Authors: Maya Stirling
Devlin's Montana Bride (Sweet, clean Western Historical Romance)(Montana Ranchers Brides series) (15 page)
They'd left Ruth and Jedediah smiling and happy, albeit more than a bit tired after the midnight visit. But he guessed it had all worked out in the end. Caulfield had lost. There was no way he was going to be able to cause Devlin and Elise any more trouble. Jedediah had made it clear that he wouldn't be dealing with Caulfield again, and any threats from the rancher would be dealt with head on with the law.
Devlin felt the envelope, which he'd jammed inside his jacket, press against his chest. He had everything he needed now. There was nothing to be worried about. His ranch was safe, but more important than that, his wife was safe.
And, it seemed that she loved him.
He knew that now. He could see it in her eyes, in the little glances, the teasing, questioning looks.
Devlin realized with a start that he hadn't said the word to her; the only word that mattered in a situation like this. But how could he say that to her? Could he be sure that she wanted to hear him say it?
Devlin glanced over at Elise. She sat straight and upright in the saddle. He could see that she was tired. The evening had taken so much out of her. He wanted to lift her up and carry her the rest of the way to the ranch if it would mean he could have what he really wanted, truly needed right in this moment.
Her love.
She was so beautiful. The soft glow of the moonlight made her skin shine; the sheen of her long hair was so good to look at; she looked entirely at home on the horse. He loved her poise, the elegance in the way she held herself. He adored her long neck and he wanted to lean over and plant kisses on the side of it. She'd make the perfect rancher's wife; his wife. That thought made him shake his head in disbelief.
He thought of Trent. If what he'd said was true it looked like all three of the ranchers were going to be husbands. First Nathan, then Devlin and now Trent. He wondered briefly what would become of Trent and his decision to honor his promise to a friend. He quietly wished his friend the best in his upcoming marriage. But that was for another day.
Three ranchers and three brides.
And all in such a short time. But that was how life was out here in Montana, Devlin reflected. It was the kind of place that made men take life to the extremes. It made a man seek out the best in life and that included the women they chose to be their wives.
And he was glad that he had chosen Elise.
The night air was cooler now and he saw Elise shiver. Devlin's long coat was draped over the horse. He lifted it from behind him and drew closer to Elise. "Here. Put this on you. It's getting cold."
He wrapped the coat around her. Elise snuggled into it and smiled at him. Holding the reins tight, Devlin leaned over and kissed Elise on the forehead. When he drew his head back he saw that she had closed her eyes momentarily, savoring his brief touch.
"Are you happy?" he asked her, already knowing the answer.
She gazed at him and he saw the sparkle in her eyes that meant nothing needed to be said. She nodded. "And you?" she asked him after a pause.
"I can hardly believe what's happened in the last few days," he answered.
"As you said to me. Montana has a way of affecting people like that," she said.
"We'll be home soon," he said to her.
"I'm glad. I'm looking forward to some rest. There's a bed waiting for me," she joked.
Devlin swallowed. "About that. You do know that there's only one bed in that house, don't you?"
Elise's brows creased. "What do you mean?"
Devlin leaned in closer. "One bed for you and I. That's what I mean," he whispered. He raised a brow.
Elise's mouth opened as she suddenly got his meaning. Devlin was secretly delighted at her reaction. If the light had been brighter he was sure he'd have seen the color of her cheeks change.
"Oh. I see," she said hesitantly.
"Of course. You could sleep in your old room. If you like. But I think that would be a bit of a waste. Don't you?" he said, teasing her.
Elise stared straight ahead. For a long while she seemed to be lost in thought. Devlin kept his mouth tight shut, fixing his attention on the track ahead, waiting for the answer that he knew would come, the only answer he could stand to hear. His heart was pounding and he drew in a deep breath trying to calm himself, but it was proving to be almost impossible.
He glanced at Elise and the need for her rose up in him, almost uncontrollable. He felt a yearning to hold her that was just about irresistible. Gripping the reins in his fist, he tightened his thighs against the horse. His body trembled in expectation.
Waiting for the answer was nearly killing him. He wondered why she was taking so long to tell him the only thing he wanted to hear from her. He'd never known a feeling like this, waiting so desperately for an answer to a question.
Devlin looked at Elise and saw a softness on her face. It was as if a deep calm had settled on her. He could almost feel it from where he sat. Relief coursed through him.
She was going to say yes. He just knew it. Their destiny was to be together and nothing was going to stop that.
Devlin pulled his horse to a halt and Elise did the same.
She turned to him and there was an expression on her face that lit his soul up, and opened up all the hopes and joys of the future.
Devlin leaned over to her, cupped her face in his hand and kissed her with all the gentle, loving passion he could summon. Her lips opened slightly letting him explore. The sweetness of her lips overwhelmed his senses; the scent of her filled him with desire; the softness of her skin made his hand shake.
Their lips parted and he gazed into her soul. "I love you Elise," he whispered.
There was no surprise in her eyes. Only certainty and acceptance. She nodded. "I love you Devlin," she said in a quiet voice that quivered with emotion.
Their declarations of love seemed to fill the moonlit landscape around them, and as they spurred their horses on toward the ranch, it was if the gentle night wind whispered back to them that the future was assured and bright.
THE END
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The Montana Brides series
Three ranchers and their search for brides in 1880's Montana
Devlin's Montana Bride
Trent's Montana Bride (coming August)
The Brides of Sweetheart Falls
Three sisters and their struggles finding husbands and new lives in 1870's Wyoming
Book 1
Mail Order Vows
(Cassie's story)
Book 2
Mail Order Beau
(Martha's story)
Book 3
Mail Order Blessing
(Rachel's story)
Mail Order Vows
Brides of Sweetheart Falls series: Book One. A sweet, full length, complete mail order bride romance novel with a happy ending.
Wyoming 1878
On the verge of giving up on a future in the growing Wyoming town of Sweetheart Falls, and heading back to an uncertain life back East, recently widowed mail order bride Cassie Miller is given a final chance at happiness.
Soon Cassie finds out she has no choice but to marry handsome ex lawman Ethan Macleod. However, can she make a new life while trying to come to terms with the loss of her beloved husband Joshua?
Can she really trust Ethan, the man the entire town agrees would make a perfect husband? How come he already knows so much about Cassie?
And just how far will he go to prove to her that he is worthy of being her new husband?
Book 2 Mail Order Beau (Martha's story)
Brides of Sweetheart Falls series: Book Two. A sweet, full length, complete mail order bride romance novel with a happy ever after.
Wyoming 1878
Martha's story.
After waiting months for the Sweetheart Falls Matrimonial Society to find a husband for herself and her sister, Cassie Macleod's sister, Martha is beginning to wonder if she and Rachel will ever get married. Meanwhile, there's a baby on the way at the Macleod farmstead, and Martha and Rachel need to move out so that their sister and her wonderful husband, Ethan can start their new life as a family, without relatives getting in the way.
However, when town matchmaker Hettie finally provides a selection of suitable husbands, only one of them holds any promise.
Who is the mysterious ranch owner who wants to wed one of the unmarried sisters? Why is he going to such lengths to keep his identity secret? And just what will Martha have to do to secure a future for herself and Rachel?
Book 3
Mail Order Blessing (Rachel's story)
Mail Order Blessing. A sweet, full length, complete mail order bride romance novel with a happy ever after.
Wyoming 1878
Rachel's story.
Sweetheart Falls' town matchmaker Hettie Longfellow has finally found a husband for young, eager to marry, Rachel. Or so Rachel thinks. But there's one obstacle. Aaron Caldigate doesn't want to settle down in town. Then there's the problem of Aaron's past and how it stands in the way of Rachel's chances of married bliss.
Aaron Caldigate is a man who keeps his word. He's returning to Sweetheart Falls because he promised he'd come back after completing his training as a lawyer. But he's not planning on staying, especially since his mother has taken it upon herself to find him a bride!
However he hasn't counted on a very determined and beautiful young bride-to-be who is going to do everything she can to persuade him that Sweetheart Falls is the only place to settle down, and that she is the only woman for him.
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
Devlin's Montana Bride © 2014 Maya Stirling
