Lacy Williams - Wagon Train Sweetheart

A Promised Bride

Emma Hewitt never thought she’d travel thousands of miles to wed. Yet Oregon is where she’ll meet the groom her brothers have chosen. After years of nursing her ailing father, Emma’s social skills are lacking. An arranged marriage is only sensible. And her growing feelings for Nathan Reed, a worker on her wagon train, are surely better forgotten.

Nathan knows he’s wrong for Emma. He’s too rough, too burdened with guilt over his past. But when Emma nurses him through a fever, she sees something in him no one ever has. Now he wants to be a man worthy of her love. Emma’s loyalty to family has always come first. Will she find the courage now to follow her heart?

Journey West: Romance and adventure await three siblings on the Oregon Trail

“What do you think you’re doing?” Emma demanded.

“I thought I would—” A cough cut off his sentence. “Hitch up the oxen and get ready to pull out.”

Emma’s expression turned into a thunderhead. When Nathan’s gaze slid to her brother, Hewitt was…chuckling?

“I figured I’d get out of your way, now that I’m better.”

Her frown only intensified. “Lie back down.” She blocked him from moving anywhere but deeper into the wagon.

“Get some rest,” Hewitt said. The man walked off and Nathan wanted nothing more than to be able to do the same, to find somewhere private to lick his wounds. But he was still near face-to-face with Emma.

He gave in, lying back and staring up at the white underside of the bonnet.

When she spoke again, her voice sounded cheery. “The good news is you won’t have to bear my company all day.”

It was a relief. He didn’t know how to converse with her.

But he also felt a small twinge of disappointment.

“What am I supposed to do confined to the wagon?” he asked.

“Rachel and I would be cheered if you were to serenade us as we walk.”

He stared dumbly at her until she dissolved into giggles. How long had it been since he’d made anyone smile?

* * *

Journey West: Romance and adventure

await three siblings on the Oregon Trail

Wagon Train Reunion—

Linda Ford, April 2015

Wagon Train Sweetheart—

Lacy Williams, May 2015

Wagon Train Proposal—

Renee Ryan, June 2015

LACY WILLIAMS is a wife and mom from Oklahoma. She has loved romance from childhood and promises readers happy endings in all her stories. Her books have been finalists for the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award (three years running), the Golden Quill and the Booksellers’ Best Award. Lacy loves to hear from readers at lacyjwilliams@gmail.com. She can be found at lacywilliams.net, facebook.com/lacywilliamsbooksor twitter.com/lacy_williams.

Wagon Train Sweetheart

Lacy Williams

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid;

do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God

will be with you wherever you go.

—Joshua 1:9

With gratefulness to my friends from the OKC Christian Fiction Writers chapter of ACFW, who helped brainstorm and always encourage me.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text A Promised Bride Emma Hewitt never thought she’d travel thousands of miles to wed. Yet Oregon is where she’ll meet the groom her brothers have chosen. After years of nursing her ailing father, Emma’s social skills are lacking. An arranged marriage is only sensible. And her growing feelings for Nathan Reed, a worker on her wagon train, are surely better forgotten. Nathan knows he’s wrong for Emma. He’s too rough, too burdened with guilt over his past. But when Emma nurses him through a fever, she sees something in him no one ever has. Now he wants to be a man worthy of her love. Emma’s loyalty to family has always come first. Will she find the courage now to follow her heart? Journey West: Romance and adventure await three siblings on the Oregon Trail

Introduction “What do you think you’re doing?” Emma demanded. “I thought I would—” A cough cut off his sentence. “Hitch up the oxen and get ready to pull out.” Emma’s expression turned into a thunderhead. When Nathan’s gaze slid to her brother, Hewitt was…chuckling? “I figured I’d get out of your way, now that I’m better.” Her frown only intensified. “Lie back down.” She blocked him from moving anywhere but deeper into the wagon. “Get some rest,” Hewitt said. The man walked off and Nathan wanted nothing more than to be able to do the same, to find somewhere private to lick his wounds. But he was still near face-to-face with Emma. He gave in, lying back and staring up at the white underside of the bonnet. When she spoke again, her voice sounded cheery. “The good news is you won’t have to bear my company all day.” It was a relief. He didn’t know how to converse with her. But he also felt a small twinge of disappointment. “What am I supposed to do confined to the wagon?” he asked. “Rachel and I would be cheered if you were to serenade us as we walk.” He stared dumbly at her until she dissolved into giggles. How long had it been since he’d made anyone smile? * * * Journey West: Romance and adventure await three siblings on the Oregon Trail Wagon Train Reunion— Linda Ford, April 2015 Wagon Train Sweetheart— Lacy Williams, May 2015 Wagon Train Proposal— Renee Ryan, June 2015

About the Author LACY WILLIAMS is a wife and mom from Oklahoma. She has loved romance from childhood and promises readers happy endings in all her stories. Her books have been finalists for the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award (three years running), the Golden Quill and the Booksellers’ Best Award. Lacy loves to hear from readers at lacyjwilliams@gmail.com. She can be found at lacywilliams.net , facebook.com/lacywilliamsbooks or twitter.com/lacy_williams .

Title Page Wagon Train Sweetheart Lacy Williams www.millsandboon.co.uk

Quote Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. —Joshua 1:9

Dedication With gratefulness to my friends from the OKC Christian Fiction Writers chapter of ACFW, who helped brainstorm and always encourage me.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

“He’s a stinkin’ thief!” The belligerent voice hurled the accusation like a stone. “We don’t need his kind on this wagon train!”

Nathan Reed stood against the words, hands bound in front of him with rope, the way they had been since last night. Like a common criminal.