Love Inspired Historical March 2014 Bundle: Winning Over the Wrangler\Wolf Creek Homecoming\A Bride for the Baron\The Guardian's Promise (23 page)

Sybil's legs folded under her and she crashed to the ground.

At the sound Brand turned. When he saw her, his expression went from alarm to concern. He hurried to her side. “How did you get here?”

“I rode a horse.” She explained how worried she'd been when Dawg returned.

Brand snorted a little laugh. “He refused to follow me, so I sent him back. Then I got to thinking. If a dog can see where he belongs, maybe I should try and be as smart.”

He went down on his haunches beside her. “Sybil, I want to say something I should have said before.” He scrubbed his lips together before he could go on. “For a few minutes I thought I'd never get the chance to say it.”

She nodded, hopeful but uncertain. After all, she had written about him without his permission, and at first, it was why she had shown interest in him.

“Sybil Bannerman, I love you. I know you're a fine Englishwoman and I'm only a poor cowboy and a Duggan at that, but I love you. You don't have to love me back. I don't expect it, but I was afraid I'd die without ever telling you.”

She wondered if he was ever going to stop. It seemed the most words he'd strung together since they'd met. She touched his lips to end his speech.

“No more apologies. Brand Duggan, I love you from the bottom of my heart.”

He let out a whoop, pulled her to her feet and kissed her soundly. She kissed him right back.

Behind them, Mercy coughed.

Sybil turned without leaving Brand's arms. “I wondered how long you'd wait.”

Brand held her close, filling her with pure, sweet pleasure.

Mercy drew the horses forward. “I suggest we go home before Eddie sends out a search party.”

Sybil sighed and rubbed her legs. “I suppose there's only one way to get back.”

Mercy's laugh rendered Sybil no sympathy. “Same way we got here. On the back of a horse.” She swung up on her mount.

Brand and Sybil stood next to the other horse. She thought she had never seen such a beautiful smile as the one he wore. It sparkled in his eyes and filled her heart with joy.

“We'll take it slow,” he promised.

She hoped he didn't mean their courtship. Taking it slow, being cautious, had almost cost them their chance at love.

He trailed a finger along her jaw. “The reputation of the Duggan gang might haunt me for years. Perhaps I'm not being fair to you.”

“Don't you dare change your mind about loving me.” She said it teasingly, having full confidence in his affections.

His laugh was short and a bit regretful, she thought. “There might be others who want to deal with the last Duggan. Like that man back on the trail.”

“Then I suppose I'll have to take shooting lessons.”

He chuckled then, the sound deep in his chest.

She hugged him. “I don't intend to let you go. You'll never be alone again.”

He kissed her slowly, sweetly. She was learning to appreciate his gentle ways. She would always be safe with him.

“I've always wanted a little ranch where I can break and train horses.”

She laughed. “I'm sure everyone will be as surprised to hear that as I am.”

He grinned sheepishly. “Will you be happy as a rancher's wife? If not, we can live in town.”

“Brand, it's sweet of you to offer, but I'm finding I quite like ranch life.” She brushed her hand across his cheek. “I think it will be a wonderful adventure with you.”

He was about to kiss her again, but suddenly drew back. “About that story you wrote about me...”

“Forget it. I decided a long time ago I wasn't sending it to the editor.”

“Here's what I think. You send it in as you've written it. About a nameless cowboy. On two conditions.”

“Anything you say.” She waited for him to name the conditions.

He cupped her face and looked deep into her eyes. “You write more of the children's stories and sell them in your own name.”

“I promise to write them, but I can't promise someone will buy them.” She knew being a woman would prove a barrier to some publishers.

“Then you'll tell them to our children.”

Mercy had ridden ahead and turned to call, “Are you two coming?”

“Yes,” Sybil answered. To Brand she said, “I guess we better follow her.”

“Not just yet.” He caught her about the waist and bent his head to kiss her, with so much tenderness her eyes stung. With the promise of a growing love, the promise of a family and a bright future, they mounted up and rode back to the ranch.

Epilogue

April 1883

S
ybil took one last look at the little log cabin where she and Brand had spent the winter. Eddie and the Eden Valley cowboys had built it for them as soon as Sybil said she didn't intend to wait until spring to marry.

“We both know enough about loneliness,” she'd told them all last fall. “I want to share the winter with Brand even if we have to live in a tent.”

Jayne's eyes had widened in shock.

Mercy had chuckled. “Whatever happened to the little Sybil who lived a safe, comfortable life?”

Sybil's smile came from the warmth of her heart. “She grew up. She found love and discovered it was worth taking risks to enjoy.”

“You won't need to do that,” Eddie said. “So long as you don't object to a small cabin.”

“I have no objections whatsoever.”

Linette had arranged for a preacher to come from the fort, and Sybil and Brand had married the last day of September. Their wedding had been simple. Just the folks from the ranch. She'd worn a new dress at Linette's and Jayne's insistence. The pair had labored over it many hours.

Sybil smiled at the remembered pleasure of that day. Honoring her wishes not to have anything fancy, her friends had made her a beautiful gown in a sunset-gold color. Its simple lines made her feel elegant.

Brand was so handsome in his white shirt and dark pants, with his hair neatly trimmed, that her eyes had stung with joy.

Her throat tightened at the thought of saying goodbye to the place where she and Brand had spent so many happy hours together.

She looked about the one-room cabin they'd shared, and prayed Brand had found their time together here as healing as she had.

The bed in the corner had been made, ready to be used by visitors. The stove was cold. She'd polished it until it was black and shiny. The shelves were almost bare. The few books and jars she left behind belonged to Linette. The unlit lamp sat in the middle of the tiny table.

“Goodbye,” she whispered, and turned to wait for Brand.

He pulled a wagon to the doorstep and leaped down to lift her into his arms. He pressed a kiss to her lips before he helped her up to the seat.

Linette, Eddie, Grady and Mercy stood at the bottom of the hill. Cassie and her children waved from the foreman's house. Jayne raced out and grabbed Sybil's hands.

“You come and visit often,” she said.

“And you must come and visit us.” She and Brand planned to invite the Eden Valley Ranch folks as soon as the weather permitted them to gather outside.

Amid more goodbyes, Brand and Sybil drove from the yard.

She snuggled against him, eager to share her secrets as soon as they reached their own home.

Brand had purchased land from Eddie, half an hour away to the northwest. Sybil had visited the place many times as Brand worked on their house, but she hadn't been there in several days.

If not for the joy of Brand's company and the pleasure of seeing signs of spring around them, she would have found the drive endless, so eager was she to get there.

Brand pulled the wagon to a halt at the break in the trees. “There it is. Our own place. I never thought I'd ever have the privilege of being able to settle down.” He pulled her close. “Nor did I imagine I would ever have a sweet wife like you.”

She kissed him and rejoiced to feel how his arms no longer carried tension in them. It had taken Brand weeks to stop looking over his shoulder for his pa and brother. But now he was finally accepting that his ordeal was over.

They continued onward. Brand pulled the wagon to the front of the new house, a log cabin with a window on either side of the welcoming door. It was three times the size of the one they'd spent the winter in, with three rooms—a big kitchen, a little sitting room and a bedroom.

“We'll add more rooms as we need them,” Brand had promised.

For the many children they hoped to have. Sybil pictured little boys and girls tumbling from the doorway to greet them.

Brand lifted her down. “Welcome home.” His voice deepened, indicating how much he reveled in this new stage of their lives.

“Wait a minute. I have something to show you.” She retrieved the valise she'd brought from the ranch, and pulled out a book:
Western Boys and Girls,
by Sybil Bannerman.

He stared at it a moment, then understanding dawned. He whooped and swung her in a wide circle.

“I still think I should have sold it as Sybil Duggan.”

“We had this argument.”

“Yes, and I let you win.” He thought the Duggan name might pose a barrier to her success. She'd finally relented simply because she saw how much it upset him.

“Do you still feel the same way?”

“I do. The Duggan name will always be besmirched.”

She pulled his face close and kissed him soundly. “I am honored to share your name.” She leaned back and studied his features. “Brand, do you think you can teach your children to be proud of their name?”

He returned her look with equal seriousness. “In time people will forget about the Duggan gang.” He shrugged. “And I guess I'll learn to put it behind me, too.”

“How much time do you think you'll need?”

“I can't say.”

“Will six or seven months be long enough?”

His eyes stilled. “Why?”

She laughed deep in her throat. “Because in about that length of time there will be another Duggan, and I want him or her to be proud of who they are and who their father is.”

He blinked. Stared. Swallowed hard. “Another Duggan?”

She cradled her arms as if holding an infant. “A very small one.”

He laughed and swept her off her feet again. “Whooee. What a day this is. A new book. A baby on the way.” He crossed the threshold. “And a new home.” He kissed her before he set her down inside the cabin.

“A new life together as the Duggans. We will be known as a couple—a family—that loves deeply.” They'd likely be known for many more things—honesty, kindness, hospitality, and above all, joy.

“Ma used to say God will always be with us,” Brand murmured. “He will always guide us to a safe place. Her words have come true this day and I thank Him.”

“Me, too.” Clasping hands, standing forehead to forehead, they bowed, and each prayed in gratitude for God's faithfulness and love. “Amen.”

They stepped into the kitchen and the beginning of a shared life together. Brand stood behind Sybil and wrapped his arms about her. He pressed his palms to the place where their child lay in safety. “Welcome home.”

She leaned against his chest, so content she didn't want to move. The anticipation of shared joys blessed every thought and eased every breath.

Life as a Duggan offered a wonderful future.

* * * * *

Keep reading for an excerpt from WOLF CREEK HOMECOMING by Penny Richards.

Dear Reader,

I hope you enjoy another visit to the Eden Valley Ranch. It is one of my favorite places. Yes, it exists only in my imagination, but I see it when I visit ranches in the foothills, when I go to museums in that area or when I see pictures that match something I've made up. Even though the stories and characters, even the settings, are fictional, I hope you find reality in how these people lived and the problems they overcame. I pray God will encourage you as you read about Sybil and Brand.

I love to hear from readers. Contact me through email at
[email protected]
. Feel free to check on updates and bits about my research at my website
www.lindaford.org
.

God bless,

Questions for Discussion

1. Why does Brand feel he must isolate himself
   from other people? Do you think he is justified in doing so? Did he have
   alternatives?
   
2. What has Brand's past taught him about
   becoming friends with men? Women?
   
3. What has made Sybil wary about becoming
   friends with others?
   
4. Is there something in particular about Brand
   that makes Sybil realize he spells danger to her heart? What is there about
   him that gets past her barriers? What events pull them together?
   
5. Brand and Sybil both have secrets. Why don't
   they confess them to each other? Do you think they had good reasons for
   holding back?
   
6. How would you have felt if you had
   discovered Brand's secret the way Sybil did? Do you feel it excuses the way
   she judged him?
   
7. Was Brand justified in reacting as he did
   when he found the notes Sybil had written about him?
   
8. How do you feel about Sybil writing under a
   pseudonym? Of being afraid to publish her children's stories? Are her
   concerns justified? Do they reflect the opinion common to that era?
   
9. What lessons did Sybil and Brand each have
   to learn in order to be able to express their love for each other?
   
10. How was their faith challenged? Did it grow
    throughout the story?
    
11. Does their future together look rosy? Do you
    foresee problems? If so, how do you think they will handle them?