Appaloosa Blues (Sisters of Spirit #8) (26 page)
Read Appaloosa Blues (Sisters of Spirit #8) Online
Authors: Nancy Radke
"It's impossible!"
He smiled at that, shaking his head. “No. I should ask you to forgive me for being such a stubborn jerk. I didn’t want to come. I was afraid to open my heart again.”
“But you had a reason—”
“So did you. And, in a way, so did Gramps. I’m not perfect, Jo. I was mad at him for keeping us apart, so I would say things to get him angry. You must forgive me.”
"Well, of course."
"Because I don't want anything less." He pulled her close, molding her suppliant body against him. "You're the reason I'm living."
"I know. I'm incomplete without you."
He swept her up into his arms with an urgency that matched her own. "Precious, beloved. My sweet, sweet girl." He pressed her hard against his chest while he carried her across the creek to Johnny and Karen's secluded spot. There he set her on her feet while he touched her as one would touch a rare gem he had just discovered, wiping away the tears that continued to flow as she searched his face.
"Don't cry, Jo," he said, stroking her hair. He moved aside so that the moonlight fell full on her upturned face, and she let him see the glow of love that radiated from inside her heart.
"Ah, yes," he whispered.
"And do you, Adam...truly love me?" she asked. "Gramps said you wouldn't have helped with Karen's plan if you hadn't cared. Some."
He chuckled, his eyes gleaming in retrospect. "That wasn't Karen's plan, although I helped her think so. I put the words into her mouth."
"You mean it was all your idea?"
He nodded. "My idea. Not Karen's. I'd almost given up trying to get close to you. This was ideal." He held her possessively, smiling at her sweet response as she lifted parted lips to his. "I wanted you to kick over the traces and join me. And it worked. Better—and faster—than I ever dared dream."
"Oh, yes."
"I've had my dreams for a long time, Jo. When you were a child you came into my arms with complete trust. I held you all night and determined you'd be mine, someday. I had to give you time to grow up, but you were precious to me even then, sweetheart. Even as a youth I was protective of you. I used to think you got into trouble so I'd have to rescue you."
"I did," she admitted. “Sometimes.”
He chuckled and squeezed her tighter. "I'd watch you riding and wish you'd be more careful. And remember the letter you wrote, thanking me? It helped me keep the thought alive, that maybe, someday, I'd win you."
"What'd I write? I can't remember."
He tossed back his head in delight. "For a thank-you note, it was very revealing. You wrote that 'In some countries when you save someone's life, they belong to you. Is it true?'"
"I wrote that?"
"Yes."
"And was it true? Did I belong to you?"
"From that day on, dearest. Although next year when you reached high school, you wouldn't even look at me."
"I was too young," she reminded him. "I couldn't cope. I was so extremely aware of you—as if I had eyes behind me. The feeling frightened me. Did you realize what you were doing?"
"Of course. I was waiting for you to show Gramps your heels. I ran wild my first year of college—almost flunked out after Dad died. That shook me, so I settled down to wait. I had to get you away from Gramps long enough to fall in love with me. I bought this after you told me you were saving yourself for your husband-to-be."
He thrust his hand into the pocket where he carried his keys and a small box. He just hadn’t removed the box yet, since when he did, it would have meant all hope was gone.
He placed the box in her hand, his voice dropping into lowered tones of endearment. "That had to be me. There was no way I was going to let you belong to anyone else. You didn't have a chance. Put it on, Jo."
Inside the box lay a gold wedding set, a seal of his love and care. The brilliant diamond cluster, like a small constellation of stars, reflected both the moonlight and his love.
"Please, my husband, you put it there," she whispered holding out her left hand.
He slipped the diamond engagement ring on her third finger and kissed it in place. "Mine forever."
"Always," she agreed as their lips met, sealing their vow.
THE END
Thank you for reading
Appaloosa Blues
. If you enjoyed this book, I would appreciate it if you'd help other readers enjoy it too by recommending it to friends, readers' groups, and discussion boards, or by writing an honest review on Amazon. Thank you. This is one way our readers really help out authors. Like
Turnagain Love, Closed Doors
, and
Tennessee Touch
, this romance didn’t have a mystery. The rest of the Sisters of Spirit series has both mystery and suspense.
For those of you reading
The Trahern
pioneer series, this is the end book of that series, bringing it into the modern age. That is not to say I won’t write any more Trahern books, as I enjoy them so much. I have three new stories finished and one about to be finished, of that series.
The Luckiest Man in the West, The Stubbornest Girl in the Valley
(short story 1930’s),
The Best Friends in the Country
(short story about Charlie Web, exclusive to a boxed set), and
The Happiest Man in the Country
about Brynn, who brings a huge bull, Sir Galahad, out to the Trahern ranch (1920s). These should all be up before the end of April, 2013, including the boxed set,
The Traherns
.
Next planned is another series,
Brothers of Spirit
, with men in the CIA, FBI, and local law enforcement, with stories featuring Owen Putman, Robyn Duvall, and others, some linked with the Sisters.
There is a short story included in this book that is part of The Traherns Series, called The Prettiest Gal on the Mountain. To find it, use the menu in this book.
MAIN MENU
The Prettiest Gal on the Mountain (Short pioneer story)
OTHER WORKS BY NANCY RADKE...Sisters of Spirit Series
Boxed set of #1-4 of the Sisters of Spirit novels
.
This gives you four super reads, ranging from a simple love story in
Turnagain Love
to a life and death struggle in
Courage Dares
. All are sweet, contemporary romances with lots of action but without the language or sex offered by many authors. These are safe to give to teenagers, grandparents, and anyone wanting pure romance.
Want a clean, funny, sweet romance? Grab
TURNAGAIN LOVE
, #1 Sisters of Spirit
Sweet, Contemporary, Humorous. Stranded on a small island, Jennel is happy to see her handsome rescuer until she finds out he is taking
her
job.
Affaire de Coeur
gave it four stars.
Scribes World
said
"Turnagain Love has some fascinating twists and turns, unexpected complications, and charming scenes."
Can’t get enough of those Turnagain Love characters? Pick up
CLOSED DOORS
, #2 Sisters of Spirit
Sweet, Contemporary. Ellen must help him keep the secret which could destroy his way of life.
“All the characters from Turnagain Love are back, as unpredictable as ever.”
Gail P.
Looking for a little mystery sprinkled in with the romance? Investigate
STOLEN SECRETS
, #3 Sisters of Spirit
Romantic Mystery Murder and robbery in a Seattle houseboat community.
“An emotional roller coaster with a feel-good ending. Ms. Radke sprinkles in humor when you least expect it.”
J. Rogers
Want more sweet romances, this time with a strong suspense element? Try out
COURAGE DARES
, #4 Sisters of Spirit
Suspense, sweet, contemporary. Mary prays for courage to overcome her tragic past and finds her answer in the dangerous present.
“This story really kept me guessing. I never knew what would happen next.”
Allison D
