Unexpected Love , livre ebook

WestBow Press - Donna L. Frank

Découvre YouScribe en t'inscrivant gratuitement

Je m'inscris

Obtenez un accès à la bibliothèque pour le consulter en ligne
En savoir plus

117 pages

English

Vous pourrez modifier la taille du texte de cet ouvrage

Obtenez un accès à la bibliothèque pour le consulter en ligne
En savoir plus

A propos
Informations
Extrait

Description

Death and fear can lead to overwhelming despair and then toe curling kisses can lead to the miracle of love and joy.

The hot, southern Arizona desert can be an unforgiving place in the 1880s. Meridith Benson realized this especially after losing her husband and facing trial after trial.

It was only by God’s grace and protecting hand that she, her family and friends survived. It’s amazing how evil human beings can treat each other, but even more amazing how God can change a life.

US Marshal, Clint Dolin arrived and along with Meridith’s Uncle Jake, God turns her life from sorrow to joy and Unexpected Love.

Sujets

Western

Informations

Publié par	WestBow Press
Date de parution	24 juillet 2022
Nombre de lectures	0
EAN13	9781664272842
Langue	English
Poids de l'ouvrage	1 Mo

Informations légales : prix de location à la page 0,0200€. Cette information est donnée uniquement à titre indicatif conformément à la législation en vigueur.

Extrait

Unexpected Love

DONNA L. FRANK

Copyright © 2022 Donna L. Frank.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

WestBow Press
A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan
1663 Liberty Drive
Bloomington, IN 47403
www.westbowpress.com
844-714-3454

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.
Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

ISBN: 978-1-6642-7285-9 (sc)
ISBN: 978-1-6642-7284-2 (e)

WestBow Press rev. date: 07/22/2022
Contents
Acknowledgements
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty

This book is dedicated to my Aunt Frankie and Aunt Patsy.
Acknowledgements
Unexpected Love is a work of fiction where certain locals or cities are named. They are used fictitiously. All names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is entirely coincidental.
A book is never written without the help of many people. Special thanks to Kathleen Griffin for her hours of typing, pre-reading and trying to make sense of what was in my mind.
A thank you to my pre-readers, my daughters-in-law, Deana and Lisa Frank. Thank you to my sons Scott and Schon who patiently listened as I excitedly told portions of the story. A shout out to my grandchildren, Nicole, Savannah and Brooks - never forget how much God loves you. Finally, this book wouldn’t even be possible without Kirk Griffin who guided me to his friend, and author, Matt Graphman. God is good and amazingly provides for us! Thank you, Kirk and Matt.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version.

Chapter One
The Arizona Territory 1 880s
Stark naked fear like Meridith had never known gripped her in the early morning dawn as a strong, huge body held her down on the ground. Her screams echoed through the quietness of the southern Arizona desert.
“Well, well, ain’t you a feisty little filly. Just like I like ‘em. Pretty little thing too, that just adds to the fun. Scream all ya want, darlin’,” whispered the smelly, sweat drenched man. “Ain’t nobody here but you and me. I made sure of that. So now let’s have us a little fun!”
Tears were running down her face as she fought with a strength she didn’t know she had. It was no use. This filthy animal was too strong for her and he was right – There was no one here but her.
“Please,” she panted. “Please, don’t do this” But as she heard his evil laugh and looked into his cold sinister eyes, she knew she was in trouble. Heavenly Father, help me. I need you now! As the last words were uttered in her mind, a shot rang out. Her last coherent thought was, thank you Lord for sending Uncle Jake back.
Her captor hesitated for a split second, then quick as lightning pulled his gun. Shots rang out, he was too late, it was over. She knew the man was dead and she scrambled to her feet. Her first thought was to run to Uncle Jake. She stopped short. A look of horror on her face. The tall, foreboding looking stranger with a gun in hand definitely wasn’t Uncle Jake.
The stranger saw the terror in her eyes, as she stood looking at him in disbelief. Her face had turned deathly white. He expected her to fall to the ground in a dead faint. All he could think about was the fact that if he’d been a few minutes later, he wouldn’t have been able to save her. He knew not to approach her. He holstered his gun and breathing a quick thank you to God, he asked, “are ya alright, ma’am?” It never failed to amaze him how evil human beings could be in the way they treated their fellowman.
Heart pounding, she turned, ran and grabbed her rifle leaning against the porch. How could she be so forgetful not to keep it with her! She knew better! Looking the stranger in the eye, trying to hide her fear, she aimed. What am I doing? she thought. Can I kill another human being?
Father, help her to know she is safe, he prayed. “I’m not goin’ to hurt ya,” he said calmly.
She saw his mouth moving, but heard no sound. The sheriff said this was Jake’s place. Who was this woman? His daughter? Whoever she was he knew for certain he had saved her life.
Maybe I could just shoot his legs out from underneath him, she thought. Then I wouldn’t have to kill him. Well, can’t do that unless he gets off that horse. Wonder what he’d do if I ask him to dismount so I can shoot his legs off? That, for some reason, struck her funny. Hysteria took over and she laughed until she cried. The man was now standing in front of her and in his hand was her rifle. How did that happen? She must have lost her mind. She was shaking uncontrollably. He’d seen hysteria before and this was it. God help her to know she’s safe, he prayed.
“Ma’am, are ya alright? Ya hurt?” He repeated the words in a calm, low voice. He hoped she hadn’t been hit by a bullet. He didn’t dare touch her in the state she was in.
Meridith wanted to scream at him as she stood in a daze. No, I’m not alright, her thoughts tumbling in her mind. This has been the worst month of my life. I just buried my husband, been attacked by a vile, no good excuse of a human being who is lying dead at my feet, and I have no idea who you are. No, I’m not alright. Before she could form her thoughts into words, they both heard the pounding of horse hooves. The stranger pulled his gun as Jake came flying in looking like he’d been blown in on the tail of a tornado.
“Heard gun shots!” Jake hollered, gun drawn, aimed right at the stranger’s heart. His eyes took in the dead man, and then landed on Meridith. “Don’t move! Don’t move not even a whisker!” he said. With his gun still aimed at the stranger, he dismounted and motioned for Meridith. “What is goin’ on here and who are you? And I better get answers real quick!”
The stranger slowly holstered his gun and shifted his coat so Jake could see the badge of Marshal. “Well,” drawled the stranger, “I see ole Jake Taylor is still alive, kickin’, and ornery as ever.”
Meridith clung to her uncle. “Oh, Uncle Jake, it was awful! I asked God for help and this man came. He saved my life!”
Jake’s eyes narrowed as he took in his niece’s condition and then looked over the stranger. “Clint? Clint Dolin? Is that you underneath all those whiskers? What are ya doing in this forsaken place? Still got that badge pinned on, I see.”
“Yep, for the time bein’ anyway.” He tipped his hat at Meridith. “Glad I could be of help, ma’am.” Looking back at Jake he explained he was tracking the Cooper gang. “Guess I’ll start by buryin’ this one here. One down, three to go. Pretty sure they’re layin’ low in the area. A dangerous bunch. Might wanta be careful.”
Meridith shuddered. Jake looked down at her and realized she was about to collapse from her ordeal. He would get the details from Clint. He was already worried about her and now this would set her back even more. “We’ll make introductions later. Go on in, Meri, take your time. If ya need me, holler.”
As the two men worked side by side digging the grave, Jake explained the ranch belonged to Matt and Meridith. He’d been there the day she was born, and he and everyone else called her Meri. He explained about the fresh mound of dirt. “That’s Matt, Meri’s husband buried yonder, kicked in the head by a wild stallion he was trainin’. He lived but just a few hours. A real shock, and has been mighty hard on Meri, and now this attack.” He shook his head. “Real worrisome is what it is, that gal’s wastin’ away.”
Meri turned toward the house to clean up and change clothes. She was close to tears again. What was wrong with her? She normally wasn’t a silly crybaby. She thought she was a strong woman. Somehow the attack had unnerved her. She remembered the lawman saying there were three more of those outlaws out there somewhere, and they were mean as she well knew. She shuddered as she realized she wasn’t safe on her own property. Would there be no more ear