“Since Brandon isn’t upset with me for dropping him off the way I did, we’ll take you up on your offer,” Joe replied.
“You won’t be sorry,” Brandon said. “Lokni is the best cook in the area.”
Lokni gave him a pleased smile but corrected, “I don’t know if I’m the best.”
“No? Then why did I gain a couple of pounds around the waist?” Brandon asked in a teasing tone as he patted his stomach.
Michelle laughed. “It’ll be nice to get better acquainted. You two seem like a fun couple.”
“I’ll close the mercantile at five,” Brandon said with a chuckle. “Come here then, and I’ll take you over to my home.”
“We’ll be here then.” Joe picked up the box of items he had purchased from the counter and offered a nod to Lokni before he and Michelle headed out.
Brandon gave Wilma another piece of candy. “A part of me thinks I should give Joe a gift because he did drop my sorry butt off in that town where we met. I have a lot to be thankful for.” He smiled at Lokni. “I honestly don’t think a man could do better than I did.”
“A woman couldn’t do better, either,” she replied. “You’re a wonderful father and husband, Brandon.”
With a glance around to make sure no one was watching them, he leaned over the counter and kissed her. “Is it any wonder I love you as much as I do? You make me a man I can be proud of.”
“Papa, can I have another candy?” Clint asked.
“You already had two,” Brandon said. “If you keep eating candy, you’ll spoil your dinner.”
“Just one more?” He clasped his hands together and stared up at his father with sad eyes.
Brandon looked at Lokni, silently asking her if it was fine with her.
“I suppose one more won’t hurt, especially since we have company coming tonight,” Lokni said.
“Alright.” Brandon dug two peppermints from another jar and gave one to each of their children. “You’re fortunate to have such a nice mother.”
She grinned at Brandon and then proceeded to order the staple items she had come to get for cooking. He would take them home with him later that day. She could tell him what she wanted before he left for work, but she liked the excuse to go pay him a visit, and he never seemed to mind.
Plus, on the way back, she got another chance to look out at the ocean and remember the times during their long journey when he had talked about it with a wistful expression on his face. It was during that time they had fallen in love with each other. So maybe it was more than the ocean itself that thrilled her. Maybe the ocean reminded her of his love for her.
She smiled and guided her children home. She had a wonderful life, and she wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.
Author’s Note
This is the end of the Pioneer Series, and I thought I would give a brief update on what happens to the characters featured in the series.
Richard and Amanda Larson had twin boys, Anthony and Mark, and a girl, Annabelle. I am going to write Anthony’s and Mark’s romances in the Misled Mail Order Brides Series, which are due out in 2018. The first book in the series is due out November 2017, and that features Sep Wilson, who was Joel Larson’s younger brother-in-law in Shotgun Groom (Book 6 in the Nebraska Series). So you will be seeing some more of Richard and Amanda as they continue to live their happy ending in this series.
Jesse and Laura Palmer had Elliot, Benjamin, Mark, and Teresa. Amanda and Laura remained very close friends, and Jesse went on to acquire more farmland, which he farmed with two of his sons. They ended up selling a lot of their crops and made a good living this way.
Joe and Michelle Otto did not have children. They did, however, often visit Jesse and Laura Palmer, and those children were like nephews and nieces to them. They also got to travel the entire country, including Canada and Alaska, and lived out a lot of adventures along the way.
Brandon and Lokni Herman found their happily ever after in a quaint home in San Francisco. Brandon did work at the mercantile, and he eventually bought it from the owner who decided to go further north to set up another business. Brandon and Lokni had more children together. After Clint, Lokni gave birth to Wilma, Donna, and Matt. Donna and Matt were named after a couple they had befriended in California.
So as you can see, all four couples lived happily ever after.
Don’t miss the rest of the books in the Pioneer Series…
Wagon Trail Bride (Pioneer Series: Book 1)
Richard Larson has secretly loved Amanda for years, but it wasn't until she had nowhere else to turn that he had the courage to propose a marriage of convenience. Now as they make their way to Omaha, Nebraska for a new life, he wonders if she might ever come to return his feelings.
When Amanda married Richard Larson, it wasn’t for love. It was because he was rescuing her from a painful situation. When they married, they agreed to a marriage of convenience. She didn’t realize he secretly loved her until after the vows were exchanged. Now she doesn’t know how to act around him. And worse, a young man from her past is the one leading the wagon train to Omaha, and he has plans for them to run off to start a new life elsewhere.
The Marriage Agreement (Pioneer Series: Book 2)
Jesse Palmer headed to Omaha with his expectant wife and his mother-in-law. When his wife dies in childbirth, his mother-in-law blames him. And worse, she refuses to let him take care of his son. In order to get his son back, he needs to marry someone–and fast. And who better than the one who makes the offer?
Laura Rufus volunteers to marry Jesse so he can have his son, knowing full well he’s still mourning the loss of his first wife. The last thing she plans on is falling in love with him, but day by day, his tenderness toward his son makes her wish she hadn’t been so quick to propose a marriage of convenience. Will there ever be something more between them, or will she be stuck with the marriage agreement they made?
Groom For Hire (Pioneer Series: Book 3)
When Joe Otto accepted the job to lead a wagon train to California, the last thing he expected was to be asked to marry Mr. Heller’s daughter. Still pining over the one that got away, he’s not sure he has it in him to open his heart to another woman. Mr. Heller assures him the arrangement will only be temporary. Once Joe delivers her to her aunt and uncle in California, he can annul the marriage. Joe can use the money, and besides, it’s only a temporary arrangement. She won’t be his wife for the rest of his life. Reassured by this logic, he agrees to the marriage contract.
Michelle Heller knows the only way she’s going on the wagon train is if she has a husband, so she readily accepts the deal her father makes with Joe. What she doesn’t expect, however, is that her new husband is the most attractive young man she’s ever seen. Over and over, she has to remind herself their marriage isn’t real. It’s only borne of necessity. But as the days pass on the trail, it’s harder to remember their marriage is only on paper, and it seems the two are at odds as to what they want this marriage to be.
After Joe watched the woman of his dreams start a life with someone else, he vowed he would never open himself up to being hurt again. Can Michelle break through his wall, or will she have to annul the marriage once she reaches California?
I have a brand new historical western romance series coming later this year!
The Bride Price is the first book in the Misled Mail Order Bride Series.
It’s due out November 19 or sooner.
A mail order bride. A scarred settler. Will love stake its claim or send them packing?
Angela Frank is tired of teaching other people’s children. Her job is a constant reminder that she has no family of her own and no prospects for a hometown husband. When she spies a mail order bride advertisement, she dreams of a life where her deformities are overlooked by a strapping Omaha frontiersman. She decides to risk everything for her last chance at a family…
Sep Wilson carries scars from a troubled past. And while he’s not the marrying type, when he hears that
an unscrupulous local is running a shady mail order bride scheme, he can’t help but intervene. But he never expected his good deed to end with him married to the mysterious Angela…
The two outcasts may have finally found someone who can help them heal their past. But in uncharted territory, the chance for love may not be enough to keep them safe…
The Bride Price is the first book in a series of high-spirited mail order bride western romances. If you like fiery chemistry with a tender touch, gritty frontier settings, and unconventional heroes, then you’ll love Ruth Ann Nordin’s tale of love.
Pre-Order The Bride Price to journey to the heart’s unmapped territory today!
All Books By Ruth Ann Nordin
Regencies
Marriage by Scandal Series
The Earl’s Inconvenient Wife
A Most Unsuitable Earl
His Reluctant Lady
The Earl’s Scandalous Wife
Marriage by Deceit Series
The Earl’s Secret Bargain
Love Lessons With The Duke
Ruined By The Earl
The Earl’s Stolen Bride
Marriage by Arrangement Series
His Wicked Lady
Her Devilish Marquess
The Earl’s Wallflower Bride
Marriage by Fate Series
The Reclusive Earl
Married In Haste (coming soon)
Standalone Regency
Her Counterfeit Husband
Historical Western Romances
Pioneer Series
Wagon Trail Bride
The Marriage Agreement
Groom For Hire
Forced Into Marriage
Nebraska Series
Her Heart’s Desire
A Bride For Tom
A Husband For Margaret
Eye Of The Beholder
The Wrong Husband
Shotgun Groom
To Have And To Hold
His Redeeming Bride
Isaac’s Decision
Chance At Love Series
The Convenient Mail Order Bride
The Mistaken Mail Order Bride
The Accidental Mail Order Bride
The Bargain Mail Order Bride
South Dakota Series
Loving Eliza
Bid For A Bride
Bride Of Second Chances
Misled Mail Order Brides
The Bride Price (coming soon)
Montana Series
Mitch’s Win
Boaz’s Wager
Patty’s Gamble
Native American Romance Series
Restoring Hope
A Chance In Time
Brave Beginnings
Bound By Honor Bound By Love
Virginia Series
An Unlikely Place For Love
The Cold Wife
An Inconvenient Marriage
Romancing Adrienne
Standalones
Meant To Be
Falling In Love With Her Husband
Kent Ashton’s Backstory
Catching Kent
His Convenient Wife
The Mail Order Bride’s Deception
Contemporaries
Across The Stars Series
Suddenly A Bride
Runaway Bride
His Abducted Bride
Omaha Series
What Nathan Wants
Just Good Friends
Standalone Contemporary
Substitute Bride
Co-Authored Romances
Historical Romance Anthologies with Janet Syas Nitsick
Bride By Arrangement
A Groom’s Promise
Contemporary Romance With Catherine Lynn
Bride By Design (this is under my pen name Barbara Joan Russell)
Other Genres
Enchanted Galaxy Series (Fantasies)
A Royal Engagement
Royal Hearts
The Royal Pursuit
Royal Heiress
Thrillers
Return of the Aliens
Late One Night (flash fiction)
Nonfiction
11 Tips For New Writers
The Emotionally Engaging Character
Where to Find Ruth
To find out more about Ruth Ann Nordin’s books and upcoming titles, you can go to the following sites:
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www.ruthannnordin.com
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