The Rose and the Thorn by Mischelle Creager

Author:Mischelle Creager
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: 19th Century, Colorado, widow, rancher, Christian, Inspirational, forgiveness
Publisher: Worbly Publishing
Published: 2015-12-08T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

“Don’t worry,” Mac said. Not that it was worry he saw etched on her features. He wasn’t quite sure what that was he saw there. “I talked to the sheriff. He’s looked all over town and seems to think that the man who attacked Helen is long gone.”

When he looked into Rose’s upturned face, all he wanted to do was kiss her again. “I also asked a friend to watch the place while I’m gone. So don’t be surprised if you see a man in buckskins walking around the house and barn, especially close to dark. His name’s Adam Lone Eagle.”

Her eyes grew wide at the name.

Thorn had seen enough people’s reaction to Adam to understand her reaction. “He’s not an Indian, just lived with them for a while. I’ve known him since before we moved to the territory. He’s been a good friend.”

Rose nodded slowly. “You trust him.”

“With my life.” He waited a moment to see if Rose would object to what he’d done, but she stayed silent. “With Helen hurt and Drew still unable to get around like he needs, I wanted to add an extra set of eyes while I’m gone.”

And depending on how things went in the next few weeks, Mac might have to call in some of his cousins to help protect his family.

She worried her lower lip for a second or two. “But what about you? The lawyer said...”

Thorn placed his finger over her lips. “I’ll be fine out on the road. I’m sure Stanley will be sticking around here. So don’t worry about me.”

Rose nodded silently. Either she agreed with his plan, or she was just too tired to argue.

“Let’s get Emma from Carl’s room so everyone can get some sleep. Tomorrow’s going to be here before we know it.”

A few moments later, after wishing Carl a good-night, Mac walked beside Rose as she carried her sleeping daughter. Contentment soaked through his bones when they climbed the stairs. His first real contentment in two years.

He opened the door to the nursery and lit the oil lamp, turning it down low. When Rose lay Emma down in her crib the little girl’s eyes peeked open and a drooly grin lifted her chubby cheeks. “Momma. Dada.”

Dada. The word rolled over him, capturing his heart and keeping his gaze solidly fixed on the child. It created an ache deep within him. He needed his whole family together—him, Rose, Emma, and his three girls, all on the ranch.

He snuck a peek at Rose and gripped the rails of the crib as his heart pounded. She was so lovely, so protective, so strong. He wanted to wrap this beautiful woman in his arms. Rose was the woman he wanted for his wife, to stay by his side, to help raise his girls, to love him forever. To sleep by his side. But he couldn’t try to convince her to tear up those stupid papers he’d signed the day they married until he found the answers he needed.

Emma pulled herself up and jabbered, grinning the whole time.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.