Ivy returning with a tray containing a white china coffee pot, cream jug, cups and saucers interrupted them. “Here we are,” she said cheerfully, “and a glass of milk for you, young man.”
“Thanks, Ivy,” Connor said.
“I’ll let you pour my dear. Food won’t be long.”
****
Later that night as Anna lay in bed with Connor’s arm resting across her waist to keep their bodies close, she reflected on the trip into town.
She had learned so much more about him today. It pleased her that he did have a few close friends. She liked Lewis and Ivy and the elderly Doc Swanson who they had passed in the street after leaving the diner.
Tomorrow she would start sewing the curtains. She wanted to make this a real home for Connor and Max. These two people who she loved with all her heart, had lived through some hard times which she wanted them to forget. Happiness with her could erase all the bad memories.
Epilogue
Twelve months later.
Connor hung his hat on the peg in the kitchen and placed his boots on the floor. He had already washed his face and hands in the dish Anna always kept in the washing room. He couldn’t believe the happiness she had brought into his life. Her, Max and now baby Jessica.
He sure was a lucky man. Fate was a strange thing. If he hadn’t been at Dry River station when the train from New Orleans pulled in, hadn’t intervened when Harry Edwards became abusive toward Anna, they never would have met. Now he had a beautiful wife and daughter and Max was the kind of son any man would be proud of.
In two months-time Pastor Schmidt would come over to baptize Jessica in the local church. May and Lewis had insisted on having a luncheon at their place with Ivy, Frank and Doc Swanson and Gudrun and the Pastor.
Rather than dreading it, he was looking forward to his little gal making her public debut. Max was at school now he had learned how to ride a horse, and Lewis’ two oldest boys had taken him under their wing.
In his stocking feet, Connor crept into the bedroom. Anna must have fallen asleep feeding the baby. His two precious gals looked so beautiful a lump formed in his throat.
Gently he eased the baby out of Anna’s arms and kissed her plump little cheek. He loved touching her soft skin, inhaling her sweet baby smell. The baby didn’t stir. “Come on, darlin’, time for you to go to your bed and let your mother sleep.”
Carefully he wrapped the baby in her blanket and placed her in the cradle he had made from the finest timber he could find. As he straightened, he glanced at Anna, his beautiful wife.
God had been good to him giving him the happy life he had always wanted, but never thought possible.
The End
Author Links
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http://www.margarettanner.com
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http://amazon.com/author/margarettanner
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About the Author
Margaret Tanner is an award winning, bestselling Australian author, who mainly writes Historical Romance and Historical Western Romance. She loves delving into the pages of history as she carries out research for her novels. No internet site is too boring, no book is too old or tattered for her to trawl through, no museum too dusty.
Her love of Westerns came about because of the movies and TV shows of her childhood. Some of her favorites were Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Wagon Train and Little House on The Prairie.
Many of her novels have been inspired by true events, with one being written around the hardships and triumphs of her pioneering ancestors. She once spent a couple of hours in an old prison cell so she could feel the chilling cold and fear.
Apart from her family and friends, writing is her passion.
Margaret is married with three grown up sons and two gorgeous little granddaughters.
Other Books by Author
Western Historical Romance
A Husband For Christmas – Spinster Mail-Order Brides – (Book 3)
A Niece for Christmas – Spinster Mail-Order Brides – (Book 10)
Flynn’s Debt – Belles of Wyoming series
Lily – Guilford Crossing Brides – Book 1
Freddie – Guilford Crossing Brides – Book 2
Alfie – Guilford Crossing Brides – Book 3
Alex – Guilford Crossing Brides – Book 4
Beltane Bride
Edwina, Bride of Connecticut (American Mail-Order Brides Series)
Cowboy Christmas
The Sheriff’s Outcast Bride
The Cowboy and The Quaker
Savage Possession
His Brother’s Wife
Possession
Fiery Possession
Gunslinger’s daughter
Claire, Tess, Flame, Jessica, Scarlett, Sophie (Women Betrayed Series)
Pearl Harbor and More Anthology
A Rose in No Man’s Land
Reluctant Father
We Never Said I Love You
Daring Masquerade
Allison’s War
Rich Man’s Folly (Sequel to Allison’s War)
Lauren’s Dilemma
Falsely Accused
Contemporary Romance
Baby Maker
Haunted Hearts
The Billionaire’s Revenge
Christmas Santa Mystery