The Widow Finds Love (Mail Order Bride Series) by Susan Leigh Carlton
Authors: Susan Leigh Carlton
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out about the newspaper and placed the ad. It was hard to leave my family, but I had to do something.”
Clint patted her shoulder trying to comfort her. “We didn’t have it that bad here. The Yankees did occupy Marshall at the end of the war and there was a prisoner of war camp here. After I got wounded at Vicksburg, I was taken prisoner and wasn’t released until it was over. I managed to survive where many didn’t. I came back home where Ruth had managed to keep things together, at the cost of her health. She was just wore out. Then she got sick with the pneumonia and just didn’t have anything left to fight it. We buried her in the cemetery at the church. Cassie stayed with Suzy and Arthur and their boys while I tried to get the farm going again. We actually had a good crop two years in a row.
“It was almost like I didn’t have a daughter. I mostly saw Cassie on Sundays until I decided she needed a Papa and brought her home. We managed, on a lot of beans and love.
“It broke my heart when she asked if she would ever have another Mama. Right after that happened, I started writing to you. You came along at just the right time. You should have heard her when I asked if she would like to have a new mother. I told you she was afraid you wouldn’t like us. She was determined to make sure you did.”
She placed her hand on his arm. “Clint, I think God made it happen. We both needed someone and he decided it was each other we needed. I believe we have earned the right to be happy, and I intend to make it so.”
She scooted over on the davenport closer to him, and put her hand on his cheek. “I will make you a good wife, and I’ll be a good mother to that darling little girl. She will never have to worry about having a mother again.” Tears flowed down her cheeks.
It seemed natural. He put his arm around her and pulled her closer, intending to comfort her. When she looked up at him, she saw such compassion there, she was stunned. She tilted her head and they kissed. Their lips met, and the emotions overflowed. Sarah clung to him, needing the closeness of this man. They kissed again, each putting a little more of themselves into the effort.
They broke apart. Looking into his eyes, she saw no regret, only joy stemming from the finding of someone with whom he could share his life. “Goodness,” she said. “I don’t know what came over me. I haven’t been kissed since John…”
“I apologize,” Clint said. “I shouldn’t have taken advantage of you like that. It wasn’t like me at all. I was caught up in the moment.” He removed his arm from around her, and said, “I think we’d better go on to bed.” He colored when he realized what he had said. “I didn’t mean it that way,” he said. “I meant…”
She smiled. “I know what you meant. You have nothing to apologize for. It was a natural thing. I think it was a perfect time for our first kiss. We do need to be careful though. Sunday isn’t that far away.
“I’ll be up to fix your breakfast in the morning.” Touching his hand, she said, “Goodnight, Clint. And thank you for making my first day here so perfect. We’re going to be good together.”
She went off down the hall to the guest bedroom. Clint sat on the davenport for a few minutes pondering the significance of what had just happened. How in the world did I get lucky enough to find such a woman. Someone up there is looking out for me.
Chapter 12: A Wedding On Sunday
Friday and Saturday were days of getting acquainted with each other. Sarah paid particular attention to Cassie, but was careful that Rebecca got her share of attention.
Saturday morning found Sarah and the girls dusting the living room. “Cassie, I want you to understand something. I am going to be your Mama, but I will never be your
Clint patted her shoulder trying to comfort her. “We didn’t have it that bad here. The Yankees did occupy Marshall at the end of the war and there was a prisoner of war camp here. After I got wounded at Vicksburg, I was taken prisoner and wasn’t released until it was over. I managed to survive where many didn’t. I came back home where Ruth had managed to keep things together, at the cost of her health. She was just wore out. Then she got sick with the pneumonia and just didn’t have anything left to fight it. We buried her in the cemetery at the church. Cassie stayed with Suzy and Arthur and their boys while I tried to get the farm going again. We actually had a good crop two years in a row.
“It was almost like I didn’t have a daughter. I mostly saw Cassie on Sundays until I decided she needed a Papa and brought her home. We managed, on a lot of beans and love.
“It broke my heart when she asked if she would ever have another Mama. Right after that happened, I started writing to you. You came along at just the right time. You should have heard her when I asked if she would like to have a new mother. I told you she was afraid you wouldn’t like us. She was determined to make sure you did.”
She placed her hand on his arm. “Clint, I think God made it happen. We both needed someone and he decided it was each other we needed. I believe we have earned the right to be happy, and I intend to make it so.”
She scooted over on the davenport closer to him, and put her hand on his cheek. “I will make you a good wife, and I’ll be a good mother to that darling little girl. She will never have to worry about having a mother again.” Tears flowed down her cheeks.
It seemed natural. He put his arm around her and pulled her closer, intending to comfort her. When she looked up at him, she saw such compassion there, she was stunned. She tilted her head and they kissed. Their lips met, and the emotions overflowed. Sarah clung to him, needing the closeness of this man. They kissed again, each putting a little more of themselves into the effort.
They broke apart. Looking into his eyes, she saw no regret, only joy stemming from the finding of someone with whom he could share his life. “Goodness,” she said. “I don’t know what came over me. I haven’t been kissed since John…”
“I apologize,” Clint said. “I shouldn’t have taken advantage of you like that. It wasn’t like me at all. I was caught up in the moment.” He removed his arm from around her, and said, “I think we’d better go on to bed.” He colored when he realized what he had said. “I didn’t mean it that way,” he said. “I meant…”
She smiled. “I know what you meant. You have nothing to apologize for. It was a natural thing. I think it was a perfect time for our first kiss. We do need to be careful though. Sunday isn’t that far away.
“I’ll be up to fix your breakfast in the morning.” Touching his hand, she said, “Goodnight, Clint. And thank you for making my first day here so perfect. We’re going to be good together.”
She went off down the hall to the guest bedroom. Clint sat on the davenport for a few minutes pondering the significance of what had just happened. How in the world did I get lucky enough to find such a woman. Someone up there is looking out for me.
Chapter 12: A Wedding On Sunday
Friday and Saturday were days of getting acquainted with each other. Sarah paid particular attention to Cassie, but was careful that Rebecca got her share of attention.
Saturday morning found Sarah and the girls dusting the living room. “Cassie, I want you to understand something. I am going to be your Mama, but I will never be your
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