April Grace had a childhood unlike most girl's. Despite the differences, she has always been a happy, likable girl. When tragedy shakes her faith and trust , only friends- and a certain handsome cowboy will help her to survive this storm and fulfill the last promise she made to her father: To move on and be happy. Author's Note: *This story does contain a slightly touchy subject.* If it bothers you then by all means do not read. It was deeply on my mind and heart though and I simply HAD to write it out. This is a CLEAN HISTORICAL ROMANCE with a HAPPILY EVER AFTER! HAPPY READING! - Lady Rosabella
"That was a fine supper, darlin'." Garrett Lace said with a smile as he leaned back in his chair. "You would make your mother proud."
April Grace smiled at her Pa as she stood to clear their plates from the table. "You compliment me far too often, Pa."
A small from creased Garrett's forehead as he studied his young daughter. She was eighteen now. A grown woman. "Gracie, you- you've had a happy life, haven't you?"
"What?" she turned from the dirty dishes to look at her pa in confusion.
"I mean, even though your ma wasn't here to help bring you up. I've done right by you haven't I? You've been happy enough. Right?"
"Oh, Pa." Leaving the dishes, Grace dried her hands on her apron as she knelt beside her fathers chair and took his scared hands in hers. "Pa, of course I have. You shouldn't ever doubt that. I know I never had what most girls did, but you are the best father to me. "
"Even though I'm tied to this blasted chair?" Garrett shock his head in disgust.
"Pa, you may not be perfect but I never once expected you to be. You were injured in the most heroic way and I applaud you. I could never be more proud of my father." Reaching up, Grace pressed a kiss to her father's weathered cheek. "I love you, Pa."
"Gracie, your'e eighteen this year and well- things are gonna be a mite different around here."
"Oh, Pa. You don't have to worry about me marrying or something and leaving you." Grace laughed as she patted her father's hand and stood up. "You know you are the only man in my life."
"Now, Gracie, you settle down a minute and listen to me. I don't want you wasting your life catering to an old crippled man. I've served my purpose and raised you as your mama would've wanted."
A frown crinkled her brow as she frowned at her father. "Pa, what are you saying?"
Garrett paused and gathered his thoughts. He mustn't give too much away. He didn't want her to find out too soon or to worry about him. Although, she probably should be. Garrett missed his wife- missed her so much every drawn breath caused him pain in his heart and mind. Each breath he too was a breath without his Belle. "I'm saying that you shouldn't stay in the past. Each day is brand new and you need to move forward. Embrace each day. Make your life count for something. "
"You mean you want me to find a job in town or marry?"
"Or both if you want to. Gracie, you are a young woman now. A young woman exactly like your mother was. If your heart is anything like hers was, I know that you must long for a family of your own. You need babies to cuddle and a husband to dote on. Not your old pa."
"If it will please you, pa, I'll socialize more. "
"Gracie, socializing isn't exactly what I'm referring to." Pushing back from the table, Garrett rolled closer to his daughter. The daughter that so closely resembled her beautiful mother. "I want you to move on with your life and create a happy life for your husband and family. Promise me, Gracie. Promise me you will be happy. "
"I promise, Pa." Grace said, tears filling her eyes unexpectedly. She didn't know why her father was being so solemn this evening. Usually, he was a happy joyful type. Most evenings after supper, he would tell Grace stories of her mother. Or experiences he had when he rode as a Texas Ranger. Usually a smile was always upon his lips, a joke or teasing comment on his tongue. Tonight however he seemed very different, and it worried Grace.
"Good. Good. I'm gonna go to bed now. I'm a bit tuckered out tonight. Now, Gracie, " Garrett paused his chair at the doorway of his room off of the kitchen. "You remember your promise now, 'ya hear? Don't you forget it."
"I won't" Grace promised. "Good night, Pa. I love you."
"Love you too my little April's Grace." Casting her a wink that was a bit more like his old self, Garrett wheeled his chair into his room and shut the door firmly behind him. It had been a long day and he still had a letter to write before bed.
Grace finished washing the dishes and stacked them neatly on the shelves above the counter, then she tiptoed off to her own bed. It had been a tiring day and her pa's odd behavior at dinner weighed heavily on her mind as she changed out of her work dress and into her white night dress. Kneeling alongside the bed, Grace folded her hands together and said a heartfelt prayer. "And please God, be with my pa. Give him the strength to go on. I know each day is a struggle for him without my mama, but if you could help him out just a bit I would be forever grateful. Through Jesus name, Amen." Rising quickly, Grace snuggled under her warm quilt. Her eyes were drooping shut almost before her head touched her pillow.
---
Grace was making breakfast the next morning when her father's bedroom door opened and he came out. "Morning Pa." Grace said with a smile towards her favorite father.
"Good morning, April Grace." Garret winked at his daughter and dramatically sniffed the air. " Ah good. You got my note." He said as he wheeled himself to the table.
"What note?" Grace giggled as she sat the stack on pancakes on the table before him.
"The note that said you better make my favorite pumpkin spiced pancakes or else I'll make you sleep in the barn."
Grace rolled her eyes as she took her seat. "You've never made anyone sleep in the barn, Pa. You had best think up a new note because i know your threats are useless."
"Aw well... I've always been better at eating pancakes than making up threats."
"Here." Grace said passing the maple syrup to her Pa. "We don't have much syrup left. I'll have to see Mr. Willis about that."
"Mmhhmm." Garrett said around a mouthful of pancake. "Him and his boys always did make the best syrup ."
"Yes sir." Grace said savoring her own bite of sweet spice pancake.
"I have to ride into town this morning. Talk to Tom about that rocking chair he's been fixing for me."
"I'm surprised he isn't finished with it." Grace commented as she took a sip of her milk. "He's usually pretty fast but he's had that chair for nearly two weeks already."
"True, but I heard he's been going back and for to the city. Something about his married daughter."
"Kate? I wonder how she's doing. I haven't heard anything from her since she married and moved away."
"Well, it can't be good news if her Pa has to go to the city four times within two weeks."
"Four times? I wonder if she's okay."
"I'm sure her Pa will get everything squared away. " Finishing the last swig in his glass, Garrett wiped his mouth and pushed away from the table. "I'd better be off. Anything I can get for you, Gracie?"
"I do need a few spices." Grace said standing up as well. "Why don't I go with you and I can pick them up while you see Tom?" She suggested as she piled the dishes on the counter and moved to fetch her bonnet.
"No, no. I'll get the spices."
"But Pa-"
"No, you just stay here. Air out the parlor's rugs like you've been wanting to do. I'll get your spices and be back faster then a hunting dog."
"Okay, but remember to take you hat Pa. I don't want you to catch a headache."
"Sun never used to bother me." Garrett grumbled as Grace returned from his room carrying his brown stetson.
Allie and Hella Harbor used to have a happy family life. That was before a cold hearted killed cut down heir parents. Fearing for their lives, they flee...right into the arms of danger. What would you do if you had a killer in the family?
Livy has always had a difficult life, she's never been one of the girls with a million friends. One night a 'prince charming' in the form of a road worker finds her passed out on the sidewalk. This begins a rather forced friendship as they endure the tragedies that life rolls at them. Just a sweet story that WILL have a happy ending.
**This a rough story i did many years ago. It's rough but can be a good read if you use your imagination a bit....** This includes four short stories 1. The Big Heist (Story Of Mi'co) 2. Madness of Mi'cio 3.Enemy of Mi'cio 4.Ghost of Mi'cio Here is a scene from part two Madness of Mi'cio: She couldn’t see her mom but she followed her voice, she walked toward it. “Mother, what is going on?” she whispered. “Nobody knows.” A voice on the right answered. “Something really weird is going on here, Rose. There is something wrong with Webb and his gang of justice dealers.” Her father warned. “Beware of them.” “Is there anyway I can get you guys out of here?” she whispered. “No. Webb has the only security card that has access to all the prison doors.” One of Webb’s jailed officers informed her. “Is there anything else I should know?” she whispered. There was silence as each of the prisoners considered. “There is a spare blaster in my room,” her father whispered, “keep it with you always, and don’t hesitate to use it, Rose.” This is a first attempt at writing, check out some of my other stuff ( better writing, I promise) and let me know what you think! Thanks!! :)
Willow, daughter of Zane and River, has had a crush on her best friend since she was ten years old. Her overprotective family members and friends are worried that he'll break her heart. Meanwhile, however, an evil is brewing that may change every thing Willow thought she knew. Will she have the strength to over come it or will it break the cheerful girl. Will Trent, son of Micah and Lily, ever act on his desires for his best friend or will he allow insecurities to rule over his life. Join Zane, River, Micah, Lily, Rhett, Lacey, Vance and Grace as well as their many children in the third book of the Loving series. 1. Loving River 2. Loving Lily 3. The Ranger's Daughter 4. Loving Willow This is a clean historical romance that will have an HEA Happy Reading!
His first memories were of watching his father do business with his 'clients'. Zane's father is rich, powerful, and evil. Everything Zane is determined not to be. After watching his father murder an innocent couple, Zane leaves town to create a life of his own. When circumstances bring him home, he comes face to face with a victim he loved as a child. She remembers crouching in the empty pickle barrel in a cellar. Shouting. Her mother pleading for more time. Gun shots. Silence. Then men men began searching. Searching for her. "Find me that girl." Her nightmare growled. "I have plans for her." Loud suggestive laughter followed his statement. From that day forward, River began her life over. Working her job, paying her rent, and avoiding the advances of a man eager to catch her off guard. Life was lonely but it was predictable. Predictable meant safe. Then Zane arrived. He's determined to win her heart. She will learn how to love. *This is a CLEAN HEA historical romance.
Deputy Micah finds himself alone and lonely when his best friend finds himself happily married. While all the other men have families and homes to go to at the end of the day, Micah goes to the only place that feels like home. The saloon. Lily has escaped her rich powerful abusive father. She longs to rescue her sister from the same situation, so she works as a serving girl at the saloon, saving every penny she earns to send for her sister. Micah has always admired the sweet gentle serving girl, though he has no idea the amount of trouble that admiration will bring him. THIS IS A HAPPILY EVER AFTER HISTORICAL ROMANCE This a sequel to Loving River- it can stand alone but it helps if you've read the first.
Rosalynn's marriage to Brian wasn't what she envisioned it to be. Her husband, Brian, barely came home. He avoided her like a plague. Worse still, he was always in the news for dating numerous celebrities. Rosalynn persevered until she couldn't take it anymore. She upped and left after filing for a divorce. Everything changed days later. Brian took interest in a designer that worked for his company anonymously. From her profile, he could tell that she was brilliant and dazzling. He pulled the stops to find out her true identity. Little did he know that he was going to receive the greatest shocker of his life. Brian bit his finger with regret when he recalled his past actions and the woman he foolishly let go.
The dream of everyone with regards to marriage is to be able to find that special someone and settle down with them. Even arranged marriages grant you an opportunity to meet your partner briefly before the wedding. How will you feel about waking up in the morning with someone sleeping next to you who is not just anyone but your legally married partner yet with no memory of how that had happened in just a few hours of going out the previous day? This is the story of Jason Haward and Julia Harrison, two strangers trapped in a marriage they never planned. The quest to find out why led to the unfolding of a mystery which made them realize they are both living a lie. To find out more, read this amazing story of love, betrayal, revenge and murder.
After three years of loveless marriage, Kira was slapped with divorce papers. She has shown him her unrequited love throughout her entire marriage with him, but he decided to turn blind eyes all because of his lover. Distraught and heartbroken, Kira choose to sign the divorce papers with bitter heart. But then and there, she promised herself that when she's back, he will come crawling to her, but she will make him pay for hurting her. Join Kira as she transform to a wealthy heiress and soared as the CEO of a multi-billion-dollar empire, a remarkable healer and make her ex-husband pay!
Rena got into an entanglement with a big shot when she was drunk one night. She needed Waylen's help while he was drawn to her youthful beauty. As such, what was supposed to be a one-night stand progressed into something serious. All was well until Rena discovered that Waylen's heart belonged to another woman. When his first love returned, he stopped coming home, leaving Rena all alone for many nights. She put up with it until she received a check and farewell note one day. Contrary to how Waylen expected her to react, Rena had a smile on her face as she bid him farewell. "It was fun while it lasted, Waylen. May our paths never cross. Have a nice life." But as fate would have it, their paths crossed again. This time, Rena had another man by her side. Waylen's eyes burned with jealousy. He spat, "How the hell did you move on? I thought you loved only me!" "Keyword, loved!" Rena flipped her hair back and retorted, "There are plenty of fish in the sea, Waylen. Besides, you were the one who asked for a breakup. Now, if you want to date me, you have to wait in line." The next day, Rena received a credit alert of billions and a diamond ring. Waylen appeared again, got down on one knee, and uttered, "May I cut in line, Rena? I still want you."
Alcohol and heartbreak are definitely not a good combo.Too bad I learnt that a little too late. I’m Tessa Beckett and I painfully got dumped by my boyfriend of three years.That led me to getting drunk at a bar and having a one-night stand with a stranger.Before he would see me as a slut the next day,I paid him for the sex and deeply insulted his ability to please me. But this stranger turned out to be my new boss!
"The entire wealthy circle in Seattle knew how much Stella Carlson loved Aaron Malone. People watched the childhood sweethearts grow from inexperience to maturity, finally getting married in a grand wedding ceremony. On the day of the wedding, despite the alliance between the Carlson and Malone families, the groom ran away. Stella knew that Aaron had rushed to L.A. to take care of his ex-girlfriend, who had attempted suicide. Unwilling to become the laughingstock of all Seattle, she gritted her teeth and dialed the number of her adversary, her tone almost commanding, "Ethan, come and marry me now. This is your only chance for revenge." On the other end, Ethan Powers raised an eyebrow as he gripped his phone, staring at the floor littered with cigarette butts. "Did the groom run away?" he asked. "My darling."