Second Chance Brides by Vickie Mcdonough Read Free Book Online Page B

formed there, and the townsfolk use it as a swimming hole when the water is deep enough. I have not been, though ’twould feel grand on a hot day like this one. Thankful for fall, I’ll be .
I participated in a bride contest—have you ever heard of such a thing? Only in America. ’Twas quite an event. People for miles around came to town to see the competition and judging. Three women, me being one, traveled here to marry the same man, but one bride turned out to be an outlaw and is now in prison or jail somewhere. I’ve never been so close to an outlaw, unless one counted Da as one—forgive me, Mum. But Carly didn’t seem like an outlaw. Lonely like me, she was, and I think she wanted to live a normal life. But ’twas not to be for her—nor for me .
     
    Shannon’s eyes stung, and she attempted to smooth out a place on the letter where several tears had dropped and crinkled the paper. Footsteps drew near, and she stuffed the missive into the book, slammed it closed, and held the novel against her chest.
    Rachel stepped into the room and smiled. “How are you doin’? Anything you want?” Her gaze traveled around the room, as if searching for anything out of place.
    Shannon shook her head. What she wanted was to live somewhere else, even though she loved her room upstairs. ’twas the nicest place she’d ever stayed, yet she wanted to be free of the awkwardness that existed now that Rachel had married Luke. But the town had nowhere else a decent woman could stay. If only she hadn’t injured her ankle, she would have been gone by now, on yesterday’s stage. But to be fair, Rachel had been only kind and had tried hard to make the best of the situation. To act as if nothing had happened.
    “It’s a bit warm in here. Mind if I open a few windows?” Rachel smiled, the glow of being in love, of being a newlywed lingered about her. She pushed up a window, allowing in a gentle breeze that fluttered the curtains. She opened another, and a stronger gust cooled the room a small measure.
    “You sure you don’t need anything? Some tea or lemonade, maybe?”
    “Nay, but I thank you. I would just like to be up and about, helpin’ somehow.”
    “I’m sure you must be bored half to death.” Rachel tapped her forefinger against her lips. “Perhaps there’s some way you could help with the meals. I’ll think about it and let you know.”
    Shannon nodded her thanks as Rachel started to leave.
    The boardinghouse owner suddenly stopped and then came back into the room. She twisted her hands together, then lifted her pale blue eyes to gaze into Shannon’s. “I know things seem difficult for you now. I can’t imagine what you’re going through, not knowing what the future holds, but I believe that God brought you to Lookout for a purpose.”
    She glanced toward the window, and when she looked back, her cheeks had a red tinge. “Though marrying Luke is no longer an option, there are a number of fine men in Lookout and others who live on surrounding ranches who would love to find a good woman to marry.”
    Shannon’s cheeks warmed, and she turned to look out the window. A wagon drove by with a big man driving the team. Probably one of the town’s fine specimen of a man.
    “Don’t give up, Shannon. Trust that God has a purpose for bringing you here. He doesn’t make mistakes. It took me a long time to learn that lesson.” She flashed a smile and hurried from the room, as if she’d just uttered a speech she’d been building up to give.
    Shannon laid her head back and stared up at the ornamental plaster design in the ceiling. Could Rachel be right? Had God merely used her supposed marriage to Luke to bring her to town for another purpose? It had been so long since she’d believed that God cared for her. Nothing but bad had happened since she came to America, and she’d spent the past few days since the storm dwelling on those things. Believing God had guided her steps and brought her to Lookout for some grand