Lady Outlaw (32 page)
Jennie sniffled. “Is that what they say?”
“Whether they do or not, it’s true. You need a ranch, Jennie Jones, and I need you. So I guess my cattle days aren’t numbered.”
Reaching up, Jennie placed a hand against his cheek, loving the smoothness of his freshly shaved jaw. “Thank you, Caleb. Thank you today, and tomorrow and forever. Next to having you as my husband, I can’t think of a better gift.”
“Seeing your smile every day will be thanks enough,” he said as he pressed his forehead to hers.
A new round of tears temporarily blurred her vision. “Are you sure you knew what you were doing that day you accepted my job offer?”
“No, but God did.”
Jennie smiled, then easing back, she gave him a serious look. “You don’t wish you were marrying someone else? Another girl might cause you a lot less trouble.”
Caleb shook his head, his blue eyes devoid of teasing. “I’ve known for a while that you’re the girl for me. Even with your men’s clothes and your stubborn ways, I love you, Jennie. And I always will.”
Jennie threw her arms around his neck. “Does that mean you won’t mind sleeping next to me and my pistol?”
“As long as you aren’t pointin’ it at me.”
Her heart thudded wildly in her chest as Caleb bent down and kissed her. She felt breathless and filled to bursting with joy. Whatever lay ahead, she and Caleb would face it together.
“You ready to head back?” he asked as they ended their kiss.
Nodding, Jennie reached for his hand and gave it a squeeze. “Let’s go get married, cowboy.”
* * * * *
Keep reading for an excerpt of
A Baby Between Them
by Winnie Griggs!
Dear Reader,
I’ve always had a great fascination for the pioneers who settled the West. As a kid, I loved exploring abandoned mining towns with my dad and sisters, hoping to uncover an antique artifact. I never tired of hearing pioneer stories and imagining what life was like back then. This captivation spilled over into my writing. If I couldn’t wear a fancy bustle dress or ride in a stagecoach in everyday life, then my characters could.
From this story’s beginning, I wanted a romantic, high-adventure tale. And what’s more romantic in the Old West than a young lady who, in desperation, turns to outlawing to save her ranch?
Western outlaws have long been the stuff of romantic legend, including Utah’s most famous, Butch Cassidy. As I prepared to write this book, I read about his life and those of other outlaws, male and female. Many of these, like Jennie, came from religious homes and were good people at the core, but a desperate need drove them to a life of crime. Unlike most, Jennie eventually chooses the difficult road back to a life of honesty.
While outlaws existed in many parts of the West, I chose to set this story in my home state of Utah. The pioneers who settled here were no strangers to hard work and deprivation. Working together, they turned the desert land into thriving communities. This rugged setting with its civilized towns and regular stage travel became the perfect backdrop for Jennie and Caleb’s love story.
I enjoy hearing from readers. You can contact me through my website at
www.stacyhenrie.com
.
All the best,
Stacy Henrie
Questions for Discussion
1. Why does Jennie insist on handling the ranch’s financial troubles alone? Why does she keep her robberies a secret from her family?
2. Where is Jennie spiritually at the beginning of the novel? How does she change by the end?
3. Why does Caleb choose to let Nathan go rather than arrest him for his past crimes?
4. What ultimately prompts Caleb to forgive Jennie for her robberies?
5. When can worthy endeavors—like Jennie’s desire to save her ranch or Caleb’s desire to prove himself to his parents—become vices?
6. Caleb finds it challenging at first to learn the skills of ranching. What skills or occupations in your life were most difficult to master?
7. What are the different ways Jennie and Caleb deal with grief at losing loved ones?
8. Caleb and Jennie must both overcome bitterness at the effect other people’s actions have had on their lives. How are their reactions similar? How are they different? How are they able to let go of bitterness and embrace peace?
9. What is the turning point in Caleb’s faith before he meets Jennie? How is he able to help her along her spiritual journey?
10. What was your favorite scene in the book? Why?
11. Did the book fit your idea of life in Utah at that time? Why or why not?
12. Grandma Jones tells Jennie, “You start down one path and realize you should have taken another. The important thing is recognizing when you need to switch.” What paths have you started down in life, only to realize you needed to make a change? What helped you choose to go in a different direction?
13. Jennie has a great love for the ranch—a place she works hard to keep. Is there a particular place or house from your past that holds great significance?
14. Are there ever times, like Jennie helping herself to some of Horace and Clyde’s stolen loot to buy the ranch more time, when the end justifies the means? Why or why not?
15. What sacrifices did Caleb make out of love for Jennie? What sacrifices did Jennie make out of love for Caleb?
We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired Historical title.
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Love Inspired Historical
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Chapter One
Faith Glen, Massachusetts, August 1850
N
ora Murphy looked at her two younger sisters across the room and tamped down the pinprick of jealousy that tried to intrude on her joy at their good fortune.
After all, this was her sister Bridget’s wedding day to Will Black, a good and honorable man who loved her dearly. Everyone in town was gathered to celebrate here at Will’s home—Bridget’s home now, too. It was a joyous occasion and it would be selfish to put her own feelings above her sister’s.
So what if just a scant month ago Maeve, the youngest, had also married a wonderful man? No matter how it felt, Nora assured herself, it wasn’t
truly
pitiable to be the oldest and the only one still single and with no marriage prospects. After all, at twenty-five she had a few years left to her before she’d have to don her spinster cap.
Strange how in just a little over two months—a seeming eyeblink of time—her whole world had changed. Back then they’d lived in Ireland amidst the terrible burdens of the potato famine and the sickness that had taken so many of their friends and neighbors, and finally their beloved da. Suddenly orphaned and facing eviction, they’d been left all but destitute and desperate. The startling discovery of a possible inheritance across the ocean in America from an old suitor of their mother’s had been an answered prayer. She, Bridget and Maeve had left their homeland, headed for the land of promise with only their faith and the hope of finding a new home in the small town of Faith Glen, Massachusetts, to keep their spirits up.
They’d all taken jobs aboard the ship the
Annie McGee
to replenish their drained savings after purchasing their passage. Maeve, the youngest, had fallen in love with and married the ship’s well-to-do doctor, Flynn Gallagher, before they’d even set foot in America.
And now Bridget, the middle sister, had married Will Black, a mill owner and Faith Glen’s wealthiest citizen.
How wonderful that her sisters had found good, honorable men who loved them deeply and who could care for them extravagantly. It was surely a blessing from the Good Lord Himself. And she was certain the Good Lord had plans for her, as well. Whether or not those plans included marriage was another question altogether.
Father Almighty, I really do want to be obedient to You and to patiently await Your will for my life. But please be patient with me when I try to get ahead of You. I am prideful and too often try to control my circumstances.
“I brought you a glass of punch.”
Pulled out of her musings, Nora found Sheriff Cameron Long, the man who employed her as housekeeper and cook, standing in front of her. He had a cup in each hand and was holding one out to her. His always-ready, lopsided smile was in evidence, giving him a boyish look despite his imposing size. Really, the sheriff could be so considerate.
When he wasn’t being so maddeningly stubborn.
She looked up, meeting his gaze. Unlike her sisters, she had more of her father than her mother in her and had been the tallest of the three siblings. But Sheriff Long still towered over her, which was an uncommon but not entirely unpleasant experience.
“Thank you.” She accepted the cup and took a quick sip. “’Twas kind of you to bring it to me.”
He took a drink from his own cup. “If you don’t mind my asking, what are you doing over here by yourself? As a sister of the bride I would think you’d want to be in the thick of things.”
Nora waved toward the cradle that held her infant ward. “I’ll rejoin them shortly. I just put Grace down for her nap.”
She still found it hard to believe that no one had come forward to claim the newborn foundling who’d been abandoned during their voyage. Perhaps, for some reason, the child’s family members couldn’t reveal themselves. But whatever the case, Nora was guiltily glad they hadn’t. The idea of giving Grace up now was too painful to consider.
