Forever Love Read online

  Simultaneously, shouts came from outside. And then he was there, standing in the open door.

  Hank.

  Dear God, no. Please don’t let him be here. This isn’t his fight. He’ll die just like Geoffrey and I won’t be able to bear that. God, please protect him.

  “Hank, go back!”

  His eyes sought her out. He flashed a brief look of disapproval as his eyes took in the rest of the scene. “Stay out of this, Jessie. This here’s between me ‘n Henderson now. The mask on his face that day shouldn’t have made a difference. I should have known it was him. No one threatens my woman.”

  A pistol bellowed. Another followed. The hotel! She didn’t care.

  Hank!

  Oh God, please! She did care. She loved Hank.

  “Give it up, Henderson. If I’d known it was you who killed Jessie’s brother, I’d a made sure you’d been strung up before now. You killed two men and terrorized women. It’s time you paid for that.”

  Henderson’s bark of laughter filled the room. The two men glared at each other, a muscle working in Hank’s jaw. Then he stepped forward. “There’s only two ways you’re goin’ out of here today, Henderson. Either to jail to wait for the marshal or to the undertaker’s so as he can fit you for a wood box. The choice is yours.”

  He’s going to do something crazy. She knew it with all her being. He needed to leave. Now! Before it was too late. Before—

  “You’re a dead man, Beaumont. Been waitin’ for this day too long.”

  Shots sounded. Terror surged anew in Jessica’s chest. For the space of several heartbeats, chaos reigned as flying bullets filled the room. The gas lamp in the corner of the room crashed to the floor. Men lay on the ground. Some lay on tables. Blood everywhere. One man crashed to the floor right in front of her. Rooted in place, Jessica screamed.

  And screamed. And screamed.

  More gunfire echoed through the room. And then it was silent. Soon the scuffling of feet sounded on the floor. Furniture scraped as it was moved aside. The Christmas tree she’d set by the stairs to decorate later in the week was toppled over. She jumped to her feet.

  Hank!

  Where was he? She couldn’t see him. He wasn’t standing. Then she saw him. Behind the table closest to the door. He was on the ground and several men were bending over him.

  No! She couldn’t lose him, too. He’d asked her to marry him and she’d been too foolish not to say yes. He’d said he loved her. Other than Geoffrey, no one had ever told her that.

  Please don’t let him be dead! God, please. I never told him I loved him! Now I know why You sent me to live out West. You wanted me to be with Hank. You wanted us to heal each other. He needs me, God. And I need him. Please let him live so we can live a long life together. Forever.

  Jessica jumped up and ran over to Hank. Tears streamed down her face unchecked as she pushed everyone out of the way to get to him. Although his eyes were closed, he was breathing, his chest moving slowly up and down. She placed her hand over his heart just to make sure. His rose to cover hers.

  Jessica thought she was going to faint. Instead she bent to kiss him. She didn’t care who saw. His eyes opened and he stared at her. Doc was treating him, but not saying anything.

  Finally, she heard, “Jessie?”

  A rush of relief swept through her. “Yes, Hank.”

  His expression grew tender. “I love you.”

  Swallowing a sob, she answered, “I love you, too.”

  “Will you marry me?”

  She didn’t have to think twice. “Yes, Hank. Oh yes, I’ll marry you.”

  He raised up on his good arm while Doc tried to put a tourniquet on his wounded arm to stem the bleeding. “Someone go fetch Reverend Ballard. I’m not letting her change her mind.”

  “If you don’t mind, I’d like to get you to my office first so we can get this bullet out,” Doc said drolly.

  “You remove the bullet, someone else go get the reverend.” He tried to sit up, but fell back to the floor.

  “Hank!!!”

  * * * *

  Alone in their room on the top floor of the hotel, Hank lay beside her on the bed. “Have I told you today that I love you?”

  Jessica smiled as her fingers traced lightly across his chest. “You did, but I’m not averse to hearing it again.”

  He brushed his lips against the tip of her nose and drew her close. “Goodnight, wife. I love you. As I plan on doing for the rest of our lives. For once a Beaumont did something the right way. I married you.” He brushed his lips against hers.

  “We married each other. Don’t forget, we’re partners.”

  He smiled as he lifted his mouth to hers again. “Ah, wife, did anyone ever tell you you’re one stubborn woman?”

  “All the time. Geoffrey told me that my whole life, and you’ve told me almost every day since we met.” She lowered her head to return his kiss.

  All his life he’d been searching for something, and God had delivered the answer to his prayers directly to him—just in time for Christmas.

  The clock chimed twelve times. He pulled back and rose up on his elbow. Smiling, he reached behind him and pulled two things off the wooden table beside their bed—a piece of paper and a small box. He sat up and drew her to his side. “Merry Christmas, my love.”

  She frowned when he gave her the paper. “What’s this?”

  “The bill of sale for the saloon.” Her eyes widened in surprise. “After God answered all my prayers and gave me you, I realize how wrong I’ve been in not serving Him. I loved Him as a child, but discounted Him as I grew up. For that I was wrong, and I’ll spend the rest of my life making that up to Him.”

  “But what...?”

  “We’re going to run the hotel—full time.”

  “But you’ll miss it.”

  He nodded. “I might for awhile. But if we do all the changes you’ve been nagging me to make, it will keep both of us busy.” A mischievous smile tugged at his lips. “And I hope someday soon the sound of little feet will be gracing our lives.” He brushed a lock from her forehead. “If honest with yourself, you never liked me owning the saloon. And I don’t want our children living like I did. I was loved, but it was…wrong.”

  “Oh, Hank. I do love you.”

  “Now before I sign my name to this, I have a question to ask you. Do you want me to just sell the saloon to someone else, or would you like me to overhaul it and turn it into a theatre? With all the people coming through town, I believe there will be a call for something like that.”

  She threw her arms around his neck. “I love that idea! Can we really do that? Can we afford it?”

  “I’ve done a lot of figuring this past week, and although things will be really tight for quite awhile, with the two of us setting our minds to it, I think we can pull it off.”

  “Then let’s do it!” She tore the bill of sale in half.

  “You do know another saloon will open somewhere else in town. Closing ours won’t be the end of it.”

  Tears filled her eyes. “I know, but at least we’ll be doing the right thing. If someone else opens a saloon, God will just have to deal with them in His own way.” She smiled through her tears. “And you know He will!”

  Hank laid his hand over hers. “Then it’s a deal. You and I will be the proud owners of the Beaumont Hotel and Theatre.” He picked up the box and placed it in her hand. Now open this.

  Pulling open the gold ribbon tied in a bow atop the box, Jessica removed the lid to reveal a delicate gold pendant attached to a black velvet ribbon. Tears streamed down her face as she lifted it from the box and handed it to Hank. Reaching around her, he trailed kisses up her neck as he fastened the necklace.

  Jessica’s fingers lightly traced the wording on the pendant–Forever Love.

  She whispered, “I love you, Hank.”

  “And I you.”

  ~Epilogue~

  As Hank and Jessica lay sound asleep entwined in each other’s arms, Angel brushed a lock of h
air off Hank’s forehead. “He looks peaceful now, Beau.”

  He came and wrapped his arms around her waist as they watched the sleeping couple. “Yup, I reckon he does. And she looks as happy as you did in my arms all those years ago.”

  She reached up and lightly touched Beau’s face. “She makes him happy.”

  “They make each other happy. They needed each other. Each was a lost soul. Him all his life alone in this town. Her when she came here, despite the wealth she’d grown up with. Now we know why they had to become partners in the hotel instead of either owning it outright. They complete each other.”

  “I wish we could have done more during the fight last week. It hurts me that Hank was injured. Why did you stop me? I wanted to do more than throw mugs and candlesticks at those outlaws. I could have smashed a table down on top of someone. Or—”

  “You couldn’t do more, my love.”

  Hands on hips, she glared at him. “Whyever not? I was just getting warmed up.”

  He ran his fingers lightly over her cheek. “Because it wasn’t our fight.”

  She faced Hank and Jessica, and Beau’s arms circled her waist, holding her tight. She glanced over her shoulder to meet his eyes once again. “That’s what Jessica said about Hank. She said it wasn’t his fight. Did you expect her to fight those men by herself?”

  His face grave, he answered, “Of course not. But she was wrong, my love. It was Hank’s fight. He needed to do it to prove to himself how much he loved her. He stormed in there thinking of no one but her. He put her before himself. That’s true love. The young lady still had doubts about herself. Didn’t believe he really loved her. It’s why she didn’t accept his marriage offer when he first asked her. She thought he was teasing. When she realized how much of himself he risked for her, all doubts were erased.”

  Her eyes brimmed with emotion. “I love you, Beau.”

  “And I love you, Angel. I always will. May our grandson be as happy with his new wife as you made me all those years ago.”

  “And may they love each other as long as we have—as we do.”

  Forever.

  From the Highland Press Publishing Inspirational Anthology

  Always…Only You

  http://highlandpress.org

  http://leanneburroughs.com

  Praise for

  Leanne Burroughs’ Books!

  Highland Wishes by Leanne Burroughs. The storyline, set in a time when tension was high between England and Scotland, is a fast-paced tale. This reviewer was easily captivated by the story and was enthralled by it until the end. The reader will laugh and cry, feel all the pain, torment and disillusionment felt by both main characters, but also the joy and love they felt. Ms. Burroughs has crafted a well-researched story that gives a glimpse into Scotland during a time when there was upheaval and war for independence. This reviewer commends her for a wonderful job done.

  ~Dawn Roberto, Love Romances

  * * * *

  Her Highland Rogue – Laughter, tears and love shine through this wonderful novel. This reviewer was amazed at Leanne Burroughs' depth and perception in this storyline. Her wonderful way with words plays itself through each page like a lyrical note and will captivate the reader till the very end. Read Her Highland Rogue and be transported to a time full of mystery and promise of a future. This reviewer is highly recommending this book for those who enjoy an engrossing Scottish tale full of humor, love and laughter.

  ~Dawn Roberto, Love Romances

  * * * *

  Highland Miracle by Leanne Burroughs - Wonderfully written, with vibrant characters, this story is a masterpiece of historical fiction. Readers will be impressed with the amount of research the author has done. She has creatively mixed actual people with fictitious ones, thereby allowing the reader to enter into this momentous period of history. The anguish and adventure of this war becomes very real, as it provides the reasoning behind the characters' words and actions.

  ~ Joyce Handzo, In the Library Reviews

  * * * *

  Within every heart lies a flame of hope, a dream of true love, a glimmering thought that the goodness of life is far, far larger than the challenges and adversities arriving in every life. In Flames of Gold lie five short stories wrapping characters into that mysterious, poignant mixture of pain and pleasure, sorrow and joy, stony apathy and resurrected hope. Deftly plotted, paced precisely to hold interest and delightfully unfolding, Flames of Gold deserves to be enjoyed in any season, guaranteeing that real holiday spirit endures within the gifts of faith, hope and love personified in these engaging, spirited stories!

  ~ Viviane Crystal, Crystal Reviews

  * * * *

  Romance Upon A Midnight Clear (Anthology) - Each of these stories is well-written; when grouped together, they pack a powerful punch. Each author shares exceptional characters and a multitude of emotions ranging from grief to elation. You cannot help being able to relate to these stories that touch your heart and will entertain you at any time of year, not just the holidays.

  ~Matilda, Coffee Time Romance

  * * * *

  Christmas is a magical time and these talented authors answer the question of what happens when Christmas Wishes come true in this incredible anthology. What a joy to read such splendid stories!

  ~ Debbie, CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

  (Revised e-book now available online.)

  * * * *

  I don't think the reader will find a better compilation of mouth watering short romantic love stories than in Recipe for Love! This is a highly recommended volume—perfect for beaches, doctor's offices, or anywhere you've a few minutes to read.

  ~ Marilyn Rondeau, Reviewers International Organization

  (Revised e-book now available online.)

  * * * *

  Holiday in the Heart (Anthology) - Stories that would put even Scrooge into the Christmas spirit. It does not matter what type of romance genre you prefer. This book has a little bit of everything. The stories are set in the U.S.A. and Europe. Some take place in the past, some in the present, and one story takes place in both! I strongly suggest you put on something comfortable, brew up something hot (tea, coffee or cocoa will do), light up a fire, settle down somewhere quiet and begin reading this anthology.

  ~ Detra Fitch, Huntress Reviews

  (Revised e-book now available online.)

  * * * *

  Legend says that if you wish with all your heart upon the rare blue moon, your wishes were sure to come true. Angels may help, ancient spells may be broken. Even vampires will find their perfect mate with the power of the blue moon. Blue Moon Magic is a perfect read for late at night or during your commute to work. It offers historicals, contemporaries, time travel, paranormal, and futuristic narratives to tempt your heart. If you do not have the time to finish a full-length novel, and hate stopping in the middle of a loving tale, I highly recommend grabbing this book.

  ~ Kim Swiderski, Writers Unlimited Reviewer

  (Revised e-book now available online.)

  * * * *

  Legend has it that a blue moon is enchanted. What happens when talented authors utilize this theme to create enthralling stories of love? Readers will find a wide variety of time periods and styles showcased in this superb anthology. Blue Moon Enchantment is sure to offer a little bit of something for everyone!

  ~ Debbie, CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

  (Revised e-book now available online.)

  * * * *

  Love Under the Mistletoe is a fun anthology that infuses the beauty of the season with fun characters and unforgettable situations. This is one of those books you can read year round and still derive great pleasure from each of the charming stories. A wonderful compilation of holiday stories.

  ~ Chrissy Dionne, Romance Junkies

  * * * *

  No Law Against Love (Anthology) - If you have ever found yourself rolling your eyes at some of the more stupid laws, then you are going to adore this novel. A stellar anthology that had me laughing, sigh
ing in pleasure, believing in magic, and left me begging for more! This is one novel that will go directly to my ‘Keeper’ shelf, to be read over and over again. Very highly recommended!

  ~ Detra Fitch, Huntress Reviews

  (Revised e-book now available online.)

  Be sure to check Highland Press Publishing’s website often

  to see the available books and our new single short stories/novellas

  available as e-Books

  http://highlandpress.org