Free Sarah's Surrender by Vickie; McDonough Page B

men in the tent.” Sarah gazed at the clear view of the lottery tent. “I can see so much better than yesterday.”
    â€œIf we moved to the front, that wouldn’t be an issue.” Nannette scooted closer to Sarah, eyeing the grinning man beside her.
    â€œI doubt those men standing closest to the tent would be too happy if we butted in front of them.”
    Nannette pulled her fan from her handbag and snapped it open, giving Sarah a snide look. “Obviously, you don’t know how to handle a man. All you have to do is sweet-talk them and they quickly come around to your way of thinking.”
    Luke glanced at Jack and rolled his eyes. His friend grinned. To Luke’s way of thinking, he was glad Sarah wasn’t the flirty type. Nannette might make cow eyes at him and hang on his arm, but her flirtations didn’t affect him. Another woman had already staked a claim on his heart—she just didn’t know how much yet. Somehow he had to find a way to show her the depths of his love.
    He wished he could talk to Jack about it, but broaching the subject was difficult and not something easy for a man to talk about.
    A cheer rang out from the crowd, drawing his attention to the tent. Several men were rolling up the sides. A clock somewhere rang out nine chimes. Apparently the lottery would start on time today.
    Luke leaned against the wall of the doctor’s office, settling in for another long, boring day. He’d much rather be currying a horse, riding fence, or even branding instead of standing all day burning daylight. But this was his last chance to get free land and to offer Sarah the home she longed for. If he had a nice house, would she consider marrying him?
    Maybe.
    Maybe not.
    He blew out a long breath, drew out his knife, and started cleaning his fingernails. It was better than doing nothing.
    Colonel Dyer read out the name of the first winner, and cheers resounded as a gray-haired man squeezed through the horde and made his way onstage. He took a bow, raising more cheers.
    â€œCleaning fingernails in public is not exactly gentlemanly behavior.” Jack chuckled.
    â€œCan’t help if I’m bored.”
    â€œYou don’t have to stand here all day. Go on. I’ll let you know if you win.”
    He shook his head. “Naw. I reckon I’ll wait. I want to be here in case Sarah wins.”
    Jack leaned in closer. “I imagine you’re hoping she doesn’t.”
    Luke gazed at him for a long while then glanced at Sarah, glad to see her in conversation with Nannette. “I don’t exactly know how I feel. She wants a place of her own. I want to see her dreams come true, but …”
    â€œYou want to be a part of those dreams.”
    His jaw tightened as he nodded. But he was afraid that he wasn’t part of Sarah’s dreams. He cast another quick glance at Sarah, glad she was focused on Nannette’s animated story. “What if she doesn’t feel the same?”
    Jack rolled his head around, popping his neck. “You need to pray. Make sure that it’s God’s will for her and you to be together, and if it is, trust Him to make that happen.”
    Luke listened to another man’s name being called out. Jack almost always turned a topic to God. There was a time Luke hadn’t given God much thought, but having been around Gabe, Jack, and Lara’s grandpa, three God-fearing men, for so long, his ideas on faith and God had changed. He wasn’t the strongest believer, but he did believe. He leaned a foot against the wall behind him and pocketed his knife. Now was as good a time as any to pray.
    He gazed up at the sky. A few small clouds floated by like fluffy dandelion puffs.
Lord, I know I haven’t talked to You much, but I aim to do better. Jack’s sermons have settled in and made me realize I need You in my life. I’d also like to have Sarah—the woman I love—by my side, but I need You to help