BookQW = QUESTION

LEANNA’S LIGHT

(an Alphabet Bride book)

Sometimes the brightest light comes from the people who once felt forgotten.

 

Yes, two days. We will be stopping overnight near Cottonwood Grove. I have already arranged for a room, as well as a place to stable the horses.” Travis scowled at the pink blush creeping up over her otherwise porcelain face. She sure is a pretty little thing. Matlock, she’s not yours to take even if you had a notion to. She’s here for the children, nothing more.

“A room?” Miss Jones choked on a whisper. “I had thought—”

“I’m as disappointed as you are, Miss Jones. I know our agreement does not include sharing a bed, even if we are man and wife. However, that is all that was available for tonight. I want to get back to the children as soon as possible, but I don’t want to travel through the night and wear the horses out.” Travis knew full well he could make it back home with the horses if they took it slow and easy and he didn’t push them. But he wanted time alone with his new wife. A chance to get to know her before the children started asking their thousands of questions he suspected would come.

“Yes, I see. Are there children near your home who might benefit from my skills as a teacher?” Miss Jones asked, disappointment edging her query. “I am so looking forward to teaching as many children as I can.”

“Mr. Matlock! So nice to finally see you again.” Reverend McIntosh stood on the step of his small but functional church.

“Whoa,” Travis called softly, reining in the team. Tying the wagon and horses off, he hopped down to fetch his bride.

“I trust this is the young lady who has traveled far to marry the likes of you,” the reverend teased, holding the Good Book in his hands.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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BookQW = BUSY

LEANNA’S LIGHT

(an Alphabet Bride book)

Sometimes the brightest light comes from the people who once felt forgotten.

“Do you like to cook?” Travis held his breath, hoping for an answer that would not have him hiring a cook. Or putting Samantha back into the role of taking care of not only him and the boys, but also Leanna.

“Yes, whenever I had the opportunity. Mostly during the times when the school cook was gone for a day or two. It didn’t happen very often, but when it did, I took great pleasure in combining ingredients into something edible.” Leanna straightened her back then looked over at him. “It’s a form of science really, don’t you think?”

“Honestly, I never thought of the preparation of food being science, I’m too busy eating.” Travis shook his head. “Don’t tell Heath. He’ll have you experimenting with every item in his garden.”

“Maybe, with your permission, I can have him help me prepare some vegetable dishes then?”

“I’m sure he would be more than happy to assist you,” Travis said, pleased she was already taking an interest in the children. “He takes great pride in his garden, for one so young.”

Leanna smiled quickly then turned her attention to the road in front of them. Had talking about cooking made her melancholy?

“Do you miss them?” Travis dared to ask, hoping to make her feel more at peace with being here with him. He may not ever give her love, but he would offer her his friendship as well his companionship. “The children, I mean.”

She drew in a breath, her shoulders easing as she released it slowly. “Yes, I do miss the children most of all. They lit up my day and gave me joy. I miss my friends, but they have gone on with their own lives in Texas and here in Indian Territory as well. As for Madam Wigg, she was the only mother I remember.”

“She had written me with her recommendation that you had been with her for quite some time,” Travis reported, wishing she’d open up a bit more about herself. “Do you know how old you were when you came to live at the school?”

“I was about six, I believe,” Leanna said, not offering more information.

Travis wanted more. He needed to know what kind of people would give their child up and why. Surely, things could never be that bleak to give up one’s own flesh and blood.

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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BookQW = JOLT

LEANNA’S LIGHT

(an Alphabet Bride book)

Sometimes the brightest light comes from the people who once felt forgotten.

 

No bathroom. No running water. No electricity.

How did he feel about the natives he shared the land with in this territory? If she desired to open a school and teach not only his children but also other children, would he object?

If he did, then he would have to send for another wife. She’d open a school on her own even if it was in a tent under a tree. All children had the right to learn to read and write at the very least. Her mind made up, she sat back and let the land she’d call home fly by her.

The stagecoach came to a bumpy stop, jolting Leanna against the inside wall. Grabbing the side of the window, she peered out, surprised to see a two-story, white clapboard building and nothing much else. Several men gathered on the porch watching, waiting for whomever chose to disembark. Before she could react, her trunk fell to the ground in a cloud of dust, followed by her leather bag.

“Wichita Agency, miss,” the driver called out as the door popped open. “This is your stop. I hope there is someone here waiting inside for you.”

Leanna stepped down from the stage. “Thank you.” She smiled, looking at her belongings which were a clump of discarded items on the ground.

Everywhere she looked there were tents with families gathered around them, watching the stage. Watching her. The laughter of the children was infectious, and she smiled, thinking how carefree they were. Then she got a better look at the tent city and her heart sank.

From what she could tell, these precious children lived in those tents that weren’t protected with wooden walls from the weather. There had to be more than just the building she stood in front of. But where?

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BookQW = PASS

LEANNA’S LIGHT

(an Alphabet Bride book

Sometimes the brightest light comes from the people who once felt forgotten.

My Dearest Mia,

By the time you read this, I will be well on my way to a new life in the west. I have answered a letter from a gentleman who lost his wife a few years ago. He has three children, one girl and two boys, between the ages of five and eight. Since his wife passed, he has been trying to balance the children and his work at the livery and has now decided it is time to take another wife.

His name is Travis Matlock, thirty years of age, with a home of his own. All he wishes is for me to care for and educate his children. I have high hopes that there are other children in this area of Indian Territory in need of the same ideals Madam Wiggie instilled upon all of us at the foundling home. I may call upon your assistance.

Although I don’t have hopes of this union being anything more than loveless. How could I say no when these children need me so much? I could not and must find a way to push the silly notion of love out of my heart.

There still has been no news of where Xenia is, and I have not received any correspondence from Jessamine nor Katriona since their departures. Madam Wiggie promises to write when there is news. I do hope Madam Wiggie is not as ill as she believes. It would sadden my heart to know we’ve lost her to an illness. I always imagined her living to the ripe old age of ninety.

As soon as I have settled into my new home, I will write again to tell you how I am getting along. I miss all my dear friends and hope the distance between us is not so great that we cannot visit each other on occasion.

Your faithful friend,

Leanna

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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