Cora: Bride of South Dakota (American Mail-Order Bride 40) (14 page)

John mounted Bill and Magic Crow lifted Cora up onto her husband’s lap. He swung the horse around and kept to a slow walk so as not to cause his wife additional pain. She cuddled into his chest, he kept her steady with his arm wrapped around her.

At such a slow pace, the trip lasted almost three hours. By the time John reined Bill in at the front of the house, Cora was exhausted and ready to fall into bed.

Sam, Henry and Frank hurried over to greet them. John handed Cora down to Sam while he dismounted and then took her back into his arms.

“It’s good to see ya, missy. We were all mighty worried.” Frank said.

“John told me what happened. I’m so sorry and I’m pleased you weren’t badly hurt.”

Frank stepped forward and took her hand into his. He was deadly serious when he spoke. “It wasn’t your fault and you have nothin’ to be sorry about.”

“Thank you,” she turned to all three men. “Thank you for helping John to search for me. I’m very grateful to you all.”

“There’s no way we wouldn’t have helped. You’re family now and we take care of each other,” Sam said.

“I’ll get her settled into bed and I’ll be down to discuss chores with you and the calving.” John entered the house and carried Cora upstairs. He set her down on the side of the bed. After stripping her naked, he helped her to dress in a soft, white nightgown. She snuggled under the bed covers and he kissed her cheek.

“I’m so happy I’m home, my love. It will be our first Christmas together and I wanted to celebrate it here in our own home.”

“It will be the first of many celebrations, darling. Rest now and I’ll be up soon to see if you need anything.” He caressed her lips with his own before heading downstairs.

***

6 months later

“Cora! Where in damnation are you?” John shouted as he burst back outside. He’d expected to find her resting in the living room.

His wife didn’t answer.

He scanned the front yard. Sam, Henry and Frank stood near him, huge grins on their faces.

“Goddamn, I swear I’m gonna tie that hellion to the bed. She is always up to something.” He dragged his hands through his hair while he tried to figure out where he might find her.

“You ain’t never gonna tame her. Ya should know that by now. For a city gal, she sure proved us wrong with how she has taken to ranching.” Sam laughed.

“Cora!” John shouted at the top of his lungs.

“Round here,” she yelled back.

The four men dashed to the side of the house. John felt the air rush from his lungs. Cora was balanced near the top of a rickety ladder that was precariously balanced against a tree. She was reaching up to rescue one of the barn kittens who had become trapped, when the ladder wobbled.

The men broke into a run and steadied the ladder before she could fall.

She stepped down the ladder rungs, her precious package in one hand. John waited patiently until she was close to the ground. He swept her into his arms and lowered her to the ground.

Henry took the kitten from her hand, Sam and Frank grabbed the ladder. The men hightailed it to the barn.

John spun Cora around and lowered his face to hers. “For heaven’s sake, woman. Are you trying to give me a heart attack or kill yourself? I swear, I could paddle your backside. Do you realize how scared I felt when I saw you up that ladder?”

Tears appeared in his wife’s eyes.

He hugged her to him. “Honey, please don’t cry. I’m trying to keep you and our baby safe. I love you so very much.”

Cora moved back and ran her hand over her swollen belly. “I’m sorry but the kitten was trapped and crying for its mama. I know you’re busy and I didn’t want to bother you.”

He pulled her back into his arms. “Bother me.” He captured her lips in a bone melting kiss. “Please come inside and rest like the doc said you had to. Your ankles are gonna swell up again if you don’t.”

“I hate sitting around doing nothing, especially when you’re so busy. I can’t ride, I can’t garden. I don’t want to sit around and sew or read all the time.”

“I know, sweetheart. But, I want you and the baby safe. Do it for me, please?”

Cora sighed, defeated. “Okay but only until the baby comes.”

John held her hand as they headed back into the house. His heart swelled with love. He idolized his Mail Order Bride and he thanked God daily that he’d had the courage to place the advertisement which had brought Cora to him.

THE END

If you enjoyed reading this book, there are 49 more in the series! Find out about the rest of the American Mail-Order Brides here

http://www.newwesternromance.com/

About the Author

I am retired and live with my husband of 42 years and my two fur children in sunny Queensland, Australia.

I have always been a lover of Westerns and anything connected with the Wild West thanks to my dad. We have watched every cowboy movie ever made at least twice, I think.

I began writing westerns about five years ago. I have everything in my books from murder, stagecoach robberies, knock-down, drag ‘em out saloon brawls, Marshals, strong women who can cuss with the best of ‘em and of course, lots of romance.

I was awarded a Crowned Heart Award for Excellence and nominated for a Rone Award in 2014 for
Blind Acceptance
, An anthology I was part of,
Rawhide ‘n Roses
, was a finalist in the Rone Awards in 2015 and I was a finalist in the Laramie Awards with
Capturing Charlie
.

All my books can be found and purchased at my Website.

Website
:
http://horsnells.wix.com/susan--1

Blog:  
http://susanhorsnell.com

Twitter: @susanhorsnell

Other Books by Susan Horsnell

Series:

The Glenmore’s: Revenge

The Glenmore’s: Deputy

The Glenmore’s: Laura

The Glenmore’s: Caught

***

The Stuck-Up Governess

Mail Order Marshall

Forgotten Spark

Marshal Mistletoe

Chantilly Lace

Laramie Award Finalist 2015

Capturing Charlie

Crowned Heart Award Winner and nominee for Rone Award 2014:

Blind Acceptance

The sequel
– Blind Achievement

Western Angels – 3 short stories

Contemporary:

Secret Memories

With Award winning Author,

Margaret Tanner:

Colonials and Cowboys

Childrens Books:

The Mystery Under The House