning and she estimated it was getting on to four o'clock now. Surely they were getting close to Turnabout. Which meant it would be time to exchange her britches for a skirt soon.

She glanced down at Rufus. “Whatever this inheritance is, it sure better be worth all this trouble. 'Cause we could really use some good luck about now.”

She patted Jubal's neck. “Wouldn't it be something if we could return home with enough money to rebuild the barn and buy a new milk cow? That would sure make Nana Dovie's life a lot easier.”

Grabbing the reins, Ivy looked the mule in the eye. “I know you're hurting, but we need to make it a little farther before dark.”

She moved forward and lightly tugged. To her relief, Jubal decided to cooperate. She glanced down the narrow, deserted road as she absently swatted a horsefly away. They hadn't seen so much as a fence post or wagon rut since before noon. Apparently this shortcut to Turnabout wasn't well used. But surely they'd spot
some
sign of civilization soon.

Not one to enjoy long silences, Ivy shared her thoughts aloud. “It's been a wearisome day and you two have been great companions. Don't think I don't appreciate it. In fact, I have a special treat for each of you that I'll hand out as soon as we stop for the night.”

She glanced at Rufus, padding along beside her. “It would be nice if you and I ended up with a barn or shed to sleep in tonight, don't you think?”

Not that she minded camping out—that's what they'd done last night and, other than fighting off some pesky mosquitoes, they'd managed just fine. But those gray clouds gathering overhead would likely bring rain before morning and she didn't relish the idea of getting soaked.

But as Nana Dovie always said, worrying was like doubting God. If you truly believe He's in charge, then you have to trust He'll work everything out for the best.

Of course, it never hurt to let Him know what you'd like to have happen.

“Mind you, Lord,” she said respectfully, “I know we can use a bit of rain to settle the dust. It's just that I'm not sure that sheet of canvas I brought along will keep out more than a spit and a drizzle, and I'd rather not have a mud bath. If You could help me find a dry place to sleep, it would be most welcome.”

She glanced over at the mule. “And please help Jubal heal quickly. Amen.”

Ivy smiled down at Rufus. “Now, whatever happens, we'll know He has it in hand.”

An hour later, she frowned up at the overcast sky. The clouds had thickened like clabbered milk and the heavy air clung to her skin like a damp petticoat. And they still hadn't come across any signs of civilization. Jubal's limp was more pronounced now—she couldn't in good conscience push him further today. She had to let the injured animal rest.

“Well, boys, as Nana Dovie says, when you don't get the thing you prayed for, it don't mean God ain't listening. It just means the answer is either
no
or
not now.
So it looks like we're going to spend another night under the stars. And this is as likely a spot as any.”

* * *

Mitch Parker sat comfortably in the saddle, soaking in the morning sunshine and peaceful surroundings, letting all the stress of the past few weeks dissolve away. It had rained most of last night, but the rhythmic pattering on the cozy cabin roof had added to the serenity.

And today had dawned bright and warm—perfect weather for the first full day of his vacation. The leaves on the trees had that special shine they always had after a rain and the only sounds were those of the birds and insects. He might even take out his sketch pad later.

School was out for the summer, giving him a welcome break from his teaching duties. But more than that, he was ready for a break from Hilda Swenson. The persistent widow and mother of three had made him the target of her attention for the past several weeks and seemed oblivious to his hints that he wasn't interested. She was a flibbertigibbet of the highest order—something he had no patience for. And her determined pursuit was playing havoc with the quiet, well-ordered life he'd strived so hard to build for himself and was determined to maintain at all costs.

He never wanted to go back to what he'd once been. Nor did he want to be a husband again, not after the tragic outcome of his marriage.

His rebuffs of the widow's overtures would obviously have to be more direct in the future—a confrontation he wasn't looking forward to. Thus his decision to slip away to a friend's cabin for a week or so.

Mitch shook off those thoughts. He'd deal with that unpleasantness when he returned to Turnabout. This week was for relaxing and regaining that all-important sense of control over his life.

And this back-of-beyond cabin had been just the place to do it. He was grateful to Reggie Barr for giving him the use of it. In a way, it was a homecoming. The cabin was where he'd spent his first night in this part of the world, two years ago. Reggie had been a stranger then, but had held his fate in her hands. Now he counted her and her husband, Adam, amongst his closest friends.

He'd made it to the cabin yesterday afternoon, in time to get some fishing in. Fishing, reading and sketching, and no people around. Yes, this was going to be a fine week indeed.

Just before he'd left town yesterday, Reggie had told him he could find some mulberry trees north of the cabin. So now he was heading that way, hoping to gather a generous amount of the fruit, and curious to explore a different section of the woods. Perhaps he'd find inspiration for some of the sketching he planned to do.

A bark echoed through the trees, catching Mitch's attention. What would a dog be doing out here? It was a four-hour ride from Turnabout and as far as he knew, no one lived out this way. Then again, maybe someone had settled here recently. He grimaced at that thought. He hoped whoever it was wasn't the gregarious type—he wasn't in a sociable mood.

But he was getting ahead of himself. A dog didn't necessarily mean there were people around. The animal could have wandered all this way on his own.

Mitch slowed Seeley, then pulled the horse to a stop. Maybe he should turn around and return to the cabin. If there
were
people up ahead, there was no sense in inviting an acquaintance. Perhaps if he refrained from intruding on them, they'd return the favor.

Then he reluctantly set Seeley in motion again. If he
was
going to have neighbors, it was best he meet them at a time of his own choosing rather than have them arrive on his doorstep when he wasn't prepared. He could also drop a hint or two that he valued his privacy.

As Mitch neared the spot where the dog's bark had come from, he heard a human voice as well, though he couldn't make out the words. Well, that answered that—there
were
people out here.

He peered through the woods and spied a youth standing on a log, plucking mulberries from a tree. It appeared someone besides him had designs on the berries.

Mitch quickly scanned the surrounding area, looking for the other members of the lad's party. There was a scruffy-looking dog and a mule, but no sign of either a homestead or other people.

The dog spotted him first and began barking furiously.

“Goodness, Rufus, what's gotten into you? Is it another squirrel?” The youth turned to look and, as he caught sight of Mitch, his eyes widened and his foot slipped, losing its purchase on the log. His arms flailed as he attempted to catch his balance. The youth's hat went flying and the appearance of a long untidy braid had Mitch quickly revising his initial impression.

A moment later,
she
was flat on her back on the ground.

And not moving.

Nightmare memories of another fallen woman whooshed through Mitch with the force of a flash flood. He vaulted from his horse, his heart pounding like a mad thing trying to escape his chest.

Not again. God wouldn't be so cruel as to make him relive such a tragedy a second time.

Would He?

Copyright © 2014 by Winnie Griggs