Read Constance: Bride of Florida (American Mail-Order Bride 27) Online

Authors: Patricia Pacjac Carroll

Tags: #Historical, #Romance, #Fiction, #Forever Love, #Victorian Era, #Western, #Fifth In Series, #Saga, #Fifty-Books, #Forty-Five Authors, #Newspaper Ad, #Short Story, #American Mail-Order Bride, #Bachelor, #Single Woman, #Marriage Of Convenience, #Christian, #Religious, #Faith, #Inspirational, #Factory Burned, #Pioneer, #Florida, #Shadows, #Followed Rules, #Sailing Ships, #Sea Voyage, #Ultimatum, #Father, #Leaving, #Marriage, #Future Plans

Constance: Bride of Florida (American Mail-Order Bride 27) (14 page)

BOOK: Constance: Bride of Florida (American Mail-Order Bride 27)
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Chapter 20

 

Constance never dreamed she could be so happy. Drake loved her. Totally and wholly, they loved one another. Tonight they were going to his parent’s. He still struggled to fit in with them, but she felt as if she’d been born to fit in his family.

Drake worked at the store. He seemed happy, but there was still something missing for him. She worried about him. Worried that her dreamy life would shatter. He’d told her how his dream of buying the ship had died.

Despite her feelings of happiness, a dark cloud hovered over her. Things could turn sour in no time. Like the factory burning down, her parents dying. She thought about the man who’d invented the icemaker and how his life had ended in disappointment. Drake was holding something from her.

“Are you ready?”

She turned to see him and some of the clouds blew away. “Yes.”

Together they walked to his parents as it was only around the block. Drake grabbed her and kissed her on the porch. She pushed him away. “What will your parents think?”

“That you’re my wife.”

She laughed as he opened the door.

Once inside, she felt the same pall she’d felt earlier. Drake walked her inside and to the parlor.

His father stood at the fireplace, one hand placed on his wife’s shoulder.

Constance felt Drake flinch. Her heart went out to him. He’d told her of his dreams being shattered. She’d held him and prayed for him, but she feared for him. For herself, that he’d tire of her.

The men turned their gazes to Drake. His father nodded. “Drake. You said you had something to share with us?”

She felt him draw in a deep breath. She prayed for him. Hoped for him. He’d not told her his plans.

“I bought a boat yesterday.”

Her heart sank. The sea had won.

“She’s an eighty footer with sails and steam engine and crew of six. I can use her to collect sponges as you suggested, Father. However, for her maiden voyage, I’m taking my wife on a trip. When we get back, I’ll set up the sponge business.” He turned to look at her. “That is if my wife agrees.”

Constance smiled at her husband. “Let’s have an adventure together.”

Drake hugged her to him. “Father, I hope that doesn’t leave you shorthanded.”

Edgar stood and walked to the center of the room. “I have news. Tess and I are staying in Apalachicola. She likes it here and wants me to work in the store. Her father agreed but said he’d always hold a position for me if I needed it.”

###

Constance had finished packing for their adventure at sea. Pausing, she sat down and wrote a letter to Roberta.

Dear Roberta,

I wanted to thank you for helping me find myself. Oh, I know you probably don’t remember me. I hid in the shadows and was practically afraid of my own, but when I came by to get the
Grooms’ Gazette
, you told me something that helped me change.

You said, “You’ll be fine, Constance. The Good Lord put a spark of courage in everyone. I hope you find yours.”

I am happy to tell you that I found my courage on a sailing vessel named
Journeys end
. The captain had told me he named the ship after Shakespeare’s line – “Journeys end in lovers meeting.” I am happy to say that I married Drake Ferris. He loves me, and I couldn’t be happier.

Sincerely,

Constance Penny Ferris

P.S. Oh, I forgot to tell you. I haven’t told Drake yet, but I believe we are expecting a little one next year.

She dropped it in the mailbox and ran home to her husband. She’d miss his parents but couldn’t wait to sail the seas. Although, when he found out about the child to be, they might cut their adventure short.

Together, they walked to the dock. She gazed at the puffy white clouds and smiled. Dreams weren’t illusions to try and find, they were what life was made of. Day by day, she and Drake would make their life together.

Drake stood on the deck of the ship. He ran to her. “Ready?”

She held her hand to him. “Aren’t you going to ask me aboard, Captain Ferris?”

He grinned. “Permission granted. You’ll love her. I made some changes. Made our cabin bigger. Come aboard the
Morning Star
.”

She laughed. “I love it. Let’s make our own dreams and adventures.”

###

Drake stood at the bow and ordered his ship to sea. He held Constance close to him and watched as the sea sprayed over the sides of the ship. Her sails were full and catching the wind. He kissed Constance. Held her close, and whispered in her ear. “I love you, darling. Now and forever more.”

She looked up at him with love shining from her eyes. “You don’t want to leave me and sail away?”

He laughed. “You are my ocean. Only with you, am I truly free.

Dolphins jumped beside the ship.

“That’s a good omen. The ship likes you, Constance.”

She grinned. “I have that effect on ships.”

“On me, too. I never knew such belonging until you came into my life.”

She traced the line of his chin. “I would say your order for a mail-order bride worked out well for the both of us.”

He took her face gently in his hands. “More than you will ever know.”

 

 

~~

Author’s Note:

I hope you enjoyed Constance and Drake’s story. It is always my hope to entertain readers with stories that bring enjoyment and encouragement.

For more information, you can contact me:

email  …………..
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Web site………...
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***
Constance: Bride of Florida is the 27
th
book in the unprecedented 50-book American Mail-Order Brides Series. The books can be read in any order as each is a stand-alone offering. Read the Free prequel:

http://www.newwesternromance.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BOOK: Constance: Bride of Florida (American Mail-Order Bride 27)
5.49Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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