Cheryl St.John - Want Ad Wedding

He appeared to turn that information over in his mind before speaking. “He didn’t die in the war?”

“No. He died five months ago.”

Daniel straightened and came down the stairs. Standing beside her he seemed taller and broader. The faint scents of cedar and starch touched her nostrils. She looked up into his face, rethinking her image of him, rethinking her options. Either her options had just become a whole lot more appealing, or her losses had become even greater—if he didn’t want her baby.

Nerves fluttered in Leah’s chest. Her mouth was dry.

“Your suffering’s the same no matter how or when he died, Leah. I’m sorry you lost your husband.”

You have no idea. I don’t want you to know. “Thank you, Daniel.”

“I understand the hurt is fresh.” His tender, caring tone brought tears to her eyes. “And I know you’re doing what you must do in order to move on and make a life for yourself. For your child.”

She blinked and looked over his shoulder at the long narrow double windows reflecting the sky.

“I’ll take care of you and the baby. I’ll raise him like my own. He’ll never want for anything.”

Oh. There it was. The promise of a good man. An earnest and kind man. The one requirement from which she couldn’t be budged. Tears burned behind her eyes. “I believe you,” she managed. “You’re a man of your word. A devoted man. You have ambition and foresight. And you’re good-hearted.” She reached for his sleeve and rested her hand on his arm. “Most importantly, you’re kind.”

His hesitation was barely perceptible. “Will you marry me?”

She looked up into his piercing green eyes and searched for sincerity. He wouldn’t be human if he didn’t share her uncertainty. He masked his tension well, but she knew him better. This wasn’t a choice to make lightly. But marriage was a practical decision. Like he’d said, they weren’t strangers. They already knew they had things in common and would be compatible. If she said no, she couldn’t know who would ask her next. Obviously there were plenty of options, with all the single men vying for a wife, but she would never do any better than Daniel.

She’d married Charles, believing he would provide a home and security. Daniel’s beautiful home and standing in the community would have meant everything to her at one time. Now the house was superfluous, like pink sugar sprinkles on iced tea cakes. She wanted the provision he promised for her child. She needed to feel safe. But she was hungry for kindness.

She’d lost her faith in mankind, but she still believed God loved her and was watching out for her. Why else would Daniel Gardner want to marry her?

“This marriage would be a practical partnership,” she said at last. “I can promise to be a good wife. You have a standing in town, and I would make every attempt to uphold that and make you proud.”

He raised his chin and gave a conciliatory nod. “Of course.”

“I may not be able to assume a lot of household duties right away,” she told him. “If that’s a problem I understand. I must be honest with you.”

“Of course,” he said again.

Her stomach dipped as she formed her next words. “This isn’t the first time I’ve carried a child.”

He lowered his eyebrows in question. “No?”

“I lost two babies before. I am going to be very careful and get a lot of rest so I can bring this child safely into the world. I won’t take any risks.”

“Of course, Leah. Of course you must take every precaution. I’ll take care of everything. I’ll make sure you have help with the house, and later with the baby.”

She took a shaky breath. “This is almost too good to be true.”

He took her hands in his. His fingers were large and warm, and she felt undeniably safe in that moment. “We can’t lose hope, Leah. We’ve lived through difficult times—the worst of times. We’ve lost so much. But there’s still good in the world. God’s still on His throne, watching over us, guiding us, loving us. He knows our hurt and our hearts.”

“I believe that, too, Daniel. Otherwise, how would I have ended up here at this time? Seeing you and Will yesterday was like finding family I’d lost.”

He nodded in understanding. “Say yes.”

This was the sensible thing to do. She hadn’t expected this opportunity and she’d be a fool not to seize it. “Yes.”

Chapter Five

They’d decided to tell people quickly, so everyone would know Leah was no longer an eligible bride. There was a welcome function planned for after church on Sunday, so they decided to make their announcement then. Daniel had barely had time to register the monumental life change he faced and talk to Reverend Taggart about a ceremony when a commotion snagged his attention the next morning.

Through his office windows on Eden Street, he caught sight of half a dozen men riding past. He got up and went to the door.

A rider reined a horse to a stop in front of his building and jumped to the ground. He tossed the reins over a post and stepped onto the boardwalk. His clothing, face and hair were coated with dust. “You Mr. Gardner?”

“That’s me.”

“Theo Pierce’s outfit is about four miles out,” the fellow said. “Herd should reach the valley within the hour and we’ll camp there overnight. Mr. Pierce sent me ahead to tell you we’ll be heading for the yards at first light tomorrow.”

It was the first drive of the season and cause for celebration. “This is good news,” Daniel said. “I’ll buy you breakfast and ride back with you to look over your cows.”

Daniel got his horse from the livery, they had a quick meal at the Cowboy Café and then headed out.

“Looks like a fine, healthy herd,” he told Theo Pierce. The two men sat atop their mounts assessing the longhorns.

“We started out with two thousand head,” Theo replied. “Lost a dozen in the Red River, a couple to snakebite and let the Kiowa and Comanche have a few to keep them off our trail.”

“We’ll do a count as we lead ’em through the chutes tomorrow,” Daniel said. “You didn’t lose many. Sounds like a good trip.”

“Not complainin’.”

“Remind your men about the no-gun law before they go into town tomorrow. They can check their weapons with Sheriff Davis. Another laundry opened on Fourth Street, besides the one across from the tracks. Bathhouse on Second, and three places to eat along Eden now. The townspeople will be happy to see them.”

A rider joined them, a young fellow wearing a fringed buffalo-hide vest. “A calf ran off yonder. Dutch is after ’im. His mama’s cryin’. Other than that, they’re pretty calm.”

“Keep an eye on his mama ’til Dutch brings ’im back,” Theo said.

The rider acknowledged the order by turning his horse abruptly and heading back to the herd. The state of Texas had been quilled in Indian beadwork on the back of his vest.

“That’s James Johnson. He’s my point man,” Theo explained to Daniel. Being point man required experience. He determined course and set the pace for the drive, keeping the lead steers headed the right direction.

“I’ve heard that name. Thought he usually rode with Stone’s outfit.”

“Not this time.”

“I’ll book a room for you at the hotel. Plan to join me and my partners for dinner tomorrow evening,” Daniel said. “Tell James he’s invited, too.”

“That’s mighty generous.”

“We appreciate you bringing your herd to Cowboy Creek. Spread the word that we treat you well and pay top dollar.”

“We’ll see how the sale goes tomorrow,” Theo answered.

Daniel agreed with a nod and rode back to town. He hadn’t made it to the livery when Sheriff Davis caught up to him on horseback. “Daniel! Don’t put your horse up yet.”