“Please find a seat, everyone. We’ll be serving the meal in a few minutes,” Farley announced.
Violet and Simon accompanied Adam and Faith to a beautifully set head table up front, where sparkling glassware, gold-rimmed china plates and shiny silverware lay on a pristine white lace tablecloth. A pretty centerpiece of evergreen boughs and dried florals caught her eye. “This is so lovely,” Violet commented.
“Farley puts on a superb wedding meal. Every one of my brothers and my sister have followed up their ceremony with an exceptional meal and wonderfully memorable celebration here.” Simon sipped the glass of wine they’d been served.
Violet took a tentative sip enjoying the unfamiliar beverage. She set her glass down and sighed, relieved the formal part of the day was over and now they would celebrate. She couldn’t believe it. Mrs. Simon McLennon. She smiled to herself; she had everything she’d ever wanted in life. The Triple C Ranch. The man she’d loved for so long. She looked forward to the children they would have someday. Her future couldn’t look more rosy.
Michael, Simon’s youngest brother, approached the table with Roland. Simon stood and shook their hands.
“Congratulations, Simon.”
“Thank you.” The groom grinned at his brother. “Guess you’ll be next. All of the rest of us are married.”
Michael shook his head, emphatically. “Not me. I’m not getting hitched any time soon.”
Roland laughed. “Wait until some beauty catches your eye. You’ll be done for then.”
“Can’t see me settling down to married life for years yet.” Michael smiled and pointed toward the head table where Faith was seated. “Now, Roland here. He’ll be next to fall victim to a lady’s charms. And we all know who that will be.”
Simon smiled at Faith. “Ain’t that the truth.”
Roland reached across the table for Faith’s hands. “Sooner than you probably figure.”
Faith smiled, rounded the table, and hugged Roland as she gazed into his eyes. “Last night, Roland asked me to marry him. Of course, I said yes.”
Violet squealed, hurried from behind the table, and hugged Faith tightly. “Why didn’t you say something?”
“I didn’t want to steal the attention from the bride on her special day.” Faith looked into her friend’s eyes. “But I can’t wait until we’re sisters-in-law.”
“Sounds like Milestone’s bachelor vet has already gotten himself scooped up,” Simon observed, laughing. “No doubt, the young ladies were excited to see an eligible young man move into town, hoping to catch your eye. You’re going to break a lot of hearts.”
“Can’t be helped,” Roland claimed. “I’ve found the girl for me.”
“Well, dang it. Now everyone’ll be hounding me to find a wife,” Michael lamented.
“Good luck with that.” Roland grinned. “I’ve found the best one already.”
“Might be a new schoolmarm comes to town,” Violet speculated. “Never know, Michael. The girl meant for you is out there somewhere.”
Michael laughed. “I hope she don’t come looking for me too soon. I’m enjoying being single and listening to my brothers complaining about babies keeping them up all hours of the night.”
“Your time is coming, little brother.” Simon slapped him on the back and then smiled at Violet. “Personally, I can’t wait for babies to start keeping me up.”
“Then eat up. You’ve got a job to do tonight,” Adam whispered, grinning, before he settled back in his seat.
Violet felt her face flaming.
“Supper is served,” Farley called. “Reverend Fitzpatrick, could you please say grace for us.”
Following the reverend’s blessing of the meal, everyone enjoyed their supper. The noise level in the room rose with so many folks talking at once. Violet gazed around the room at so many of her neighbors and friends enjoying themselves. Despite the hard year they’d experienced, every rancher who’d survived the losses remained hopeful for the future. Violet included. She clasped Simon’s hand, knowing she couldn’t ask for a better man to spend the rest of her days with.
“Are you happy?” he whispered, then kissed her cheek.
The room erupted in applause.
“Kiss her properly,” a man called from somewhere in back of the room.
“Very happy,” Violet replied.
Simon complied with the request and kissed her on the lips, taking her breath away. He met her eyes and smiled. “I know we’ll be as happy as we are today when we’re old and gray and watching our grandchildren playing in the yard at the Triple C.”
“Character, Caring, Courage,” Violet whispered. “I couldn’t agree more with the new meaning of the Triple C. Beliefs to teach our children.”
“Values we’ll live by for as long as we’re on this earth.”
Violet’s eyes filled with happy tears. “Until death us do part,” she whispered the vow she’d taken today.
After suffering through the worst winter of her life, Violet learned she could never predict where life would take her. But with Simon at her side, nothing would stop her from living life to the fullest. Whether raising children with her husband, or watching the Triple C prosper while building a legacy for future generations, with their enduring love for each other, anything was possible.
A LOST LOVE’S LEGACY
Book 5
Sons Of A Gun Series
While reading her grandmother’s diary, Rosemary Dalton discovers an ancestral closet clogged with skeletons just waiting to tell their stories. But during a trip to her grandfather’s hometown, Rosie learns a truth that suggests her grandmother has kept a secret from everyone. Rosie enlists the help of the handsome young rancher who befriends her, hoping they can prevent a horrible misjustice.
Michael McLennon finds himself torn between the lovely young lady he could so easily fall in love with and his father’s nemesis who plans to ruin the future of every McLennon on the Double M Ranch. How can the same blood flow through the veins of a vengeful mother and a daughter who is so sweet and kind?
Will Michael and Rosie team up and ensure good prevails? Or could a shattered love from generations past tear them apart forever?
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thank you to beta readers Vicki Chatham and S. L. Dickson for offering invaluable assistance with this series, including help with titles and critiquing all five manuscripts. You ladies were a huge part of the planning and the creation of this historical western series, once I finally settled on a series concept and title. And I couldn’t have finished it without your continued support.
Thank you to Su Kopil from https://www.earthlycharms.com for creating the five beautiful covers for the books in the Sons of a Gun Series. And to my fellow authors Shelley, Katie, Vicki and Shaa for offering suggestions during proof approval. The covers are perfect and I love them. And don’t we all adore a handsome cowboy!
Thank you to Ted Williams, times five for the entire series, for once again line editing and finding my grammatical errors while on the lookout for inconsistencies and blatant goof-ups. I appreciate your passion for the written word and your diligence.
Thank you to my husband for accompanying me to Butte, Montana to complete research for the series set in the fictional town of Milestone, Montana which I imagined to be located several hours travel by stagecoach south of Butte. The fictional McLennon family’s Double M Ranch is situated approximately halfway between Milestone and Butte. The series spans the years 1885 through 1889, and I’ve tried my best to represent the time and era to the best of my abilities as an author, while taking instances of creative license to enhance the storyline where I felt necessary. My apologies for any blatant errors my readers may catch. Butte is a beautiful city oozing with history and stories from days gone by. From mining kings to Irish and Chinese immigrants, from mining disasters to annual celebrations still flourishing today. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Butte and I encourage anyone to check out this wonderful city.
After being pr
eoccupied with several contemporary romance stories and multi-author projects, I’ve enjoyed returning to my first writing and reading love – historical western romance. I loved writing this HWR series! And it’s my fondest wish that my readers will enjoy reading it equally as much. I would much appreciate readers leaving a review—even one sentence will suffice—on Amazon or any social platform of your choice. Thank you so much for your support.
Books by Brenda Sinclair
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B007OXHMES
CANCELED ORDER BRIDE, A REINVENTED LADY,
WHERE THERE’S A WILL, INHERIT A DREAM,
A LOST LOVE’S LEGACY
historical western romance series
The Spirit Creek Series
NO MORE, NO TIME, NO CHANCE, NO TIES, NO WAY, NO HOPE
NO PEACE (Novella)
historical western romance series
Carsen Family Trilogy
TANGLED HEARTSTRINGS, TANGLED MEMORIES and
TANGLED INTENTIONS
Town of Pineview
CHRISTMAS IN PINEVIEW and TROUBLE IN PINEVIEW (sequel)
Escape to Alaska Trilogy
NOT WHAT IT SEEMS, ALMOST DOESN’T COUNT, and NEVER A BRIDE
A BANDIT CREEK MIRACLE and WHEN DREAMS COLLIDE (sequel)
LOVE TO THE RESCUE
50% of the author’s royalties will be donated to Humane Society shelters
A THURSTON PROMISE, Book 1 and A THURSTON CHRISTMAS, Book 12
Part of the Thurston Hotel Series
SADDLE A DREAM
Women of Stampede Series, Book 3
COOKING FOR COWBOY and SECRETS FOR COWBOY
Stampede Sizzlers
WAR BRIDE
Short novella
About the Author
Brenda Sinclair is the author of over twenty historical western and contemporary romance novels. After a career in the accounting field, she traded in numbers for words to become a full-time author. A member of her local romance association, she supports and mentors other writers, believing in paying it forward by helping others.
Brenda has been married to her loving husband for over forty-five years. During that time, they raised two sons and welcomed three wonderful grandchildren.
When Brenda isn’t writing or researching her next novel, she enjoys walking her little dog, Kelly, checking out what Jack Abbott is up to on today’s installment of The Young and The Restless, or snuggling with Kelly on the sofa and enjoying a good book.
Brenda believes life is good, and for days that life isn’t so good, just get over it. There’s always tomorrow.
Find Brenda at:
Website: http://www.brendasinclairauthor.com
Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/brendasinclairauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bsinclairauthor
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Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title
Blurb
Dedication
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 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Acknowledgements
Books by Brenda Sinclair
About the Author
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