Read Online ROMANCE: Mail Order Bride: A Sheriff's Bride (A Clean Christian Inspirational Historical Western Romance) (New Adult Short Stories) by Nathan Adams - Free Book Online
Authors: Nathan Adams
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outside, and heard Brandon’s voice behind me. “Vanessa!” he called after me.
I didn’t stop. I just wanted to run forever. The flat horizon ahead of me made me feel sick to my stomach, and the flat earth saddened me to the core even more. There was nowhere I could run from my past, and the view before me was the imagery of my predicament. Now everyone would think I was a murderer, insane, and some washed up woman who would bear the shame of having her child fatherless, not to mention couldn’t keep her husband satisfied enough to not commit adultery. I knew they were following me, but I kept running. This wasn’t the life I asked for, and I had done everything right. I did just as mother said and kept my legs closed until marriage. I did as father said and paid attention to my studies, honored my family before enterprise, and loved my country. Why was everything so terrible for me now?
I felt dizzy, and my vision began to blur. Everything had happened so fast…
My head felt like it was floating, and soon all I saw was the spinning sky above me.
“Vanessa…”
I heard a masculine voice and the soft ticking of a clock…It had to be a grandfather clock with that distinct rhythmic ticking. I felt warm, yet my head was pounding. Did I sleep too long?
Suddenly my memories came flooding back in. I remembered what had happened and I sat up with a start.
Brandon was instantly wrapping his arms around me to still my movement. “Vanessa!” he said relieved, “Thank God you’re alright.”
I looked at him, still dazed and confused, “What happened to me?” I asked softly.
He scratched the back of his head, “You passed out, and took a pretty nasty fall. The doctor we had by said you seemed to be in shock. He wants you to rest so we can monitor the baby.” He explained.
I remembered the red hot anger I felt when I discovered that my best friend had betrayed me in favor of vengeance. I was disturbed that it could happen, but more than that I was hurt. “What will become of me Brandon? I’m not fit to be your wife with such an ugly reputation.” I explained sadly, “And no one is going to believe a word I say. It’s a world filled with gossip-hungry beasts.” I said as I felt the tears began to pour down my cheeks.
Brandon embraced me tighter, “Vanessa, you’re a great woman, and I can feel that from you. No amount of slander is going to convince me otherwise without some firsthand proof, and I just don’t take you as that kind of person. You’re fun and full of life…Ruth loves you. Begged her nanny to help make cookies for you for when you got back on your feet.” He said with a gentle smile.
I couldn’t help but smile at those words. Sweet little Ruth… “I am eternally grateful for that.” I said, though I still felt a miserable sadness.
“We’re still getting married Vanessa. You aren’t the only one with dark spots in your past. Besides, that Emily girl that was your friend? Olivia told me all about her, and yes she did send me a letter, not long after you did. She sounded staged and immature unlike you. She lacked passion. I didn’t want a woman like that, one who’d leave me lonely in a week for my money.” He said with a wry grin. “Rest assured that the people here are only concerned that somebody up in the Northeast is so hell bent on destroying somebody else’s happiness. She can have her fun up in Connecticut husbandless.” He said hugging me close.
His words were comforting to me. They reassured me that Brandon was a good man, one willing to be fair and gentle. I couldn’t see myself without such a down to earth man in my life, and now I questioned how I had ever been satisfied with Lawrence.
I smiled at him and we engaged in yet another loving kiss. This time, I let my arms drift around him to pull myself closer. I felt like a loved woman in his arms.
That was when we heard an innocent giggling from the doorway. We abruptly turned around to find Ruth standing
I didn’t stop. I just wanted to run forever. The flat horizon ahead of me made me feel sick to my stomach, and the flat earth saddened me to the core even more. There was nowhere I could run from my past, and the view before me was the imagery of my predicament. Now everyone would think I was a murderer, insane, and some washed up woman who would bear the shame of having her child fatherless, not to mention couldn’t keep her husband satisfied enough to not commit adultery. I knew they were following me, but I kept running. This wasn’t the life I asked for, and I had done everything right. I did just as mother said and kept my legs closed until marriage. I did as father said and paid attention to my studies, honored my family before enterprise, and loved my country. Why was everything so terrible for me now?
I felt dizzy, and my vision began to blur. Everything had happened so fast…
My head felt like it was floating, and soon all I saw was the spinning sky above me.
“Vanessa…”
I heard a masculine voice and the soft ticking of a clock…It had to be a grandfather clock with that distinct rhythmic ticking. I felt warm, yet my head was pounding. Did I sleep too long?
Suddenly my memories came flooding back in. I remembered what had happened and I sat up with a start.
Brandon was instantly wrapping his arms around me to still my movement. “Vanessa!” he said relieved, “Thank God you’re alright.”
I looked at him, still dazed and confused, “What happened to me?” I asked softly.
He scratched the back of his head, “You passed out, and took a pretty nasty fall. The doctor we had by said you seemed to be in shock. He wants you to rest so we can monitor the baby.” He explained.
I remembered the red hot anger I felt when I discovered that my best friend had betrayed me in favor of vengeance. I was disturbed that it could happen, but more than that I was hurt. “What will become of me Brandon? I’m not fit to be your wife with such an ugly reputation.” I explained sadly, “And no one is going to believe a word I say. It’s a world filled with gossip-hungry beasts.” I said as I felt the tears began to pour down my cheeks.
Brandon embraced me tighter, “Vanessa, you’re a great woman, and I can feel that from you. No amount of slander is going to convince me otherwise without some firsthand proof, and I just don’t take you as that kind of person. You’re fun and full of life…Ruth loves you. Begged her nanny to help make cookies for you for when you got back on your feet.” He said with a gentle smile.
I couldn’t help but smile at those words. Sweet little Ruth… “I am eternally grateful for that.” I said, though I still felt a miserable sadness.
“We’re still getting married Vanessa. You aren’t the only one with dark spots in your past. Besides, that Emily girl that was your friend? Olivia told me all about her, and yes she did send me a letter, not long after you did. She sounded staged and immature unlike you. She lacked passion. I didn’t want a woman like that, one who’d leave me lonely in a week for my money.” He said with a wry grin. “Rest assured that the people here are only concerned that somebody up in the Northeast is so hell bent on destroying somebody else’s happiness. She can have her fun up in Connecticut husbandless.” He said hugging me close.
His words were comforting to me. They reassured me that Brandon was a good man, one willing to be fair and gentle. I couldn’t see myself without such a down to earth man in my life, and now I questioned how I had ever been satisfied with Lawrence.
I smiled at him and we engaged in yet another loving kiss. This time, I let my arms drift around him to pull myself closer. I felt like a loved woman in his arms.
That was when we heard an innocent giggling from the doorway. We abruptly turned around to find Ruth standing
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