MAIL ORDER OLIVIA Page 7

  “When I received that telegram, saying you were dead, I felt like I was drowning. Harry threw me a life raft and I took what he offered, not knowing at the time what kind of man he was.” Her vision blurred with unshed tears. “I didn’t want our baby to be born with no last name, to be picked on and ridiculed.”

  When Robert came closer, she moved toward him like a sleepwalker, stopping short of his arms.

  “I felt such mixed emotions when I saw your newspaper ad. Elation that you were still alive. Betrayal that you hadn’t come back for me. Anger at the misery I suffered being married to Harry. Despite that, I couldn’t stay away. I had to see you in person.”

  He reached for her with an unsteady hand and smoothed a strand of hair from her cheek, tucking it behind her ear. “I was hurt to think you had turned to Harry the second I left town. I ought to have known better. I’m sorry I didn’t believe you when you said Chloe was mine. I should know you well enough to know you would never be untruthful about such a matter. I was blinded by my stubborn pride. I promise you I’ll never doubt your word again.”

  “My time with Harry was—difficult. The experience caused me to doubt myself. My worth. That’s why I needed the assurance that you wanted me for who I am, not just because of Chloe.”

  Robert pulled her close. “I’ll always love you, Livie. Tell me you’ll come home. Together, let’s build this life and this family we both want so much.”

  Olivia went happily into his arms, one hand pressed to her still flat stomach. As his lips met hers, she felt a mutual letting go of all the mistakes of the past. No more hurt. No more misunderstandings. No more secrets or half-truths.

  When the kiss ended, she took his hand and placed it over her abdomen. “And Robert. There’s one more thing you ought to know.”

  The joy and happiness that shone from his eyes as her news registered, was her beacon of promise for the life they were building together.

  Thank you for picking up a copy of Mail Order Olivia. If you enjoyed reading it, please tell others by leaving a review on

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  If you haven’t already done so, check out the other wonderful books in the series.

  Daniel Chambers’s story, Mail Order Rachel will be available on August 24th. You can preorder it here.

  If you’d like to read more about Laura and Storm and the entire Mason family in Bullet, check out Brody’s Bride, book 1 of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, a classic second chance romance.

  BRODY’S BRIDE - EXCERPT

  Copyright ©2019 Kathleen Lawless.

  All right reserved.

  A week passed during which Brody never left the ranch, using a multitude of excuses to himself to stick close. Never far from mind was the ridiculous task he’d been set. What did he know about wooing a woman? Unsuccessfully, he tried to stop his mind from going down that dark pathway to the last time he saw Laura.

  Or the first.

  He’d known right from the get-go that she was above his station, but his ego got the better of him. Made sure she was intrigued by his eighteen-year-old swagger and confidence.

  Up until that day, anytime his thoughts strayed toward the fairer sex he pulled to mind his ma running off and leaving him, choosing her fancy snake oil salesman over him. He had thought he was past it when he met Laura. Everything about her made him feel good.

  Much as he tried to deny it, those magical times with Laura had never completely left that special place carved in his heart. Even though a part of him had died the day she out-and-out rejected him in front of what felt like the entire town of Yuma, he couldn’t manage to forget her. Her touch. Her scent. Her taste.

  He heaved a sigh. Maybe this little exercise, to woo the schoolmarm, would shake off those cobwebbed memories once and for all.

  Brody took his time getting ready. Shaved, slicked down his hair, put on his best shirt and polished his boots. Without a word to anyone he saddled up Phoenix and made his way to Bullet.

  The schoolhouse stood off to one side, shiny as a new pin, next to a field where the kids could run around and play.

  He tilted back his head and studied the exterior of the building. It looked nicer than the one in Yuma. Cleaner too. Red brick must have cost Hawkes a fortune, but the man surely did like to flaunt his wealth.

  Slowly Brody dismounted and tied Phoenix to the hitching post out front. Feeling like he was facing his executioner, he made his way up two steps to the front door, only to find it locked tight.

  His heart lightened, feeling a reprieve. His steps were lighter, too, as he made his way back to his horse. He’d barely touched the reins, when he heard a female voice behind him.

  “Brody. Brody is that you?”

  Slowly he turned. Laura stood before him like a vision from the past, one he wasn’t sure was real or imagined. All the pain and confusion from ten years ago rushed through him, filling his head with so much chatter he couldn’t hear a thing.

  Brody rocked back and forth from his heels to his toes. This little ruse of his had been a stupid idea from the get-go.

  He should leave Laura to deal with Hawkes.

  But he couldn’t.

  Hawkes destroyed everything in his path. He couldn’t let the man destroy Laura. He had to ger her out of there.

  His head demanded he leave.

  His heart propelled him to her side.

  “Tell me straight. Why’d you come back here?” He clenched his fists at his sides to keep from reaching out, from taking her in his arms.”

  “It’s not what you think, Brody.” Again, that look he remembered well, as if she was peeling back his skin and looking straight inside him. His heart beat faster. His chest felt tight.

  Once upon a time he thought he knew her. Now he had no idea if he ever had. His gut clenched. He wouldn’t be making that mistake again.

  “You have no idea what I think.”

  Order Brody’s Bride here.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Kathleen blames a misspent youth watching Rawhide, Maverick and Bonanza for her fascination with cowboys. Historical or contemporary, cowboys continue to resonate with her today.

  One of her heroes, Steele, is a modern-day cowboy, so when she was dating on-line and met a man called Steel— Well, he’s not a cowboy but he is an alpha male and her forever hero. Which is why all of her stories end Happily Ever After.

  Not that she can ever stick to just one genre. So many stories to tell—never enough time.

  With close to 30 published novels to her credit, she enjoys pushing the boundaries of traditional romance into historical romance, romantic suspense, women’s fiction and stories for young adults.

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  Website: KathleenLawless.com

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  Blog: romancegems.blogspot.com