The man stepped onto the planks, unceremoniously dropped the bag and opened his arms wide. Daniel ran to him and the two men stood in a rugged embrace, joy throbbing into Daniel’s bloodstream. He took a step back and looked at his father’s tanned face, lined from experience, but still firm and familiar.
“It’s good to see you, Daniel.”
“It’s good to see you.” He turned and found Leah watching from a distance with tears in her eyes. He motioned her forward. She limped to join them and Oliver Gardner crushed her in a fatherly embrace.
“Leah, dear. It’s been a long time.” He patted her back and she gave a little sob against his jacket.
Daniel swiped a hand over his eyes. “Well, this is quite a surprise. This is what you cooked up?”
Oliver straightened. “I was surprised to get Leah’s telegram.”
“Will told me where you were living,” she explained.
“I knew you were doing well here in Kansas, but I had no idea you boys had built an entire town—and I sure didn’t know Leah had found her way here.”
“I was going to send you a wedding portrait,” Daniel said.
“You might have sent me a wedding invitation.”
“It all happened so quickly,” Daniel explained.
Leah supported his rationale. “And then things got a little rocky, but everything’s sorted out now.”
Daniel reached to draw Leah near. “We’re going to be parents.”
Oliver placed his hand over his heart. “I can’t think of better news! I guess you did invite me for the best part.”
Daniel slapped his father on the back and leaned to hug his wife. “Best surprise ever, Leah. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Daniel went for Oliver’s bag and Oliver clapped his straw hat on his head. “I have a town to see.”
“When we exchanged letters, it sounded like you were busy,” Daniel said. “Working with an international company in New York?”
“Just staying busy,” he agreed. “And you. You were setting up a stockyard and getting into construction.”
Daniel shrugged. “Building a house. Maybe a railroad investment soon.”
“Maybe you’ll need help.” Oliver paused, his expression uncertain.
“If you’re asking do I want you to stay, the answer is yes. And there is plenty of work to do. Opportunities arise every day.”
Daniel’s father fell into step at Leah’s side. “What is the story about this crutch, daughter?”
“It’s a pretty long story,” she replied. “We’d better save that for over supper. I’m sure there will be plenty more catching up to do.”
James Johnson tipped his hat from where he still sat in front of the railroad office. They reached the buggy, and Oliver went straight to the brown-and-white horse. He let the horse smell his hand and sleeve and then rubbed his knuckles down his forehead. “What’s this magnificent animal doing pulling a buggy?”
“He won a race last week,” Leah told him.
“I’ll bet he did.”
Daniel settled his hat on his head with a nonchalant adjustment. “I bought a quilt with the prize money.”
Oliver raised a brow. “A quilt?”
Leah turned to her husband. “A quilt? What kind of quilt?”
“I don’t know what kind. It’s pink and green and has white buttons on it.”
She caught his sleeve with excitement. “The kaleidoscope quilt Mrs. Foster made?”
“That might be the one.”
“And you didn’t tell me? Where is it?”
He grinned. “I was saving it.”
“For what?”
“For a special occasion.”
She waved her arm. “Well now you’ve spilled the beans, so you have to show me.”
He laughed and helped her up to the buggy seat.
Oliver glanced at them, his expression pleased. “Daniel, are you spoiling your new wife?”
“I might be.”
“Good.”
Daniel handed his father the reins and Oliver flicked them over the horse’s back.
“Head over this way, Pa. We call this Eden Street, because it marked the beginning.”
“I like that, son.” He grinned. “The two of you have a new beginning, as well. If you have a son, you can name him Adam. Or a girl could be Eve.”
Daniel looked at Leah, and she met his eyes with a hopeful smile. “I like Eve,” she said.
“Over there is the bank.”
Oliver looked away, but said over his shoulder. “I know you’re kissing your wife.”
The three of them laughed.
Daniel had everything he needed. Helping to form Cowboy Creek had fulfilled his burning desire to create order. Finding Leah and rekindling an enduring love brought the inner peace for which he’d been searching. He couldn’t control what happened next, he could only plan and pray. The future was always uncertain, but the certainty he relied upon now was that tomorrow was in God’s hands. Whatever happened next, he and Leah would face it together.
He surveyed Railroad Street, seeing the people and the storefronts through his father’s eyes. It was a good place to live and work. Leah squeezed his fingers. He gazed down at her, and his heart swelled.
Cowboy Creek was their future, their destiny, their hope. Their hearts and lives, as well as those of their countrymen, were being restored one day, one bride, one baby at a time.
* * * * *
Keep reading for an excerpt from THE COWBOY’S BABY BOND by Linda Ford.
Get rewarded every time you buy a Harlequin ebook!
Click here to Join Harlequin My Rewards
http://www.harlequin.com/myrewards.html?mt=loyalty&cmpid=EBOOBPBPA201602010003