Read Mail Order Bride: Emma's Escape: (Clean Historical Western Romance) (Brides of River Valley Book 1) for Free Online

Sheriff, is he…?”
    They ran back to where the Sheriff was lying but he was coming to. He had a gunshot wound to his shoulder.
    “Henry, I’m so afraid he’s killed Leah. I need to send a wire.”
    As people had tumbled out of the saloon and hotel to see what was going on, the Sheriff was attended to and Lenny’s body was being taken away. Emma sent a wire but couldn’t settle until a reply was received.
    “Am alive. Will come on next train. Leah.”
    Emma was so relieved.
    “Is it okay Henry if Leah lives with us. I have no doubt that Lenny’s cronies will threaten her?”
    “Of course, it is, my love. It’s not just my home now, it’s our home. You were so brave. It’s like you knew what I wanted you to do when you dropped down. It was the only way to take a clear shot.”
    “You know Henry I’ve never been brave. But when I saw you reach for the gun and take aim, I just knew I had to help you. You gave me the strength to do that. Now that Leah’s okay and on her way, shall we get married? I don’t want to spend another night in the hotel alone.” Emma’s blushed as she spoke and Henry’s eyes lit up. He wanted nothing more than to take his wife home to be man and wife in all ways. They were better together than apart and the Lord had made sure they found each other.
     

 
     
    Epilogue
     
    It was six months later and Henry and Joel stood nervously in the church. Joel smiled as he saw Leah enter with a pregnant Emma by her side. As Leah and Joel took their vows, Henry and Emma smiled at each other. When Joel leaned over to kiss his new bride, Henry cheered.
    In the weeks after Lenny’s death, Leah had come to live with Emma and Henry. They feared for her safety from Lenny’s cronies and as she missed her friend, it was an easy decision to make. Leah found work as a nurse with Doctor Adams.
    Wanting her friend to find the same happiness as she had, Emma turned matchmaker between Joel and Leah. Leah was just the type of woman Joel needed, strong and independent. He fell head over heels with her from the moment he laid eyes on her.
    “Can you believe it, Emma, I’m married? Who would have thought that seven months ago our lives could have changed so much? There you are, five months pregnant and your strong man by your side.” Guests were invited to the hotel to dine on sandwiches and cake and Mrs. Giles had remained a mother figure to Emma.
    “I know Leah. To think there was a time that I thought trinkets and compliments were all I needed. As I think about it, I realize I was a very silly girl. My time here has taught me to be strong within myself. I’ve learned how to take care of myself. But I’m glad you’ve ended up here. Hopefully, you will get pregnant soon and our children can grow up like siblings.” Emma rubbed her swollen abdomen and looked upon Henry with a look of love. He was talking to another guest but she had caught his eye and he smiled at his pregnant wife as though they were the only two people in the room.
    Every morning and night, Henry thanked the Lord for bringing Emma into his life. From their wedding day, they had known nothing but happiness. It amused them how Leah had turned Joel into a lovestruck teenager. They would be happy too.
    “I love you.” Henry mouthed over to Emma and she giggled.
    “Leah, to think we’ve got to all of this just because I saw Lenny Gibson kill a man. Isn’t life strange how it works?” Emma said dreamily as she watched the man who had stolen her heart. Emma could not be happier.
     
     
     
     
    *****
     
     
    THE END
     
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