Hannah: Bride of Iowa (American Mail Order Bride 29) (13 page)

Epilogue

Maddie pulled the blanket up and snuggled deeper. It was late September and the nights were turning chilly. She searched for the warmth of Samuel’s body, but found it missing. She rose up on an elbow. Samuel wasn’t in bed and it was still the middle of the night.

Gingerly, she rolled out of bed, still sore. After all, it had only been a week. Light contractions had started just as Hannah and Charles were saying, “I do.” After the wedding ceremony, Maddie had politely asked the couple to put off their honeymoon until Charles could deliver her baby.

She put on her robe and peeked downstairs. She saw by the shadows dancing on the wall that the fire in the hearth had been stoked and was going strong.

She started downstairs, but stopped short. Samuel was sitting in the rocking chair holding Jonathan Samuel Morrison. Maddie had been so grateful when Samuel agreed to name their son after her father.

“Johnny,” Samuel said, letting the baby grab his finger, “I have never been as scared as I was the night you were born. Your ma was having a hard time of it.” He swallowed. “I don’t know what I’d have done if something happened to her or you. I just couldn’t go through something like that again.”

A short cry from Jonathan told whoever was listening that it was time to eat. “Don’t start squawking. Your ma needs her rest.”

Maddie watched for a few more minutes before sneaking up and putting her arms around Samuel’s neck, kissing his cheek. “You best let me take over. I don’t believe this young man cares much if I get any rest. He just wants a full belly.”

Samuel switched places with her so she could rock while feeding their son. A feeling, he had never felt before surged through him as he watched Jonathan suckle his mother’s breast.

“Are you alright, Samuel?”

He kissed her briefly. “When Martha died, I never got to see my child and wife come together like this.” His eyes glowed in the light from the fire. “Thank you for my son, Maddie.”

Her eyes were like pools of emerald green. “Samuel, I want nothing more in this life that is not right here in this house. I have you to thank for that. You, Lizzy and little Jonathan here, make my world complete.”

A piece of wood popped in the fireplace and broke the special moment Maddie and Samuel were sharing. The baby was asleep, though it wouldn’t be long before he would be demanding his breakfast.

Samuel held his hand out and helped her to her feet. He leaned down and kissed his new son’s cheek then brushed Maddie’s lips and the three of them went upstairs. After Jonathan was changed and put in his cradle, Maddie climbed quietly back into bed. Samuel was already asleep.

Tears came to her eyes as she thought of her mom and wished she could have had this kind of happiness until the end of her days. She realized this kind of love could be snatched away in the blink of an eye. Maddie would fight Heaven and Hell to hold onto what she had. She snuggled up against Samuel’s back and put her arm around his waist. Her last thought before drifting back to sleep was a picture of her ma and pa smiling down on her.

The End

Hi everybody!  I sure hope you liked, Hannah, Bride of Iowa.  If you enjoyed reading this book, there are 49 more in the series! Find out about the rest of the American Mail-Order Brides here,
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              I have four more historical western romances under my belt.  The Jesse Series, Jesse’s Find and Jesse’s Nightmare, Justice Comes to Salina and Revenge, the Cowboy Way.  I have written several contemporary romances and a family drama. Most of the adult stories are penned under P. A. Estelle.  You can find them all on my Amazon page -

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              I also have written stories for the middle grade kiddos, including contemporary, fantasy, adventure, and time travel.  Also, I have two picture books for the beginning reader – Have You Seen My Tail and The Red-Eyed Mr. Glumb.

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