Free Hannah: A Bride For Cowboy Warren (Mail Order Brides For The Doyle Brothers Book 1) by Jenny Creek Tanner

a similar hope in the world, the same one that he saw shining from her eyes. But that hope had been dashed. Burned out and shot to pieces with the war.
    “Gus,” Essie said, her voice breaking into his dark thoughts. “Why is it that things never happen in real life like they do in books?”
    He wanted to laugh and spout some cynical words in reply, but Essie was the one person he wouldn't do that to. He wanted to preserve her innocence as much as possible. To protect her from the harsher realities of life.
    He swallowed, the pies sweetness matching that of the woman in front of him. “A good book will take you out of where you are and put you smack dab in the middle of something new. Something different.” He considered his own book collection. “Folks read to escape reality. Maybe that’s why it’s always better than real life.”
    She frowned, rubbing the baby’s back with her delicate hand. “I suppose you’re right.”
    She sounded sad and he immediately regretted what he’d said. Had it been too harsh?
    “I’m sorry,” he managed.
    Her eyes shot to his, surprised. “Whatever for?” then she smiled, like the sun rising up from behind the mountains. “You’re right, you know. I would assume reading about a prince rescuing a handmaiden is much better than reading about how the prince demanded she clean his boots instead.” She managed a laugh. “It’s just that sometimes I just wish…” she trailed off.
    He wished she could have a happy ending. And, by gum, she deserved it. But there wasn’t anything he could do to help her. Nothing he could do to make some man swoop in and sweep her off her feet.
    He stood quickly, bumping the table and startling the baby. “I best be going.”
    “So soon?” she asked, standing as well and shifting the weight of the baby in her arms.
    Her blue eyes searched his, so close and open, and the weight of reality settled heavy in his chest. He wanted to be the man that came in and rescued her.
    But that was ridiculous. Some prince he’d make. A bum leg and a grouchy personality, none of the things authors wrote about when describing the perfect hero.
    “I’ll bring the mare back when the blacksmith is done with her.” He limped toward the door then paused, his hand on the handle. “Thanks for the pie, Essie.”
    Her smile warmed him from the inside out and he forced himself to turn around and leave. Essie Cummins was too sweet and too innocent for the likes of him. He’d only ruin her with his bitterness.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Read the rest of Essie and Gus’s story!
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“ Music For His Heart ”
    Excerpt from A Meant-To-Be Mail Order Brides Western Romance

    All In A Letter
    Light filtered in through the tall windows lining the walls of the church. Dust motes did a slow dance in the air as Clara Thomas awaited the arrival of her last pupil. While she waited, her fingers traced the cool ivory keys in front of her. It had been over three months since she’d been forced to sacrifice her one remaining, precious possession to stay out of debt.  The regret of having to part with the piano she inherited from her mother still gnawed at her.  Memories of long-ago melodies played while seated at her mother’s side floated through her mind, and she felt the vise of guilt squeeze a tear from her eye.
    Her thoughts were interrupted by the loud bang of a slammed door at the back of the church, and the sound of footsteps pounded toward her. A soft smile parted her lips as she watched the little boy skid to a stop in front of her.
    “Sorry I’m late, Mrs. Thomas.” The boy’s golden hair flew in every possible direction and he chewed on the corner of his lip.
    “That’s all right, Robert.” She gave him a smile and he stopped biting his lip. “Just remember that being on time for your lessons is an important skill to master.”  He nodded and he