“Well, I’m a bit surprised myself, but you are the only father I have. And I just wanted to tell you good-bye.” She leaned down and kissed him on the cheek.
The conductor called out, “All aboard!”
She stepped back and watched as her father boarded the train that was bound for St. Louis. Then she turned to Matt. “Let’s go home.”
Epilogue
The next day.
“Please, Josie. I want you to take it. All of it. The sight of it makes me sick.” Lizzie held the stocking full of money out to the other woman. She’d returned to Windy River Ranch where Josie and the other organizers were cleaning up after the party the night before.
Josie gaped. “Lizzie, I’ve never seen that much money before in my whole life. Not even after our busiest day at the general store.”
“It’s the least I can do after my father ruined your dance. This is my donation. But,” she said with a smile, “if there’s a cake left from the auction, I’d gladly take it in exchange.”
Josie laughed. “Well, that’s a new record for the cake auction. Thank you. We do have a couple of cakes left. The party did end a bit earlier than anticipated.”
Lizzie gave a sigh of relief when Josie accepted the money from her.
“Is it true?” Josie asked. “Are you really an heiress? With a trust fund?”
“Yes, it’s true. I told Matt I was a maid in the letters we exchanged. I didn’t want him to only want me because of my family name or money. I never imagined it would turn into such a big problem. I guess I didn’t realize how many new friends I’d make here and the lie just grew and grew. I hated it. I hope you’ll all still treat me the same.”
“Of course,” Josie smiled warmly. “Though I’d love to spend some time with you talking about the latest fashions in St. Louis.”
“Absolutely.”
Josie leaned toward her and whispered, “If you don’t think I’m being too nosy, what are you going to do with your trust fund money? What does Matt think about his wife being a wealthy heiress?”
Lizzie chuckled. “I think we are both adjusting. The last day has been eventful, to say the least.” She sighed. “But, I do have a few ideas. You’ll have to wait and see.”
* * *
“I’m sorry we didn’t get here in time to warn you,” Minnie said over coffee that afternoon.
“We?” Lizzie said with a laugh. “I noticed an attractive man who came to your defense the other night.”
Minnie blushed. “That’s Roy. He bought my train ticket when the man at the ticket booth wouldn’t take the bracelet you gave me as payment. He’s the new deputy sheriff. What are the odds of us meeting like that and both of us heading for the same place?”
Lizzie smiled broadly. She’d missed Minnie. “Indeed. It must be fate.”
“Oh, I believe in fate. Absolutely.”
“Does Roy?” Lizzie teased.
“I don’t know,” Minnie said. “But he kissed me. That should count for something.”
“I would think so.” Lizzie refilled their coffee cups.
“It sure feels strange to have you pouring for me,” Minnie said, looking uncomfortable. “Are you sure it’s all right for you to do that?”
“Yes,” Lizzie said, reaching for Minnie’s hand. “Thank you for coming here to warn me, even if you were a tiny bit late. Just the fact that you’d do that means the world to me.”
Minnie smiled broadly. “Well, isn’t that what friends are for? Besides, if I hadn’t gone to the train station, I never would have met Roy. Or come to Juniper Junction. I like it here.”
“You like that Roy is here.” Lizzie grinned.
Minnie blushed. “I stayed at Mrs. Campbell’s boarding house last night. Do you know her? She said she’s looking for a hired girl. Do you think you could give me a reference?”
“I’d be happy to!”
“Thank you. You know, Tassie, the sheriff’s wife, worked for Mrs. Campbell and she married the sheriff so do you think that if I work for her…”
“Maybe you’d marry the deputy?” Lizzie said. “It wouldn’t surprise me at all.”
THE END
* * *
Want to read Minnie and Roy’s story? Click here for Cowboy’s Demands
Want to read Tassie and Cal’s story? Click here for Cowboy’s Law
Want to read Posie and Jake’s story? Click here for Cowboy’s Orders
* * *
How about some holiday cheer, Juniper Junction style? Get Newlywed Christmas
When the new brides of Juniper Junction set about to make Christmas memorable, events don’t go as planned. Will they get sweets in their stockings? Or switches?
* * *
Thank you for reading Cowboy’s Rules. I hope you enjoyed your trip back to the old west. Let’s keep in touch! Click here to sign up for my newsletter. Join my Facebook group too.
Want more of my books? Here’s my Amazon author page
Other books in the Brides of Juniper Junction series
Cowboy’s Law (Brides of Juniper Junction, Book 1)
The stern lawman has captured her heart, but what will happen if he learns the secrets from her dark past?
All Tassie wanted was a fresh start and a chance to earn an honest dollar with her own sweat and toil.
When Cal Watson, the town’s ruggedly handsome sheriff, whose kisses leave her breathless and weak in the knees, fell in love with her and proposed, Tassie threw caution—and thoughts of her old life—to the wind and leapt into her future wholeheartedly.
Surely her past would never catch up with her in an out of the way place like Juniper Junction.
After years of fighting outlaws across the west, Cal is eager to settle down in the sleepy, low crime village of Juniper Junction. And when he falls in love with Tassie, he looks forward to a peaceful future as a married man.
However, a string of thefts, strange events and some unusual behavior from his new wife make Cal wonder if there’s more to his sweet little bride than meets the eye.
Love, romance, secrets and discipline
