This time, she was confused. “What does that have to do with telling me you love me?”
“I have been telling you. I guess just not with words.”
Lilah guessed if she asked more, he’d say something that had to do with being a German man. Groaning, she fixed her hands on her widening hips and glared.
“Well, sometimes I need the words. It’s part of being a woman.”
He grinned mischievously. “And what a woman!”
Then he grew somber as he reached for her hand. “Lilah Sittig, I love you and can’t imagine a better wife for me. You definitely showed me that you would be the best helpmate a man could ask for, no matter how our marriage happened.”
“Is this only because I pushed you into saying the words?” She had to ask. She needed to judge the sincerity of his words. Yes, he was always tender and caring with her. It was just that no one, it seemed, had ever truly loved her. At least, not since the death of her mother.
“If you pushed, it was only because I’m not giving you what you need.” He reached an arm around her and cradled their baby with his hand. “I love you, now and always. And I love this little guy. Or girl.”
She whispered the words like a vow made before God before his head came around and his lips met hers. “Now and always.”
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About this Series
YOURS TRULY: THE LOVELORN, a multi-author sweet historical romance series, puts an old-fashioned spin on the modern-day "Dear Abby"-style newspaper articles. Each story features someone frustrated in love who writes to The Lovelorn. Then the complications set in. Every book stands alone and features its author's unique creative touch. Be sure to read all the books in this series!
Book 1 – Dear Lovelorn - Marie Higgins
Book 2 – Brilliant in Boston - Lynn Donovan
Book 3 – Secretive in Sacramento - Marie Higgins
Book 4 – Lost in Laramie - Margaret Tanner
Book 5 – Confused in Colorado - Cat Cahill
Book 6 – Torn in Toronto - Wendy May Andrews
Book 7 – Deserted in Dodge - Patricia PacJac Carroll
Book 8 – Obsessed in Oregon - Marlene Bierworth
Book 9 – Overwhelmed in Oklahoma - Elissa Strati
Book 10 – Wistful in Wisconsin - Marisa Masterson
Book 11 – Desperate in Delaware - Caroline Clemmons
Book 12 – Vexed in Vermont - Marie Higgins
Book 13 – Kissless in Kansas - Elissa Strati
Book 14 – Dejected in Denver - Cat Cahill
Book 15 – Alone in Austin - Patricia PacJac Carroll
Book 16 – Miserable in Montana - Cheryl Wright
Book 17 – Bewildered in Billings - Lynn Donovan
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0895GG699
Sneak Peek
A Keeper for Christmas
Spinster Mail-Order Bride #12
Chapter 1
Idyll Wood, Wisconsin, December 1889
Three men moved toward him. Ralph Stinson lay unmoving on the ground near him. One held Carl while the other two used their fists and a wooden club to beat his friend. At the sound of a gun firing, the men left Ralph and turned on him.
A figure stood by a wagon. “Shouldn’t hang around with the wrong people, boy.” The voice growled at him from under a hood. Even roughened as it was, he recognized the voice. Carl Sittig knew the person who threatened him.
He was sure his face revealed his recognition, even in the dark night. The figure stiffened and gave a command. At her word, the thugs grabbed Carl’s arms while he watched fists ever so slowly come at him.
He braced himself for the pain. When the first blow hit him, he sputtered.
Water!
“Wake up. Come on, Carl. Snap out of it!”
Wet and confused, Carl sat up in bed. Holder was shaking his shoulder. When he realized his brother’s eyes were open, Holder backed away to stand by his wife.
Myra held a white enamel basin. So she’d thrown the water. Carl was surprised she didn’t have a satisfied grin on her face. He knew he’d caused her no end of trouble.
But not Myra. She stood by the bed with a sad frown wrinkling her brow. Holder’s wife put every one of them before herself.
He watched Holder put a hand on her upper arm. “It’s alright, Honey. Try to get some sleep.” He pushed her toward the door just as a cry echoed down the hallway.
“Oh no!” Myra groaned deeply as she shoved a hand into her lower back. “His nightmare woke Darlene. And I only just got her to sleep.” Myra’s very pregnant belly bumped her husband as she tried to quickly go to her sick daughter.
Carl felt bad about it. He’d disturbed them all. With his brain still clouded by sleep, he began to speak before he remembered to pretend to be addlepated.
“Sorry, Holder. Is Myra mad at me? Will she spank me?” The childish voice and a finger up his nose created the image he needed to project.
Keep everyone believing you’re stupid. Don’t let on that you remember.
“Get up and change your bedding. Can you do that?” Holder’s tired voice tugged at Carl. His older brother shouldered a lot of burdens. He ran the farm without Carl’s help and provided for a wife and four girls.
If Carl weren’t afraid for his life, he’d step up and be the man Holder needed to shoulder some of the work. Remembering that cruel voice from his nightmare, Carl knew he wouldn’t be that man any time soon.
Outside his door, Holder and Myra whispered. Darlene whimpered. Peeking around the edge of the door
