Sunrise Ridge (Redemption Mountain Historical Western Romance Book 3) (38 page)

“I’ve missed you, too. More importantly, I love you, Noah.”

“Ah, sweetheart, I love you, too.” He captured her mouth again, this time letting the intensity grow until they were both crazed with need. Slipping his hands under her knees, he lifted her to his chest, taking long strides to the bedroom and laying her on the mattress. Joining her, he stroked a finger down the curve of her jaw, along the soft column of her neck, stopping above her chest. He could feel a shiver run through her body.

“Make love to me, Noah.”

The passion in her voice and eyes drove his need to a fever pitch. He wanted nothing more, but she had to be sure.

“Abby, it’s important you’re certain about this. If this isn’t what you want—”

“I’ve wanted this, you, forever. I want you to love me, Noah.”

“Abby, darlin’, I will always love you.”

He stretched, seeing the early sign of morning streaming into the cabin as he took her in his arms. “I need to hold you. After a while, maybe I’ll believe you’re actually here with me.” He kissed the top of her head, drawing in her scent, feeling her softness surround him.

She snuggled closer, resting her hand on his chest, and closed her eyes.

“I’ve been a fool, Abby.”

“I know,” she said against his chest, hearing his chuckle.

“I should’ve asked you to marry me months ago.”

“Yes, you should have.”

He flipped her onto her back, staring into her eyes, seeing the love he’d been missing out on all this time. “Marry me, Abby. I don’t have much, but what I have is yours.”

She couldn’t stop the tears, even as a smile spread across her face. She trailed fingers down his stubbled jaw, reached up and placed a kiss on his lips. “I’d marry you if you had nothing.”

He pulled her tight, then pushed away. “We can live at your ranch. I’m fine with that.”

“Um…that may be hard.”

She watched his brows knit together, confusion in his eyes.

“I sold it to the Pelletiers. Luke and Ginny will be making it their home.” She laughed at his shocked looked. “
This
will be our home as long as you want. I love you, Noah. Your home is my home. Always.”

Epilogue

“Is this the spot?” Gabe asked, clasping Noah’s shoulder and appreciating the view from the hill behind town—the same land where Noah always planned to build a home for him and Abby to share.

Abby discovered the handwritten addition to her father’s will hidden under several documents in his safe. He’d left no explanation other than stating his wish to leave the property to Noah in the event of his death. Nothing more. A few sentences and the land Noah dreamed of living on with Abby was his.

“The porch will wrap all the way around. She’ll be able to watch the morning sunrise and evening sunset from right here.”

“And keep watch on your whereabouts in town,” Bull laughed, handing him a glass of punch and nodding toward the livery below.

“She won’t have to. Abby wants to work at the bank a little longer, at least until we have a child. It’s what she always wanted to do and is her way of meeting new people.”

Abby and Noah had married in a quiet ceremony a week before. At night, they either stayed in the small room off the livery or rode to the cabin. Today, the entire town had been invited to celebrate on Abby’s Mountain, as Noah referred to it.

“You’ve got plenty of friends ready to help. Just give the word.” Cash popped a cookie into his mouth, chewing as he turned in a slow circle. “This sure is a beautiful place, Noah.”

“I figure there’s enough flat land for the house, barn, a corral, and pasture. We don’t intend to run cattle, but she wants a few chickens and a garden.”

“Chickens?” Luke asked.

“That’s what she wants.” Noah smiled at the thought of his wife chasing after a chicken, then preparing it to eat. He wasn’t even sure she could cook. They’d eaten most of their meals at the boardinghouse.

“Noah.” Abby walked up, holding baby Patrick. “Suzanne says it’s time to join the rest of us.” She cut a look at Cash. “The food is ready…real food, not the dessert you’ve already discovered.”

Cash grinned, showing no remorse as he slid the last cookie he’d pilfered into his mouth.

Noah slipped an arm around Abby’s waist, nuzzling her neck as they returned to the main gathering. As with each day since they married, he couldn’t wait to get her alone and in his bed.

Long tables held platters loaded with beef, venison, ham, potatoes, vegetables, and bread. Suzanne and several women from church had prepared the food. Nick and Lena provided the music, hauling up the piano and the gentleman who played it from the Dixie. Dax and Luke brought the punch and a large barrel of water, while Ginny and Rachel made pies and cookies. From the looks of it, Noah guessed most everyone for miles around had ridden in for the shindig.

Noah glanced around, spotting Gabe standing next to Lena, Nick, and Suzanne. From what he’d heard and seen, Nick appeared to have more than a cursory interest in his landlord. He guessed the same could be said of Gabe and Lena, although neither would ever admit it, and Noah suspected nothing would ever come of it. He leaned into Abby, kissing her cheek.

“I’ll be back in a moment,” he said, walking toward the small group. “Thank you again for bringing up the piano.” Noah extended his hand to Nick, who gave it a vigorous shake.

Nick glanced around. “You can’t have a party without music. Fact is, in New Orleans, we’d sometimes have two or three pianos going at once.”

“And a fiddler or two,” Lena added with a laugh.

Gabe shifted toward Lena, grinning at her spontaneous laughter. “Do you miss it?”

Lena’s brows knit together, her head tilting. “New Orleans? Sometimes, but not enough to move back and start over. Besides, it’s nice to be around regular people and not be surrounded by professional scoundrels.”

Gabe grinned at the disdain in her voice. “You met a lot of them, did you?”

“More than you’d think, and at least one more than I wanted.” She sipped her punch, a hand moving to her stomach at the memory of the man who’d deceived her so completely.

Everyone turned at the sound of approaching horses to see Gil and Ty Murton ride up and dismount, broad grins on their faces, waving to their brother Mark and Ty’s wife, Tilly, who sat at one of the tables.

“Sorry we’re late, but we got held up.” Gil removed his hat, nodding at Suzanne and Lena. “A rider came by with some big news. Seems there’s been a gold strike at the site some Englishman’s been working up in the mountains. A big one, according to the rider who came through.”

Gabe stood next to Lena, sensing her body tense at the announcement, deciding to ask her about her reaction later.

“That so?” Gabe asked as the circle closed around Gil and Ty.

“We knew some foreigner had been prospecting the area, but never met the man.”

“You remember an Englishman buying supplies from you?” Gabe asked Noah.

“Can’t say as I do. Toby might remember.”

“You have a name for the man, Gil?”

Everyone crowded around, waiting.

“Sure do, Sheriff. The rider said the miner’s name is William Randolph Carlyle.”

Lena gasped, a hand going to her throat as she glanced at Gabe. Her eyes rolled to the back of her head just before she fainted into his arms.

Thank you for taking the time to read Sunrise Ridge. If you enjoyed it, please consider telling your friends or posting a short review. Word of mouth is an author’s best friend and much appreciated.

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About the Author

Shirleen Davies
writes romance—historical, contemporary, and romantic suspense. She grew up in Southern California, attended Oregon State University, and has degrees from San Diego State University and the University of Maryland. During the day she provides consulting services to small and mid-sized businesses. But her real passion is writing emotionally charged stories of flawed people who find redemption through love and acceptance.  She now lives with her husband in a beautiful town in northern Arizona.

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Other Books by Shirleen Davies

Tougher than the Rest – Book One

MacLarens of Fire Mountain Historical Western Romance Series

“A passionate, fast-paced story set in the untamed western frontier by an exciting new voice in historical romance.”

Niall MacLaren is the oldest of four brothers, and the undisputed leader of the family. A widower, and single father, his focus is on building the MacLaren ranch into the largest and most successful in northern Arizona. He is serious about two things—his responsibility to the family and his future marriage to the wealthy, well-connected widow who will secure his place in the territory’s destiny.

Katherine is determined to live the life she’s dreamed about. With a job waiting for her in the growing town of Los Angeles, California, the young teacher from Philadelphia begins a journey across the United States with only a couple of trunks and her spinster companion. Life is perfect for this adventurous, beautiful young woman, until an accident throws her into the arms of the one man who can destroy it all.

Fighting his growing attraction and strong desire for the beautiful stranger, Niall is more determined than ever to push emotions aside to focus on his goals of wealth and political gain. But looking into the clear, blue eyes of the woman who could ruin everything, Niall discovers he will have to harden his heart and be tougher than he’s ever been in his life…Tougher than the Rest.

Faster than the Rest – Book Two

MacLarens of Fire Mountain Historical Western Romance Series

“Headstrong, brash, confident, and complex, the MacLarens of Fire Mountain will captivate you with strong characters set in the wild and rugged western frontier.”

Handsome, ruthless, young U.S. Marshal Jamie MacLaren had lost everything—his parents, his family connections, and his childhood sweetheart—but now he’s back in Fire Mountain and ready for another chance. Just as he successfully reconnects with his family and starts to rebuild his life, he gets the unexpected and unwanted assignment of rescuing the woman who broke his heart.

Beautiful, wealthy Victoria Wicklin chose money and power over love, but is now fighting for her life—or is she? Who has she become in the seven years since she left Fire Mountain to take up her life in San Francisco? Is she really as innocent as she says?

Marshal MacLaren struggles to learn the truth and do his job, but the past and present lead him in different directions as his heart and brain wage battle. Is Victoria a victim or a villain? Is life offering him another chance, or just another heartbreak?

As Jamie and Victoria struggle to uncover past secrets and come to grips with their shared passion, another danger arises. A life-altering danger that is out of their control and threatens to destroy any chance for a shared future.

Harder than the Rest – Book Three

MacLarens of Fire Mountain Historical Western Romance Series

“They are men you want on your side. Hard, confident, and loyal, the MacLarens of Fire Mountain will seize your attention from the first page.”

Will MacLaren is a hardened, plain-speaking bounty hunter. His life centers on finding men guilty of horrendous crimes and making sure justice is done. There is no place in his world for the carefree attitude he carried years before when a tragic event destroyed his dreams.

Amanda is the daughter of a successful Colorado rancher. Determined and proud, she works hard to prove she is as capable as any man and worthy to be her father’s heir. When a stranger arrives, her independent nature collides with the strong pull toward the handsome ranch hand. But is he what he seems and could his secrets endanger her as well as her family?

The last thing Will needs is to feel passion for another woman. But Amanda elicits feelings he thought were long buried. Can Will’s desire for her change him? Or will the vengeance he seeks against the one man he wants to destroy—a dangerous opponent without a conscious—continue to control his life?