The Soldier's E-Mail Order Bride (Heroes of Chance Creek) Read online

  “More will come,” Ella told Austin afterward, “but we’ll make a plan. Pretty soon we’ll bore them to death with our healthy, happy, honest way of life.”

  Austin was too excited about their news to care about the press. He wanted to take Ella to bed, company or no company. Luckily, Hank Much was something of a horse aficionado and he and Mason had hit it off immediately. When Mason took Hank out for a ride around the ranch after dinner, Austin and Ella slipped off to the bunkhouse to celebrate.

  His child. His second child. Richard would never be displaced in his heart, of course, but this was special too. He’d get to be there right from the start. He’d go through the pregnancy with Ella. He’d watch her grow large and coach her through the birth. Then they’d raise the baby together.

  And Ella would stay for good.

  Unfortunately, Regan rapped on the bunkhouse door an hour later. “Austin, Ella? You’ve got more visitors up at the Hall.”

  Austin made it to the door first, a sheet wrapped around him. “Is it Anthony again?” It had better not be, he thought, or he would have to smarten the man up at the end of his fists.

  “No. It’s a man and a woman. Chase Edgars and Marianne Hollins. Apparently they met on the flight in and realized they were both going to the same place, so they shared a cab out here.”

  “Marianne?” Ella pushed past him. She’d hastily donned yoga pants and a yellow cotton T-shirt. “Tell her I’ll be there in a minute.”

  “Will do,” Regan said.

  Ella and Austin dressed silently, each lost in their own thoughts, and made their way to the Hall as soon as they were able. Austin couldn’t wrap his mind around the idea that Edgars was here, but Chase was waiting for Austin on the back porch of the Hall. Ella followed Regan inside the kitchen to meet up with Marianne, leaving the two men alone.

  “Hall.”

  “Edgars.” Austin had planned to visit his old army buddy just as soon as the excitement of the vow renewal ceremony was over, but now that he saw him he was glad he wouldn’t have to wait. They shook hands, then Edgars pulled him into an awkward man-hug complete with slaps on the back. Austin waved him down into his seat and took one of his own.

  “I like this place. I wish I had a house like this,” Edgars said.

  “Are you still in Nashville?”

  “You know it. That’s where my folks are at and that’s where I’ve been getting my physical therapy.” He patted his left arm with his right hand.

  “Looks good,” Austin said.

  “It is good. I’ll never quite have full rotation, mind you. My career in basketball is over. Baseball, too. I hike a lot these days.”

  “Work?”

  Edgars frowned. “A little of this, a little of that. Nashville isn’t exactly booming. I figure it’ll be back to school with me. Maybe I’ll learn web design or something like that.”

  Austin flinched. That sounded brutal for a man used to action. “There’ll always be work for you here if you want.”

  “Can you picture me a cowboy?” Edgars’ laugh rang out long and loud. The female voices buzzing in the kitchen died down for a minute, then increased in volume again.

  “I can picture you a cowboy,” Austin said. “You’d pick up the trade quick enough.”

  “Maybe. You all get up awful early though.”

  “Says the man who used to wake me up at the crack of dawn every damn day back in the service.”

  They kidded each other, swapped memories and eased their way back into the friendship that had stood them in good stead for more than a decade. Austin figured they didn’t need to hash out what had happened in the uncomfortable months when he hadn’t communicated with Edgars. They knew each other well enough to know that was the past and things had changed now.

  Austin hoped Edgars would give moving to the ranch some serious consideration. They could definitely use the extra hands, and something told him the man could use the change of scenery.

  “You look good, Hall,” his friend said suddenly. “This ranch agrees with you.”

  “So does being married,” Austin said. A grin tugged at his mouth as he remembered the events at the obstacle course this afternoon.

  “So what’s all this about renewing your vows?”

  “It’s kind of a long story.”

  “Well, I have nowhere to go.”

  * * *

  “Marianne?”

  “Ella! There you are!” Marianne jumped up from her seat at the kitchen table and swooped over to her as soon as she entered the door, her high heels clicking on the hard floor. She pulled Ella into a tight embrace. “I missed you!”

  Ella didn’t know what to say. Marianne was the last person she’d expected to see here, and if she was honest, the last person she wanted to see. She was even more surprised to see Chase Edgars tonight. She thought he was flying in tomorrow morning.

  Marianne sighed, holding Ella at arm’s length. “I’m not here to bully you into taking that part, although I admit I’d like to. It is perfect for you.”

  Ella pulled away. “For someone who isn’t here to bully me that’s not an auspicious beginning.”

  “That’s it. That’s all you’ll hear from me on the topic.”

  “Why did you come here, then?” Ella knew Marianne wouldn’t expect this bluntness, but she was done being the pushover she’d been in Los Angeles.

  “Well, I did come to talk you into taking the part, I’ll admit that. In fact, I came on Anthony’s behalf.” She held up a hand to stop Ella’s response. “But he texted me and let me know he’d been here already, and that you wouldn’t budge. Now that I’m here, I can see why. This ranch is what you’ve always dreamed of, isn’t it?” One corner of her mouth turned up in a wry grin, reminding Ella of the teenage girl she used to know. “Horses everywhere!”

  Ella had to chuckle. “Yes, horses everywhere. You’re right; this is exactly where I want to be.”

  “I pulled you away from all of that when we were kids.” Marianne stepped back. “I guess if I’m honest, I’ll have to admit I used you. I’m sorry for that. I always thought I knew better than you did what would be good for you. It never occurred to me I was doing what was good for me.”

  “That’s okay. I’d like to think that if I’d truly wanted to, I could have said no to all of your plans. My time in Los Angeles wasn’t a complete waste, you know. I wouldn’t give up all those experiences.”

  “Or the money,” Marianne said.

  “Or the money,” Ella agreed. “It’ll help me do what I want to do next.”

  “Let me guess.” Marianne rolled her eyes. “Equine therapy?”

  “You remember that?”

  “It’s all you talked about for a year back in high school.”

  “I was pretty taken with the idea. I still like it.”

  Marianne softened. “Yeah. I can see that it suits you now. I hope you and your new husband are happy together.” She peeked out the back door at the men on the porch as their laughter rang out. “He’s handsome, I’ll give you that.”

  “Yep. And don’t forget—you introduced me to him.” Ella couldn’t help but smile. “Can I get you anything to eat? Do you want some tea?” She moved to get it.

  “Just water if you have some. By the way, there’s something else you should know about Anthony.”

  “Really, Marianne—I don’t want to hear about him.”

  “He lied to you. He lied to both of us.”

  “Surprise, surprise.” Ella fetched a glass and poured Marianne water from the tap. Marianne looked at it askance, took it, ventured a sip and nodded appreciatively.

  “Pretty good, considering it isn’t bottled.”

  “One of the many perks of living in the country.”

  “Anyway, I assume he lied to you. He told me he wasn’t the father of Kaylee’s child. That she’d made up the story to force his hand.”

  Ella nodded. “He told me that, too.”

  “He’s the one who was lying. Kaylee launched a
paternity suit against him today. It’s going to get ugly. The studio isn’t interested in him playing the lead anymore.”

  Ella wondered if Marianne had gotten the news before or after she decided Ella belonged on the ranch after all. She sighed, wishing it was possible to go back to the innocent days with Marianne before Hollywood had ever reared its ugly head. She had started to think there really weren’t any innocent days, though. Maybe Marianne’s personality had stayed consistent the whole time. Maybe Ella had been the one to change—first into a Hollywood star and then back again.

  She could still be friends with Marianne, but Regan, Camila, Maya and Stella would be the women she turned to in the future when times got tough. With only a small pang of sadness for the life she was now truly leaving behind, she led the way out onto the back porch where the man of her dreams awaited her.

  Chapter 35

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  “To the left a little more. A little more. That’s it.”

  Austin did his best to remain patient as he, Mason, and Richard maneuvered the awning into place in the Hall’s backyard where he and Ella would exchange their wedding vows in two days. Since Mason and Regan had hosted a similar wedding here just weeks ago, Regan was the expert at all things to do with the ceremony and she seemed to enjoy ordering the rest of them around.

  “Well, look at this! Wedding number two! Pretty soon all my sons will be married!”

  “Mom!” Austin set down his end of the tent and went to greet his mother. She’d flown here for a short visit in June when Mason got married, but he was still plenty glad to see her again, even if he wasn’t sure what she’d make of his marriage to Ella. As far as he knew none of his brothers had mentioned Aunt Heloise’s deal to her, and Aunt Heloise hadn’t opened her mouth about it either. That meant his mother would have a few things to say about this rushed wedding.

  He had some questions for her too, and when they finished embracing and he pulled back, she raised an eyebrow. “What is it? Is my hair a mess?”

  “You look beautiful,” Mason said, coming for his turn. He gave their diminutive mother a big bear hug until she laughed with pleasure. Still, when his brother set her down, she turned back to Austin.

  “I think you and I have some talking to do. Let these big galumphs get the work done while you and I chat.”

  “First I think you need to meet someone. Ella’s in town at the moment, so I’ll introduce you two later, but this,” he gestured for Richard to join them, “is my son, Richard. Richard, this is your grandmother, Julie.” He had told her about this surprising new aspect in his life over the phone, and while she’d been as shocked as the rest of them to hear the news, she’d recovered quickly. Now she smiled.

  “I’m so glad to meet you.” Julie gathered Richard up into a fierce hug. “I wish I’d met you a long time ago.”

  Richard nodded, but didn’t say anything.

  “We’ll get to know each other later, don’t you worry. I’m going to chat with your dad first, but we’ll all have supper together, won’t we?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Richard rejoined the other men and Austin led the way to the dining room where they’d have some privacy.

  “What’s up?”

  “I just want to be sure you’re adjusting to civilian life. You know it takes time.”

  Austin knew she’d studied everything about the military the minute her sons decided to join up. Back then she’d been relieved that they’d taken a step that promised them both a career and a structure to their lives that she couldn’t give them while she grieved for their father. When time passed, she remained an ardent supporter of all things military, but she worried about them, especially when each of them joined elite forces and saw plenty of dangerous missions. He imagined it made her very happy to have two sons safely out of harm’s way. He wondered if she was counting the days until Zane ended his service, too.

  “It’s been… hard. But I’m okay now. Ella’s great. You’ll love her.”

  “I’m sure I will. Regan said she’s at the last fitting of her gown?”

  Austin nodded.

  His mother touched his arm. “I’m always here for you. You know that, right?”

  “I know, Mom.” He hesitated. “I spoke to Halpern.”

  She cocked her head. “About what?”

  “About a few things. We talked about you and Dad. What happened before you were married.”

  His mother pulled back. “I see. I bet that was a shock.”

  “It was.”

  “How much did he tell you?”

  “Everything.” At least he thought Halpern had.

  Julie nodded. “That was a long time ago, Austin, and everything turned out okay. I forgave your father completely; you have to know that.”

  “How?”

  Julie blinked. “How what?”

  “How did you forgive him? He hurt you. He could have hurt your child.”

  “You don’t think that tore him to pieces, Austin? Do you think I needed to punish him more?” She shook her head. “Punishment wasn’t up to me. That wasn’t my part. Loving was my part. Forgiveness. Healing.”

  “You know, I can understand that here.” He tapped his forehead. “But I can’t understand it in my heart.”

  Julie crossed her arms. “Then you’ve never really loved someone, because that’s what it’s all about. It’s about seeing the cracks and crevices in their souls, witnessing their mistakes and wrongdoings, and witnessing their remorse, too. It’s about feebly trying to do here on earth what we say God does in heaven every moment of every day—forgive. Otherwise we might as well just turn our backs on each other and spend our lives alone.”

  “But what if it’s not other people who are the problem?”

  She waited for him to explain.

  “What if you can’t forgive yourself?”

  “Is that a problem you’re facing? Are you unable to forgive yourself for something?” She took his hand. “Austin, now that you’re a father you’ll learn what love really is. You’ll get so much practice forgiving your kids it will become second nature.” She sighed. “I know you didn’t get to be there when Richard was a baby, but you’ll get that chance when you and Ella have a child. I’ve always thought that when you see your newborn for the first time, you get an inkling about what God feels for us. He can forgive us just about anything. So we might as well forgive ourselves, right?”

  “I guess so.” He leaned closer. “And just so you know, that moment—when I hold my newborn in my arms? It’s on its way.”

  “Austin!” Julie’s eyes lit up. “You and Ella are having a baby? You’ve made me the happiest mother alive. Where is that woman? I need to meet her right away!”

  * * *

  The following day—the day before the wedding—was a happy one for Ella. All the details of the event were in place, out-of-town guests had arrived—including her parents, whom she hadn’t seen for months—and the Halls and the Scales were already bonding. It turned out her mother and Julie had both brought extensive collections of digital photographs which they shared with everyone present, to the chagrin of both Ella and Austin. She got a chance to laugh at a photo of Austin at sixteen months in a cowboy hat, boots and gun belt slung so low his diaper was falling off. He got his revenge when her mother showed round an adorable baby photo of her in the bath. Regan did the hard work as hostess, keeping everyone supplied with food and drinks, and Ella did her best to help in between chatting with everyone.

  Watching Austin interact with his mother had become one of her favorite things to do. The love between them was so obvious, and the way he kept a watch over her, making sure she had everything she needed, told her she hadn’t made a mistake in choosing Austin for her husband.

  The future seemed a brighter place than it had in a long, long time. She might not have all the pieces of the puzzle worked out yet when it came to equine therapy, but Maya and Stella had promised to introduce her to more of the residents of Chance Creek now that she wasn’t hiding fro
m the press anymore, and Austin had promised to help her find several extra-gentle horses to train. Surely she could find a therapist to work with sooner or later.

  She couldn’t believe she was getting everything she wanted. Couldn’t believe that her mad dash away from Hollywood had landed her here—right where she wanted to be.

  “I know exactly how you feel,” Regan whispered to her in a quiet moment when they met up in the Hall’s kitchen. “There’s something miraculous about those silly Wife Wanted ads, isn’t there?”

  Ella nodded. Things couldn’t have turned out any better if she’d planned them.

  * * *

  Richard appeared at about two o’clock that afternoon determined to get some grandma time, as he called it. Austin called Heather and left her a message to tell her where he was, but she didn’t pick up the phone. According to Richard, when she worked at Rafter’s he wasn’t supposed to call unless there was a true emergency. Austin didn’t think this counted, so he left his message on her home phone and figured he’d have Richard back there before she even discovered it.

  It felt right to have Richard in his life and sharing his family. It felt right to hear the Hall ring with voices and laughter again. It made him realize that had been missing these last few months since he’d been home. They’d had guests over, and they’d had plenty of good times, but the Hall was meant for a crowd.

  “Having fun?” he asked Richard when he bumped into the boy in the kitchen sneaking a cookie from a fresh set Regan had just baked.

  “Yeah!” The boy snatched his cookie, waved and headed back to the chaos of the living room.

  “How about you? Are you having any fun?” Ella asked and kissed his jaw.

  “Yep, but I can’t wait until everyone goes home and I have you all to myself again.”

  “Mmm, that sounds good.” She leaned against him for a moment, but straightened again when a commotion in the dining room caught their attention.

  “Zane?” Austin heard his mother call out. “Zane? Is that you?”

  He and Ella hurried to join his mother at the front door as a man in uniform climbed out of the taxi that had just driven up. He grabbed his bag from the trunk, then turned to climb the steps, only then noticing the audience he had. Zane broke out into a broad grin. “Hey! Everyone’s here!”