Free Bartered Bride Romance Collection by Cathy Marie Hake

Francois, happy and singing; Mathilde, quieter like her papa. They kept their mama busy.
    Edouard had been gone for three days on a gator hunt. Josée touched her growing stomach. Another bébé to feed soon, but le bon Dieu would take care of everything. That, and help Edouard get a good gator to trade for more lumber. The bayou cabin seemed to be shrinking.
    She hoisted herself to her feet, not as easily as a few weeks ago. “Children, let’s eat dinner, and then I will tell you stories.”
    They clapped again then grabbed each other’s hands and ran ahead of her to the cabin.
    Josée made them wash their hands before they ate. A familiar journal lay on the table. She would teach her children to read and write and love the language of their people. For now, her time of writing in this book was over. Josée no longer needed the recipes to help her remember. Edouard was starting to get a bit round like Papa from her cooking.
    She touched the book’s cover. One day, another LeBlanc might read these pages and learn from her as well as Capucine.
    “Bon soir, journale ,” she whispered. Josée rose and placed the journal with the other books in the trunk to keep until her children were old enough.
    The sound of a pirogue moving over the waters made Josée look toward the doorway. The children scrambled to their feet and ran.
    “Papa, it’s Papa! He’s home!”
    Josée moved as quickly as her feet would let her. The familiar face and form she knew and loved so well came into view. “Oui, he’s home.”

Lynette Sowell is an award-winning author with New England roots, but she makes her home in Central Texas with her husband and a herd of five cats. When she’s not writing, she edits medical reports and chases down stories for the local newspaper.

BUTTON STRING BRIDE
    by Cathy Marie Hake

Dedication
    Dedicated to two of my greatest joys,
Kelly Eileen and Colin James.
May you each wait on the Lord
and seek His choice for you—in life and in love.
Whatever joys or trials lie ahead on the path,
walk with the Lord and let Him light the way.
    Love,
Mom

Chapter 1

    M iss Davis, the trail master ordered us to combine wagons if we want to continue on to Oregon. Otherwise, they’ll leave us behind when we reach Fort Laramie.” Ethan Cole shifted his weight more firmly into the heels of his scuffed cowhide boots as he broke the news. “We’ll try to make the best of it. A single lady like you shouldn’t be stranded among all of the soldiers, and to be perfectly frank, I need help with my young’uns.”
    Miss Davis wet her lips and whispered, “I’m willing to watch your children, sir. I just don’t see how you can do more …”
    From the way her voice trailed off, Ethan knew she didn’t understand exactly what the order entailed. He cast a quick look to the side. Banner Laswell had come along to lend the soothing support of her presence. She stayed silent, so he softened his voice and strove to break the news gently. “The plan is for you to put your essentials in my wagon. We’re to leave your rig behind.” Every speck of color seeped out of Miss Davis’s cheeks, and he feared she might keel over from the revelation. Ethan cupped her elbow and coaxed her to sit on a nearby log.
    Other than knowing her ma was the first to die on their trek due to a snakebite and her pa’s heart gave out a few nights ago, Ethan knew virtually nothing about Charity Davis. He’d been too busy with his own troubles to mind anyone else’s business. For a few moments, he silently studied her and tried to take her measure. Most of the women set out on the trip in simple, full gowns made from calico feed sacks; but quality bolt goods draped artistically over Miss Davis’s hoops, and her outfit boasted more frills and doodads than any gown he’d ever seen. Small and fine-boned, she looked hopelessly out of place in this wilderness. All it took was a bit of bad news, and she was nigh unto swooning. Ethan barely disguised his grimace.