A Bride for Cameron by Barbara Goss (read novels website .txt) 📗

“But you said that we are to share a bed tomorrow—”

“That’s right.  Trust me.  Let’s just say I’m going to romance you until you’re ready.  No matter how long that takes.”

Hannah breathed freely.  He was so wonderfully understanding.  She put her arms around his neck.  “I do love you, it’s just maiden modesty and trepidation, I suppose.”

Cam rubbed her back gently.  “Love is the magic word that will make everything work out.”

When Cam returned after his trip to the sheriff’s office, he appeared ecstatic.  “Hannah, you’ll never guess what’s happening.”

Having just finished braiding Annabelle’s hair, she gave her an assignment, and the child ran off to work on it.

“Whatever it is,” she told Cam, “it sounds like good news.”

“The Federal Marshall, a man named Dan McCall, arrived yesterday.  After what Joe had told him in the telegram, he questioned Chloe and Myra first.  Then, he interrogated Joe as well as inspected  Joe’s carriage. He found traces of blood in the rear of it.  After talking to the sheriff, he arrested him on the spot for murdering Mr. Monroe.  That was enough to make me happy, but the sheriff was so angry that he admitted it was all Myra’s idea.  So, Myra is also behind bars.  McCall has sent for two federal agents to escort Myra and the sheriff to Hays to await a trial.  McCall will stay here until the council hires a new sheriff.” He hugged Hannah. “The case has been solved.

“McCall said he surmises the sheriff hit Mr. Monroe in the head from behind, then wrapped his body in a blanket and dumped it in the Wilsons’ bedroom, knowing Charles was due home and would be the perfect suspect.”

“It would have worked if not for your clever legal skills,” Hannah said.

“Now wait—a lot of the credit goes to you and your woman’s intuition.”

“Thank you, sir,” she said with a curtsy.  “After dinner, you’re to take the children to the Wilsons’ for the night.  They are eager because Chloe has made a cake for them.”

Cameron pulled her close and asked softly, “What about you, Mrs. Hart?  Are you eager, too?”

“Eager isn’t the word I’d use to describe my feelings.  I’m in a flutter, to be honest.  I’m looking forward to being alone with you and sleeping beside you, but the rest—”

“The rest is my job.” Cam touched her lips with his. “Trust me.”

It took two nights of cuddling, kisses, hugs, and romantic words until Hannah was finally eager to make their marriage real.  Now that it was, they couldn’t get enough of each other.  He missed her when he was at the office, and he loved being home with his family.

After talking to Joe about his devotion to his family and his reluctance to relinquish it for weeks at a time while working at the capitol, Joe had a solution.  “If you should win, you could get a little house in Topeka for your family while you’re at the capitol.  You’ll be more than able to afford one.”

“What an excellent idea.  I can’t wait to tell it to Hannah,” Cameron said.

“Well, first we have to win.  Now, let’s write down your platform and some speeches.  Remember—we need a railway to come to Hunter’s Grove.”

“On what will I base the need for it to stop here?” he asked Joe.

“The salt mines.  It had to close due to a lack of workers.  We need to keep that valuable mine open.   We also have land grants that have sat stagnant.  No one wants them without transportation.  If we get the railroad through, those land grants will be grabbed up fast, and there are even more for the railroad to use.

“The railroad will bring industries and businesses to Hunter’s Grove.”

Cameron had taken notes.  “I’ll make it a priority.”

Hannah supported Cameron with his campaigning and even gave a few speeches for him.  They posed for photographs with the children and everywhere they went in town, people knew them.

Cameron won the election by a landslide and these were the first words of his acceptance speech.  “Without the support from my family, I wouldn’t be here today to announce our victory.”  He pulled Hannah and the children close.  “They helped and encouraged me, and I promise to be the best Senator this state has ever had.  This is our home, and I want to make it the best place for my family and for my fellow citizens.”

Epilogue

Topeka, Kansas  1875

Annabelle held her finger out for the new baby to grasp.  “She’s strong.”

“What do you think of your new baby sister, George?”  Hannah asked.

“She’s all right.”

“Mama,” Annabelle said with more seriousness than Hannah had seen in a long time, “will there be a lot more babies coming?”

Hannah remembered Annabelle and George’s past.  Their parents had lived in a run-down three-bedroom home with fifteen children and had to give some of them away.

“Come here, Annabelle,” Hannah said, patting her lap.  “I don’t care how old you are; you aren’t too big for my lap, and you never will be.

“Unfortunately, the doctor said I won’t be able to have any more children.  That saddened me at first, but then I thanked God because three children is a perfect size for a family.  I have two beautiful daughters, Lillian and Annabelle, and the cutest son, George, who no longer wants to be call Georgie.”

Cameron came into the bedroom.  “Hannah, have you seen my briefcase?”

“Yes, dear.  It’s hanging on the closet doorknob.”

“Thank you.  I’ve just received a message that an emergency meeting is being called, and I have to rush over to the capitol.” Cameron grabbed his case and kissed all three children, but Hannah got the biggest kiss of all.

“I’ll wait up for you, Cam,” she whispered

Cam kissed her again.  “Now, I won't be