Linda Ford (23 page)

Epilogue

A month later

T
he street in front of the orphanage was
crowded with people. In the park, tables had been set up.

Colton pulled Rebecca to his side. “How does it feel, sweet
wife, to see the culmination of everything you came here to do?”

She leaned her head against his shoulder. Her love for him had
grown so strong it seemed to root her and fill her and bless her. Not a day
passed that she didn’t thank God for bringing her to this place. “It feels good,
but it was a community effort. And you had more than a little to do with getting
the orphanage finished.”

They were jostled aside by Liam chasing after another boy.

“Where’s Heidi?” she asked.

“Over there.” Colton pointed to the girl, who was playing with
Sasha and several other children. “And Jakob is nearby. No one will make cruel
comments to her while he’s there.”

Rebecca and Colton smiled at each other, silently sharing their
secret.

Another wagon rumbled down the nearby street and drew to a
halt. The Holland family jumped down with Friedrich, the boy they had taken
in.

“Looks like the whole community is here,” Colton said. “Just
like at our wedding.”

“Father insisted he must give the sort of wedding that would
make my mother happy.” At first he’d wanted her to return to New York to be
married, but she had convinced him that a wedding there would be a society
spectacle, while in Evans Grove it would be witnessed by people who had become
like family to her. He had relented and said they would put on a wedding that
would leave the community happy for weeks. “I can’t help but think that this
event is of far more significance to everyone than our wedding was.”

He chuckled. “Except for you and me. That was the best day of
my life, and I don’t mean because of the fancy food your father had shipped in
or the beautiful lace-covered dress you wore. I mean because you and I became
one for the rest of our lives.”

She smiled, knowing the fullness of her heart showed in her
eyes.

“No regrets?” he whispered.

“None.”

“Not even having to share our home with my parents?”

“I couldn’t manage without your ma’s help and instruction.”

“No regrets about Jakob and Heidi living with us?”

She nudged him gently in the ribs. “You know my answer. You
just like to hear it. I think a home should include everyone who belongs in the
family.”

“I love you, Rebecca Hayes,” he whispered.

“Shush. The speeches are about to begin.”

Curtis Brooks and Pauline Evans stood in front of the orphanage
and signaled everyone to quiet down. Then Curtis spoke. “It is with great joy
that I officially open the orphanage and welcome the last of the Greenville
orphans.” He waved to the four children Wyatt had brought back two days ago. In
total, eighteen children had been rescued. Everyone clapped. “Thanks to Wyatt’s
hard work and God’s all-powerful hand, each child has been delivered from
slavery.”

Wyatt, at Charlotte’s side with Sasha in front of them, lifted
his hat in acknowledgment.

Curtis continued, “There has been much discussion regarding
naming the orphanage. I felt it should bear Pauline’s name. She was adamant that
it bear my name. We were at an impasse.”

People chuckled, knowing Pauline did not give up any fight
easily.

“However, we have reached a very suitable arrangement.” He
pulled Pauline to his side. “I’m certain my feelings for this woman will come as
no surprise to any of you. Thus it is with great joy I stand before you and say
she has agreed to be my wife.”

The crowd erupted into cheers and whistles.

Curtis smiled, then again signaled for quiet. “Hence we both
get our way in naming the building The Brooks Orphanage.” He and Pauline
exchanged serene smiles. Then he turned to cut a red ribbon across the front
door. “I declare The Brooks Orphanage officially open.”

People clapped and cheered.

Curtis handed the scissors to Mrs. Aarsen, who had readily
agreed to become cook and housekeeper.

“Now let’s enjoy the feast the ladies have prepared. Reverend
Turner, will you ask the blessing on our gathering?”

“I wish to say something.” Miss Ward joined Pauline and
Curtis.

Rebecca knew she wasn’t the only one to bury a groan. Couldn’t
the woman let one single community event pass without attacking the orphans and
the orphanage?

Beatrice twisted her gloves into a knot and cleared her throat
twice. “I wish to publicly apologize to Rebecca and Colton and to you, Amelia. I
have been remiss in my opposition to this work.” She indicated the orphanage.
“Everyone deserves a second chance. I hope you can all find it in your hearts to
forgive me.” She rushed through the crowd. When she reached Mr. and Mrs. Hayes,
they stopped her and insisted she remain with them.

The reverend stood before them. “Beatrice, I’m sure I speak for
everyone present when I say that was a truly humble apology and we extend our
forgiveness. What matters is a spirit of unity and cooperation in our community.
Thank you, Beatrice. Now I’ll say grace.”

As soon as he finished, lines formed to pass the laden
tables.

Rebecca and Colton made their way to Beatrice’s side.

Rebecca held out her hand. “No hard feelings.” She was sure
that even without active opposition, Beatrice would do her best to keep them all
on their toes. Maybe that wasn’t such a bad thing. With her determined attention
to every detail, problems could be found and solved—together, as a
community.

Colton also shook her hand. “Apology accepted.”

She nodded and joined the line by the food tables.

Colton shook his head. “What came over her?”

His ma chuckled. “Pa and I remember what she was like when she
was young. We simply reminded her of some of the things she’d done. Made her
recall how generous people were to forgive her and give her a chance to do
better.”

“What did she do?” Colton asked.

Pa shook his head. “The past is past. Let’s leave it that
way.”

Colton and Rebecca glanced at each other and decided to let it
go. Whatever Beatrice had done, the Hayeses weren’t about to say anything.

“Mother and I have an announcement,” Mr. Hayes said. “We’ve
decided to move into town.”

“But, Pa—”

“Hear me out. Amelia’s house is empty. She’d like to have us
live there. Your ma is feeling much better with that new medicine Doc Simpson
gave her. We’ve discovered how much we enjoy the children and we’d like to help
Amelia with them.”

Colton looked stunned. “You’ve made up your mind, haven’t
you?”

His pa nodded. “It’s time for things to change.”

“Of course.”

Rebecca understood it was hard for him to release his
responsibility, but as his pa said, it was time.

His parents walked away.

“It’s going to be fine,” she assured Colton.

Before he could reply, Jakob and Heidi sidled up to them.
Heidi’s brown eyes were dark with worry.

Colton caught the girl’s hand. “What has you so anxious?”

“Do we move into the orphanage today?”

Rebecca caught Heidi’s other hand and pulled her close. “You
and Jakob won’t be moving into any orphanage.”

Jakob’s hands rested on his sister’s shoulder. “I do not
understand.”

Colton pulled the letter from his pocket. “We’ve been given
permission to adopt both of you, if that meets with your approval.”

Heidi threw herself into their arms. “It does. Doesn’t it,
Jakob?”

Jakob’s face was wreathed in a wide smile. “I’d say it does.”
He stuck out his hand to shake with Colton, but Colton pulled him close and
hugged him, pulling Rebecca into the same embrace.

“Our own family.” Heidi’s voice was muffled by the press of
bodies around her, but she sounded supremely happy.

Rebecca cupped Jakob’s head and pulled his face close to kiss
his cheek. She smiled at Colton.

“We are family, blessed by a loving God.”

His answering smile signaled agreement.

* * * * *

Keep reading for an excerpt from
The Cowboy's
Surprise Bride
by Linda Ford.

Dear Reader,

I’ve always wanted to write a story about an orphanage,
so what fun to be in on the ground floor—literally—of building an orphanage and
rescuing a number of orphans. I got to design it to suit me, and even got to
furnish the rooms. I have to confess that the rooms remind me of an orphanage my
husband and I visited in Brazil many years ago when we went there to adopt a
daughter. Hence, this story has a lot of personal elements to it. Even the
heroine strikes a personal note. She is a rich socialite who was unsure of her
strengths and abilities. I’ve never been rich or a socialite, but I have
struggled with insecurities. Still do.

I hope you find some personal truth for yourself in this story.
I’d love to hear from you if you do. You can contact me at
[email protected]
. For updates on my
stories (and my life) check out my website,
www.lindaford.org
.

Questions for Discussion

1. Rebecca believes it is her duty to obey her
   father. What is right about this? What is wrong?
   

2. Rebecca has neither lived in plain circumstances
   nor been independent. How well do you think she handles this?
   

3. Why is she afraid of her growing love for
   Colton?
   

4. What emotion keeps Colton from being free to love
   Rebecca? Is his reason/emotion based on good motives?
   

5. What do you think of how the community is
   handling the orphans? Could they do better? How?
   

6. Why is Beatrice Ward so opposed to the idea of
   the orphanage? Does she have valid arguments?
   

7. It is never revealed exactly what the Hayeses
   said to Beatrice to make her change her mind. What do you think it
   was?
   

8. Was Mr. Hayes correct in pretending to be more
   crippled than he was? How did you feel when you learned the
   truth?
   

9. Do you think Rebecca will be an asset to the
   community? What about Colton’s parents? What do you see them doing once
   they leave the ranch?
   

10. Do you think Colton and Rebecca have a true faith
    in God? What makes you answer the way you do?
    

11. What do you see happening to the orphans in the
    orphanage? Will Beatrice Ward’s predictions come true?
    

12. If you could write the next few chapters in
    Rebecca and Colton’s life, what would they include?
    

13. Is there a spiritual lesson in the book? What is
    it?
    

14. What is your favorite scene in the book?
    Why?
    

We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired Historical title.

You find illumination in days gone by.
Love Inspired Historical
stories lift the spirit as heroines tackle the challenges of life in another era with hope, faith and a focus on family.

Enjoy four new stories from Love Inspired Historical every month!

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Chapter One

Northwest Territories, Canada
October 1881

F
or the first time she was about to meet Eddie Gardiner. The man she intended to marry. The answer to her prayers.

Linette Edwards parted the curtains on the stagecoach—meant to keep out the dust and cold. The first few days of their trip, dust had filtered through them, and now cold with the bite of a wild beast filled every inch of the tiny coach. Four adults and a child huddled against the elements.

“You’re letting in the cold,” her traveling companion complained.

“I fear we are in for an early snowstorm,” one of the male passengers said.

Linette murmured an apology but she managed to see the rolling hills and the majestic mountains before she dropped the curtain back in place. Since they’d left Fort Benton, headed for the ranch lands of the Northwest Territories of Canada, she’d peered out as much as she could. The mountains, jagged and bold, grew larger and larger. A song filled her heart and soul each time she saw them. This was a new country. She could start over. Be a different person than she’d been forced to be in England. Here she would be allowed to prove she had value as a person. She ignored the ache at how her parents viewed her—as a commodity to be traded for business favors.

She shifted her thoughts to the letter of invitation hidden safely in the cavernous pocket of the coat she’d acquired in Fort Benton. She longed to pull it out and read it again though she had memorized every word.
Come before winter.

“I expect more than a shack,” her friend Margaret had fumed when she’d read an earlier letter from the same writer. “After all, he comes from a very respectable family.” With bitterness edging each word, Margaret read the letters describing the cabin Eddie assured her was only temporary quarters. “Temporary? I’m sure he doesn’t know the meaning of the word. A year and a half he’s been there and he still lives in this hovel.”

“It sounds like an adventure.” Linette could imagine a woman working side by side with her man, being a necessary asset to establishing a home in the new world. It sounded a lot more appealing to her than sitting and smiling vacantly as a female spectator. She’d been raised to be the lady of the manor but she wanted more. So much more.

Margaret had sniffed with such disdain that Linette giggled.

“I have made up my mind,” Margaret said. “I cannot marry him and join him in the wilds of the Canadian West. I expected far more when he asked for my hand before he left to start a Gardiner ranch out in that—” she fluttered her hand weakly “—in that savage land.” Her shudder was delicate and likely deliberate.

“Oh, Margaret, surely you don’t mean it.”

“Indeed I do. I’ve written this letter.”

Seated in the overstuffed parlor of Margaret’s family home in London, Linette had read each word kindly but firmly informing Eddie that Margaret had changed her mind and would not be joining him now or anytime in the future.
I expect it makes me sound small and selfish, but I can’t imagine living in a tiny house, nor being a woman of the West.

“But what about your feelings for him? His for you?”

Margaret had given her a smile smacking of pity. “I enjoyed his company. He was a suitable candidate for marriage. There are plenty other suitable men.”

How often she’d envied Margaret the opportunity to head to a new world with so much possibility simply for the eager taking of it. “But he’s counting on you. Why would you want to stay here when the whole world beckons?” Wouldn’t he be dreadfully hurt by Margaret’s rejection?

“You should marry him. You’re the one who thinks it would be a lark.” Margaret was clearly annoyed with Linette’s enthusiasm. “In fact, write him and I’ll enclose your letter with mine.”

“Write him? And say what?”

“That you’re willing to be his wife.”

“I don’t know him.” A trickle of something that felt suspiciously like excitement hurried up her limbs to her heart. But it couldn’t be. It wasn’t possible. “My father would never allow it.”

Margaret laughed. “I think the Gardiner name would make even your father consider it a good idea. And would it not provide an escape from the marriage your father has planned?”

Linette shuddered. “I will not marry that old—” Her father had chosen a man in his fifties with a jangling purse of money and a drooling leer. His look made Linette feel soiled. She would do anything to avoid such a fate. She’d been praying for a reprieve. Perhaps this was an answer to her heartfelt petition.

Yes, the Gardiners were an old family, well respected, with a great estate and vaults of money, as her father so often said with utmost reverence in his voice.

“Of course,” Margaret started, considering her with a mocking smile, “if you’re dreaming of love and romance—”

Linette jerked back. “All I’m thinking of is escape.” Love did not enter into a suitable marriage, which was fine with her. She fully intended to keep her feelings out of the picture. A trembling in the depths of her heart warned her that love would make her weak, vulnerable, ready to give up her personal goals. Not something she intended to let happen. She grabbed a piece of paper. “I’m going to do it. Anything is better than what my parents have in mind.” Being a rancher’s wife in the new world suited her fine. She was weary of the social restrictions her parents insisted on and not at all loath to living the kind of life she’d heard existed in the new world. There, women marched side by side with their men. They were even allowed to own land! Doubtlessly they’d be allowed to get their hands dirty and be involved.

Before she could change her mind, she’d penned a short letter.
A marriage of convenience if it suits you. Please reply to Margaret’s address.
She knew her father would read any letter that came to the house. Much better to know she had a positive answer from Mr. Gardiner before confronting her father. If she had to be part of a business deal, it would be on her terms. She’d say who and where.

She clasped her fingers on the answering letter that had carried two tickets—one for herself and one for a traveling companion. The missive was brief. Not much more than an invitation to come. Her heart had danced for joy. Margaret was right; her father had glowed at an invitation from a Gardiner.

The stagecoach swayed to a stop. “Hello, the house.” The driver’s call shivered up and down Linette’s spine. They’d arrived at Eden Valley Ranch.

It wasn’t as if Eddie were a
total
stranger. She’d read his letters to Margaret. He sounded like a strong man, an independent thinker. She had no trouble imagining herself sharing his life. Yet her insides clenched in trepidation.

She squeezed right back in protest. She would not let nerves weaken her resolve. She’d prayed for such an escape and God had generously provided.
Hitherto hath the Lord helped me.
Renewed faith filled her, driving away any doubts and fears.

One of the two men who also rode in the coach flicked aside a curtain. “Looks like a fine establishment.”

Linette parted the curtains again and peeked outside. The coach had drawn up before a log cabin with only a narrow door and small window in the wall facing them. This must be where the man lived. She pressed her tongue to the roof of her mouth and refused to think how small it looked. Hardly big enough for all of them. Never mind. Nothing could deter her now. She’d prayed her way from London, over the Atlantic Ocean, and across most of the North American continent. The rooms she’d had on the trip had left barely enough space for stretching. Although vastly different from the spacious home she’d grown up in, she’d gotten used to it readily enough. This cabin would be no different.

The door of the cabin opened and Linette took a deep breath. A man stepped forth, ducking as he crossed the threshold. This had to be Eddie Gardiner. She’d seen his likeness in pictures, but they failed to do the man justice. Despite the chill in the air, he hadn’t bothered to grab a coat or hat and in the bright sunshine his brown hair shone. He dressed like a range hand—dark denim trousers, a blue shirt that had faded almost colorless on the sleeves with dark remnants of the color in the seams, and a leather vest that looked worn and friendly.

Her heart jumped to her throat. She hadn’t expected to feel anything for him. Surely it was only excitement, combined with a touch of nerves. After all, despite the letters, he was a stranger. She wanted nothing more or less from him than a marriage of convenience.

His gaze sought the parted curtains and his dark eyes narrowed as he tried to make out the face in the dim interior.

She flicked the curtain closed and turned to her traveling companion. “You keep the child while I meet him.” The boy would remain a secret for now. Seeing her intention, one of the gentlemen stepped down and held out a hand to assist her. She murmured her thanks as Eddie strode forward.

He slid his gaze over her as if she were invisible and looked toward the stagecoach. “Is Margaret inside?”

Linette shook her head trying to make sense of his question. Surely he’d mistakenly spoken her name out of habit.

“Is she at Fort Benton? If so I’ll go for her immediately.” He glanced at the sky as if already trying to outrace the weather.

Her mouth felt like yesterday’s dust as she realized what he meant. “You’re expecting Margaret?” It took every ounce of her stubborn nature not to stammer.

“Any day. I sent tickets for her and a chaperone to come before winter.”

Come before winter.
She remembered the words well. They’d bubbled through her heart. But she thought they were meant for her. “Did you not get the letter?”

At that the driver jumped down. “’Spect any letters you’d be wanting are in here.” He waved a small bundle. “Seems you haven’t picked up your mail for some time, so I brought it.”

Cold trickled across Linette’s neck, dug bony fingers into her spine and sent a faint sense of nausea up her throat. She swallowed it back with determination. If he hadn’t received her letter, then the tickets he’d sent hadn’t been meant for her. He didn’t know she was coming. He wasn’t prepared to welcome her and accept her as a suitable helpmate on the frontier. Now what?

She stiffened her shoulders. She had not crossed an ocean and a vast continent to be turned back now. Her prayers for escape had been fervent. God held her in the palm of His hand now as He had on the journey. This was her answer. She nailed her fears to the thought. Besides, nothing had changed. Not really. Margaret still wasn’t coming and he still needed a wife. Didn’t he? She sought her memories but could not remember that he’d ever said so in clear, unmistakable terms. Had she read more into his missives than was meant?

Eddie took the bundle of mail and untied the strings. He flicked through the correspondence.

Recognizing Margaret’s handwriting, she touched the envelope. “That one.” Her own message lay inside, unseen by the man she thought had invited her to join him. She sucked moisture from the corners of her mouth and swallowed hard.

He slit the envelope and pulled out the pages in which she’d offered to take Margaret Sear’s place.
I look forward to being part of the new West.
He read her letter then Margaret’s, his fingers tightening on the paper as he understood the message. A flash of pain crossed his face before he covered it with a harsh expression.

Her heart twisted. He expected Margaret and instead got his hopes and dreams shattered. If only she’d known. But what could she do about it now? Except prove she was better suited to be a woman of the West.

Thankfully he did not read the letter aloud, which would have added to her growing embarrassment as the three men listened intently—one peering from the inside of the coach, one standing at its side where he remained after helping her alight, the other pretending to check on the horses though he made certain he could hear what was said. Even so, her face burned at their curiosity about an obvious misunderstanding of mammoth proportions.

Eddie jammed the pages back in the envelope. “This is unacceptable.”

Her muscles turned to warm butter. It took concentrated effort to hold herself upright, to keep her face rigid. She would not let him guess that the ground threatened to rise up and clout her in the face.

One hand clasping the mail bundle, he jammed his fists to his hips and turned to the driver. “You can return her to the fort.”

The man tipped his hat back on his head and shook his head. “Ain’t goin’ a mile more’n I have to. It’s about to snow.”

The wind bit at Linette’s cheeks but the cold encasing her heart was not from the wintery weather. She could not, would not, go back to London and her father’s plans.

The coach driver went on in his leisurely way of speaking. “I’m taking these two gentlemen to the OK Ranch then I’d hoped to make it back to Fort Benton where I intend to hole up for the winter. I don’t fancy being stuck in Edendale.” He made a rattling noise in the back of his throat. “But it looks like I’ll be stuck at the OK for the time being.”

Linette cared not whether the man was returning to the tiny cluster of huts bravely named Edendale or back to Fort Benton. She wasn’t going anywhere.

The gentleman who’d helped her down still stood at the steps, waiting and watching. “The girl is strong. Tough. Takes a special kind of lady to take care of travel arrangements and her traveling companions. Not a lot of young women are prepared and able to do that. You could do worse than have her at your side in this brave new frontier.”

Linette gave the man a fleeting smile of appreciation then turned back to Eddie.

Eddie met her gaze. He must have read her determination though she hoped he hadn’t seen her desperation. “We need to talk.” He grabbed her arm and marched her around the side of the house, out of sight and hopefully out of earshot of the others, where he released her to glare hotly at her.

She tipped her chin and met his gaze without flinching even though her insides had begun to tremble. Where would she go if he sent her away? Not back to the marriage her father had arranged. Perhaps money would convince him. “I have a dowry.”