Good morning! I’m getting excited about the upcoming release of the second Mail Order Bride book. The first book, A Light Upon My Heart became a bestseller and is one of my favs. So, to start out Tuesday, I’m posting a short teaser.
Another thirty minutes passed and she realized that maybe she’d been left at the altar, so to speak. She pulled her money purse onto her lap and did a quick check of her coins. If she was careful, she could maybe get a sandwich for the road and a ticket on the stage back to Denver. She should have enough for at least that. Just as she placed her small purse back beside her, a shadow came across her.
“Are you planning to buy a ticket back home?” A deep voice said from beside her trunk.
Grace looked up, not seeing the man’s face well due to the sun was at his back, blinding her for a moment. Then as she shaded her eyes, she saw him clear. He stood taller than even her father, and was wearing a brown cowboy hat that tilted down, hiding his eyes from her view.
“I’m not sure at the moment.” Grace didn’t know if this was Samuel or a stranger. Whoever it was had dirt and dust covering their pants and boots. She gave him a once over, unsure if this man was Samuel Andrews or not.
“Sorry to hear that. I had planned on being here before the wagon train arrived, but one of my cows decided to go into labor this morning. Needless to say, I was needed at the ranch longer than I expected.”
“So, you’re Mr. Andrews?” Grace squeaked, unable to push the dread from her tone. Somehow she didn’t know what she expected, but a dirt covered cowboy wasn’t it.
“Mr. Andrews was my father. I’m Samuel.” Samuel pulled his cowboy hat from his head, giving her a good view of his handsome face.
Grace admired his chiseled features. His eyes were bluer than the sky behind him and his tousled ebony hair was shiny and clean. She moved her gaze to his hands that held the cowboy hat. They were tanned and work roughened. She realized that she was being rude by staring at him.
With a sigh, she stood to her feet. Well, this was it. She extended her hand to him, “I’m Grace Kincaid.”
“I assumed as much. I’ll put your trunk in the back of my rig, then we’ll head out to the ranch.” He didn’t take her hand, but picked the heavy trunk up as though it weighed nothing. Then he left her standing there with her mouth gaped open. His heart was aching as he turned away from her.
Gus came out of the store, wiping his spectacles with a handkerchief. “Little lady, you might better follow him. He’s not one to wait for anything or anyone.”
“Oh, well, thank you.” She nodded at the kind man and hurried across the sidewalk. He was propping on the wagon when she started toward him. Her gaze was on him, and not the uneven ground below her feet. With a cry, she stumbled, ending up at his booted feet, dust billowing around her as embarrassment flooded her face crimson.
I hope you liked reading about Grace and Samuel’s first meeting. This couple has stolen my heart. Both of them have broken hearts, and they have a tough time finding common ground. This sweet romance will make you laugh, cry and sigh…
As always, good writing and May God Bless You…
Stephanie Hurt - Romance Author 