Choosing Love (Hero Hearts: Historical) Read online

  As he returned to his feet, Hayden knew in his heart that Veronica had given him her blessing. He had a sense of peaceful calm flood though him, though it was short-lived as the church doors opened to reveal Rebecca and her father at the other end of the aisle.

  She was dressed in emerald green to match her eyes. Her dark curls glinted in the shafts of sunlight that followed her in from Main Street. She looked radiant with happiness. Hayden felt his breath catch as she fixed her gaze upon him and began to move towards him.

  “You look after her,” Coby said in a mock-menacing tone. “Or I’ll be there to teach you a lesson.”

  “I can assure you that none will be needed,” Hayden promised.

  Mr. Holdsworth placed Rebecca’s hand in his when the reached the altar, and Pastor Fletcher beamed at them both. “Welcome Rebecca and Hayden. And to all of you,” he said as he addressed the congregation gathered to witness the wedding. “We are gathered here, in the sight of God, to join these two in holy matrimony. Before we begin, is there anyone present who knows of any reason they should not be wed today?”

  Everyone looked around, some looking nervously at Coby who just smiled. Then the pastor looked at him. “I don’t have a problem with this marriage. Our betrothal was called off. I have no prior claim to Miss Holdsworth. I wish the two of them all the happiness in the world.” His voice was loud and robust, assuring the pastor and the rest of the community, too. He clapped Hayden on the back and grinned. Hayden chuckled and looked back at the pastor.

  “I wasn’t expecting a response, but since Coby explained it all, I suppose we can begin.” Pastor Fletcher smiled, nodded, and looked down at his Bible.

  Allison stepped forward and took the bouquet of wildflowers Rebecca was holding and grinned happily at her friend. Hayden took both of Rebecca’s hands in his own and felt his heart melt as she gazed up at him, her eyes filled with love.

  “Do you, Hayden Alfred Glasworthy take Rebecca Jane Holdsworth to be your wife, to have and to hold, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health until death do you part?” Pastor Fletcher asked him.

  Hayden did not hesitate to answer. “I do,” he said proudly.

  “And, do you Rebecca Jane Holdsworth take Hayden Alfred Galsworthy to be your husband, to have and to hold, to honor and obey, in sickness and in health until death do you part?”

  “I do.”.

  Hayden place a ring upon her finger and listened to the Pastor Fletcher impatiently. The rest of his life would begin once he left this church and he longed for it to begin. He had been doubly blessed in his life, and this moment was one he’d never expected. He felt alive again, and full of love and hope.

  Once they were finally pronounced man and wife, Hayden leaned down to kiss his bride. It was a sweet kiss full of hope and promise.

  “I love you,” Hayden whispered to Rebecca as he pulled her into his embrace.

  “I love you, too. I feel so blessed to say it and to be your wife.” She pulled back and smiled up at him. “This has been an amazing day. I can’t wait to step out of here and start our new life.”

  “I was just thinking the same thing. Let’s go.” He took her hand and they waved to their friends as they hurried up the aisle to all that was waiting for them as a couple in love.

  Epilogue

  “I’m home! Hayden! Where are you?” Rebecca called out for her husband in a sing-song voice as soon as she’d closed the door behind her.

  “Right here, my love. Just got in from school, myself. How was your day?” He opened his arms to her and she went to him with a smile.

  “Good. We have two new calves. I delivered one of them.” She beamed at him.

  “How sweet. You definitely smell of cattle.” He wrinkled his nose. “But I love you just the same.”

  “Of course you do. I’m going to be the mother of your children. One day, anyway.”

  He laughed and shook his head. “I certainly hope so. Do you think you’ll actually be able to make time to raise a child or two?”

  “As long as I’m allowed to take him or her to work with me.”

  “Like I’d have any say in that decision…” He pulled her with him to the kitchen. “I started roast chicken and vegetables for supper. Sound good?”

  “Yes, it sounds wonderful. Smells good, too.” Rebecca stopped and turned to look at Hayden. He raised an eyebrow and she reminded herself how much she loved his eyes when they were full of love as they were now. “Coby sends his regards and he’s invited us to a supper party on Saturday night. I took the liberty of accepting for us.”

  “Good. I’ll be glad to see him. And Allison, too, of course.”

  “You know, Hayden…” Rebecca knitted her brows together in almost a scowl.

  “What is it? Why so serious?”

  She brightened. “Oh, I don’t mean to be. I was just reminded how lucky I am. You truly are my hero. In every sense of the word. And in a way, Coby’s a hero, too. I have two brave men in my life and I will try my best to never take either one of you for granted.”

  “You’re far too generous, my dear. Neither of us is a hero. I feel confident speaking for Coby if you’re wondering.” He smiled and led her to the table. “Cup of tea? I think I’ll have one and I’d love it if you’d join me.”

  “Sure. I’ll have a cup. But first, please hear what I have to say.”

  “All right. If I must.” Again, he gave her an indulgent smile and stood still facing her.

  “Coby was willing to save my reputation by taking responsibility for our change of plans. He didn’t come out of that unscathed. Not every man would have been honest about his own wishes and then taken the brunt of the scrutiny. I’m very appreciative for that, even today more than a year later.”

  “I can’t argue. He’s a good man and a good friend to both of us.”

  “And you. You saved those children from sure death in the burning schoolhouse. You led the effort to rebuild and the project ended with a bigger and better building than the one we lost. You’re man enough to allow me to continue working with Papa at the ranch. Most men wouldn’t even have the discussion. Thank you.” Rebecca took a few steps to the kitchen table and turned back to look at him.

  “You’re most welcome, Rebecca. I want you to be happy and I know the work helps you feel useful and fulfilled. I’m fine with that.” Hayden followed her and when he reached her he leaned down and kissed her.

  “Thank you.” She smiled slightly as she pulled away from him.

  “For what?”

  “For kissing me and holding me close even when I smell like a herd.” She laughed and he responded by kissing her again. Deeper this time with promise of acceptance, laughter, and love for the rest of their lives.

  It’s not quite the end!

  * * *

  Have you read Annie’s second Hero Hearts story? Here’s a little about it.

  Ellie Fletcher is a pastor's daughter and she's satisfied with her life. She has an idea of how things will go. She'll do her best to support her father and serve the Lord in all things.

  While she expects no real excitement in her future, she's happy with where life has taken her so far. Until she meets Jude Rigsby.

  Jude Rigsby is a damaged man and he knows it. As a Confederate Army hero, when the war is over he just wants to go home to Georgia and take over the family plantation. That's not meant to be. So he leaves it all behind. A new life in Springville, Texas should put him back on his feet.

  As a man who's also lost his faith, courting the pastor's daughter seems out of place. Wrong, even. Ellie believes with all her heart that Jude can find his faith again. He has to choose it, but she can help--if her father will allow it.

  Are there too many troubles for this couple to be together? Will Jude listen for the call Ellie wants him to hear?

  * * *

  Turn the page to read a preview of Everlasting Hope.

  Everlasting Hope- Preview

  Springville, Texas; 1866

  The lit
tle ones looked so sweet when they were crowded around her this way. Ellie beamed at them and opened her Bible. “I thought we’d read about Daniel, today,” she said. The children clapped their hands excitedly. It didn’t seem to matter how many times she told them the story of Daniel in the lion’s den, they were always eager to hear it again.

  She read the first few verses leading up to the main part of the story and the enthusiastic children were listening to every word.

  It had surprised Ellie to find how much she enjoyed teaching Sunday School. She went with her daddy every week as he preached the gospel to the congregations in their area. They had a regular circuit, and she’d grown to love each child and their hunger to learn more about God.

  She was, in a few cases, the only schooling the children received, and because of that she was determined to make her classes as beneficial as she could. In a many of the outposts that seemed to be building up in this part of Texas, people were thrilled to have someone willing to teach them.

  “So, Billy Eldon, will you come and help me to read today?” she said, giving the boy an encouraging look. He stood up and came to sit beside her, his face flushed bright pink.

  “Ma’am, I can’t,” he whispered.

  “You can,” Ellie said, putting her slender finger under the words so he might follow along. “I’ll do one sentence, and you can do the next.”

  The boy gulped, and smoothed his hair back, scuffing his feet against the floor nervously. He looked at Ellie and she smiled to lift his confidence.

  “I’ll start.” She looked down at her Bible and continued. “Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions.”

  The children were rapt. Some gasped and others widened their eyes.

  She looked at Billy and nodded. Finally he began to speak, hesitantly. “Now the king spa—” He looked up at Ellie for help.

  “Spake,” she prompted. “That means he said something.”

  “Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou—um whom though ser… um, servest cont—"

  “Continually,” Ellie said softly.

  “Continually, he will deliver thee.” Billy finished and his voice became stronger and his posture more confident with each word he uttered.

  Ellie was proud of him. He’d barely been able to spell his own name just a few months before. She’d helped as best she could after church on Sunday afternoons. His mother could read enough to help during the week after supper.

  Despite the long hours he had to put in on his family’s farm, he was doing beautifully. He was a smart boy, and she knew few people who would have learned so much under the same circumstances. His tenacity was more than admirable, especially for a child.

  The Bible story over, it was time to take them into the makeshift church to join their parents for the service. The congregation of Springville, Texas met in the back room of the Longhorn Saloon. Her father would prefer to hold the services in another place, but Mr. Langdon was the only one to have a place big enough to hold the usual crowd. He’d graciously offered it when the Wingate blacksmith’s office became too small.

  The logic made sense. The Longhorn Saloon had no reason to be open to paying customers on Sunday mornings since most of their regular patrons were sleeping off their Saturday nights. Mr. Langdon offered the place to the church free of charge, so it was hard to refuse such a generous suggestion. Ellie wondered if his offer was meant to appease some of the wives of the community, but decided God could use all situations for His good any time He pleased.

  Her father preached here every other Sunday while other settlements heard the Word the other weeks. Springville was the largest town in the area and still a few hours away from Fort Worth.

  She escorted them from the grassy area on the side of the building, and as the others began to take their places with their parents, she took Billy aside. “You’re reading is coming along wonderfully well, Billy. I’ll be sure to tell your mama how well you’re doing.” He nodded, his blue eyes wide.

  “I like learning. I wish I could go to school more,” Billy said eagerly.

  “So do I. Maybe it will work out one day soon.”

  * * *

  Billy smiled, and she watched as he hurried off to sit with his family. Ellie meant what she’d said. She did wish Billy could attend school more often, and she hoped there would be a better option for the children in the community one day. Most of the children in Springville attended school, but they often had to miss when they were needed for chores at home. And the school moved from home to home as there wasn’t a school house in town.

  If there was a regular school in Springville, all the children could benefit. It was even possible some of the smaller outlying communities could send their children to Springville to school. Ellie wondered if the parents would value education for their children more if school was organized.

  If only there was a chance for them to attend for just a few hours each day, here in town, far more of them could gain the benefits of an education. She vowed to speak to her father. He was trying to raise the funds needed to build a church and maybe they could add a schoolhouse to the plan. Surely there would be interest in such a thing, wouldn’t there?

  Springville was growing and new people were arriving all the time. There had even been rumors that the railway had their eye on the town. The Houston and Texas Central Railroad already ran close, but not close enough to affect the area.

  But if it were true, that Springville might become a stop on a new line, the town would need a permanent church building, a school and other facilities. The travelers and workers would need services, but also those who came to make the area their home would help them grow.

  Taking a seat in the back row of the congregation, Ellie listened proudly as her father spoke passionately at the front of the large room that Kingsley Langdon let them use for free at the Longhorn Saloon. He truly was an emotional and faithful preacher, and she knew that everyone present left feeling uplifted by the Spirit and touched by God’s eternal love. Finally the service was over and Papa dismissed them all with a parting prayer giving them the assurance that God would be with them through the coming days and weeks.

  William Langdon, the saloon owner’s youngest son approached her as she waited for her father to finish speaking with the townsfolk after the service. They always wished to thank him, or ask his advice on all manner of matters. Fellowship together was a big deal in a country church.

  “May I read next time?” the boy asked her shyly. He was an earnest lad.

  “Well, of course, you may, William,” Ellie said. “You go to a school in Fort Worth, don’t you?”

  He nodded. “Papa says I will need to be able to read and write and do sums, or I’ll be no use to him when I get big.”

  She cleared her throat and bit her bottom lip trying to think of how to respond. “Running a business needs all of those skills, I’m sure.” Ellie smiled and patted his arm gently.

  She had no idea what it took to run a saloon and did not want to know. A young woman like her would not normally ever be seen near such a place, but sometimes she had no choice. Few of the little towns where her father preached had church buildings so the congregations would meet in whatever available space they could find.

  “William, your mother wants you to come and help with your little brother,” Kingsley Langdon said as he approached them. “Miss Ellie, I do hope that William is not any trouble to you.” William nodded to his father, then scurried away.

  “Mr. Langdon, he is a credit to you. He was just asking if he might be the one to read in Sunday School next week,” Ellie said.

  “He is by far the cleverest of my boys. The others will be lucky if they find work in the fields or herding cattle, but William could easily take over the Longhorn when I’m too old.”

  “I am sure he could,” Ellie said, then suddenly realized that Mr. Langdon would be one of the most influential people she might find to help her to convince the to
wn that a school would be of benefit to Springville. “Um, sir, I know you send William to the school in Fort Worth.”

  “I do. He’s getting good grades, He stays with my parents the days he attends. But truth be told, it’s hard work getting him there and back safely so often. I may have to take him out of school soon since I’m not willing to let him live with my parents permanently.”

  “If there was a school nearby, would you let him continue to attend?” she asked.

  “I would, but sadly we don’t have such a thing.”

  “I think that it would make an ideal addition, and we could maybe have it adjoining the new church building. Well, when we get it funded and built, of course.” Ellie said. “I believe we can apply to the government for help with school funding.”

  Mr. Langdon removed his Stetson and scratched at the faint indentation on his brow, then replaced his hat firmly on his head. “That’s a mighty fine idea,” he said. “But, there’s been no decision about whether the church will be built here or in Byron Creek.”

  “I think Springville is the better location,” Ellie’s father said, joining them.

  “Elias, I agree,” Mr. Langdon said, “but we are not the only people making that decision.”

  “Daddy, did you hear my idea?” Ellie asked. She didn’t worry about anyone else’s opinion, even though she knew she’d eventually have to get the support of many in the area for her idea to stand a chance. Her father was her moon and skies, especially since she’d lost her mother from diphtheria three years ago. It was his approval she sought above all others.

  “A school?” Daddy said, pausing to think for a few moments. Ellie held her breath waiting for his response. Her father gave a little frown, and she wondered what was passing through his mind.