A Free Heart Read online

  He asked them to repeat the words of the vows, and Harriet’s heart swelled when she realized she really was being joined with Tom, that they were no longer just talking about it. Just moments later, the pastor pronounced them husband and wife. As Harriet bent over to kiss Tom, he brought his arms up around her neck and threaded his fingers through her hair. For that one lightning-bolt flash of time, everyone else in the room disappeared. No one else existed—it was just the two of them.

  Harriet was brought back to reality by the applause that broke out on all sides, and she knew she was blushing furiously when she straightened again.

  “We’ll now have refreshments in the dining room,” Elizabeth announced, and everyone followed her like a string of ducks following their mama.

  “Wait,” Tom said as Dr. Wayment began to push his chair. “May I sit on the porch for a few minutes? I haven’t had a breath of real outdoor air in days.”

  “Of course,” the doctor said, turning the chair the other direction, and Harriet stepped forward to open the door. “Tell me where you’d like to be.”

  Tom asked the doctor to push him around to the side of the hotel. The porch wrapped all the way around the building, so he could sit outside for quite a while and have a variety of things to look at. “Thank you, Doctor,” he said, shaking the man’s hand. “You’ve played a mighty big role in my life lately, and I can’t thank you enough.”

  “It’s my pleasure, Tom,” the doctor said, clapping Tom on the shoulder. “I know you’ve certainly changed my life. I’m never going to look at medicine the same way again.” He gave a nod to Harriet and stepped back into the hotel, leaving the two of them alone.

  Tom took a deep breath and exhaled as he looked up at the stars overhead. “I’ve missed this so much,” he said. “You can’t take a man who practically lives outside and expect him to be content cooped up in a box for days and days on end.”

  “I know it’s been rough, but you’ve handled it so well.” Harriet turned and grabbed one of the chairs that had been placed on the porch and set it next to Tom. “It really is a perfect night for a wedding.”

  “And it’s a perfect night for kissing you at the water pump,” Tom said, nodding toward the yard.Harriet was confused for a moment, and then she started to laugh. Sure enough, Tom had asked the doctor to park the wheelchair in the spot on the porch that was closest to the pump.

  “I figure, it all started right there. What better way to end it?”

  “Oh, no, Mr. White. This isn’t the end. This is only the very first day of the rest of our lives together.” Harriet leaned forward, and he engulfed her in a kiss that made the stars blush.

  The End

  If you missed A New Beginning, Kansas Crossroads Book One, click here!

  Special Sneak Peek

  The Dark and the Dawn: Kansas Crossroads Book Three

  Chapter One

  “I’d best be on my way now, but thank you for inviting me to the wedding,” Dr. Wayment said, shaking hands with Tom White and giving Harriet a kiss on the cheek. Jeanette had been waiting for this moment for hours, and now that it had arrived, her heart pounded. What if she didn’t have the courage to do this?

  “Shall I help you carry the wheelchair back upstairs before I go?” Dr. Wayment asked.

  “No, we’ve got it,” Mr. Brody said, also shaking the doctor’s hand. Jeanette edged toward the door, trying to remain as unnoticed as possible. As soon as Dr. Wayment stepped outside, she followed him, forcing herself to be brave.

  “Doctor?” she called out as she descended the porch steps.

  He turned, his horse’s reins in his hand. “Yes, Miss Peterson? Is everything all right?”

  “Everything’s fine,” she said. There was still time to change her mind, wasn’t there? She could wish him a good evening or something and send him on his way. But no—she’d made herself a promise. She had to do this.

  “Are you feeling well? You’ve suddenly gone very pale.” He reached out to touch her forehead, but she flinched away from his hand.

  “I’m quite all right,” she said. “I would like to ask you a question, though.”

  “It must be quite the question to have you looking so upset. Out with it, and let’s put you to rights.”

  “I’d like to know how one goes about becoming a nurse,” she blurted. She squeezed her eyes tight, not wanting to see his reaction. When he didn’t speak, she opened one eye and then the other to find him looking at her curiously.

  “Well, it all depends,” he said, resting one foot on the step of his buggy and leaning back against the side. “Most of the nurses currently in practice have had no formal training, meaning to say that they were instructed by the doctors they work for. An actual nursing school is rather a new development in the medical profession, and for many women, not practical.” He tilted his head to the side and seemed to consider her. “I’ve often wondered if having a nurse would help me in my practice. If you’d like to work with me, I’d certainly be willing to give it a try. You’ve been very useful to me in Tom’s case.”

  “Really, sir? I could come work for you?” This was more than Jeanette had even hoped for. She thought he might recommend some books for her to read, or pat her on the head and send her away. “When would you like me to start?”

  Dr. Wayment chuckled and held up a hand. “Before we start making plans, I think you’d better talk this over with your current employers. You wouldn’t want to leave them understaffed, would you?”

  Jeanette’s face flamed. In the excitement of the moment, she hadn’t even considered what this might mean for the hotel. “I’ll speak to them right away.”

  “Excellent. After you’ve done that, come see me in my office and we’ll make the proper arrangements. Good night, Miss Peterson.” He tipped his hat, then climbed into his buggy. “Would you like me to see you back inside?” he asked as an afterthought.

  “No, that’s all right. The porch is just over there.” She gestured behind herself. “Good night.”

  Almost forgetting to breathe, she turned and walked back into the hotel. That had gone better than all her wildest hopes put together, but now she had to talk to Mr. Brody. That might be even more difficult than speaking to the doctor.

  About the Author:

  Amelia C. Adams traces her family tree right back to the settlement of the west—her great-great-grandmother even drove a wagon to her new home. Amelia is a wife, a mother, and a novelist. She spends her days dreaming up stories and her nights writing them down. Her biggest hero is her husband, and you might just see bits and pieces of him as you read her novels. She loves all things historical and enjoys learning about days gone by, but she's glad she was born more recently (she won't say how recently or not recently) because the Internet is awesome, and she's glad she doesn't have to wash her clothes by hand in a galvanized tub.You can reach Amelia at [email protected].

  If you enjoyed A Free Heart, be sure to check out the next books in the series. Visit www.ameliacadams.com for titles and release dates. While you’re there, you can sign up for Amelia’s newsletter, which will keep you updated on everything going on at the Brody Hotel.

  You’re also invited to “like” Amelia’s Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Amelia-C-Adams/584870491648423

  Do you love all things Western? Maybe the Pioneer Hearts Facebook group is for you! Fans and writers of Westerns alike meet in one place to talk about books … and cowboys … Visit us here. https://www.facebook.com/groups/pioneerhearts/

 

 

 
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